10^th Region Preseason Preview

Basketball season in the bluegrass is approaching! Its time for the 10^th Region preseason preview. I will be your one stop shop for 10^th Region Basketball this season. The 10^th is loaded with plenty of talented teams and players who will all certainly have their ups and downs this season. Let’s take a look at where I have the teams stacking out this season…

And please remember one thing when looking at these rankings, as the great Charles Barkley once said “I may be wrong…. But I doubt it” ;).

 

Team Rankings (Projected Record, based on scheduled games on KHSAA)

1.      George Rogers Clark (25-5)

The Reigning 10^th Region Champions are the clear favorite this season as they will be gunning for a 3-peat. They have the best player in the region in Jerone Morton and will bring back 4 of their 5 starters from last season. Oh, and on top of that they added two top players from the 11^th Region in Tanner Walton and Sam Parrish. The talent gap is tremendous between GRC and the next best team in the region, but talent isn’t everything. With that being said, if Josh Cook can get this team to play well together, they could prove to be a State Contender before the new year.

 

2.      Mason County (21-6)

The Royals were just a game shy of the Regional Championship last season, and they bring back their two leading scores Terrell Henry and Nate Mitchell along with many other contributors from last season. Although not on the official roster yet, Khristian Walton, a transfer from Bryan Station, is a stellar athlete that could be an unexpected difference maker this season. With the Departure of 3-point specialist Anwar Perry, they will certainly have a void to fill when it comes to spacing the floor effectively. I expect these concerns to be put to bed early in the year with more consistent shooting from returning players, including Mason Butler. I wouldn’t be shocked if The Royals are able to upset the Cardinals and punch a ticket to Rupp this season.

 

3.      Campbell County (17-11)

Campbell was just one defensive stop shy of being crowned Region Champions last season. With the loss of their leading scorer from last season the Camels will need to figure out who will set up early on this season. I expect some growing pains from this team early in the season as they will be tested with some tough matchups in the first half of the season. The Camels don’t have as much raw talent as Mason or GRC, but I believe in the Aric Russel system. Early on they may not look like a top 3 team at times this year, but by the end of the season I have faith that Aric Russell will have this team poised to go deep in the Regional Tournament.

4.      Harrison County (16-13)

The Thorobreds lost their leading scorer from last season but with the Clay Carpenter taking advantage of the Covid year they bring back a lot of experience and talent. This team could be very good this season.

 

5.      Scott High (14-10)

 

6.      Augusta (15-13)

A young team last season, Augusta has a chance to be very good this season. Only time will tell…

 

7.      Bourbon County (12-12)

Bourbon County is my sleeper pick in the region. They have made some under the radar additions in the offseason as their roster will look completely different from a year ago. We will have to wait and see but they may be better than people think this year.

 

8.      Bishop Brossart (16-14)

 

9.      Robertson County (15-13)

Justin Becker is awesome. Outside of him this team has a lot of inexperienced players coming into the season. If they can stretch the floor well, they may end up being better than expected this season.  

 

10.   Calvary (20-10)

 

11.   Montgomery County (12-18)

The Indians lost nearly every significant contributor from last season. A lot of questions will be answered early on, as they have some tough matchups in the first month of the season.

 

12.   Bracken County (13-16)

A young and talented team, I could see Bracken County rising to as high as 5^th in the rankings at some point in the season. The Reed brothers proved themselves last season, but they will both need to step up to bolster this team into contention.

 

13.   Nicholas County (12-18)

14.   Pendleton County (10-20)

15.   Paris (5-19)

16.   St. Patrick (3-25)

 

Player Rankings

1.      Jerone Morton

2.      Justin Becker

3.      Tanner Walton

4.      Aden Slone

5.      Terrell Henry

6.      Trent Edwards

7.      Kason Hinson

8.      Nate Mitchell

9.      Aydan Hamilton

10.   Sam Parrish

11.   Blake Reed

12.   Cameron Patterson

13.   Kaydon Custard

14.   Ethan Mulling

15.   DeJohn Blunt

 

Regional Player of the year Pick:

Justin Becker-

Although he doesn’t have as much Athleticism as Morton, Becker is a fantastic player and could average 30 points and 10 Rebounds this season. With Morton taking advantage of the Covid year he will only be a junior and his statistics will not look as good on paper with all the talent GRC has around him. Becker has been a force in this region for years and I think the coaches will reward him accordingly.

