From Ryan Ernst blog at nky.com:

 

So, I’ve been asked by the newly-formed Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame to help in the nomination process of its inaugural class.

 

Basically, I have to form a committee of “respected colleagues” to come up with a list of the top 10 boys’ and girls’ players in the Ninth Region since 1946, as well as two male “legends” who played prior to 1950.

 

..boys, we’d have to consider (in no particular order) Tom Thacker, Dicky Beal, Doug Schloemer, Scott Draud, Randy Noll, Bucky Steffen, Justin Doellman, Ross Neltner, Carl Foster, Dave Cowens, John Brannen, Ronny Dawn, Bob DeMoss, Dave Hickey, Howard Stacy, John Crigler, George Schloemer, Dick Maile, Dan Tieman, Derek Smith, Bob Barton, Ricardo Johnson, Elijah Pittman, Jack Jennings, Troy McKinley, Dick Vories, John Turner...

 

Let's talk about some 9th region history...thoughts?

For me from your list above the no brainers are Dave Cowens, Tom Thacker, Dicky Beal, Scott Draud, Justin Doellman and Troy McKinley. Since Neltner won Mr. Basketball you almost have to include him. A name not listed that I think should be considered is Richard Derkson. Another name to consider is Brian O'Conner. He played at Latin School but he was a dominating big man who could shoot holds several records at Thomas More and played pro basketball in Europe and the CBA.

Just curious about Cowens, wasn't he a late bloomer? What type of numbers did he put up on the hill?

I got two more really good players from the 90's Joe Harney and Andre Mcclendon from Holy Cross.

Just curious about Cowens, wasn't he a late bloomer? What type of numbers did he put up on the hill?

 

I was thinking the same thing Neerfan!

Jimmy Cooper the point guard of both the 67/68 Ninth Region Champion CovCath should be on this list!

A little before my time but wasnt Dick Vories a scoring machine at Newport in the 50's.

For me from your list above the no brainers are Dave Cowens, Tom Thacker, Dicky Beal, Scott Draud, Justin Doellman and Troy McKinley. Since Neltner won Mr. Basketball you almost have to include him. A name not listed that I think should be considered is Richard Derkson. Another name to consider is Brian O'Conner. He played at Latin School but he was a dominating big man who could shoot holds several records at Thomas More and played pro basketball in Europe and the CBA.

Agreed. Another Latin grad, Jeff Stowers. Gotta remember, these guys were two years younger than everyone else. Not sure on this, but did David Justice play bball?

Agreed. Another Latin grad, Jeff Stowers. Gotta remember, these guys were two years younger than everyone else. Not sure on this, but did David Justice play bball?

 

I'm pretty positive that Justice did play bball. Obviously a great athlete, but not sure how he would stack up to some of the other guys on this list.

 

I believe someone else mentioned Tom Arnzen on the nky.com site.

Dick Vories is a no brainer

From the stories I have heard, 3 guys from the 50s not mentioned are Froggy Redmond of Newport, Jimmy Briede Newport Catholic and Roger Tieman of CovCath.

How would some of the athletes from 30 and 40 years ago stack up to the athletes from the past 10-20 years?

 

It's debatable that today's athlete is bigger, stronger, and usually more athletic than the athlete from the "yester-years."

 

How would a Scott Draud, Dicky Beal, or Doug Schloemer matched up against a guy like Ricardo Johnson or Ronny Dawn?

 

What about Jack Jennings, Randy Noll, or some of the other big guys against an Elijah Pittman, Ross Neltner, or Justin Doellman?

 

I think it's way too hard to come up with a top 10 all time list for the simple fact that the athletes and style of play have changed so much from decade to decade.

How would some of the athletes from 30 and 40 years ago stack up to the athletes from the past 10-20 years?

 

It's debatable that today's athlete is bigger, stronger, and usually more athletic than the athlete from the "yester-years."

 

How would a Scott Draud, Dicky Beal, or Doug Schloemer matched up against a guy like Ricardo Johnson or Ronny Dawn?

 

What about Jack Jennings, Randy Noll, or some of the other big guys against an Elijah Pittman, Ross Neltner, or Justin Doellman?

 

I think it's way too hard to come up with a top 10 all time list for the simple fact that the athletes and style of play have changed so much from decade to decade.

 

:thumb: It's much easier to go decade-by-decade...

Maybe not a top ten, but i really enjoyed watching David Dinn from Boone in the mid 80's. The warm-up dunking show was great!

 

How would a Scott Draud, Dicky Beal, or Doug Schloemer matched up against a guy like Ricardo Johnson or Ronny Dawn?

 

.

 

Having watched Dicky all through high school let me answer your question. Ricardo wouldn't stop him. Zero chance. His only chance would be to somehow recover but zero chance of keeping him in front of him.