BluegrassPreps.com 16th Region Boys Basketball Preview

 

A REGION ENGULFED IN INTRIGUE

If the KHSAA makes a final determination before the season starts about self-reported recruiting violations by Ashland Blazer, the offseason in the 16th Region may prove to be just as newsworthy as the season itself. The KHSAA investigation is ongoing but moving toward an announcement as this is being written. Even before a conclusion, the region already is dealing with high turnover. More than a third of the region made head coaching changes, most of the notable variety, especially at Bath County, Fairview and Morgan County. Several intriguing transfers hit some interesting landing spots. There's a handful of really good young players whose growth will be interesting to watch, if they stick around. All that aside, Ashland Blazer is still considered the favorite to win a fifth straight regional title and 36th overall. The top challenger is, who else, Boyd County, which has played Ashland Blazer 14 times in the regional final, advanced to the semis seven straight years and made an appearance in the final three times in the last five years with a title in 2018. Teams that could make some noise include a fortified Bath County, 63rd District stalwart Russell, overhauled Morgan County and improving Fleming County. Rowan County, East Carter, Racelend and Fairview could surprise. A lot of people will be rooting for Fairview. Read on to see why.

1. Ashland Blazer (26-6): There's some uncertainty here just two weeks before the start of the season after the school self-reported violations related to impermissible contact made by head coach Jason Mays, who has won four regional titles in four years at Ashland. On the hardwood, the Tomcats lost three very productive seniors but holdovers Zander Carter (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Tucker Conway (8.2 ppg) and Asher Adkins (6.4 ppg) are expected back. Conway hit 72 of 130 3-point shots for a whopping 55.4 percent. They will be joined by some key transfers, including point guard Rheyce Deboard from Boyd County.

2. Boyd County (23-8): Over half the regular playing rotation is back for a young squad that could really use the experienced Deboard at the point. The holdovers should include freshman Jacob Spurlock (12.2 ppg), junior Jason Ellis (11.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg), sophomore Cole Hicks (8.4 ppg), sophomore Griffin Taylor (4.2 ppg) and senior Ace Taylor (3.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Ellis was the rebounding leader by a wide margin and hit 58 percent of his field goal attempts.

3. Bath County (27-5): Senior Zack Otis (21.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and junior Taylan Sorrell (9.1 ppg) are back for the Wildcats, who set a program record for wins and advanced to the regional semifinals while losing just three games to regional opponents. They are the only returnees with significant playing experience so a large portion of the starting lineup will be new. Transfers rumored to be on the way will likely change the complexion of the starting lineup and provide the offense more balance. New coach Steve Wright, who won a state championship at South Laurel, has more than 700 career wins. He's going to love Otis who had 43 points in a recent scrimmage.

4. Russell (19-8): Carson Patrick (7.8 ppg) and Damon Charles (3.8 ppg) are two of about a half dozen seniors for the Red Devils, who won the 63rd District title for the first time in 10 years. They were the only team other than Ashland Blazer to go unbeaten against district opponents (8-0). In fact, Russell handed Ashland Blazer its only regional loss, ending the Tomcats' 43-game winning streak against the region. Russell also beat Bath County once in three tries.  Replacing 16th Region player of the year Brady Bell's 25.4 points per game will be a collective effort. The future could be now for eighth-grader Caleb Rimmer, who is regarded as one of the top players in his class both in Kentucky and nationally.

5. Morgan County (2-22): A lot of people are simply flip-flopping Morgan County and Elliott County in preseason rankings after the hiring of new head coach Reece Griffith. His brothers, Gatlin Griffith (14.3 ppg) and Eli Griffith (10.3 ppg), and third-leading scorer Cameron Adams (12.5 ppg), all from Elliott County, followed him to Morgan County. Elliott County clearly suffers but it remains to be seen how many teams Morgan County leapfrogs after adding to a group that includes double-digit scorers Preston Hoskins (14.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Allen Justice (11.4 ppg) and Logan Spencer (10.5 ppg).

 

6. Fleming County (20-9): The future looks good for the Panthers, who may roster just one senior. Three of the top five scorers return. They also happen to be three of last season's top four rebounders. The trio includes Adam Hargett (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Seth Hickerson (12 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Lucas Jolly (9.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg).

7. Rowan County (17-17): The leading scorer and rebounder for the regional semifinalist graduated but a handful of regulars should be back, led by Colby Wilburn (11 ppg). Other likely returnees for the reigning eight-year champion of the 61st District include Jayson Ingles (7.1 pg), Weston Maxey (4.2 ppg) and Braiden Hammond (3.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), who would be the top returning rebounder.

