Colonel Mike should write it! I'm anxious to hear your full opinion and rankings on the region.

I totally agree - the boys and girls articles both have numerous errors. Don't believe there was any research put into this at all. Curious as to how the information is gathered and how the top 10 is chosen.

 

This is not only for the 8th region but other regions as well. I've been getting this publication for several years now and this is one of the worst as far as errors go.:confused:

 

I was thinking that the coaches from the region had already met this year and they ususally do a pre- season vote which is where the current top ten players would have come from? I mean no disrespect to the players that are listed but I do not think the player rankings are even close to being accurate and will be totally different at seasons end. There is a lot of room for the young talented players(fresh and soph) in this region and some, I feel got votes just because they are seniors. Sorry.

 

Is Gayheart really the top player in the 8th? Nothing against her but I just don't see it- I know Colonel Mike has written a few things.....someone has to help me with this one.

Edited October 8, 200916 yr by crazy8s
spelling

Is this an actual book or article that is printed? Where does oen purchase it?

I was thinking that the coaches from the region had already met this year and they ususally do a pre- season vote which is where the current top ten players would have come from? I mean no disrespect to the players that are listed but I do not think the player rankings are even close to being accurate and will be totally different at seasons end. There is a lot of room for the young talented players(fresh and soph) in this region and some, I feel got votes just because they are seniors. Sorry.

 

Is Gayheart really the top player in the 8th? Nothing against her but I just don't see it- I know Colonel Mike has written a few things.....someone has to help me with this one.

 

2 maybe 3 out of top 10 are seniors (McGuffin, Kemper and Lape I think). All others are either Soph. or Juniors. Gayhart was 3rd in voting last year behind Tolliver and Fultz. Dixon was 6th, Wilhoit was 7th, Devine was 8th, McGuffin was 12th and Hill was 14th. Here is last years list according to Maxpreps.

 

Eighth Region Girls

Chelsea Tolliver, Simon Kenton, MVP; Lindsay Fultz, Anderson County; Rianna Gayheart, Owen County; Haleigh Lecompte, Shelby County; Kenisha Marshall, Spencer County; Kelli Dixon, Walton Verona; Tori Wilhoit, Williamstown; Hannah Devine, Carroll County; Audri Beaudrie, Oldham County; Tiffany Davenport, Anderson County; Kayla Smith, Simon Kenton; Jordan McGuffin, South Oldham; Jaclyn Stith, Williamstown; Brooke Hill, Gallatin County; Ashley Jones, Gallatin Couty; Jeff Stowers, Simon-Kenton, Coach of the Year.

Colonel Mike should write it! I'm anxious to hear your full opinion and rankings on the region.

 

You're very kind, LtDan! I was planning on writing my own little preview for this thread - but much later. I'm so busy with football right now. I promise to do one, though.

 

Projecting the girls' 8th this year has an added hazard to would-be prognosticators - the region was (and is) so unbelievably young from top to bottom, in terms of the top players, that it will be hard to predict which team will experience the greatest growth. Could be a VERY WILD year.

 

 

Is Gayheart really the top player in the 8th? Nothing against her but I just don't see it- I know Colonel Mike has written a few things.....someone has to help me with this one.

 

I really like Gayheart - but she didn't show the complete game as a freshman to make me predict her as the #1 player in the region. I liked her moxie, her hustle, and her shooting ability - but even her shooting ability has to be tempered with the fact her shooting pct. wasn't all that great. She looked like a very, very good freshman last year, and is a potential player of the year in the 8th. But I saw several girls who I think have better overall games, and who - if I were putting together a team - I would pick first.

 

One I see missing who is probably missing only because of her extreme youth is the McKee kid from Anderson. And perhaps also the Brown girl (Anderson County), who moves amazingly well in the low post for a girl her size.

 

I think Wells is missing from the list because a lot of folks didn't really see her play much at all last year.

 

But we'll all see soon enough how some of these youngsters improved in the off-season. We may get some surprises. A lot of "can't miss" freshmen over the years have fallen by the wayside by their senior seasons.

 

I do think Crazy8s is right, at least to a point: All things being equal, the older kid gets the award at the end of the year.

 

I've always disliked comparing players, anyway. What's more important? The tremendous rebounding ability of a Wilhoite or Dixon, or the shooting of Gayheart? The defensive abilities of Whitfield, or the all-around games of a McGuffin or Kemper? Too often, it seems the Player of the Year award simply goes to the one who scores a ton of points...

 

This year, especially, I think we need to wait a while before figuring out who the Player of the Year is. I'm not sure things are clear enough right now to even have a favorite. Certainly not like last year when Tolliver was the hands-down favorite and - in the end - the slam-dunk winner.

I think the voting usually trends toward the older kids because, quite frankly, it's just easier. Coaches/media go out on a limb when they claim younger kids as being "better" then the older ones. Parents get upset when sally senior gets looked over for a younger, more talented player. Instead of ruffling feathers with meaningless preseason awards, everyone plays the "safe" card...which really probably IS the best thing to do in the end. Nothing worse then dealing with an angry group of parents before the season even gets started.

And Mike, Brown and Wells certainly deserve spots in the top 10 IMO. Specifically in Browns case, she has deffered to older talented kids in the past so her numbers aren't as impressive as some of the others on this list. But make no mistake, she very well could be the best true post player in the 8th this season (although I love the Dixon girl from Walton).

