In the 10th, I think it will be a two horse race once again between GRC and Mason Co, with GRC deserving to be the favorite going into the season.

 

With Clark returning Stenzel, Zollo, and Rogers, they will be really tough. They have the experience that will help them in the long run. They will need to develop a point guard though. Playing Stenzel at the point would not be what is best for this team. They will be tough.

 

I think losing Robert Hatton will be huge for GRC. He was their second best player and made teams guard him so they couldn't focus all of their attention on Stenzel. He is really good and GRC will miss him.

 

Mason Co does lose alot. Middleton was a clutch scorer and carried the Royals on the offensive side of the ball for a large part of this season. He was almost automatic from 3 and seemed to be able to get to the rim at will. Downing is one of, if not the best defender in the state and the Royals will miss him guarding the opposing team's best defender. He ran some point and was a warrior on the boards and played very unselfishly. Hamm was just so solid. He was able to demand the ball and calm a young Royals team down. He is a good defender, shooter, and ball handler as well. All of these seniors were MAJOR contributors to the Royals success this year and there will be some growing pains next year when they try to replace them.

 

With that said, Mason County does return a ton of talent. Treg Setty will be the offensive star for the Royals, as he showed in spurts this year. He should continue to grow and could prove to challenge Stenzel as the best player in the Region before they graduate.

 

Neal Pawsat is a beast. He does a little bit of everything and will be a great post player for the Royals. Throw in good guards like Jordan Gilbert and Justin Lang, as well as big men like senior to be Phil Barner and sophomore to be Tyler Black, the Royals will be tough. They will improve as the year goes on as they learn to play together and will be very tough for any team, including GRC, to knock off.

 

 

Mason Co. & GRC should be considered the favorites in the 10th Region next season but Scott out of the 37th returns some key players as well. I would put Scott as a very close 3rd in the 10th region preseason.

And for all those saying they are "only" losing Riley, Housely, and Dom Johnson, you gotta realize that was a big part of their team.

 

People have said the same things the past two years about Holmes. Last year they lost 7 seniors, including Henderson, Avery, and Clark. The year before they lost Rice, Hill, and Jefferson. This year they lose Riley, D. Johnson, and Housely.

 

This team continues to reload despite losing big pieces to their team each year. With Rice and Mayfield being inserted in to the starting lineup with the Johnson Bros and Pittman, I like their chances of 4 peating. I've become a believer of those three young men and I don't see them being denied their senior year.

That may be true, but at the beginning of the year, it seems like everyone except Fraysure in the Cats Pause yearbook thought Clark was the favorite.

 

I think everyone thought Zollo would have a bigger impact than he had. He will be better next year when healthy and with another year in the system.

You can include PRESSROW along with Fraysure.:thumb:

In the 10th, I think it will be a two horse race once again between GRC and Mason Co, with GRC deserving to be the favorite going into the season.

 

With Clark returning Stenzel, Zollo, and Rogers, they will be really tough. They have the experience that will help them in the long run. They will need to develop a point guard though. Playing Stenzel at the point would not be what is best for this team. They will be tough.

 

I think losing Robert Hatton will be huge for GRC. He was their second best player and made teams guard him so they couldn't focus all of their attention on Stenzel. He is really good and GRC will miss him.

 

Mason Co does lose alot. Middleton was a clutch scorer and carried the Royals on the offensive side of the ball for a large part of this season. He was almost automatic from 3 and seemed to be able to get to the rim at will. Downing is one of, if not the best defender in the state and the Royals will miss him guarding the opposing team's best defender. He ran some point and was a warrior on the boards and played very unselfishly. Hamm was just so solid. He was able to demand the ball and calm a young Royals team down. He is a good defender, shooter, and ball handler as well. All of these seniors were MAJOR contributors to the Royals success this year and there will be some growing pains next year when they try to replace them.

 

With that said, Mason County does return a ton of talent. Treg Setty will be the offensive star for the Royals, as he showed in spurts this year. He should continue to grow and could prove to challenge Stenzel as the best player in the Region before they graduate.

 

Neal Pawsat is a beast. He does a little bit of everything and will be a great post player for the Royals. Throw in good guards like Jordan Gilbert and Justin Lang, as well as big men like senior to be Phil Barner and sophomore to be Tyler Black, the Royals will be tough. They will improve as the year goes on as they learn to play together and will be very tough for any team, including GRC, to knock off.

 

Also the addition of Logan Manship from Montgomery County should help boost the inside game for Mason County.

People have said the same things the past two years about Holmes. Last year they lost 7 seniors, including Henderson, Avery, and Clark. The year before they lost Rice, Hill, and Jefferson. This year they lose Riley, D. Johnson, and Housely.

 

This team continues to reload despite losing big pieces to their team each year. With Rice and Mayfield being inserted in to the starting lineup with the Johnson Bros and Pittman, I like their chances of 4 peating. I've become a believer of those three young men and I don't see them being denied their senior year.

 

I could also see the 8th grader McClendon leap froging Mayfield for playing time. From what I hear, he was a major player for the JV this year.

