The 7th region is always one of the top two or three regions in the state and this year is no different. It is very top heavy with the three top contenders not only a big contender to win the region but the state championship as well. I felt St. X was the best last year and was shocked when they got upset in the regional to Seneca. I think this is the year that they will finally get to Rupp but it will not be easy. Let's dive into it.

Top Players

Jayden Johnson  6'6 JR Trinity

Chance Dillingham 5'9 SR St. X

Keashawn Jordan 6'8 SR Male 

Prestyn Wheatley 6'4 FR Seneca

Justice Decker 6'6 SR Manual 

Sam Frazier 6'2 SR Ballard

Julius Edmonds 6'6 SR Trinity

Jeremiah Jackson 6'4 JR St. X

Cole Edelen 6'2 JR Male

Precious Sam 6'11 SO Eastern

Team Rankings

1. St. X - The Tigers only lose one senior from a 30 win team last season. They return all region players Chance Dillingham and Jeremiah Jackson. But this team is much more than just those two as they return Connor Klein, Jermaine Cameron, Will Hanke and Graham Krezmien as well. They also add Josh Lindsey who is a freshman and last season as a 8th grader averaged 13 points a game at Shawnee. This team averaged 82 points a game last season and can put points on the board in a hurry. 

2. Trinity - The Rocks won the region last year and made it to the Elite 8 in the state tournament losing to Evangel Christian. They will be hungry to get back to Rupp and contend for a state title and they for sure have the talent to do so. They return what most people consider the best player in the region in Jayden Johnson. Also returning is Julius Edmonds, Josiah Lawson, and Lance Chandler. They do add one piece in transfer Xavier Cosby who is a Junior and comes over from Manual.

3. Male - The Bulldogs have won the region two of the last three seasons and there is no reason to think they can not win it again this season. It starts with who I feel is the best shooter in the state in Cole Edelen. Then Male also has some size in Keashawn Jordan, Jayson Gasaway, and Trey Hillerich. This team is very talented and would be the favorite in about 13 regions but I have them 3rd in the 7th region preseason which shows how tough this region is this season. 

4. Eastern - The Eagles lost 6 seniors but return 6'11 Sophmore center Precious Sam who I think is in for a big season and keeps getting better as he grows into his body. Eastern also returns a very good shooter in Josh Brock. They do add a big piece to this years team as Cash Whitehead transferred from Ballard. He is the son of former Louisville player Luke Whitehead.

5. Manual - The Crimsons lose 5 seniors but do return two very key pieces in Justice Decker and Malachi Coleman. Justice Decker can score from anywhere on the floor.

6. Christian Academy -  CAL has two very good returning players in Jayden Washington and Nolan Wahl. They also have a very good incoming freshman in Jayden Leak.

7. Ballard - The Bruins are coming off their first losing season in school history. I think this team will use that as motivation and be a sleeper in this region this season. They return 5 juniors including Sam Frazier, Caleb Miller, and Nick Hayden. Frazier is a great shooter with range and average 18ppg last season. They did have a big loss as Cash Whitehead transferred to Eastern.

8. Seneca - The Redhawks pulled the shocker in the region tournament defeating St. X. They lose one of the top scorers in the state in QuelRon House. But they do return a very good freshman in Prestyn Wheatley who scored 25 points against St. X last year as a 8th grader. Reece Asher is back and will contribute as well.

9. Atherton - The Ravens won their last 11 games of the season last year before losing to Seneca in the district tournament. They lost 4 seniors but do return two very good juniors in Jeffry Johnson and Noah Stephens.

10. Web Dubois - This team will keep getting better as they have only been in existence a couple of years. They return 3 starters in Ja'Rye Brown, Khail Olgertree, and Kenyon Sykes. Jayvian Scrubb will be one to watch as well. They did lose one important piece as Brandon Heath transferred to Butler.

11. Kentucky Country Day - The Bearcats had a nice season last year winning 18 games and was very young. They return Coleman Akridge but did lose Jeremiah Sutton as he transferred to Fern Creek to play for his Dad.

12. Shawnee - The Golden Eagles lost 5 seniors but add a new coach in Isaiah Britt who I think will do a very good job. He has very good connections in the area and Kids will want to play for him. Mikey Walker will be a player to watch..

13. Highlands Latin - This team won 21 games a season ago and return Ryan Kimble and Luke Hamilton.

14. Waggener - The Wildcats lost 7 seniors.  But do return Leo McQuery who will lead the way. William Effinger will also be relied on a lot.

15. Central - This will be coach Brandon Anderson 2nd season after replacing coach Bibby. I look for them to improve in his second year. Donovan Hines and Kaevon Ennis will be players to watch.

16. Collegiate - This will be coach Derek Ferch's second season. The players to watch are Tesean Harper and Neal Wantye.

17. Francis Parker - Three solid players return for this team in Quentin Johnson, Dax Mccoy and Nazari Reed.

18. Brown - KJ Mitchell and Dave Sylva are the top returning players. Brown also got a transfer from Fern Creek in Muhammed Seck.

