2nd Region Boys Basketball Preview 

 

1. Lyon County (23-10): Talent-heavy Lyon County is poised to push for the 2nd Region boys' basketball championship. One of he top players in the state, high scoring freshman guard Travis Perry (26.6 ppg) is back to lead 2nd Region title contender Lyon County. Rejuvenated Lyon County is the reigning 5th District champion and reached the 2019-20 2nd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals. In addition to Perry, Lyon County returns juniors Jackson Shoulders (16.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg), Gunnar Bingham (9.0 ppg) and Nick Whalin (7.1 ppg) and freshman Brady Shoulders (4.0 ppg). Jackson Shoulders averaged a double-double throughout the 2019-20 boys' high school basketball season. 

 

2. University Heights Academy (15-14): After finishing as the 2019-20 8th District runner-up and making an appearance in the 2nd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament, University Heights Academy returns four starters. Senior guard KJ Crump is back to lead the Blazers. Along with Crump, senior guards DJ Quarles, Amani McGee and Will Bryan return for tradition-rich University Heights Academy. Each of UHA's four returning starters averaged double figures in scoring during the 2019-20 boys' high school basketball season. Adding to UHA's attack, freshman Gavin Grubbs is a talented newcomer. 

 

3. Christian County (13-19): Following an appearance in the 2019-20 2nd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals, Christian County is carrying momentum over into its latest campaign. Christian County lost its top two scorers to graduation. Still, junior forward/guard Olajuwon White (10.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg), junior guard Qua Chambers (8.4 ppg) and sophomore guard Bubba Leavell (6.2 ppg) form a productive trio for the Colonels. White ranked as the Colonels' top rebounder during the 2019-20 season. 

 

4. Henderson County (19-13): The Henderson County Colonels shouldn't be overlooked. Henderson County's roster features seniors Noah Curry (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Lance Skinner (5.6 ppg), Xavier Bugg (5.3 ppg)  and Eli Wilkes, among others. Curry was the Colonels' second-leading scorer and top rebounder as a junior. Henderson County finished as the 2019-20 6th District runner-up then fell to Madisonville-North Hopkins in the 2nd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament.

 

5. Madisonville-North Hopkins (31-3): Reigning 2nd Region champion Madisonville-North Hopkins lost all five starters to graduation. Sixth man Zach Tow (4.0 ppg) is back for the Maroons. Despite the hard hit from graduation, Madisonville-North Hopkins will feature multiple talented players. Senior guard Kale Gaither, junior center Brytton Walker and sophomore forward Destin Cheirs will help to lead the Maroons. Gaither is a transfer from Union County. As a junior, Gaither averaged 22.6 points and six rebounds per game for the Braves. 

 

6. Hopkinsville (14-17): The Tigers lost leading scorer Don Victor (19.1 ppg) to graduation but several experienced players are back. Hopkinsville's top returnees include senior guard Alijah Watts, senior forwards Reece Jesse and Jamarcus Burks, junior forward KC Cabiness, senior guard Arthur McKnight and sophomore guard Daisjaun Mercer. Jesse and McKnight averaged over eight points per game apiece for Hopkinsville last season.

 

7. Webster County (27-6): The Trojans lost leading scorer Tyler Camplin (17.4 ppg) to graduation. But Webster County returns second-leading scorer and top rebounder Destin Allen (13.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), a senior forward, as well as senior center Hunter McNaughton (12.2 ppg) and junior guard Aaron Harmon (4.2 ppg). Webster County is the reigning 6th District champion. The Trojans finished runner-up to Madisonville-North Hopkins in the 2019-20 2nd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament. 

 

8. Crittenden County (16-17): Three players that averaged 10-plus points per game last season are back for the Rockets. Seniors Gabe Mott (16.0 ppg), Preston Turley (14.3 ppg) and Tyler Boone (10.1 ppg) are back for Crittenden County, which finished runner-up to Lyon County in the 2019-20 5th District Boys' Basketball Tournament. 

 

9. Trigg County (11-19): An experienced group is back for the Wildcats. Trigg County's cast of returning players includes senior guard Kion Thompson (10.6 ppg), freshman guard Jhaden Vaughn (9.5 ppg), junior guard Kendric Adams (8.9 ppg) and junior forward Khyran Vaughn (8.2 ppg). Trigg County suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to Crittenden County in the 2019-20 5th District Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals. 

 

10. Caldwell County (16-16): Caldwell County lost four of its top five scorers to graduation. However, Caldwell County returns second-leading scorer Tripp Branch (12.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Poised to take on a larger role for the Tigers, junior guard Jabrion Spikes returns as well. Caldwell County finished as the 2019-20 7th District runner-up.

 

11. Union County (9-21): Union County will be among the 2nd Region teams looking to show improvement early in the 2020-21 boys' high school basketball season. Senior Kaleb Kanipe (11.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is the top player back for the Braves after averaging a double-double. In addition to Kanipe, sophomore guard/forward Izaiah Manuel (9.8 ppg) is back for the Braves. 

 

12. Dawson Springs (13-18): Three starters are back for the Panthers. Senior guard Landon Pace (14 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is set to lead Dawson Springs. But Pace isn't alone as senior forward Dylan Dawson (10.8 ppg. 7.8 rpg) averaged double figures in scoring as well and returns. Dawson Springs will also feature senior guard Logan McKnight and junior guard Dilyn Skinner. 

 

13. Hopkins County Central (8-21): Hopkins County Central lost its top three scorers to graduation. Sophomore guard Marcus Eaves (8.3 ppg) is the top player back for the Storm. Another player with experience, junior guard Trevor Weldon (4.8 ppg), also returns. 

 

14. Livingston Central (3-28): With its top two scorers from the 2019-20 season back, Livingston Central is expected to be improved. Senior guards Max Downey (14.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and John Barnes (10.0 ppg) are back for the Cardinals. Downey led Livingston Central in both scoring and rebounding as a junior.

 

*Fort Campbell (9-21): Eighth District member Fort Campbell showed improvement last season, notching its most wins since the 2007-08 campaign. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fort Campbell doesn't have a schedule for the 2020-21 boys' high school season in place at this time. 

 

 

2nd Region's Top 10 Players

 

1. Travis Perry, Lyon County, Fr., G

 

2. KJ Crump, University Heights, Sr., G

 

3. Alijah Watts, Hopkinsville, Sr., G

 

4. Kale Gaither, Madisonville-North Hopkins, Sr., G

 

5. Jackson Shoulders, Lyon County, Jr., C

 

6. Olajuwon White, Christian County, Jr., F/G

 

7. DJ Quarles, University Heights Academy, Sr., G

 

8. Gabe Mott, Crittenden County, Sr., G

 

9. Destin Allen, Webster County, Sr., F

 

10. Noah Curry, Henderson County, Sr., G

Is this pretty much from Cats pause? Seems certain teams get ranked at same spots every year regaurdless of returning players or other data.