8. East Carter (11-15): The second, third, and fourth-leading scorers are all back. They are Blake Hall (10.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Evan Goodman (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Isaac Boggs (6.4 ppg, 6 rpg). The bottom line: The Raiders need to shoot better. Their numbers last season: 36.4% FG, 25.9% 3FG, 57.7%. FT.

9. Raceland (12-17): The Rams are junior-heavy after losing their top two scorers. But their leading returning scorer, Jacob Gauze (9 ppg), is a senior. Gauze is a solid rebounder (8.3 rpg) and a good shooter (62% FG). He'll be joined by Ohio transfer Brayden Webb and a host of players who will need to mesh in a hurry.

 

10. Fairview (11-19): The top scorer and head coach are gone but this has all the makings of a feel-good story at Fairview, which hasn't had a winning season in a while. The new head coach is Clarence Thompson, Fairview's all-time leading scorer (class of 1986). He once had 41 points and 31 rebounds in a game. He was a 1,000-point scorer at Oral Roberts, was drafted by the Continental Basketball Association and played in three pro leagues where he also coached. In 2004, he was hit by a truck while trying to help a stranded motorist on a New Jersey Turnpike exit. His injuries, including a broken neck, back and leg, required 11 surgeries and 17 blood transfusions. He was in a coma for 16 days and temporarily forced into a wheelchair. Fast forward to this year. Friends told him about the open job at Fairview. Thompson applied and got it. It's a great story that can get even better if top players Steven Day (12.8, 5.6 rpg) and Tanner Johnson (11.9, 4 rpg) get some scoring and rebounding help.

11. Lewis County (6-21): Leading scorer Logan Liles (18.2 ppg) graduated, leaving a bunch of points on the table for second-leading scorer Trey Gerike (16.3 ppg) and leading rebounder Drew Noble (7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg), both of whom return.

12. Menifee County (17-14): The Wildcats were on the young side last season and lost every district game with just two seniors. But they boast at least five seniors this season. What they need are point producers after leading scorer Eli Johnson transferred and second-leading scorer Trey Abner graduated. Sophomore guard Brevon Ricker (14.1 ppg) hit 74 percent of his free throws and 36 percent from 3-point range. Jameson Williams (4.3 ppg) is the only other returnee who averaged more than 4 points per game.

13. West Carter (11-16): The Comets lost a lot of firepower and need to replace four starters and five of the top six scorers. The leading returning scorer is guard Brett Dailey (6.6 ppg), one of three juniors. There's a chance that no seniors will be on the roster, so more than a half-dozen sophomores will have to grow up in a hurry.
 

14. Greenup County (10-17): Kind of a mystery team. Most of the top scorers are gone and a new coach is implementing a fresh system with a lot of inexperienced players. Carson Wireman (10.6 ppg), one of just two seniors, and junior Eli Adkins (6.4 ppg) did not have strong rebounding numbers so the Musketeers are also looking for some guys who can crash the boards.

15. Elliott County (18-9): The 62nd District champ had five double-digit scorers last season but none of them will be back, thanks to graduation and transfer. The Lions will be virtually starting from scratch under a new coach. Nathan Sturgill (4.4 ppg) is the leading returning scorer. Nobody else on the roster scored more than 50 points.

16. Rose Hill Christian (4-26): The only team to go winless against the region last season (0-12), the Royals obviously yearn for better days. However, the loss of both Penningtons (Chase and Luke) removes 22 points and 11 rebounds per game. Key holdovers are Christian Blevins (11.3 ppg), Collin Wilburn (6 ppg, 4/7 rpg) and Benton Rucker (3.7 rpg).

Top Six Players

1. Zach Otis, Bath County, 5-10 Sr. G
2. Rheyce Deboard, Ashland Blazer, 6-0 Sr. G
3. Zander Carter, Ashland Blazer, 6-4 So. G
4. Trey Gerike, Lewis County, 6-2 Sr. G
5. Jason Ellis, Boyd County, 6-4, Jr. G/F
6. Jacob Spurlock, Boyd County, 6-2, Fr. G/F

Is Fairview’s Steven Day’s Dad Eric Day who played at Russell or is that a different set of Day’s?

Surprise, surprise... Ashland and Boyd County are favored to battle it out to get to Rupp. Both should be very good.

Otis needs a supporting cast to emerge for Bath County to contend. Losing Buckhanon hurts on the glass and protecting the rim.

Morgan County is the obvious darkhorse. Including the transfers, they return a ton of offensive production. If they gel, the Cougars are a legitimate contender.

