Travey Barber will be a solid contributor for Bowling Green as a Freshman.  He dressed varsity as an 8th grader.  After football that is.

On 11/18/2022 at 8:10 AM, Basketball Jones said:

A lot of opinions and a lot of lists out there. Here's one:

Prep Hoops Kentucky 2026 Rankings

1 Jayden Johnson 6'5" SF Trinity
2 James Turner 6'6" SF Newport
3 Gabe Weis 6'6" PF Washington County
4 DeAaron Watkins 6'8" C Madisonville-North Hopkins
5 Taylen Kinney 5'11" PG Newport
6 Max Meagher 6'6" SF Lexington Catholic
7 Jordan Bender 6'6" PF DeSales
8 Luke Fawns 6'5" SF Montgomery County
9 DeMarcus Surratt 6'1" PG Lafayette
10 Walker Craig 6'6" SF Rockcastle County
11 Cole Edelen 5'11" CG Male
12 Bryten Close 6'6" C Taylor County High
13 Carson Fraley 6'1" PG Pulaski County
14 Jeremiah Jackson 6'3" SF St. Xavier
15 Jordan Rawlings 6'3" SG North Laurel
16 Jacob Spurlock 6'2" SG Boyd County
17 Simon King 6'4" SF Lexington Christian
18 Kendall Phillips 6'5" PF Wayne County
19 Jackson Klope 6'6" C McCracken County
20 Ethan Bell 6'3" PF St. Xavier
 

A lot of these young guys will get a lot spot light on them from tournaments and because of the teams they’re playing for. Excited to see what they do. 

Strong list. It appears your list is influenced by some hype. I have watched several of the boys on this list play for the last 6 years and there are a few that you have missed, but I like to see how the cards fall this year and see who will be making some noise. Jayden Johnson is definitely a special talent and the top player on this list, and Cole Edelen is the best lights out scorer on the list. You are missing arguably the best point guard in the state who attends school in Northern Kentucky, and is a transfer from Cincinnati, in Athens McGillis. There are some others on this list such as Cash Harney and Donovan Bradshaw who are both Freshman studs and will be making noise. Several of the boys on your list had the luxury of having some top national players on their AAU team to provide some shade for them, but when it gets back to high school that cover won't be there and we will see what players from this group rises to the top. 

This is definitely a strong list and looking forward to watching several of these boys this year! 

☕️ ?  Slow news day for hoops. 

Thought the "Best Freshman in the State" thread from three years ago worth revisiting.

*Opening Post - November 2022*

How have the now seniors fared? 

Progress, regress, egress?

1 hour ago, Runcible Owl said:

☕️ ?  Slow news day for hoops. 

Thought the "Best Freshman in the State" thread from three years ago worth revisiting.

*Opening Post - November 2022*

How have the now seniors fared? 

Progress, regress, egress?

I'm more familiar with the 12th region than the others so I'll limit my comments to there.

Carson Fraley from Pulaski has been seriously limited due to knee problems.  He's a solid high school player but his lack of speed will limit his college opportunities.  

Phillips from Wayne is another very good high school player and having a good year so far. He's a good shooter and you'd better not leave him open. However, I don't think he's athletic enough to play higher than DIII.  

Either of the two would be an asset to any team in the 12th region but I don't think they stack up against the best in the state.

4 hours ago, Runcible Owl said:

☕️ ?  Slow news day for hoops. 

Thought the "Best Freshman in the State" thread from three years ago worth revisiting.

*Opening Post - November 2022*

How have the now seniors fared? 

Progress, regress, egress?

On 11/18/2022 at 8:10 AM, Basketball Jones said:

A lot of opinions and a lot of lists out there. Here's one:

