It's getting close to the time most of us have been waiting for.  There have been a lot of predictions and previews for the different regions.  How about some previews of the All A teams?

The only region I'm really familiar with is the 12th so I'll start there.

Based on last year's performances and who I know is returning I would say it looks like this:

1.  DCA - They have size that most high school programs only dream about.  Lual Ayei at 7' and Leek Ateny at 6-10".  They are both pretty slim but they are mobile. They should be able to control the boards and lock down the paint on defense. In addition, they have an experienced guard and team leader in Titus Boyd (6-3").  They have a new coach in Shaun Busick who has a good track record in Indiana.  It's a big unknown as to whether they have the younger guys who are capable of filling in slots 4-8.  There is some talent in that group but not much experience.  

2.  Somerset - They lost two 18 point per game scorers in Godby and Whitaker but they have Aedyn Absher returning, a solid player who averaged 10.1 points per game.  Josh Bruner is back after missing a big part of the season last year due to injuries.  Lewis, Grundy, and Bartley all played last year and while not averaging big numbers gained some valuable experience.  They've added Lonesky (listed at 6'8"), who sat out last year, and who will bring them some size.  Throw in an experienced coach in Ryan Young and they have a good chance to win it.

3.  Trinity Christian - 20-13 overall last year, 7-8 in the region and 4-6 in the district.  They typically played within 20 points of the better teams in the region like Mercer and Somerset so unless they really improve they'll probably not be a contender to win the All A Region.  That doesn't mean they couldn't beat any of the other teams on a given night.

4 - 6  In no particular order:  Danville, Somerset Christian, Burgin.  

3 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

It's getting close to the time most of us have been waiting for.  There have been a lot of predictions and previews for the different regions.  How about some previews of the All A teams?

The only region I'm really familiar with is the 12th so I'll start there.

Based on last year's performances and who I know is returning I would say it looks like this:

1.  DCA - They have size that most high school programs only dream about.  Lual Ayei at 7' and Leek Ateny at 6-10".  They are both pretty slim but they are mobile. They should be able to control the boards and lock down the paint on defense. In addition, they have an experienced guard and team leader in Titus Boyd (6-3").  They have a new coach in Shaun Busick who has a good track record in Indiana.  It's a big unknown as to whether they have the younger guys who are capable of filling in slots 4-8.  There is some talent in that group but not much experience.  

2.  Somerset - They lost two 18 point per game scorers in Godby and Whitaker but they have Aedyn Absher returning, a solid player who averaged 10.1 points per game.  Josh Bruner is back after missing a big part of the season last year due to injuries.  Lewis, Grundy, and Bartley all played last year and while not averaging big numbers gained some valuable experience.  They've added Lonesky (listed at 6'8"), who sat out last year, and who will bring them some size.  Throw in an experienced coach in Ryan Young and they have a good chance to win it.

3.  Trinity Christian - 20-13 overall last year, 7-8 in the region and 4-6 in the district.  They typically played within 20 points of the better teams in the region like Mercer and Somerset so unless they really improve they'll probably not be a contender to win the All A Region.  That doesn't mean they couldn't beat any of the other teams on a given night.

4 - 6  In no particular order:  Danville, Somerset Christian, Burgin.  

I agree DCA is the favorite here for sure. Danville though I think is in the hunt and can fill that 2 or 3 spot. Page is a really good player and have a few pieces around him. Their big, who’s name escapes, me was much improved this summer. 
 

Trinity lost Coffman to West and Somerset lost a lot to have to replace. If I’m not mistaken Josh Lewis is out for a while if not all season with an injury as well. 

If Newport plays, and I assume they will, they are a HUGE favorite in the 9th and a solid favorite to win the whole thing down in Owensboro.  

On 11/30/2024 at 10:20 AM, 24Rocks said:

It's getting close to the time most of us have been waiting for.  There have been a lot of predictions and previews for the different regions.  How about some previews of the All A teams?