Top 2 seniors in the 16th Region, according to Prep Hoops:

KY Rank/Player/Height/Position/High School
-----------------------------------------------------

47 Zack Otis 6'0" G Bath County
150 Rheyce DeBoard 6'1" G Ashland Blazer

They are the only seniors from the region on the list. Other seniors currently listed on KHSAA official rosters who were not named that are poised to be top 10-caliber this season include:

Trey Gerike, G Lewis County
Tanner Johnson, G Fairview 
Tucker Conway, G Ashland Blazer 
Jacob Gauze, C Raceland 
Carson Wireman, G Greenup County 
Isaac Boggs, F East Carter 
Landyn Newman G Raceland 
Just Nzungize P Bath County

16th Region rankings from The Cats' Pause.

Preseason Top 10
1. Ashland
2. Boyd County
3. Rowan County
4. Fleming County
5. Bath County
6. Russell
7. Morgan County
8. Lewis County
9. East Carter
10. Raceland

Top 10 Players
1. Zack Otis, Bath County Sr.
2. Rheyce Deboard, Ashland Sr.
3. Zander Carter, Ashland So.
4. Jacob Spurlock, Boyd County Fr.
5. Trey Gerike, Lewis County Sr.
6. Jason Ellis, Boyd County Jr.
7. Colby Wilburn, Rowan County Jr.
8. Gatlin Griffith, Morgan County Jr. 
9. Adam Hargett, Fleming County Jr. 
10. Cole Hicks, Boyd County So.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

After all the preseason noise, Ashland Blazer is ranked No. 8 in a top 25 ranking at the Lexington Herald-Leader published on Wednesday, Nov. 25. What they said:

8. Ashland Blazer (26-6): Zander Carter (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), a 6-5 sophomore, and Tucker Conway (8.2 ppg), a 6-3 senior, will lead a team that lost more than 4,700 points from a year ago and had longtime head coach Jason Mays dismissed amid recruiting allegations just a few weeks before the season starts. Interim coach Ryan Bonner takes over and will try to keep the Tomcats’ four-year streak of 16th Region championships alive. He’ll have newcomer Rheyce Deboard (16 ppg), a 6-1 senior transfer from Boyd County. James Mayor, a 6-10 junior, could be ready for a breakout season.

The complete list...

KY’s top 25 boys’ high school basketball teams for 2022-23 | Lexington Herald Leader (kentucky.com)

Bath County's Zack Otis had 77 points in his first two scrimmages (38.5 ppg). Yikes. He's ready for a big year. He was 37th in the state in scoring last season with 21.8 points per game and 21st in points scored with 697. According to KHSAA stats, he has 1,738 career points (697 as a junior, 562 as a sophomore, 479 as a freshman) so the 2,500-point milestone is definitely on his radar. 

I wish Ryan Bonner well as the new head coach at Ashland Blazer. He inherits a very difficult situation, but this is going to be a baptism by fire. Check out the first five games:

Dec 2, 22 vs. St. Joseph Central (OH)     
Dec 3, 22 Great Crossing at Georgetown
Dec 6, 22 vs. Fairview
Dec 10, 22 George Rogers Clark at Boyd County
Dec 13, 22 at Boyd County

That's a tough Ohio squad with two college recruits, two highly ranked KY powerhouses, an improved Fairview squad and longtime regional rival Boyd County in the first 12 days. 

Bump.

On 11/28/2022 at 4:09 PM, Basketball Jones said:

I wish Ryan Bonner well as the new head coach at Ashland Blazer. He inherits a very difficult situation, but this is going to be a baptism by fire. Check out the first five games:

Dec 2, 22 vs. St. Joseph Central (OH)     
Dec 3, 22 Great Crossing at Georgetown
Dec 6, 22 vs. Fairview
Dec 10, 22 George Rogers Clark at Boyd County
Dec 13, 22 at Boyd County

That's a tough Ohio squad with two college recruits, two highly ranked KY powerhouses, an improved Fairview squad and longtime regional rival Boyd County in the first 12 days. 

No one else in that region schedules like Ashland right now. They're always well prepared for the postseason and should be again.

I don't know Ryan Bonner, but him being an Ashland guy and an assistant for several years now, I feel good about his chances of holding things together there.

Bonner will do just fine and I believe Jarred Pricket is still on the staff. I hate that coach Mays is gone but he will land back on his feet and the Ashland program will still do well this season. 

An official @JDEaston sighting! 

1 minute ago, theguru said:

An official @JDEaston sighting! 

I'm back!

5 minutes ago, JDEaston said:

I'm back!