NCC Sophomore Rylee Turner will be a name to watch for this year.

 

Agreed. Have heard good things.

When I saw Ryle play last year I thought Schwartz and McGregor were as vital and as good as Scherr. It is going to be tough sledding without those two. I think Ryle is like Harrison County with Kellione last year. One great player but not enough to make a huge impact. Nothing against the cast surrounding Scherr at Ryle but when I’ve watched them play IMO they were just ok. Take Scherr out of the game like we did last year and make it a game. NDA almost beat Ryle last year in the region with Schwartz and McGregor!

 

So in my opinion I think Ryle could win the region but I think Highlands is the favorite. Macke and O’Hara are really good and the coaching at Highlands is the best in the area.

 

Highlands

NDA

Ryle

Dixie

 

6 way tie for 5th

 

Highlands certainly has a shot. But my money would be on Dixie first then NDA second pulling the upset if one happens.

NCC Sophomore Rylee Turner will be a name to watch for this year.

 

Who does she play for in the summer?

Any middle schoolers who will see Varsity action like Kay at Cooper last year? Will her sister or Logan be able to play way up this year as 8th graders? Anyone else?

Possibly that Sarah Baker (Ockerman) and Quinn Eubank (Gray) may see some minutes at Ryle.

No disrespect but Piper is lucky if she cracks top 10 in region!

I think we will know more after the scrimmages but I anticipate the following 8th graders to get meaningful varsity minutes some point this year:

 

1) Kayla Unkraut- Villa- Top 8th grader in NKY and one of the top in state!

2) Sarah Baker- Ryle

3) Julia Hunt- Holy Cross

4) Anna Hamilton- Conner

5) Ballyshannons outstanding 8th grade class has brought several up to JV and Fresh, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of two getting minutes at some point.

I think we will know more after the scrimmages but I anticipate the following 8th graders to get meaningful varsity minutes some point this year:

 

1) Kayla Unkraut- Villa- Top 8th grader in NKY and one of the top in state!

2) Sarah Baker- Ryle

3) Julia Hunt- Holy Cross

4) Anna Hamilton- Conner

5) Ballyshannons outstanding 8th grade class has brought several up to JV and Fresh, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of two getting minutes at some point.

 

Is the Gibson girl (7th grader, I think) playing FROSH at Holy Cross?

Unless something has changed I don't believe that Gibson (7th grader) followed her brothers foot steps to Holy Cross, for at least now anyway.

I think we will know more after the scrimmages but I anticipate the following 8th graders to get meaningful varsity minutes some point this year:

 

1) Kayla Unkraut- Villa- Top 8th grader in NKY and one of the top in state!

2) Sarah Baker- Ryle

3) Julia Hunt- Holy Cross

4) Anna Hamilton- Conner

5) Ballyshannons outstanding 8th grade class has brought several up to JV and Fresh, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of two getting minutes at some point.

 

I appreciate your passion for Unkraut but I think it’s a little much. She plays for Villa last year against very low level competition. She plays for Fusion in the summer. Fine local program but once again the competition is not worthy of “one of the top in the state”. If she wants to be the top 8th grader in the Ninth Region and wants to be a top player in the state that will never happen at Villa and with Fusion. The way AAU is now it’s probably too late to get the state wide recognition.

Im guessing you have watched very little of Kayla! In my opinion she is a top 10 player in her grade!

I do agree to your point on Villa and look for her to possibly move on after this year.

In regards to Fusion basketball, I challenge you to find any girls basketball program in the state of Kentucky that went out played the schedule Fusion played! You wont find it.

I appreciate your passion for Unkraut but I think it’s a little much. She plays for Villa last year against very low level competition. She plays for Fusion in the summer. Fine local program but once again the competition is not worthy of “one of the top in the state”. If she wants to be the top 8th grader in the Ninth Region and wants to be a top player in the state that will never happen at Villa and with Fusion. The way AAU is now it’s probably too late to get the state wide recognition.

You clearly dont follow "AAU" (no one plays aau anymore) but Fusion plays and competes at a national level.

