The Derby is over and the flowers are blooming.  Most importantly we are 7 months away from the first high school basketball game.  Never too early to start talking about the 8th Region and the thoughts/predictions for next season.

I usually like to do TIERS...  top TIERS, Middle TIERS, and BOTTOM TIERS... The tiers however we be very off balance up top.  Because there is one team that is head and shoulders above everyone else and its not even close. Its NORTH OLDHAM region to lose next year.  They are by far the best team.  Basketball is a tournament sport, and anyone is beatable come tournament time however on paper they are unbeatable in the 8th region next season.  Austin Sears could be the favorite to win Region Player of the Year next season as a Sophomore.  He is talented and has the best basketball IQ I have ever seen at his age.  Then you add Pierre Rondo to the mixed ... WOW, he will just be an 8th grader but he plays like a season vet.  Those two will be young but will be the best back court in the region.  Next years Junior class started playing together in 2nd grade and they are a group that hasn't lost much in their lives so they will help compliment the talented guards. Then you have the length and athleticism of Colin Daniels and Thomas Gregg. WOW, this team is LOADED.

I feel that Spencer County and Collins are the next TIER that will be very good but just not as deep as North Oldham.  Spencer and Collins are both well-coached by two of the best coaches around. So who knows how good they can get by tourney time.

Surprise team of the region:

Henry County- they have their returning top 4 scorers returning.  They have a region of the year candidate.  Henry County will be able to beat anyone next year on any given night.  OH YEA--- the region is at their school.  I can guarantee you that no one wants to draw them in the first round of the region.  Just asked Spencer County.  Took them 2 overtimes to beat them in the first round of regions last year.

A Team I have questions about:

Woodford County- most of the region has no idea about them year in and year out.  They typically only play their district opponents and no one else is the region.  They are capable of getting a transfer at the drop of a hat.  So you just never know how good they will be.

 

Top TIER Teams

- North Oldham

2nd TIER Teams (teams that could possibly win the region)

- Spencer County, Collins, Henry County

3rd TIER Teams (competitive teams but not quite talented enough to win in March)

-Woodford County, Walton-Verona, Henry County, Oldham County, South Oldham, Owen County, Anderson County, Simon Kenton

4th TIER Teams (rebuilding years for teams or just not enough talent to compete)

-Gallatin County, Grant County, Eminence, Trimble County, Shelby County, Carroll County, Cornerstone Chr., Williamstown

TOP 10 TEAMS (in order)

1. North Oldham

2. Spencer County

3. Collins 

4. Henry County

5. Woodford County

6. South Oldham

7. Simon Kenton

8. Oldham County

9. Walton-Verona

10. Owen County

Players to Watch for 2025-26 (no order)

1. Austin Sears, North Oldham

2. Pierre Rondo, North Oldham

3. Thomas Gregg, North Oldham

4. Colin Daniels, North Oldham

5. Kolton Wuchterl, South Oldham

6. Braylon Bilton, Simon Kenton

7. Thurman Wade, Woodford County

8. Samuel Seawright, Spencer County

9. Chris Armstrong, Spencer County

10.Adam Gutman, Walton-Verona 

11.Caden Gaither, Collins

12. Kade Goodin, Collins

13.Michael Smith , Owen County

14. Baylor Nolin , Henry County

15. Ty Bryant, Oldham County

16. Jakobi McRoberts, Oldham County

17. Noah Beasley, Anderson County

 

Doesn't Grant Co. return a decent amount? I figured they will be solid this upcoming season.

2 hours ago, CynthianaHoops said:

Doesn't Grant Co. return a decent amount? I figured they will be solid this upcoming season.

Several returnees, but lose two of top 3 scorers and rebounders off a 10-18 squad. 

Any news on where teams are playing this summer? 

Get familiar with the name Joaquin Siakam for South Oldham. Nephew of Pascal Siakam. Yes, the NBA player Pascal Siakam.

23 hours ago, BBN_34 said:

Get familiar with the name Joaquin Siakam for South Oldham. Nephew of Pascal Siakam. Yes, the NBA player Pascal Siakam.

Saw him play in some JV games this past year.

Hes got a lot of talent!

One of these teams wins the region next season.  North Oldham the favorite but the rest in no particular order.  Nobody else will get as much as a sniff of winning the region next season.

North Oldham

Woodford 

Spencer 

South Oldham 

Collins 

On 5/11/2025 at 11:55 AM, Falcon Pride said:

Saw him play in some JV games this past year.

Hes got a lot of talent!

I agree. This kid can play.

On 5/11/2025 at 6:27 PM, PBnoJ said:

One of these teams wins the region next season.  North Oldham the favorite but the rest in no particular order.  Nobody else will get as much as a sniff of winning the region next season.

North Oldham

Woodford 

Spencer 

South Oldham 

Collins 

I agree 100%.

Don't sleep on SK they have some good underclassmen coming up. Excited to see how Sophomore Chase Perkins does he is about 6'2 or 6'3.

On 5/26/2025 at 10:18 AM, MaddenCurse44 said:

Don't sleep on SK they have some good underclassmen coming up. Excited to see how Sophomore Chase Perkins does he is about 6'2 or 6'3.

Do you have any info on their summer schedule? Would like to check them out this summer.

Anyone have a summer schedule for any team in the 8th region? Would like to watch some live bball in June.

Simon Kenton has a team camp starting next Tuesday I believe.  

Bump.

I’d say Omari Jointer from Woodford Co be second best in the pre-season rankings. He missed rest the season from a Knee injury middle a Christmas tournament.