What is your thoughts on the 8th region teams this year? I will share my thoughts later in the post.

It will be a good regional tournament again this year. Lots of talent and balance in the region. The following teams should all have a shot to win the Region: Anderson County, Shelby County, North Oldham, South Oldham, and Simon Kenton. I think Simon Kenton is the most underrated team in the Region this year.

I agree they are in the running every year.

NOHS, SK and Shelby Co in that order.

IMO, Shelby County is a full head above the rest of the class. The Rockets were "oh-so-close" last year, and have all five starters back. Shelby has the added incentive provided by the fact that this is the last year of one public high school in the county; Martha Layne Collins HS opens next year.

 

After that, North Oldham and Anderson County are the most-likely-to-upset the favorites.

 

Dark Horses - possessing the ability and potential to break from the pack and make a lot of noise: Simon Kenton, Owen County & South Oldham

Gold Sunrise could you post the 8th region cats pause preview?

Do not sleep on Gallatin.:sssh:

:sssh:Mack, you can never sleep on Gallatin. IMO, the 'Cats have one of the 8th Region's finest coaches in Jon Jones. I like Jon because of the trait that I think places him up there with the Gary Forrests, Jim Hursts (remember him?), Randy Meffords, and Glen Drurys of the world - he has the ability to get more out of his kids than the "experts" think is possible.

 

The Wildcats only lost two seniors - both starters - from last year - Jesse Walker and Trent Maddox. Of course, Maddox is a HUGE loss - the heart and soul of last year's team, despite his injury problems.

 

Zach Jones is a player, and enters his senior year, I would think, as the undisputed leader of this team. Guard Travis Davis showed me some things as a freshman, and hopefully won't suffer a sophomore slump. Nate Dossett came off the bench in a late season game I saw at North Oldham and looked pretty good. It will be important for the other returning starter, Bryce Carlton, to become a bit more consistent, I think.

 

Jon's teams always play smart, fundamental basketball, and they can be counted on to play with a lot of heart. Last year's Gallatin squad was very inconsistent - but outside of Walker & Maddox, it was also very young. How much have they matured as players? We'll find out. But right now - knowing what we know RIGHT NOW - I don't think you can place them up there with Shelby, North, or Anderson...yet... or even Owen County, Simon Kenton, or South. I see Gallatin pre-season as being in the 7-9 tier... :sssh:

It will be a good regional tournament again this year. Lots of talent and balance in the region. The following teams should all have a shot to win the Region: Anderson County, Shelby County, North Oldham, South Oldham, and Simon Kenton. I think Simon Kenton is the most underrated team in the Region this year.

 

Agree (with Simon Kenton being a possible shoe in and an unstoppable force) and disagree.....I don't think Anderson County is going to be as strong and undefeatable as everyone thinks. I watched Anderson vs most under-rated team in the region last year. Owen was down 19-0 - Blake Lewis came in like a little knat, stole the ball from C.J. twice only make simple layups both times, firing his team up to play tighter defense and better offense, Owen came back to take the lead and keep the lead til after half-time. Coach Duvall put the senior back in from the first half while Lewis sat the bench. I'm telling ya - Owen could turn out to be an unstoppable force this year.

Agree (with Simon Kenton being a possible shoe in and an unstoppable force) and disagree.....I don't think Anderson County is going to be as strong and undefeatable as everyone thinks. I watched Anderson vs most under-rated team in the region last year. Owen was down 19-0 - Blake Lewis came in like a little knat, stole the ball from C.J. twice only make simple layups both times, firing his team up to play tighter defense and better offense, Owen came back to take the lead and keep the lead til after half-time. Coach Duvall put the senior back in from the first half while Lewis sat the bench. I'm telling ya - Owen could turn out to be an unstoppable force this year.

 

That is two unstoppable forces. You want to add another before the evening is over?

That is two unstoppable forces. You want to add another before the evening is over?

 

I may! Just depends....:banana:

If two unstoppable forces meet in the woods, and one falls... :lol:

If two unstoppable forces meet in the woods, and one falls... :lol:

 

You have to admit, it would be a great game.

Shelby is the clear favorite. Anderson, North and South are going to have a very good year. Oldham is very athletic but young. WV has bigs and guards. Owen has the best bigs in the region. Simon has 2 excellent guards and unknown bigs. Gallatin has good guards and decent depth but no bigs. As always, it will come down to how teams handle match up problems. Shelby has good talent in all aspects and experience. They are the easy pick.

I'd take Owen over SK right now...but Owen has to prove they can play like a contender against the lesser teams. They spent too much time playing up to - or down to - the level of their opposition last year.