The 2nd Region off-season started with a bang as former Christian County coach Kerry Stovall was announced last Friday as head coach for the new mega-school combining Christian County and Hopkinsville.  Coach Stovall will lead the Christian County Tigers in 2026/2027 after spending the last 8 years as the Athletic Director for the Christian County school district.  The hiring of a state championship coach should immediately inject excitement and life into two programs that have struggled over the last couple of seasons.  Combining Rahsean Stevenson, Jayon Bass, and Jonovan Leavell gives next year's squad immediate scoring threats, and there will be plenty of role players for coach Stovall to choose from. 

In addition to the Tigers, the Lyon County Lions return Nolan Coffman and Jett Reddick to form the nucleus of next year's team.  If rumors are true about Coach Ryan Perry stepping away next season, that would likely shake things up down in Eddyville. 

The Henderson County Colonels and the Hopkins Central Storm round out the list of top contenders in the 2nd Region next year.  The Colonels will return their 3 leading scorers from a team that went 26-5 this season.   All-Region guards Xavion Johnson and Amare Stewart return for Henderson County in addition to All-District forwards Zayden Martin and MaLaikye Taylor.  The Storm took the Colonels to the wire in the region semifinal.  With 4 of their 5 leading scorers returning, there is little doubt that Hopkins Central will contend next season as well.  The Storm returns Devante Jagoe, Semare Pettus, Blaze Sumner, and Channing Stone.  This nucleus can compete with the best in the region.  

Not sure where those rumors are coming from, haven't been heard in this area of the second region. Expect Coach Perry to be on the sidelines in Lyon County for the next several years.

What does everyone think about the favorites for next season... would it have to be 1) Henderson, then 2) Hopkins Co Central, followed by 3) Lyon County? How good is Christian County expected to be in Year 1?

I think Henderson County, Hopkins Central, and Lyon County will be the top 3. If I remember correctly Hopkinsville’s two best players were seniors but Christian County had a few pretty good juniors. I would expect they’ll be decent in their first year but I’m not sure they’ll be able to contend with the top 3.  

Bump.