19. Portland Christian - Terrance Farley former University of Louisville basketball player enters his third season as coach. Ben Keller, Dashawn Harris, and Levi Kennedy are top returning players.

I give this one a shot:

1. T - long and athletic with the best all around player in the county. Unfinished business from last year and I hear they are playing more uptempo than in years past.

2. Male - many returnees including the best 3pt shooter in town. Strong schedule will have them ready when March rolls around.

3. X - same group as last year that threw in a clunker at the wrong time.

Those 3 are a little ahead of the next tier but anything can happen come March.

Best of the rest (in order): Eastern, DuPont, Ballard, CAL, Dubois

6 hours ago, Falcon Pride said:

I give this one a shot:

1. T - long and athletic with the best all around player in the county. Unfinished business from last year and I hear they are playing more uptempo than in years past.

2. Male - many returnees including the best 3pt shooter in town. Strong schedule will have them ready when March rolls around.

3. X - same group as last year that threw in a clunker at the wrong time.

Those 3 are a little ahead of the next tier but anything can happen come March.

Best of the rest (in order): Eastern, DuPont, Ballard, CAL, Dubois

Not sure I'd put Eastern above either Manual or Ballard. The Bruins are a team I want to see before I make any judgments on but don't expect back to back "down" years from them. Manual has one of the best backcourts in the city with Decker and Coleman. Could be very dangerous.

A clear top three of T, X, and Male is certainly there. Put them in whatever order you'd like in the preseason. Expect a battle between those three. 

11 hours ago, LouHSJunkie said:

The 7th region is always one of the top two or three regions in the state and this year is no different. It is very top heavy with the three top contenders not only a big contender to win the region but the state championship as well. I felt St. X was the best last year and was shocked when they got upset in the regional to Seneca. I think this is the year that they will finally get to Rupp but it will not be easy. Let's dive into it.

Top Players

Jayden Johnson  6'6 JR Trinity

Chance Dillingham 5'9 SR St. X

Keashawn Jordan 6'8 SR Male 

Prestyn Wheatley 6'4 FR Seneca

Justice Decker 6'6 SR Manual 

Sam Frazier 6'2 SR Ballard

Julius Edmonds 6'6 SR Trinity

Jeremiah Jackson 6'4 JR St. X

Cole Edelen 6'2 JR Male

Precious Sam 6'11 SO Eastern

Team Rankings

1. St. X - The Tigers only lose one senior from a 30 win team last season. They return all region players Chance Dillingham and Jeremiah Jackson. But this team is much more than just those two as they return Connor Klein, Jermaine Cameron, Will Hanke and Graham Krezmien as well. They also add Josh Lindsey who is a freshman and last season as a 8th grader averaged 13 points a game at Shawnee. This team averaged 82 points a game last season and can put points on the board in a hurry. 

2. Trinity - The Rocks won the region last year and made it to the Elite 8 in the state tournament losing to Evangel Christian. They will be hungry to get back to Rupp and contend for a state title and they for sure have the talent to do so. They return what most people consider the best player in the region in Jayden Johnson. Also returning is Julius Edmonds, Josiah Lawson, and Lance Chandler. They do add one piece in transfer Xavier Cosby who is a Junior and comes over from Manual.

3. Male - The Bulldogs have won the region two of the last three seasons and there is no reason to think they can not win it again this season. It starts with who I feel is the best shooter in the state in Cole Edelen. Then Male also has some size in Keashawn Jordan, Jayson Gasaway, and Trey Hillerich. This team is very talented and would be the favorite in about 13 regions but I have them 3rd in the 7th region preseason which shows how tough this region is this season. 

4. Eastern - The Eagles lost 6 seniors but return 6'11 Sophmore center Precious Sam who I think is in for a big season and keeps getting better as he grows into his body. Eastern also returns a very good shooter in Josh Brock. They do add a big piece to this years team as Cash Whitehead transferred from Ballard. He is the son of former Louisville player Luke Whitehead.

5. Manual - The Crimsons lose 5 seniors but do return two very key pieces in Justice Decker and Malachi Coleman. Justice Decker can score from anywhere on the floor.

6. Christian Academy -  CAL has two very good returning players in Jayden Washington and Nolan Wahl. They also have a very good incoming freshman in Jayden Leak.

7. Ballard - The Bruins are coming off their first losing season in school history. I think this team will use that as motivation and be a sleeper in this region this season. They return 5 juniors including Sam Frazier, Caleb Miller, and Nick Hayden. Frazier is a great shooter with range and average 18ppg last season. They did have a big loss as Cash Whitehead transferred to Eastern.

8. Seneca - The Redhawks pulled the shocker in the region tournament defeating St. X. They lose one of the top scorers in the state in QuelRon House. But they do return a very good freshman in Prestyn Wheatley who scored 25 points against St. X last year as a 8th grader. Reece Asher is back and will contribute as well.

