On a state level, the 3^rd Region has been a bit of an afterthought since Owensboro won the state championship in 2015.  That could change this season, as the Red Devils should have enough talent to consistently field a top 25 team.  Behind them, you can expect the region to be deeper than recent years which should provide some run district races and create some excitement come tournament time.

 

1. Owensboro Red Devils – 22-8 – Regional Semifinalist – Coach: Rod Drake

The Red Devils are coming off a regional semifinal upset loss to Mclean County last season but looked poised to be the clear cut team to beat in 2023.  Kenyatta Carbon returns as the favorite to win the 3^rd Region Player of the year.  His biggest competition to that award may be on his own team as former Owensboro Catholic star Ji Webb has transferred into the program.  Freshman point guard Jonathan Moss has also transferred into the program, coming over from Daviess County.  There are still some questions around the roster, as several football players who contributed as sophomores are rumored to return to the team.  Jerimiah Goodwin and Ethan Pendleton would be welcome additions for Coach Drake.  On paper, the Devils look to be massive favorites to win the region.

 

2. Ohio County Eagles – 18-8 – Lost in 10^th District – Coach: Paul Decker

While Ohio County suffered a first round tournament defeat last season, both of their district foes in Mclean and Muhlenberg went on to play for the regional title.  Coach Decker will return several key contributors from a team that stayed in the top 5 of the region all year.  The Eagles will be led by 6-5 junior Elijah Decker and 6-2 senior Parker Culbertson.  Both young men averaged double digit scoring a year ago.  Expect guys like Bo Morse, Carson Kennedy and Carter Young to get plenty of time in the lineup.

 

3.Owensboro Catholic Aces – 17-13 – 9^th District Runner Up – Coach: Tim Riley

The Aces will have to overcome some unexpected departures from the lineup this season.  Both Ji Webb and Kijarius Barber have transferred out of the program.  The good news for the Aces, is the cupboard is far from bare.  Guards Brian Griffith and Parker Gray will return to the lineup.  Griffith averaged almost 19 points per game last season while Gray put up 13 per contest.  Expect role players like Tutt Carrico, Reid Clark, Deuce Sims and Luke Beickman to log more minutes this season.  You can also expect Coach Tim Riley to get the absolute most out of his lineup and the Aces to be competitive with the top teams in the region.

 

4. Butler County Bears – 16-11 – Lost in 12^th District – Coach: Calvin Dockery

The Bears come into this season having lost 3 starters and 6 total seniors but the optimism is still very high in Butler County.  They return two of their top 3 scorers in Brody Hunt and Lawson Rice who combined for 26 points and 12 boards per game last season.  Sophomore point guard Ty Price has also come over from South Warren.  Price is a highly touted prospect who averaged 17 points per game a year ago.  The Bears have also added some multi-sport athletes to the roster who should help with depth.  This has a chance to be the best team that Butler County has fielded in several years. 

 

5. Hancock County Hornets – 15-17 – Regional Semifinalists – Coach: Mike Orr

The Hornets peaked during the postseason last year, and return all of their key production. Kaleb Keown averaged close to 16 points per game while leading the region in rebounding with 9 boards per contest. Devin Powers and Ryan Ogle both averaged over 14 points per game and point guard Evan Ferry was right at double figures with 10 per game.  Depth was an issue for Hancock last season but they have added some athletes from the football team that should help with that issue.  The Hornets will be heavy favorites in the 11^th District and could make some noise at the regional tournament.

 

6. Muhlenberg County Mustangs – 18-12 – Regional Champions – Coach: Aaron Morris

Aaron Morris takes the reigns of the program from Kyle Eades who stepped down after 2 straight 3^rd  Region titles.  Coach Eades helped bring the winning tradition back to a proud basketball county and now Coach Morris will try to turn the roster over and keep the winning going.  The Mustangs graduated 6 of their top 7 scorers and almost all of their varsity experience from back to back regional championship teams.  Kadin Ray, Maddox Jernigan and Chandler Moore are the top returning players from last season.  Expect Jernigan and Moore to take step forwards to lead the team.  While there are some unknowns with experience, the Mustangs should be right there competing for another district title this season.

 

7. Mclean County Cougars – 21-11 – 3^rd Region Champions – Coach: Darren Lynam

McLean County returns 4 of its top 6 players from the first ever 3rd Region Finals appearance last year. They will be led by star senior guard Jaxon Floyd who averaged 14 points and 3 assists last year.  Senior Cruz Lee and Evan Ward also returns with a couple years of varsity experience. Junior Brodie Cline who averaged 6 points per game as the 6th man last year will be elevated to a full time starter this year.  Sophomore Gunnar Revelett will start at center this year for the Cougars. Mclean County have had 3 consecutive winning seasons in a row under Coach Darren Lynam after not having back to back winners since 1985.  They are primed to make it 4 in a row this year. 