Prep Hoops Kentucky 2026 Rankings

1 Jayden Johnson 6'5" SF Trinity
2 James Turner 6'6" SF Newport
3 Gabe Weis 6'6" PF Washington County
4 DeAaron Watkins 6'8" C Madisonville-North Hopkins
5 Taylen Kinney 5'11" PG Newport
6 Max Meagher 6'6" SF Lexington Catholic
7 Jordan Bender 6'6" PF DeSales
8 Luke Fawns 6'5" SF Montgomery County
9 DeMarcus Surratt 6'1" PG Lafayette
10 Walker Craig 6'6" SF Rockcastle County
11 Cole Edelen 5'11" CG Male
12 Bryten Close 6'6" C Taylor County High
13 Carson Fraley 6'1" PG Pulaski County
14 Jeremiah Jackson 6'3" SF St. Xavier
15 Jordan Rawlings 6'3" SG North Laurel
16 Jacob Spurlock 6'2" SG Boyd County
17 Simon King 6'4" SF Lexington Christian
18 Kendall Phillips 6'5" PF Wayne County
19 Jackson Klope 6'6" C McCracken County
20 Ethan Bell 6'3" PF St. Xavier
 

How is this list looking now?

22 minutes ago, Honey Badger said:

How is this list looking now?

Tough to say.

Many not in Kentucky anymore!

Johnathan Moss never got mentioned in this thread. He was playing some varsity for Daviess County as an 8th grader. Then transferred to Owensboro and started varsity as a freshman. Helping the Red Devils make a run to the Sweet 16. Before transferring back to Daviess County as a Sophomore where he is still currently playing. Madisonville transfer DeAaron Watkins is on most of these lists. He has been at Daviess County the last few seasons as well.

On 11/18/2022 at 8:10 AM, Basketball Jones said:

A lot of opinions and a lot of lists out there. Here's one:

Prep Hoops Kentucky 2026 Rankings

1 Jayden Johnson 6'5" SF Trinity
2 James Turner 6'6" SF Newport
3 Gabe Weis 6'6" PF Washington County
4 DeAaron Watkins 6'8" C Madisonville-North Hopkins
5 Taylen Kinney 5'11" PG Newport
6 Max Meagher 6'6" SF Lexington Catholic
7 Jordan Bender 6'6" PF DeSales
8 Luke Fawns 6'5" SF Montgomery County
9 DeMarcus Surratt 6'1" PG Lafayette
10 Walker Craig 6'6" SF Rockcastle County
11 Cole Edelen 5'11" CG Male
12 Bryten Close 6'6" C Taylor County High
13 Carson Fraley 6'1" PG Pulaski County
14 Jeremiah Jackson 6'3" SF St. Xavier
15 Jordan Rawlings 6'3" SG North Laurel
16 Jacob Spurlock 6'2" SG Boyd County
17 Simon King 6'4" SF Lexington Christian
18 Kendall Phillips 6'5" PF Wayne County
19 Jackson Klope 6'6" C McCracken County
20 Ethan Bell 6'3" PF St. Xavier
 

 

8 hours ago, Runcible Owl said:

☕️ ?  Slow news day for hoops. 

Thought the "Best Freshman in the State" thread from three years ago worth revisiting.

*Opening Post - November 2022*

How have the now seniors fared? 

Progress, regress, egress?

 

7 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

I'm more familiar with the 12th region than the others so I'll limit my comments to there.

Carson Fraley from Pulaski has been seriously limited due to knee problems.  He's a solid high school player but his lack of speed will limit his college opportunities.  

Phillips from Wayne is another very good high school player and having a good year so far. He's a good shooter and you'd better not leave him open. However, I don't think he's athletic enough to play higher than DIII.  

Either of the two would be an asset to any team in the 12th region but I don't think they stack up against the best in the state.

 

4 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

How is this list looking now?

 

4 hours ago, Falcon Pride said:

Tough to say.

Many not in Kentucky anymore!

 

22 minutes ago, Ordell said:

Johnathan Moss never got mentioned in this thread. He was playing some varsity for Daviess County as an 8th grader. Then transferred to Owensboro and started varsity as a freshman. Helping the Red Devils make a run to the Sweet 16. Before transferring back to Daviess County as a Sophomore where he is still currently playing. Madisonville transfer DeAaron Watkins is on most of these lists. He has been at Daviess County the last few seasons as well.