The only region I'm really familiar with is the 12th so I'll start there.

Based on last year's performances and who I know is returning I would say it looks like this:

1.  DCA - They have size that most high school programs only dream about.  Lual Ayei at 7' and Leek Ateny at 6-10".  They are both pretty slim but they are mobile. They should be able to control the boards and lock down the paint on defense. In addition, they have an experienced guard and team leader in Titus Boyd (6-3").  They have a new coach in Shaun Busick who has a good track record in Indiana.  It's a big unknown as to whether they have the younger guys who are capable of filling in slots 4-8.  There is some talent in that group but not much experience.  

2.  Somerset - They lost two 18 point per game scorers in Godby and Whitaker but they have Aedyn Absher returning, a solid player who averaged 10.1 points per game.  Josh Bruner is back after missing a big part of the season last year due to injuries.  Lewis, Grundy, and Bartley all played last year and while not averaging big numbers gained some valuable experience.  They've added Lonesky (listed at 6'8"), who sat out last year, and who will bring them some size.  Throw in an experienced coach in Ryan Young and they have a good chance to win it.

3.  Trinity Christian - 20-13 overall last year, 7-8 in the region and 4-6 in the district.  They typically played within 20 points of the better teams in the region like Mercer and Somerset so unless they really improve they'll probably not be a contender to win the All A Region.  That doesn't mean they couldn't beat any of the other teams on a given night.

4 - 6  In no particular order:  Danville, Somerset Christian, Burgin.  

A few things about Somerset: I expect them to be in "figure it out" mode during Dec. with football just finishing Friday.  But, the pieces are there to be a quality basketball team.  When the job came open in 2021, the appealing part was this JR/SR class and alot of those guys are back to playing.  Lonesky will be a quality big in the region.  The collective size of this team will be solid once all the football guys are back in and playing.  Josh Lewis rehab has went well, and he should be back in Jan.

13 minutes ago, LethalPG said:

A few things about Somerset: I expect them to be in "figure it out" mode during Dec. with football just finishing Friday.  But, the pieces are there to be a quality basketball team.  When the job came open in 2021, the appealing part was this JR/SR class and alot of those guys are back to playing.  Lonesky will be a quality big in the region.  The collective size of this team will be solid once all the football guys are back in and playing.  Josh Lewis rehab has went well, and he should be back in Jan.

Glad to hear Lewis may be able to return. I had heard it may be season ending which I hate for any kid to have to go through. 

10 minutes ago, LethalPG said:

A few things about Somerset: I expect them to be in "figure it out" mode during Dec. with football just finishing Friday.  But, the pieces are there to be a quality basketball team.  When the job came open in 2021, the appealing part was this JR/SR class and alot of those guys are back to playing.  Lonesky will be a quality big in the region.  The collective size of this team will be solid once all the football guys are back in and playing.  Josh Lewis rehab has went well, and he should be back in Jan.

I watched the recent scrimmage on HUDL and I think you're right.  They were trying to figure some things out.  They'll definitely have some decent size once you get Bruner and Bartley on the floor.  The problem they'll have is that if he puts a team on the floor with good size in order to defend and rebound they don't necessarily have many real good scorers other than Absher.  He's a good coach though and I'd say he'll have them playing well by mid season.

28 minutes ago, 24Rocks said:

I watched the recent scrimmage on HUDL and I think you're right.  They were trying to figure some things out.  They'll definitely have some decent size once you get Bruner and Bartley on the floor.  The problem they'll have is that if he puts a team on the floor with good size in order to defend and rebound they don't necessarily have many real good scorers other than Absher.  He's a good coach though and I'd say he'll have them playing well by mid season.

I would be shocked if they play Lonesky and Bartley together with the emphasis they put on spacing the floor offensively unless completely necessary.  But, like you said it will be a challenge for them to figure it out with limited practice time all together.