West Jessamine makes the farthest trip in the Sweet Sixteen for a 12th Region team since South Laurel won it all in 2005, a year before moving to the 13th.

 

Now that the season is over, can the Colts make a return trip? Here is my preview for next seasons 12th Region.

1. McCreary Central (21-12, L - Region Finals)

The Raiders return one of the most talented players the region has ever had. Watts leads the charge for McCreary, a team that returns four starters and their entire bench. The lone senior for 08/09 season Schrock left his mark and will be sorely missed with his long body and athleticism. How will the schedule be for Coach Jones and his Raiders this coming season? It will be a tough battle with rival Wayne and Southwestern all in one district, the best this coming year. The Raiders will run deep into their bench with incoming freshman Tyson Williams playing significant minutes. Is 27 years long enough for the Raiders?

2. West Jessamine (28-9, L - State Final Four)

A rematch of last seasons region finals is likely to happen again. The Polson-led Colts enter next season as one of the favorites, with the experience that matters the most. The Colts lose a couple of valuable seniors who helped Polson get the Colts to the Final Four. Can they overcome this? Hammonds and his defensive-minded team will likely be a lock to make a return trip to the region tournament, but can they overcome their losses?

3. Wayne County (17-15, L - Region semis)

The Cards can never seem to get over the hump of a successful season and successful post season. Woods teams have lost many times in the past regular season, but made a run to the semis of the region before losing to eventual champion West Jessamine by double-digits. Wayne lost in their attempt for a second straight 48th district title to the rival Raiders and will be fighting again with Dunigan leading the charge next seasn.

4. Southwestern (18-11, L - 1st District)

One of the best shooters in the region will guide the Warriors into the 09/10 season in T.T. Woolridge. Schultz is coming off his first ever failure to make it out of the district since joining the 48th, losing to eventual champions 3-seed McCreary. The Warriors and Schultz always seem to be ready come tourney time and I think it continues.

 

5. Lincoln County (20-10, L - Region semis)

After consecutive years of winning the region title, the Patriots fell just short in an attempt of a repeat on their home floor, falling in the region semis. Jackson, the coach of the year, loses POY in Ethan Spurlin, but always seems to have the talent needed to coach into great teams.

 

Other teams? Add your thoughts.

Southwestern loses Woolridge, Jones, Young, Muse and Fothergill. They may struggle quite a bit next year. No way would I put them in the top five of the region.

Southwestern loses Woolridge, Jones, Young, Muse and Fothergill. They may struggle quite a bit next year. No way would I put them in the top five of the region.

 

Woolridge not a junior this season and senior next? If not, they will struggle.

 

48th should be the best district with Wayne and McCreary.

Will Watts be back with McCreary Central?

I would like to know that also Log Mountain Boy. I have heard he will indeed move on.

Move on to where? Why would he not play basketball next year. He is a tremendous talent and his loss would make it really easy for West Jessamine to repeat.

 

Great work SSF.

 

Is Southwestern's talented group of freshmen not ready to translate all of that middle school success they have had into varsity success yet? Is it still too early for them?

 

I think Mercer County will be a top 5 team in the region and that they will be a better team than Lincoln County. Mercer will bring in a core group of juniors that can really play some ball and Jamel Taylor will be a senior. Clay Cinnamon will likely become one of the best players in the region as well.

 

I think Danville will be a good if not great team next year as well if Duran Elmore plays. I heard he may concentrate on baseball next year and will not play football or basketball next year, but I doubt that, nor can I confirm it.

 

After West Jessamine and McCreary(if Watts returns) and Wayne, that spot in the region semis will go to Mercer.

 

In my opinion.....

I would like to know that also Log Mountain Boy. I have heard he will indeed move on.

 

Move on to where? From everything I understand, he'll be back next year.

Another interesting tidbit about West Jessamine's run is that it was the deepest run in the State Tourney EVER by a 46th district team.

I think you have to add Danville and Mercer Co. to this thread.

 

These are my Top 15 12th Region rankings as of today...

 

1. West Jessamine

2. McCreary Central

3. Wayne Co.

4. Lincoln Co.

5. Mercer Co.

6. Danville

7. East Jessamine

8. Pulaski SW

9. Casey Co.

10. Somerset

11. Boyle Co.

12. Pulaski Co.

13. Rockcastle Co.

14. Garrard Co.

15. Montecello

Depending on which way they go with the coaching decision that needs to be made, Mercer should have one of their better teams in several years. With that being said, we are likely to be just like this year if they don't get a new coach.

Woolridge not a junior this season and senior next? If not, they will struggle.

 

48th should be the best district with Wayne and McCreary.

 

TT Wooldridge was a senior.

Who will be the big players to take Spurlin and Eginton's spots for Lincoln? I don't know anything about Lincoln's returning players.

West Jessamine loses several key players correct?

They lose Troyer, Zieman, and Rehner.

 

They bring back Polson, Bartholomew, Martin, and Elliott.

 

Polson makes that whole team better.

I've heard the same thing about Watts. I wouldn't blame him to be honest.