The 13th will be decided between Clay Co, Corbin, Knox Central and South Laurel. Clay Co could very well be the favorite going into the season as they only lose one senior.

I could also see the 8th grader McClendon leap froging Mayfield for playing time. From what I hear, he was a major player for the JV this year.

 

Mcclendon is a possibility. Didn't even think about him.

 

I'd think Mayfield would be the leader to fill the 5th starting position at this point though. From the few times I saw Holmes, he plays very good defense and showed the ability to handle pressure from other teams. Mcclendon does have better size though.

That may be true, but at the beginning of the year, it seems like everyone except Fraysure in the Cats Pause yearbook thought Clark was the favorite.

 

I think everyone thought Zollo would have a bigger impact than he had. He will be better next year when healthy and with another year in the system.

 

:ohbrother:

 

 

How was Clark not the favorite last year?!? Everyone picked Clark Co preseason!

 

Because of injuries during the season.

 

 

 

This is what I was talking about last year preseason kinda like now.

 

What some of you are failing to acknowledge is that with the injuries GRC suffered, this was not the GRC team we thought that would playing in the finals of the region in our pre-season talk. As I stated before give us a healthy GRC in the finals and yes, I think we would have won.

Because of injuries during the season.

 

What some of you are failing to acknowledge is that with the injuries GRC suffered, this was not the GRC team we thought that would playing in the finals of the region in our pre-season talk. As I stated before give us a healthy GRC in the finals and yes, I think we would have won.

 

I'd have to agree with you Gold Sunrise. I'm a 9th region fan but followed some of the 10th region teams as well and I must say that the injury bug bit the Cards hard this season. Had the Purvis kid not gotten hurt at the beginning of the season, I really think we would have been talking about an Elliott Co-Clark Co second round match up in the sweet 16, rather than an Elliott Co-Shelby Valley match up. I think he would have made that big of a difference and I fully expect him to be a big contributor next year in the Cards quest to win the 10th.

You can include PRESSROW along with Fraysure.:thumb:

 

I guess you two had the crystal ball and seeing that GRC was going to have alot of injuries and not have the team playing that most thought they would. :idunno:

You can include PRESSROW along with Fraysure.:thumb:

 

fieldhousekrayzie21 is there too, but he was published for it.

IMO: Holmes will be the heavy favorite in the 9th and will be back at Rupp next year to defend their title.

I'd have to agree with you Gold Sunrise. I'm a 9th region fan but followed some of the 10th region teams as well and I must say that the injury bug bit the Cards hard this season. Had the Purvis kid not gotten hurt at the beginning of the season, I really think we would have been talking about an Elliott Co-Clark Co second round match up in the sweet 16, rather than an Elliott Co-Shelby Valley match up. I think he would have made that big of a difference and I fully expect him to be a big contributor next year in the Cards quest to win the 10th.

 

:thumb::thumb:

13th Region

1. Corbin....still the champions until someone beats them. Return Wilson, Johnson, Manns, and T. Smith. A solid JV team will help Coach P as well next season as he defends the title.

2. South Laurel...St. John, Watkins, Gilbert and Huff will all be back and the Cards will be a handful for everyone.

3. Clay County....2001 was the last tiger trip to Rupp and they have a solid group returning....Wilson, Hooker, Reed, Roberts and Gay plus my personal favorite Tiger player...Mitchell. This could be SPurlock's year indeed.

4. Knox Central....1970 was the last regional Champ squad for the Panthers...Miller, Canady, Broughton, Barger are four solid guards...they will have to get something inside to win the region next year.

With Rico, JJ, and Pittman returning for Holmes, I think it's going to be tough for any other team to get out of the 9th.

 

Holmes may only return 3 senior starters, but those 3 seniors are pretty darn good. JJ, Rico, and Pittman are all three D1 caliber talent and they also return a star in the making in Rice. (If he can keep his emotions in check) Holmes will be very deep next year as well with a talented junior class who went to the JV championship without their best player (Rice) playing a single game. I believe Slusher will also play some valuable mins next year as a senior as well. Next year's Holmes team will remind me a lot of the 07/08 version, only with more talent.

 

I like Highlands to contend with them for the region crown. I was impressed with their team this year despite having no seniors. Kowolonek, Grote, Watson, and Grubbs are going to be tough, as well as role players Lother, Gordon, and Dill.

 

Boone should be there near the top but I don't think some of the Boone fans realize how much not having Mcfarland, Spaulding, and Brown is going to affect them. Mcfarland's all around game was what led them to a win over Holmes this year and the reason they were in the region championship.

 

McFarland will be hard to replace for Boone because of his versatility. Don't forget Boone's JV and freshman teams won the NKY JV championship. Holmes won't have quite as much depth IMO next year as they do this year. They are still the favorites and will be preseason #1 in every poll, but I still think that they won't be HEAVY favorites in the 9th. Holmes fans thought they would win every 9th region game by 15-20 this year. Take away Boone's missed layup in the final seconds in the regional final, and they likely would not have even made it to Rupp. I think the gap will even be a little closer next year.