We are now in the full swing of the basketball preseason in Kentucky. Last year, Danville Christian Academy was a force to be reckoned with throughout the season. But by the postseason, a whole lot of squads in the 12th had improved massively, resulting in an extremely exciting and competitive regional tournament that will go down in the history books.

DCA will look to repeat, even while trying to fill the void left by the graduation of Lual Ayiei and Titus Boyd. West Jessamine has a core group of returners and will look to turn the corner in Coach Steve Adams' second year. As usual, the region is pretty equal in the bulk of the top ten as Pulaski County, Lincoln County, Somerset, Rockcastle County, Wayne County, Southwestern, McCreary County Central and Boyle County all should have some degree of success this year. However, I think more than usual there will be a severe drop off past that top ten. 

As always, please grant a little grace if an injury or transfer was missed. However, I think I was able to get most of them.

Rankings:

1. Danville Christian Academy - Though Ayiei and Boyd are gone, you have to start any discussion in the 12th with DCA still on top given their historic performance last year and the return of Geu Leek Ateny. Ateny averaged 16.4 points per game last year along with 9 rebounds per game. He is the most dominant big man in the region and one of the best post players in the state. Cole Dadisman will join Ateny in the paint. Point guard duties will be handled by Graham Domidion, an excellent offensive facilitator, just not a major scoring threat himself. Eli Perez and Jeremiah Stiefel will pitch in when it comes to backcourt duties. Newcomer Ben Mikels is also someone to keep an eye out for as well as Dre Motley and Josiah Bradshaw. It should be another fun season for the Warriors.

2. West Jessamine - The Colts were quickly swept out of postseason play last year, making a first round exit in the regional tournament after losing their district title game. Part of this could possibly be ascribed to the weak February schedule they had. It doesn't get much harder at the end for them this year, although they did tack on GRC for the regular season finale. If they can properly manage the season, they should be a credible threat to win the region. Coach Steve Adams is in his second year and has a strong core group in Gavin Murphy, Sawyer Thornton, Luk Tut and Kaden Floyd.

3. Pulaski County - I have been critical the past two years about Pulaski County having a soft schedule to start the season. That is not the case this year. Coach Fraley's group will be tested early and often as they play several teams in our preseason top ten for the 12th as well as Madison Central and South Oldham. Gavin Cook is gone. Reports are that Seth Farmer is gone. It is hopeful that Zak Anderson will be ready to go and, when healthy, he is one of the best players in the region. They also feature Carson Fraley, another star with his own injury history. If the Maroons can stay healthy and work on their depth, they will be able to go toe to toe with any team in the region.

4. Lincoln County - Cash Baird and Sawyer Thornton lead a Patriot group that struggled with consistency last year but when they were playing well, they were among the best in the region. Lincoln was incredibly young last year and their only major losses are Braden Fugate to graduation and Owen Willoughby to Casey County. Desalegne Pendygraft is a name to watch out for as Lincoln develops their depth beyond Baird and Thornton.

5. Somerset - The Briarjumpers feature Aedyn Absher, one of the more explosive players in the 12th. He is joined by Kole Grundy and Josh Lewis. Somerset will have to fill the shoes of Landon Lonesky and Josh Bruner but should have enough up and coming players to accomplish that mission. Can they escape the tough 47th district? Can they challenge DCA for an All A title?

6. Rockcastle County - So the fun begins. Rockcastle took the loss of Walker Craig to an ACL injury hard last year and struggled early on before finding some rhythm dangerous big man Connor Hunt. Hunt has graduated but Craig is back and, if he can return to form, is a player of the year candidate. Jace Rogers should handle the point. Maddox Parsons should complement him in the backcourt. The biggest question, besides Craig's rust, is impact the Rockets' lack of size will have.

7. Wayne County - Kendall Phillips had over 20 points per game last year and leads a Cardinal squad that has seen a tough offseason. Nothing is more unfortunate than the tragic passing of Cayleb Rice, a beloved young man who, by all accounts, embodied all the qualities you look for in a community leader. The offseason also saw point guard Korbyn Edwards tear his ACL. On the brighter side, rumor is Seth Farmer may be on the court again for the Cardinals. They also have some other options in players who could step up such as Ryder Bell, Brice Lafevers, and Rylan Morgan.

8. Southwestern - Antajuan Dumphord is gone but Zachary Hutchinson and Jarrett Simpson remain, both having averaged double digits last year. Also look for Wyatt Stevenson to advance in the backcourt. Depth is the question for the warriors but there is no doubt they have talent in Hutchinson and Simpson.

9. McCreary County Central - Peyton Higginbotham enters his senior year having averaged 22 points per game as a junior. He has both Jacob Foster and Kolton Summers alongside him, both double digit scorers last year. They have a softer schedule than almost everyone else in the top ten so it will be interesting to see how well they can develop the depth beyond their top 3 players. If anyone can do it though, it is Coach Wade Davis, one of the region's best.

10. Boyle County - The Rebels are almost always an enigma. We know they will have Harper Webb and Owen Wheeler but who else will be on the roster? That is usually a question that doesn't get answered until football is over in December. Maddox Hager returned to the hardwood but unfortunately will miss the season due to an ACL tear. That backcourt is an excellent foundation but will they get what they need to round out a top tier roster?

11. Garrard County - Jaydon Noe has graduated. Sam Montgomery and Mason Agee are the top returners. Agee is a football contributor on both sides of the ball and has a shot at being one of the more physical big men in the 12th on the hardwood.

12. Mercer County - After an incredible tournament run, Trevor Ellis and Hagan Preston have graduated and the Titans will have to have an almost groundfloor rebuild following the offseason injury of Kaleb Murray. Jackson Doughty is the returner with the most varsity experience and if the Titans have a chance at any success, he will have to certainly have a big contribution to it.