9. Atherton - The Ravens won their last 11 games of the season last year before losing to Seneca in the district tournament. They lost 4 seniors but do return two very good juniors in Jeffry Johnson and Noah Stephens.

10. Web Dubois - This team will keep getting better as they have only been in existence a couple of years. They return 3 starters in Ja'Rye Brown, Khail Olgertree, and Kenyon Sykes. Jayvian Scrubb will be one to watch as well. They did lose one important piece as Brandon Heath transferred to Butler.

11. Kentucky Country Day - The Bearcats had a nice season last year winning 18 games and was very young. They return Coleman Akridge but did lose Jeremiah Sutton as he transferred to Fern Creek to play for his Dad.

12. Shawnee - The Golden Eagles lost 5 seniors but add a new coach in Isaiah Britt who I think will do a very good job. He has very good connections in the area and Kids will want to play for him. Mikey Walker will be a player to watch..

13. Highlands Latin - This team won 21 games a season ago and return Ryan Kimble and Luke Hamilton.

14. Waggener - The Wildcats lost 7 seniors.  But do return Leo McQuery who will lead the way. William Effinger will also be relied on a lot.

15. Central - This will be coach Brandon Anderson 2nd season after replacing coach Bibby. I look for them to improve in his second year. Donovan Hines and Kaevon Ennis will be players to watch.

16. Collegiate - This will be coach Derek Ferch's second season. The players to watch are Tesean Harper and Neal Wantye.

17. Francis Parker - Three solid players return for this team in Quentin Johnson, Dax Mccoy and Nazari Reed.

18. Brown - KJ Mitchell and Dave Sylva are the top returning players. Brown also got a transfer from Fern Creek in Muhammed Seck.

19. Portland Christian - Terrance Farley former University of Louisville basketball player enters his third season as coach. Ben Keller, Dashawn Harris, and Levi Kennedy are top returning players.

Correction:

Derek Ferch is no longer the coach at Collegiate. He took the job at DeSales this summer. Matt Pino is now the head man of the Titans. He was an assistant. 

@St. Matthews Boythanks for the correction and update!

If Ballard hadn't have lost Whitehead I'd have them higher but since they did I have to see them some first before moving them up. I easily could have put Manual ahead of Eastern but with that being said I'm very high on the Eagles.

This article says Precious Sam is enrolled at Arizona Compass School.

Thanks @Tigerpride94 that would drop Eastern down a bit in my projections.

St. X and Trinity could potentially meet 4 times. Regular season game, KOB, LIT, and 7th Region tournament. Probably will end up less than that but that would be good if happened. Male could also since in the same tourneys.

Dubois moving to 6th Region next year. Portland Christian staying in 7th but changing districts.

St. X #2, Trinity #3, Male #4, and Manual #15. Wow! Going to be extra tough in the 7th.

What a heavy top three. I agree with what had been said. It’s those 3 and then the rest.  Only thing I will say is watch out for CAL and their youth. It might not be this year but they are coming. I know Jayden was mentioned but he may be arguably the 4th or 5th best freshman in the group.  They have some studs if they all stick together. I don’t think they ever lost a middle school game (I could be wrong though).

Bump.

On 11/9/2024 at 7:39 AM, LouHSJunkie said:

If Ballard hadn't have lost Whitehead I'd have them higher but since they did I have to see them some first before moving them up. I easily could have put Manual ahead of Eastern but with that being said I'm very high on the Eagles.

Ballard also returns 2nd leading scorer Nate Richardson. Ballard should have good back court and should be in the hunt for #5 in the region.

Taking a page out of @ChickenWyngz book with his schedule of important dates in the 10th region, here are just a few (but certainly not all) the important dates I'd circle in 7th region competition.

Friday, December 6th: Trinity vs Male. Another early-season meeting between these two region powers. Could be a preview of multiple other meetings between these two (LIT, 7th Region). Expect Steinhauser gym to be rocking for this one!

Monday, December 16th: Ballard vs Manual. Many have high hopes for both the Bruins and Crimson this season with the latter being a top 20 team (per, CJ) in preseason. The former looking for a bounce-back year. Can learn a lot about these teams in this early meeting.

Dec. 19-22: King of The Bluegrass at Fairdale. The regions top three teams of St. Xavier, Trinity, and Male will all be there.

Week of January 13th: LIT. A seventh region team has won the tournament more times than not over the past decade-plus. That includes four of the last five. 7th Region has won 18 of the last 20 years.

January 24-26th: A big weekend in the seventh region with St. X hosting Male on Fri. the 24th. Trinity and St. X play on Sunday the 26th at Bellarmine. In non-region matchups, Male plays Great Crossing on Sat the 25th while Trinity has Covington Cath on Fri. 24th. 

Friday, January 31st: Male vs Ballard.

Friday, February 7th: Ballard vs St. Xavier.

Tuesday, February 11th: Trinity vs Ballard.

Friday, February 21st: Male vs Manual. The Bulldogs host arch rival Manual Crimson in what is likely to be an important and big test for both as they gear up for postseason play.