And Mike, Brown and Wells certainly deserve spots in the top 10 IMO. Specifically in Browns case, she has deffered to older talented kids in the past so her numbers aren't as impressive as some of the others on this list. But make no mistake, she very well could be the best true post player in the 8th this season (although I love the Dixon girl from Walton).

 

Dixon and Brown look to be two of the best true posts in the region...I agree. Lape of Oldham County is really more of a forward, although she plays a lot down low.

 

I saw Brown for the first time last year against Oldham County and was stunned by her mobility. You see a girl that size and just don't expect her to move well - but she does!! Scary.

 

What do you think about McKee, MagicFan?

Dixon and Brown look to be two of the best true posts in the region...I agree. Lape of Oldham County is really more of a forward, although she plays a lot down low.

 

I saw Brown for the first time last year against Oldham County and was stunned by her mobility. You see a girl that size and just don't expect her to move well - but she does!! Scary.

 

What do you think about McKee, MagicFan?

 

Mckee is a super talent. She has really expaned her game from last season. Her mid-range game is MUCH improved (she's nearly automatic from 15-18 ft). She has a knack for being in the right spot...she understands the game as well as any young kid I have seen. Her and Brown are a perfect match....Brown can take the bruising bigger players and Mckee can be free to roam a little bit more. Both have the potential to be EXCELLENT shot blockers and rebounders. Brown is an exceptional passer...unbelieveably good for a post player of her size. Mckee is improving in this area, although she is not anywhere near the passer Brown is. Mckee might score and rebound more then Brown, but Brown will be the one the frees her up (and in a lot of cases makes the pass) to do those things.

 

 

Defensively Mckee is Whitfield-lite at this point. She has the ability to defend any position 1-5. Her athleticisim is outstanding. She has super long arms and plays much bigger then her 5-9 slight build would suggest.

 

 

Both players will be at the mercy somewhat of guard play for AC this year. If young Makenzie Cann comes on and becomes the player all the coaches think she can be (and will eventually become) , this trio will be really tough. Actually at this time last year most thought Cann would be the breakout player as a 7th grader, not Mckee. As it turns out it was the other way around. Don't sleep on her, however. She scored over 20 points against Shelby and carroll this summer in a summer game. She can fill it up from the outside and has the best floor vision of any 8th grader I have seen this year. She will probably lead the team in assists for the next 5 years. She's still a bit akward (she's grown about 5 inches in the last year) but if she puts it all together at some point this season Anderson may challenge for the regional title once again.

 

 

The thing to remember with Anderson is their youth. Mckee and Cann might end up being 2 of their best 3 players and they are both in 8th grade. Brown is the experienced one and she is only a sophomore! AC has a brutal schedule, which could go one of two directions come district/region tournaments. These kids have won at every level, so it's going to be different going into the season being the underdog in a lot of games. I think how they respond will really determine where Anderson is at the end of the season.

 

 

Maybe a little more then you wanted Mike, but I kinda got on a roll haha.

IMO, I think Gallatin Co. is ranked to low. They did go to the All A Sweet 16 last year. I believe they will beat Owen on a consistent basis this year who is ranked 3rd. I do like to see my SK team ranked 2nd. :ylsuper: As far as player rankings, I feel Syndi Wainscott is the best point guard in the 8th and should be ranked higher than 6th. I also think that Brooke Hill (Gallatin Co.)who is ranked 10th has by far the best opportunity to play at a nice school at the next level. Kelly Dixon (Walton Verona) also is a solid player to watch this season. I can't comment on the teams further South as I've not seen them play much and some not at all. Again, this is just my opinion and I'm hoping that SK can have another successful year.

IMO, I think Gallatin Co. is ranked to low. They did go to the All A Sweet 16 last year. I believe they will beat Owen on a consistent basis this year who is ranked 3rd. I do like to see my SK team ranked 2nd. :ylsuper: As far as player rankings, I feel Syndi Wainscott is the best point guard in the 8th and should be ranked higher than 6th. I also think that Brooke Hill (Gallatin Co.)who is ranked 10th has by far the best opportunity to play at a nice school at the next level. Kelly Dixon (Walton Verona) also is a solid player to watch this season. I can't comment on the teams further South as I've not seen them play much and some not at all. Again, this is just my opinion and I'm hoping that SK can have another successful year.

 

It's hard to get a good read on the Lady Wildcats... they did not play any of the 8th Region semi-finalists last year (SK, South Oldham, Oldham County, or Anderson County), so they are something of a mystery when matched up against the region's top teams. They did not advance out of their district, so we didn't get to see them at the girls' region at all...

 

On the other hand, they were painfully young last year - four seniors, I believe, and NO juniors. Lots of youth coming up.

 

It'll be interesting to see how Gallatin does...

Four seniors is painfully young? Then, Anderson must be in the crib this season. 1 Senior, 1 Junior, and 1 Soph, unless there are some I don't know about.

Four seniors is painfully young? Then, Anderson must be in the crib this season. 1 Senior, 1 Junior, and 1 Soph, unless there are some I don't know about.

 

 

Gallatin lost 4 seniors from last year.

THey have no seniors this year. 4 juniors and the rest are freshmen and below

Gallatin lost 4 seniors from last year.

THey have no seniors this year. 4 juniors and the rest are freshmen and below

 

Seems like they went through the same thing 2 years ago (no seniors or sophs). Why is that? No interest?

 

Also, they are about where they should be in the poll. Somewhere around 9th to 11th. Guard play will be the key.

If Gallatin wants respect, they are gonna have to play some of the "big" schools (and be competitive) in the 8th.