I think Dixe will be at the top. Then who?

Dixie will definitely and deservedly come in as #1.

 

This past season seemed like such a senior-dominated region so we have a lot of unknowns for 11/12.

Boat load of seniors gone, most teams lost alot. Dixie a clear favorite to repeat. NewCath should still be good, and maybe look for Holy Cross to finally get out of their district.

Lloyd returns returns 7 players, loses Cheatum but I consider that addition by subtraction, scored points but lazy on defense and selfish. They should be be a much better team next year!

Here's my take:

 

Dixie should be the odds on favorite to repeat and get out of the 9th next year. They return size in the front court with 6'5 Pike and 6'5 Stansberry. They return a solid defender in 6'1 Jordan Hassel. And they return what is probably the best scorer in not only the area, but maybe even the state, in 6'1 Brandon Hatton. With Cohorn and Evans also returning, Dixie will have two solid role players to compliment the above 4 mentioned players. The unknown, however, is the point guard position. Some won't realize how much Matt Trammel truly meant to this team until next season. He was what made that Dixie machine go this past year. Should be interesting to see how Coach Chevy uses the "point guard by committee" strategy.

 

After Dixie, there are several other teams that should compete for the region title. Don't expect the top 4 from this past season to change.

 

Holmes will lose their top 2 scorers in Gray and Hayes, but as one poster said in the past, Holmes is always good, and often great. Next year will be another very good Holmes team. In the senior class they return 6'5 Dontel Rice who, IMO, is the most athletic and explosive player in the region and they return 6'2 Charles Knox in the front court as well. Knox will bang down low with anyone and should be a smaller version of Trevan Brown from this past season. Physical player that is a match up problem for opposing teams because of his strength. Also in the junior class is Demarco Amison who saw some time this year and is a solid outside shooter that could provide some scoring off the bench. In the Junior to be class, they return possibly the best back court for 2012-2013 in Quan Palmer and Bj Coston. Palmer showed during the region tournament just how much of a scorer he can be with 17 against Boone and an all region tourney selection. Bj Coston is another outside threat that will step in to a starters role and provide a lot of offensive firepower for the Dogs. The wildcard for this group, IMO, is 6'3 Chris Englemon. When Peterson left the team, Englemon stepped in and Holmes didn't miss a beat. If he can improve some of the fundamentals of his game, he will be extremely tough down low and should give Holmes another solid rebounder and defensive player in the post. In the sophomore to be class, there is a lot of talent in 5'11 Keyontae Herndon and 6'1 Jamonte Wilson who are both extremely explosive from the guard positions. Herndon will remind people a lot of Duran Jefferson at that age, only with more athleticism. Herndon dressed varsity this past year as a frosh and saw a lot of time at the JV level. It will be interesting to see how the 6'5 sophomore to be, Marcus Hill, develops over the summer and if he can provide a few minutes here and there to give Rice a breather. Also wouln't surprise me to see the two freshmen to be, Potter and Covington move up to the varsity/jv level. Both are unreal athletes for their age. Have heard some rumblings that McClendon may be coming back to Holmes but I guess only time will tell with that situation.

 

Another team that will be very tough next year is Newcath. They lose Geisler and Doyle, but return enough to still be one of the top teams in the region. Look for Brady Hightchew to be the best guard in the area next year. Like his attitude or not, the kid is tough as nails and flat out gets it done at both ends of the floor. Beuter should develop more over the summer and gives the Breds a very solid point guard with a good all around offensive game that can both score and distribute the rock. Zach Ryan and Andy Miller will give the Breds a soli 3/4 combo that can play both inside and out. With Miller having a huge game in the 9th region championship, look for him to be more aggressive next year. The two players that could really propel this team the next level, however, are Evan Morse and soph to be Jake Schulte. Morse is a big body down low that can really frustrate an opposing teams big man because of his strength and physical presence. Schulte saw some mins down the stretch and showed that he's able to step in and provide a spark for the Breds. As always though, depth will be a concern for Coach Brannen's squad. Should be interesting to see how the JV guys from this past season step up.

 

Next, are the Boone Co Rebels. When you return a back court that includes Chase Stanley and Cooper Downs, it's hard not to like the Rebels chances next year. Both guards are extremely quick with the rock and very good shooters. With those two penetrating and kicking it to 6'5 Zane McQueary, Boone will be tough to defend. The losses of Brown and Crabtree will no doubt hurt though. Those two anchored the post last season and provided a lot of match up problems for opposing teams. Look for Boone to be a more uptempo team next season with guys like Jakeith Pitts and Keenan Palmer also in the mix. Boone will have solid guard play, but may struggle to rebound as they won't have much size. Still, guard play is key at the high school level and Boone will have lots of it.

