If Josh Whitaker does end up at S. Valley move them up to #4.

What is going on with Whitaker?

I think Boone has a good shot to be top 10 again. (They made it to #6 last year.) I'm not convinced Boone won't be as good or better than last year. They lost McFarland, Spaulding, and Andrew Brown but have 4 good, seasoned senior starters back, plus 5 more seniors, as well as good juniors Trevan Brown and Montgomery coming up. While nobody will directly replace everything McFarland did, I think Boone will end up being a more balanced team and replacing him "by committee." The two mentioned juniors will be very capable replacements for Spaulding and Andrew Brown. Boone will still have very good guards too, which is a big part of any team's success. The team won't have quite as much height this year and will be a bit undersized compared to some teams, but if they don't play half-court ball all of the time and they get out and run/press/push the ball, they will be able to utilize their quick guards better IMO. Nobody was even putting Boone in the top 20 in last year's preseason, and they exceeded most expectations. Any team with good guards can be dangerous.

 

I agree with you. Everyone is counting Boone County out. This will be a very nice team this season. They lose McFarland and everyone thinks they are down and out. As long as Mikey Gabbard is on the floor, Boone County will be just fine with Earls, Popp, Cotton, Montgomery, Brown and some others.

 

Gabbard is one of the best true PG's in the state for his senior class.

Where do you all think Mason County fits into this discussion?

 

Setty, Pawsett, and Gilber is a pretty good junior class.

I think Eastern is the best team in Louisville. They are one of the most atletic teams Ive seen in the Ville in awhile. They won a very competitive Derek Smith classic this summer. If they improve outside shooting, I think they are a heavy favorite in the 7th. They return 4 starters off of last years state tournament team.

What is going on with Whitaker?

 

I don't know. I was reading some threads saying he is definately going to S. Valley. Other recent threads have him staying at Hazard. I really have no clue but I'm going to assume he is Hazard until I hear for sure he is not.

Where do you all think Mason County fits into this discussion?

 

Setty, Pawsett, and Gilber is a pretty good junior class.

 

I think Mason County will be pretty good. I would probably have them somewhere in the top 15 or top 20 to start the season. If you watched the game agaisnt S. Valley at Rupp last year you will see how much Middleton meant to that team. I'm not sure how deep they will be with the losses of Barner and Downing.

I think Eastern is the best team in Louisville. They are one of the most atletic teams Ive seen in the Ville in awhile. They won a very competitive Derek Smith classic this summer. If they improve outside shooting, I think they are a heavy favorite in the 7th. They return 4 starters off of last years state tournament team.

 

They are the team to beat in the 7th. Trinity might be the one team that could spoil it for Eastern. Sewell and Epley will be beasts for Trinity and tough matchups for most teams. J'town could also be tough if they work together as a team, so I'll throw J'town in the mix to possibly upset Eastern.

They are the team to beat in the 7th. Trinity might be the one team that could spoil it for Eastern. Sewell and Epley will be beasts for Trinity and tough matchups for most teams. J'town could also be tough if they work together as a team, so I'll throw J'town in the mix to possibly upset Eastern.

 

How about Ballard? They have some good players coming back. You can't sleep on them either.

1. Scott Co.

2. Eastern

3. Holmes

4. J-town

5. GRC

6. Shelby Valley

7. Lex Cath

8. Ballard

9. Christian Co.

10. Tates Creek

 

If Josh Whitaker does end up at S. Valley move them up to #4.

 

Holmes at #3 is highly suprising to me as they have just won a state chamionship and return the heart of their team in the Johnson Brothers and Pittman.

How about Ballard? They have some good players coming back. You can't sleep on them either.

 

They just lack size. I know they are athletic, but I don't see them getting it down against Eastern. Who will hit from the outside? Jones? I don't think he can can get it done every game.

Eastern has a studded junior class that could resemble the junior class of Holmes last season. I look for them to make some big time noise. I cant imagine they would be ranked anywhere lower than 3.

 

Abell, Marks,Gaines and others shouldn't surprise people this season. Keep an eye on these boys.

Eastern has a studded junior class that could resemble the junior class of Holmes last season. I look for them to make some big time noise. I cant imagine they would be ranked anywhere lower than 3.

 

Abell, Marks,Gaines and others shouldn't surprise people this season. Keep an eye on these boys.

 

I started mentioning how good Lou. Eastern was at this time last year. They are an impressive bunch. I think they could end up being the best team the city of Louisville has had in a few years.

I don't think Warren Central or Bowling Green ate top 10 teams. Warren Central might be top 20, Bowling Green is not the 2nd best team in the 4th.

Holmes at #3 is highly suprising to me as they have just won a state chamionship and return the heart of their team in the Johnson Brothers and Pittman.

 

I thought about putting Holmes above Eastern but didn't for two reasons.

 

1. I think Holmes will miss pg Riley more than people think

 

2. Eastern lost to only one team in the regular season last year (J-town) despite playing in the brutal 7th region. Plus, they got revenge agaisnt J-town when it mattered (the region).

 

Also, I didn't hesitate to put Scott County number 1. They are loaded. Their top four guys will be D-1.

 

But I agree that a case could be made to have Holmes ranked 1 or 2.

I don't think Warren Central or Bowling Green ate top 10 teams. Warren Central might be top 20, Bowling Green is not the 2nd best team in the 4th.

 

I think BG got a big time top 200 player in the nation transfer from out of state.