 

8. Whitesville Trinity Raiders – 16-16 – 12^th District Runner Up – Coach: Nathan West

It is not very often that a school with under 50 boys has a senior class of 6 contributing players but that will be the case for the Raiders this season.  They will return almost everyone from last season, led by All-Region candidate Landon Huff (15 points per game & 8 rebounds per game).  Point Guard Nathan Hernandez (11points per game) had a tremendous back half of the season also returns. Key contributors Landon Smith, Gavin Howard and Nick Goetz expect to play major roles again this season.  The Raiders expect to compete for a 12^th District Title and try to win a couple of games at the Sportscenter.  It is easy to pull for a school of less than 100 students that competes against the big boys.

 

9. Daviess County Panthers – (11-17) – Lost in 9^th District – Coach: Neil Hayden

The Panthers are a bit of an unknown heading into the season but they do return some solid production from last year’s team.   Senior Cole Burch will lead the way, coming off a season where he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game.  Junior guard Gage Phelps broke out last season and will expect to take another step forward off his 10 point per game average.  Jack Payne, Houston Oberst and JR McCain will provide varsity experience.  Sophomore guard Jaxon Brown had a great summer and expects to be a breakout candidate this season.  Senior Denver Dickers comes over from Whitesville Trinity and was a 3 year starter for the Raiders.  Coach Hayden has some pieces to work with.  If he can get this team to gel, the Panthers should be able to push for a spot in the regional tournament field.

 

10. Grayson County Cougars – (14-15) – 12^th District Champs – Coach: Travis Johnston

The Cougars are coming off and up and down season but return plenty of production to push for another district title this season.  6-5 senior River Blanton returns off a season where he averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds a game.  He will have solid senior experience around him in 4 year starters Dillon Horn and Brayden Childress.  The player to watch is 8^th grader Jack Logsdon.  Logsdon made starts as a 7^th grader last year and already looks to be a key contributor.  The Cougars should go 7-8 players deep and be talented enough to compete against anyone in the region.

 

11. Breckinridge County Tigers - (7-20) – Lost in 11^th District – Coach: Jeff LeGrange

The Fighting Tigers are coming off a couple rebuilding years but look primed to get back to their winning ways this season.  They will return some very sold depth led by their two leading scorers,  6-8 Hunter Barr and sophomore scoring guard, Mercer Rogers. Coach Legrange also expects senior Lane Taul to be a key contributor.  Multi sport athlete Wyatt Burnett should help add some much needed depth.  The Tigers should have an opportunity to compete for a district title and get back to the Sportscenter after a couple down seasons.

 

12.Meade County Greenwave – (11-17) – 11^th District Champions – Coach: Jeff Tripure

The Waves come off a season where they were playing their best basketball at the end of the year.  Coach Tripure always seems to get the most out of his talent.  Meade will have to replace almost all their varsity experience off last year’s team as they only return two players who logged key minutes last year.  They will be depending on Garrett Hardesty and Peyton Johnston to take big steps in their junior year.  Once the other talent comes up to speed, the Waves should be able to compete in a wide open 11^th District. 

 

13. Edmonson County Wildcats – (15-13) – Lost in 12^th District – Coach: Brad Johnson

While the Wildcats will have to replace 6 seniors off last year’s team, they will return 2 of their top 4 scorers in Braden Wall and Braxton Highbaugh.  Wall and Highbaugh also led the team in rebounding.  Seniors Tyler Anderson and Zander Bass will also return to provide some varsity scoring experience. Coach Johnson will have 8 seniors to work with as the Wildcats will try to close the gap in a very talented 12^th District.

 

14. Apollo Eagles – (2-26) – Lost in 9^th District – Coach: Mark Starns

It has been a rough couple of years for the Eagles having only won 15 games over the past 4 seasons.  It appears that several key athletes from the football program have come over to join the basketball program.  While there were rumored to be several departures from the team, for at least right now, that does not appear to be the case.  Once Eli Masterson gets healthy, Apollo should expect to be improved from last year’s rough season.

 

15. Cloverport Aces – (4-21) – Lost in 11^th District – Coach: Jason Hurst

While Cloverport will have to replace their leading scorer off last years team, they do return some scoring experience in seniors Cole Weatherholt and Nathan Poole.  Poole also led the team in rebounding last season.  While the door is open for a 2^nd team in the 11^th district, they Aces will have an uphill battle to reach their first regional tournament in some time.

 

ALL REGION PRESEASON TEAM

Kenyatta Carbon – Owensboro – 20.3 ppg

Ji Webb – Owensboro – 18.6 ppg // 9 rpg (at Owensboro Catholic)

Brian Griffith – Owensboro Catholic – 18.4 ppg

Ty Price – Butler County – 17.2 ppg (at South Warren)

Landon Huff – Whitesville Trinity – 14.7 ppg // 8.3 rpg

 

Elijah Decker – Ohio County – 13.5 ppg // 8.8 rpg

Kaleb Keown – Hancock County – 15.3 ppg // 8.7 rpg

Cole Burch – Daviess County – 13.6 ppg // 7.9 rpg

Jaxon Floyd – Mclean County – 14.1 ppg

Parker Culbertson – Ohio County – 12.2 ppg

 

HM - Devin Powers & Ryan Ogle (Hancock), River Blanton (Grayson), Parker Gray (Owensboro Catholic) & Brody Hunt (Butler)

Sweet @ApolloFan98, thank you!

Bump.