Boys Lexington Hearld top Players

[gold sunrise]

1. Chane Behanan, Bowling Green

After Behanan's breakout summer in which his stock soared, Bowling Green Coach D.J. Sherrill had to resist saying, "I told you so." Sherrill had seen Behanan do the same things in practice the last couple years, "so I was glad people this summer finally saw the ability that I think makes Chane a top-10 player in the country."

Behanan played every position, including point guard, last season. Sherrill said he's gotten more aggressive, "much more explosive with the ball, and is much more an attacking player."

 

 

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/11/26/1540265/kentuckys-top-boys-players.html#ixzz16QJXy97r

 

2. George Fant, Warren Central

The Dragons' 6-7 senior is an accomplished player, having led the Dragons to the Sweet Sixteen last March and having signed to play at hometown Western Kentucky University.

But Warren Central Coach Tim Riley expects more out of his agile big man this year.

"He needs to become a better free-throw shooter, and he needs to stay out of foul trouble," Riley said. "He averaged only 20 minutes last season, mostly because of foul trouble. He should be a 20-point, 10-rebound guy if he can just stay on the court longer."

 

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3. Anthony Hickey, Christian County

Nobody made a bigger splash in the 2010 Boys' Sweet Sixteen than Hickey, who wowed fans with his speed and play-making. Colonels Coach Kerry Stovall calls Hickey "one of the most dominant point guards I've ever seen. Not many guys can go as fast as he goes, but he also makes great decisions going full speed."

Hickey is also a terror on the defensive end and a tenacious rebounder. He has college offers from WKU, Lipscomb, James Madison, Marshall and Wright State, among others. He also quarterbacks Christian County's football team.

 

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4. Zach Price, Jeffersontown

The tall lefty, who played in Ohio last season, brings a hefty reputation to the Bluegrass State.

"He brings so much to the table," J-town Coach Jeff Morrow said of the 6-10 University of Louisville signee. "He's got incredible length, he's got good post moves, works hard and is a good rebounder.

"You're not going to find many true low-post big men like him in high school.

"He's got some things he needs to improve on to get ready for the next level but, as he works on them, it's only going to help us this year."

 

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5. Vinny Zollo, Clark County

Before his sophomore year, Zollo committed to UK and then-Coach Billy Gillispie. After Gillispie was fired, Zollo had to look elsewhere and wound up signing with WKU.

Cardinals Coach Scott Humphrey has seen steady improvement in Zollo's game, especially going into his senior year.

"He's picked up muscle and gotten stronger but, at the same time, I think he's more agile," Humphrey said. "He's really embraced being an inside presence, whether it's rebounding on the defensive end or punishing people with his size offensively in the post. He can also step out and shoot the three."

 

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6. Remy Abell, Eastern

Tabbed as a star-in-the-making as a freshman, Abell has steadily developed his skill set.

He averaged 11 points as a sophomore for the Eagles' Sweet Sixteen team and has always been a good shooter and defender. In the last year, Coach Jason Couch has seen Abell become more aggressive and more willing to take over a game.

"I don't know if there's anything Remy does excellent, but he does every facet of the game really well," Couch said. "That's what's really special about him."

Abell has signed with Bradley.

 

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7. Timmy Knipp, Elliott County

A lot of people might not have noticed Knipp when he was an underclassman on Elliott County's 2008 and 2009 Sweet Sixteen teams. But Knipp got plenty of attention last season as he led the state in scoring (30.8 ppg).

The 6-7 senior has always been comfortable firing from the perimeter, but he's developed an inside game, too. That's why EKU was happy to sign him a couple of weeks ago.

Elliott County Coach Greg Adkins said EKU got a steal by landing Knipp, who bulked up and worked on his defensive rebounding in the off-season.

 

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8. Kameron Woods, Eastern

A late bloomer, Woods has blossomed into one of the top college prospects in the state. He signed with 2010 NCAA runner-up Butler earlier this month.

Eastern Coach Jason Couch said Woods' story is similar to that of Butler's Gordon Hayward, a perimeter player who shot up in height and wound up becoming an NBA lottery pick.

Woods didn't get much notice as he developed an outside game before sprouting to 6-9. "Kam didn't get a lot of publicity early, and that really motivated him," Couch said. "It's nice to see a kid who works hard and gets out of his high school experience what he's supposed to."

Woods, a good shot-blocker and offensive rebounder, will be expected to become a double-double guy this season.

 

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9. Marcellus Barksdale, Tates Creek

One of the Commodores' top players since he was a freshman, Barksdale's career has been on an upward arc as he's continued to improve.

A good rebounder with a knack for scoring inside, Barksdale showed last season he could also play on the perimeter and put the ball on the floor.

Tates Creek Coach Wayne Breeden likes what he's seen so far as Barksdale gets ready for his final year of high school. "Marcellus has developed into what you want a senior to be," Breeden said. "He's stepped up his game, his confidence level and his leadership."

Barksdale has signed with IUPUI.

 

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10. Tony Kimbro Jr., Jeffersontown

After his freshman year at Manual, Kimbro left his hometown to play the next two seasons at Christ School in Arden, N.C. Now he's back in Louisville for his senior year at Jeffersontown.

"I think he's matured some," Chargers Coach Jeff Morrow said. "He's a long and explosive athlete who's very much pass-oriented. He's still going to score, but he's very unselfish. Consistency is the key for him, and he's been showing it so far."

Kimbro is the son of 1985 Mr. Basketball Tony Kimbro, who starred at Seneca.

 

 

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/11/26/1540265/kentuckys-top-boys-players.html#ixzz16QJyjvEs

[The Observer]

I like the list. I think Fant should be in the top 10, but not #2. In my opinion, he belongs around 7 or 8.

[DragonFire]

I like the list. I think Fant should be in the top 10, but not #2. In my opinion, he belongs around 7 or 8.

 

No lower than #5. His performances against Chane Behanan speak very well of him, and no one questions where Chane's place is.