Using the list above, and probably any other listing, there is no doubt who was the best freshman in this class - Taylen Kinney, Newport. He left Newport a couple years ago and is at Overtime Elite in Atlanta. Kinney is a 5 star recruit, the #14 ranked recruit in the entire nation on 247sports.com, the #1 ranked point guard in the nation and has signed with Kansas.

https://247sports.com/player/taylen-kinney-46140678/

This actually turned out to be a pretty decent class even with the kids that transferred out. Let’s look at what could have been as well as what there actually is. You have Kinney as a top 25/McDonald’s All American level recruit. Jayden Johnson, who left the state then came back, had Power 4 offers once upon a time. Not sure where those stand now though. Gave Weis(Prep School) and Cole Edelen are both headed to WKU. Jeremiah Jackson is headed to a solid mid major in Southern Illinois. Jacob Spurlock has signed with Youngstown State. James Turner seems to be doing well at his Arizona Prep School. I expect him to have D1 options in the spring. I wouldn’t be surprised if DeAaron Watkins opens his recruitment back up.(He’s committed to D2 McKendree.) Watkins has played well against high level competition this year. Jonathan Moss was committed to Chattanooga but recently reopened his recruitment. Demarcus Surratt, who I think is majorly slept on, has signed with Bellarmine. Jake Feldhaus has signed with Belmont. Reese Davidson is yet another Kentuckian headed to play D1 ball for Liberty University. Jackson Stephan, from Henry Clay, has committed to Air Force. Amari Owens has committed to EKU. Malachi Ashford, at George Rogers Clark, is said to have offers from East Tennessee and EKU. Jayden “JJ” Washington, CAL guard, is said to have offers from Eastern Illinois and EKU. Damian Jung, and Keriawn Berry, transferred in from Texas and Indiana respectively. Jung, now at Eastern High, has committed to Northeastern. Berry, now at North Hardin, was committed to Coastal Carolina but has opened his recruitment back up. Armani Byrd, Geu Leek Ateny, & Jaylin Crane may all end up playing at a high level in college as well. KY All Star team should be pretty solid this year if they can convince the kids to participate.

? @Ordell, I can't like this post enough. Thank you for pulling all of that together. Outstanding!

2 hours ago, Ordell said:

This actually turned out to be a pretty decent class even with the kids that transferred out. Let’s look at what could have been as well as what there actually is. You have Kinney as a top 25/McDonald’s All American level recruit. Jayden Johnson, who left the state then came back, had Power 4 offers once upon a time. Not sure where those stand now though. Gave Weis(Prep School) and Cole Edelen are both headed to WKU. Jeremiah Jackson is headed to a solid mid major in Southern Illinois. Jacob Spurlock has signed with Youngstown State. James Turner seems to be doing well at his Arizona Prep School. I expect him to have D1 options in the spring. I wouldn’t be surprised if DeAaron Watkins opens his recruitment back up.(He’s committed to D2 McKendree.) Watkins has played well against high level competition this year. Jonathan Moss was committed to Chattanooga but recently reopened his recruitment. Demarcus Surratt, who I think is majorly slept on, has signed with Bellarmine. Jake Feldhaus has signed with Belmont. Reese Davidson is yet another Kentuckian headed to play D1 ball for Liberty University. Jackson Stephan, from Henry Clay, has committed to Air Force. Amari Owens has committed to EKU. Malachi Ashford, at George Rogers Clark, is said to have offers from East Tennessee and EKU. Jayden “JJ” Washington, CAL guard, is said to have offers from Eastern Illinois and EKU. Damian Jung, and Keriawn Berry, transferred in from Texas and Indiana respectively. Jung, now at Eastern High, has committed to Northeastern. Berry, now at North Hardin, was committed to Coastal Carolina but has opened his recruitment back up. Armani Byrd, Geu Leek Ateny, & Jaylin Crane may all end up playing at a high level in college as well. KY All Star team should be pretty solid this year if they can convince the kids to participate.

 

1 hour ago, Runcible Owl said:

? @Ordell, I can't like this post enough. Thank you for pulling all of that together. Outstanding!

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks @Ordell!

Mason Grivna-Ballard

Alijah Owens-Ashland

Chase Bentley-LCA

 

Luke Fawns--Montgomery County has graduated.

3 hours ago, Mahogany21 said:

Mason Grivna-Ballard

Alijah Owens-Ashland

Chase Bentley-LCA

 

Be cool to see a complete list for this years freshman to track them over the next 4 years.  I like your list of Mason, Alijah and Chase.  From our region I would throw Ty Bryant in there from Oldham County.