As I look at next year in the 8th, the one burning question that dictates my thoughts on the region as a whole is: "What North Oldham team will take the court in December?" Eli Green, Thomas Gregg, and Pierre Rondo all are expected back at this point. That could always change on a dime. Green is coming off a season-ending injury and I think the entire state is holding their breath for the day Rondo goes the prep or academy route. Oakland Shearer should also be returning.

Woodford County is the logical foil and they are set to return Omari Jointer at the point for his senior year.

There will be various comings and goings across the region as graduation and [redacted] unfold. So far we already have a coaching opening with Collins. What other changes can be expected?

Besides the top two, who else looks to be a contender next year? South Oldham returns Siakhim. Simon Kenton surged at the end of this year as did Henry County. Will Spencer County be able to replicate their post season success without Smith and Seawright? 

Please share all your thoughts and intrigue as we enter another post-season.

People are aware that Spencer's postseason was without Smith and Seawright, their starting backcourt, correct?

North is on a whole other planet with Rondo, but with a whole year of starting experience and practice time for Spencer's probable backcourt next year, they can compete with anybody else in the region. Including Woodford.

Henry County loses a lot, but I still see them winning District 31.

Bump.

Biased...but high on the Bearcats. Like the Beasleys (Noah & Ace...big time TEs if they would step on a football field). 

Hudson DeGarmo, Henry Cooper & Coleman Boggs are more football guys, but will be older. They like to compete. Will play their guts out. Can see these guys starting or coming off the bench. 

Trying to get Daniel Franklin out for football. He will push to make the starting 5 next season. Tough, physical, hard nosed kid. 

Gabe Hyatt should be good in the post. Another kid... needs to be playing football. Good boy. Good height. Thick build. 

Watch out for incoming freshman, Rylan Lucas.  Gonna be a good one in both football and basketball. 

5 minutes ago, ChiefSmoke said:

Biased...but high on the Bearcats. Like the Beasleys (Noah & Ace...big time TEs if they would step on a football field). 

Hudson DeGarmo, Henry Cooper & Coleman Boggs are more football guys, but will be older. They like to compete. Will play their guts out. Can see these guys starting or coming off the bench. 

Trying to get Daniel Franklin out for football. He will push to make the starting 5 next season. Tough, physical, hard nosed kid. 

Gabe Hyatt should be good in the post. Another kid... needs to be playing football. Good boy. Good height. Thick build. 

Watch out for incoming freshman, Rylan Lucas.  Gonna be a good one in both football and basketball. 

Had to figure out if you're promoting the football or basketball team. LOL

17 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

Had to figure out if you're promoting the football or basketball team. LOL

You got me ... but CLOSE! I am trying to PROMOTE guys playing both basketball and football!  

That is beginning to happen at a significant level w/ baseball & football. And...we have more basketball guys playing football than when we got started in 2023.

The kids at ACHS are super! But, ALL of our athletic teams will be more athletic if our best guys are playing multiple sports. 

Of the four schools , Paris, Mason, Mercer & Anderson... Anderson has been the toughest to get the basketball guys out.  2026.... sports specialization is an issue like no other era. 

I am crazy about our basketball coach, Bryan Hyatt. He was on the committee that hired me. Just a week ago, I told him he has an open invitation to come talk to our guys and ask them to tryout for the basketball team. He is going to bring me into their kids camp in June to invite those kids to football camp. 

There are several structural changes we are trying to get in place so that Anderson County football can be significantly better, not just in 2026.... but 5, 10 & 20 plus years from now. 

Of those structural changes, not sure anything would help more, for ALL SPORTS, than if we can create a culture where our best athletes are multiple sport guys going forward. 

I've never drawn a play or had a practice/workout that moved the needle more than having 3 Mr. Basketball guys on the football field... (Chris Lofton, Trevon Faulkner, Darius Miller). 

Remember what Nick Saban's HS coach told him on that play to win the state title... when the game is on the line, think PLAYERS, not PLAYS. 

 

The Pioneers might have one of their best teams lead by 6'1  Bilton who will be a Senior 18.6 points a game. They will have 6 Seniors. They will also have the 6'4 Hughes twins as Juniors and 6'3 Hardcorn in the post.

2 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

The Pioneers might have one of their best teams lead by 6'1  Bilton who will be a Senior 18.6 points a game. They will have 6 Seniors. They will also have the 6'4 Hughes twins as Juniors and 6'3 Hardcorn in the post.

That won't beat N. Oldham.

11 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

That won't beat N. Oldham.

Last year’s game was a North Oldham home match in which they beat SK 54-44. If they just flip it and keep it at the same place in the schedule, it will be at SK this year and again in early December. I expect it to be competitive, especially at SK, but yes, North Oldham’s potential starting lineup is probably like top 5 in the state in my opinion. Barring injury, they will always have the best starting lineup on paper in any regional matchup.

14 hours ago, se7ens said:

Last year’s game was a North Oldham home match in which they beat SK 54-44. If they just flip it and keep it at the same place in the schedule, it will be at SK this year and again in early December. I expect it to be competitive, especially at SK, but yes, North Oldham’s potential starting lineup is probably like top 5 in the state in my opinion. Barring injury, they will always have the best starting lineup on paper in any regional matchup.

On paper and on the floor.

To adjust a quote from Moneyball… there’s North Oldham, 50 feet of space… then everyone else. I don’t see anyone touching them in the region. 

The 8th is always fun.....and there's something unpredictable that happens every year.    And there have been many years where a decently strong team upset one of the favorites in the tournament, only to be stunned by another less-regarded team in the following round.

Don't blink; you might miss something.....LOL

CM

Any insights from the first couple of weeks of summer scrimmages?

23 hours ago, Iceman13 said:

Any insights from the first couple of weeks of summer scrimmages?

N. Oldham is still the to beat.

Bump.