Week One Matchup of the Week:

 #3 Campbell County vs. #1 George Rogers Clark

I am picking the cards to win this one by double digits. Campbell will get better, but this is tough early season matchup for them. They will have to play zone and force GRC to take a lot of outside shots. If the Cardinals long range shooting makes the trip with them to Campbell County, they should have no problem with this one.  If not, then an upset is possible.

I will do more matchup predictions and weekly rankings throughout the season. Let me know what team(s) you think will surprise people this year!

 

Thanks @10thRegionballislife!

Seems like 39 & 40th districts will be well represented by @10thRegionballislife. 
 

This is laughable you better go read the cats paws to get a feel of the players rankings you're really off base big time.

7 hours ago, wildcat1972 said:

This is laughable you better go read the cats paws to get a feel of the players rankings you're really off base big time.

I have already read it. Who do you think is too high or too low?

Glad to see someone has taken on the job of keeping up with everyone’s favorite, the 10th region. I’m not going to question the rankings, because everybody has their own opinions and week by week whether it’s players or teams, they will change!! That’s part of the fun!! Can’t wait to get the season started and find out what players and teams will emerge as ones we need to keep an eye on!!!!!!

Here's some free locker room motivation, 10th Region coaches not in Winchester: It doesn't matter how you rank teams 2-16 because GRC, barring injury, is going to run away with this Region.

14 minutes ago, Randy Parker said:

Here's some free locker room motivation, 10th Region coaches not in Winchester: It doesn't matter how you rank teams 2-16 because GRC, barring injury, is going to run away with this Region.

I don’t completely disagree, GRC is the best team on paper for sure. They’re going to have to prove it on the court first though. Maybe a couple weeks into the season I will agree with you. I just want to see them play a few games saying the region is theirs to lose. 

15 minutes ago, 10thRegionballislife said:

I don’t completely disagree, GRC is the best team on paper for sure. They’re going to have to prove it on the court first though. Maybe a couple weeks into the season I will agree with you. I just want to see them play a few games saying the region is theirs to lose. 

I actually think the best time to get them is early in the year.  Maybe it'll take some time for all the new talent to mesh.  But I feel like by February, they'll be really tough.

Not a single word about the Scott Eagles and they are in the Top 5?! Lol

Cam Patterson (SR) should average a double double and be a handful down low.

A trio of Juniors Nolan Hunter, Dasani Lane, and Brayden Howell all averaged 7 PPG last year. Look for them to improve that stat line! 
 

Mitchel Minor is a true floor general and this team has a lot of pieces that can help them win games.

13 hours ago, Chip said:

Not a single word about the Scott Eagles and they are in the Top 5?! Lol

Cam Patterson (SR) should average a double double and be a handful down low.

A trio of Juniors Nolan Hunter, Dasani Lane, and Brayden Howell all averaged 7 PPG last year. Look for them to improve that stat line! 
 

Mitchel Minor is a true floor general and this team has a lot of pieces that can help them win games.

Is that Shannon Minor's son?  He was a helluva player.

15 hours ago, Chip said:

Not a single word about the Scott Eagles and they are in the Top 5?! Lol

Cam Patterson (SR) should average a double double and be a handful down low.

A trio of Juniors Nolan Hunter, Dasani Lane, and Brayden Howell all averaged 7 PPG last year. Look for them to improve that stat line! 
 

Mitchel Minor is a true floor general and this team has a lot of pieces that can help them win games.

Add in seniors Gus Howlett and Riley Huff, who both played really well off the bench last year. Huff was logging alot of minutes before an injury sidelined him for the postseason. 

Scott only graduated one player out of their regular rotation, but that one player was 10th region POY Grant Proffit. It will be interesting to see who steps up to fill Proffitt's productivity. Makes it fun to watch as everybody will now have to play a different role than previous years.

Tyliek Maxwell is also a transfer at GRC.  He’s from Douglas.  The 11th region is the best place to find players.  They bring in 3 players from the 11th.  

5 minutes ago, 11kodiak said:

Tyliek Maxwell is also a transfer at GRC.  He’s from Douglas.  The 11th region is the best place to find players.  They bring in 3 players from the 11th.  

Tanner actually lived in Clark and just went to LCA

6 minutes ago, JoJoSl said:

Tanner actually lived in Clark and just went to LCA

And?