13. Somerset Christian - The Cougars return Jack Baker and Isaiah Hensley from a team that had wins over Southwestern, Wayne County, and McCreary Central. They did graduated the next two leading scorers behind those two though so it will be interesting to see if they still have enough to be in this range of teams right outside the top ten.

14. East Jessamine - Coach Jon Bentley's first year at East was rough, going 7-23. Miyo Jones and Keelyn Daniel have both graduated. If they are going to improve from last year's struggles, Tyson Duke will have to lead the way.

15. Danville - The Ads lost Paige to graduation and Graves to transfer. They may have a bright spot in Jacob Singleton but it looks to be another long year in Danville.

16. Casey County - Owen Willoughby, newcomer from Lincoln, and Carson Beeler are the players to look out for here but this is still a team that only won 3 times last year with no wins in the region.

17. Trinity Christian - Bryce Thompson averaged nearly 24 points per game but has graduated. So has top big Noah Westerfield. Can Josh Cunningham fill the star role left open here?

18. Burgin - The Bulldogs got seven wins last year, no small feat given the size of their enrollment. Landon Sexton is back to see if they can improve on that.

19. Kentucky School for the Deaf - KSD was winless last year and has another limited schedule this year. However, it is cool to see rising sophomore Dakota Cox. He averaged over 15 points per game as a freshman.

Top Preseason Players:

1. Geu Leek Ateny - DCA

2. Kendall Phillips - Wayne County

3. Walker Craig - Rockcastle County

4. Peyton Higginbotham - McCreary County Central

5. Cash Baird - Lincoln County

6. Aedyn Absher - Somerset

7. Carson Fraley - Pulaski County

8. Zachary Hutchinson - Southwestern

9. Zak Anderson - Pulaski County

10. Gavin Murphy - West Jessamine

Good write-up as always.  Farmer is at Wayne, but I’ve heard eligibility is a question?  I’ve heard Anderson from Pulaski injury is pretty severe.  Really good player and competitor that is a key cog for the Maroons. 

I heard the same thing about Anderson's injury.  Given the preliminary report he's probably out for the year.  

When you take away Cook and Idlewine to graduation and now Farmer and Anderson they'll be pretty thin.  They usually have a good feeder program though.  Were their 9th grade and JV teams pretty good last year?

On 10/25/2025 at 6:09 PM, 24Rocks said:

I heard the same thing about Anderson's injury.  Given the preliminary report he's probably out for the year.  

When you take away Cook and Idlewine to graduation and now Farmer and Anderson they'll be pretty thin.  They usually have a good feeder program though.  Were their 9th grade and JV teams pretty good last year?

Yes, they had good teams last year.  I would watch expect Kade Hargis to take a big jump this season at the guard spot.  Big shoes to fill on the interior though.

On 10/25/2025 at 6:14 PM, LethalPG said:

Yes, they had good teams last year.  I would watch expect Kade Hargis to take a big jump this season at the guard spot.  Big shoes to fill on the interior though.

The way I calculate it they've lost 41 points of scoring out of 61 and Carson Fraley accounted for 10 of the 20 ppg they've got coming back.  Hargis and some of the younger guys will definitely have to take a big jump.  From what I saw last year he's got some ability but he and Fraley will definitely need some help from the front court.  .  

Hate to hear all the injuries in the 12th this year. If my count is right that is 3 major contributors to their team out. Anderson at PC, Edwards at Wayne and Murray at Mercer. Two are seniors and will lose the best year of their high school career after years of work. Tough break for the kids. 

17 minutes ago, BasketballFan24 said:

Hate to hear all the injuries in the 12th this year. If my count is right that is 3 major contributors to their team out. Anderson at PC, Edwards at Wayne and Murray at Mercer. Two are seniors and will lose the best year of their high school career after years of work. Tough break for the kids. 

Add Maddox Hager to that list.  He would have been back to Boyle this season after playing at GRC last year.

5 minutes ago, 24Rocks said:

Add Maddox Hager to that list.  He would have been back to Boyle this season after playing at GRC last year.

Yes. Forgot him. Just unreal in one region. 

Sawyer Robbins plays for Lincoln County.

I see the most parity that we have seen in years. It won’t surprise me one bit if any of the top 6 teams (per the above rankings) end up as the best team. I’m not sold on DCA at the top. While they have one of the top players in the region, based solely on returnees from last season, I don’t see the separation I’ve seen the last couple years. They’re certainly in the mix, but not above it, in my opinion.

Also, based on who all I have heard is playing for Boyle, I will throw them in the mix too (with the other 6). Ethan Milburn (6’5” wing) and Collier Sexton (skilled PG) are back playing again. Add them to Webb, Wheeler and Driver, plus a host of athletic backcourt players that I hear are likely playing, and  they’ll present a unique challenge for many teams.

When that shot clock rule change takes effect it will be interesting to see the effects that has on this region.  Many of last year's regional games were not a good watch.

20 minutes ago, DanvilleFan said:

When that shot clock rule change takes effect it will be interesting to see the effects that has on this region.  Many of last year's regional games were not a good watch.

The joke I've heard made by people in all four districts is one prominent coach will probably retire but it is implemented!

From what I've seen in the 12th it's often the case that the better teams are the ones with good, solid team defense and they may or may not be offensive powerhouses.  DCA and Mercer's teams from last year are good examples.  In my opinion a strong defense at the high school level can really benefit from a shot clock.  If you can make the other team work the ball looking for a shot right up to when the clock runs out you can often force a bad shot.

Lol I doubt he does. 

DCA over Washington County by 32 in a scrimmage.