Im guessing you have watched very little of Kayla! In my opinion she is a top 10 player in her grade!

I do agree to your point on Villa and look for her to possibly move on after this year.

In regards to Fusion basketball, I challenge you to find any girls basketball program in the state of Kentucky that went out played the schedule Fusion played! You wont find it.

 

First, for Dirty Dave, I only used the AAU term as generic as to not cause confusion. I will use the term summer exposure prep basketball if that’s helpful.

 

As to the other thought. There is NO chance NKY Fusion plays a schedule as hard as Kentucky Premier (Nike), Indy Gym Rats (Nike), West Virginia Thunder (Under Armour) or Indiana Flight (Unser Armour) teams. To imply so would only show a severe lack of knowledge about the current top players in the state of Kentucky. Here is some info

 

Top ten 2020s in ky play

Nike - 7

UA - 2

Kentucky Royals - 1

 

Top ten 2021s in ky play

Nike - 7

UA - 2

Unknown - 1

 

Top ten 2022s in Kentucky play

Nike - 6

UA - 3

Unknown - 1

 

If you think playing in the same 500 team tournament as one of these teams is playing as “difficult a schedule“ you are wrong. You might as well be in a gym a hundred miles away. The top 8th-10th graders in these programs had college coaches watching them play this past summer. They play in the top “divisions” while the local type teams (like Fusion) play in lower unwatched divisions. And at the older ages the disparity becomes even greater. The older Nike and UA teams play in Nike only or UA only tournaments with hundreds of coaches. No outside teams are able to come. If it’s an open tournament they play in the top diamond or platinum division that no local type team will be able to get into.

 

If your familiar at all with Summer Exposure Prep Basketball then you know it’s basically a monopoly. Like it or not these programs have the keys and no girl that plays for NKY Fusion will ever be a “top ten player” in Kentucky.

First, for Dirty Dave, I only used the AAU term as generic as to not cause confusion. I will use the term summer exposure prep basketball if that’s helpful.

 

As to the other thought. There is NO chance NKY Fusion plays a schedule as hard as Kentucky Premier (Nike), Indy Gym Rats (Nike), West Virginia Thunder (Under Armour) or Indiana Flight (Unser Armour) teams. To imply so would only show a severe lack of knowledge about the current top players in the state of Kentucky. Here is some info

 

Top ten 2020s in ky play

Nike - 7

UA - 2

Kentucky Royals - 1

 

Top ten 2021s in ky play

Nike - 7

UA - 2

Unknown - 1

 

Top ten 2022s in Kentucky play

Nike - 6

UA - 3

Unknown - 1

 

If you think playing in the same 500 team tournament as one of these teams is playing as “difficult a schedule“ you are wrong. You might as well be in a gym a hundred miles away. The top 8th-10th graders in these programs had college coaches watching them play this past summer. They play in the top “divisions” while the local type teams (like Fusion) play in lower unwatched divisions. And at the older ages the disparity becomes even greater. The older Nike and UA teams play in Nike only or UA only tournaments with hundreds of coaches. No outside teams are able to come. If it’s an open tournament they play in the top diamond or platinum division that no local type team will be able to get into.

 

If your familiar at all with Summer Exposure Prep Basketball then you know it’s basically a monopoly. Like it or not these programs have the keys and no girl that plays for NKY Fusion will ever be a “top ten player” in Kentucky.

Hummm you may want to educate yourself before speaking. Even better call me so we can discuss (859) 743-5453 Jason Litz

I watched Cincy Swish, with TWO NKY 8th graders, drill that Fusion team several months ago. Please don't create situations where to debate them looks like you are being negative about a freaking 13 year old. No one wants to do that, but when you make outrageous claims, they are going to force people to actually take the counter-point. Why the need for superlatives? Instead of "the top 8th grader in NKY", why not "one of the best..." In my opinion, it is far from clear-cut. Fusion is a nice program, and I know they have tried to get the two NKY'ers from Cincy Swish (that is a REALLY good team, by the way), but again, no need for the hyperbolic superlatives.

 

I hope Kayla, and ALL of the girls listed, have amazing years and stay healthy and reach their full potential.