 

After those four teams, Ryle, Highlands, Covcath, and Holy Cross should all compete for that last spot in the top 5.

 

I really like Holy Cross next year though. Burger, McClendon, and Avery is as good a trio as there is in the region. Add Thompson, Fortner, and Beal in to the mix and HC could be a very dangerous team.

 

I also wouldn't count out the Beechwood Tigers. They lose Fangman but return a lot of experience and talent in Nussbaum, Cruse, and Maus.The big question though, is can those guys score enough? The loss of Fangman will no doubt be a big blow. Should be interesting to see how Mitch McKenzie develops over the summer and what kind of impact he'll have for the Tigers as a junior. As always, the 35th district will be a war.

 

My top 10 as of right now:

 

1. Dixie

2. Holmes

3. Newcath

4. Boone Co

5. Holy Cross

6. Covcath

7. Ryle

8. Highlands

9. Beechwood

10. Conner/Cooper/St. Henry

^^ nice summary Walter...Pike may be forced not to play due a football scholarship and that might change things.

 

I think next year is going to be wide open-even more so than this year.

^^ nice summary Walter...Pike may be forced not to play due a football scholarship and that might change things.

 

I think next year is going to be wide open-even more so than this year.

 

I'd be very surprised if Pike didn't play, but you never know with high school kids these days.

 

If Peterson is at Holmes and able to play, I like the Dogs to get back to Rupp in Booher's second season. Have also heard that there are several "new" guys that will be coming out who played earlier at Holmes but didn't play last year or the year before for whatever reason.

Is Holy Cross going to run a 5 guard offense?

I'd be very surprised if Pike didn't play, but you never know with high school kids these days.

 

If Peterson is at Holmes and able to play, I like the Dogs to get back to Rupp in Booher's second season. Have also heard that there are several "new" guys that will be coming out who played earlier at Holmes but didn't play last year or the year before for whatever reason.

 

Just to keep the pot stirred, I heard he's currently enrolled at Dixie.

Is Holy Cross going to run a 5 guard offense?

 

They have 4 reruning starters in Avery 6' , Burger 6'2, Mclendon 6', Fuller 6'2 and either Thompson 5'10 or Fortner 6'2. They all can handle the ball and with their new pressing full court style it suits this team.

I look for Holy Cross to be the surprise team next year. I would think that everyone would agree that Dixie is the heavy favorite but lots can happen in 8-9 months before a new season kicks off.

Just to keep the pot stirred, I heard he's currently enrolled at Dixie.

 

I think you heard wrong...

Dixie will obviously be the favorite. NCC is a clear cut 2 and then Boone Co most likely. Holmes returns some quick athletic kids so they will be top 5.

 

Highlands may not get a top ten vote next year but that might be just fine for Coach Flynn and the Bluebirds. Towels will be back on the post and will have classmates Sam Lewis and Carter New there as well. Both are good defenders. Next years Jr class will be interesting with plenty of opportunities for guys to step up and help add some scoring. Luke Turner finished the JV year with some big scoring games, Bailey Witte can shoot the rock well and is working on his attack game in the Spring. Jac Collinsworth is 6'3 and still growing. He attacks the basket well and just needs more polish. Nick True, the 6'5 Frosh logged some great Varsity minutes as well. Once again though football will likely keep most of these guys in helmets until December which means they will not be in hoops shape until early January. They have a lot of athleticism coming back but they will need someone to step up and replace Crowley and Stewarts scoring.

Dixie will obviously be the favorite. NCC is a clear cut 2 and then Boone Co most likely. Holmes returns some quick athletic kids so they will be top 5.

 

Highlands may not get a top ten vote next year but that might be just fine for Coach Flynn and the Bluebirds. Towels will be back on the post and will have classmates Sam Lewis and Carter New there as well. Both are good defenders. Next years Jr class will be interesting with plenty of opportunities for guys to step up and help add some scoring. Luke Turner finished the JV year with some big scoring games, Bailey Witte can shoot the rock well and is working on his attack game in the Spring. Jac Collinsworth is 6'3 and still growing. He attacks the basket well and just needs more polish. Nick True, the 6'5 Frosh logged some great Varsity minutes as well. Once again though football will likely keep most of these guys in helmets until December which means they will not be in hoops shape until early January. They have a lot of athleticism coming back but they will need someone to step up and replace Crowley and Stewarts scoring.

 

Do we think Towles will return next year?

Do we think Towles will return next year?

 

Yes sir. His intensity and competitiveness he showed in the Regional loss to Dixie will be much needed. If he brings that effort each night they will surprise teams.