By Mickey Patterson

 

Teams

 

1. Anderson County

2. South Oldham

3. Walton Verona

4. Collins

5. Owen County

6. Simon Kenton

7. Oldham County

8. Gallatin County

9. North Oldham

10. Carroll County

 

Players

 

1. Rianna Gayheart - Owen County

2. Jasmine Whitfield - South Oldham

3. Hannah Devine - Carroll County

4. Aaliyah Wells - Collins

5. Mackenzie Cann - Anderson County

6. Eriel McKee - Anderson County

7. Ashley McMurtrey - Oldham County

8. Sydney Brown - Anderson County

9. Mary Dye - South Oldham

10. Nicole Bryant - North Oldham

Since the Lady Bearcats are the host school, it looks like that gives them the early nod as the first of several equal teams.

I find it interesting that the defending 8th Region Champions do NOT have one player in the top ten, but Anderson has three? If that is the case, did Anderson and Coach Kays underachieve last season?

Also, could not help but notice that Mickey Patterson has out done himself again by listing kids in the wrong grade/class. Other than his "home schools", he did not do his homework very well.

I find it interesting that the defending 8th Region Champions do NOT have one player in the top ten, but Anderson has three? If that is the case, did Anderson and Coach Kays underachieve last season?

 

Hard to say, because Anderson was within one basket of a return trip to diddle....but I think it would be fair to say Anderson didn't meet expectations...I have a feeling the players and coaches would all tell you the same thing. The good news for Anderson is that the majority of their rotation last year was freshman and below. I think the role players will benifit having a year under their belt and if the three listed above play as advertised then Anderson should once again be dancing their way to diddle. It's not to come without a test...South Oldham should have a very strong team, probably as good or better then Anderson. Whitfield is the best player in the 8th (IMO) and her supporting cast is very strong as well. I figure those two teams will be ranked 1 and 2 most of the year and will both be ranked on the state level as well.

Also, could not help but notice that Mickey Patterson has out done himself again by listing kids in the wrong grade/class. Other than his "home schools", he did not do his homework very well.

 

Yeah, last year it was a mess. Listing kids in the wrong grade and even at the wrong school. I have even seen kids listed who hadn't played in 2 years or more. I always get upset about the mistakes and some of the obvious home team spirit by the authors but yet I continue to buy it.

Hard to say, because Anderson was within one basket of a return trip to diddle....but I think it would be fair to say Anderson didn't meet expectations...I have a feeling the players and coaches would all tell you the same thing. The good news for Anderson is that the majority of their rotation last year was freshman and below. I think the role players will benifit having a year under their belt and if the three listed above play as advertised then Anderson should once again be dancing their way to diddle. It's not to come without a test...South Oldham should have a very strong team, probably as good or better then Anderson. Whitfield is the best player in the 8th (IMO) and her supporting cast is very strong as well. I figure those two teams will be ranked 1 and 2 most of the year and will both be ranked on the state level as well.

 

You are correct Whitfield and her supporting cast which are good but Gayheart is the best in the region because she really does not have the supporting cast except for Nealy and teams still cannot stop her. As for the region I think you can flip a coin on the top four teams IMO. Which are Anderson, Owen, South Oldham and Walton this year.

You are correct Whitfield and her supporting cast which are good but Gayheart is the best in the region because she really does not have the supporting cast except for Nealy and teams still cannot stop her. As for the region I think you can flip a coin on the top four teams IMO. Which are Anderson, Owen, South Oldham and Walton this year.

 

Not to take anything away from Gayheart, she is an outstanding talent, but whifield is still the better player IMO. Whitfield did just sign a LOI to play in the Big East....

As an Anderson fan it does my heart good to hear that we underachieved losing by one in the regional finals and i know the girls were disappointed with the loss. I like that attitude too. Hopefully they get their "swag" on this year. Thats all thats missing now! I think the 8th will pan out as being one of the top regions this year. With several teams capable of winning the region again. I also think whoever wins the 8th will have a chance of making some noise in Diddle as well.

For the Anderson fans that may have taken umbrage with my Anderson underachievement question, I do not think they underachieved.

Gayheart vs Whitfield. This will be a great topic to talk about after they play against each other. Hopefully they have to guard each other. I have no doubt who's they better player, but we will save that discussion til after they play. Also I too find it crazy that Walton won the region last year, (only lost one player), and have no one listed in the top ten.

Basketball is a team sport and it takes a TEAM to win a championship. On any given night Walton can have 4 or 5 different players lead them to a win. We saw that last year in the district and regional tournaments.

Not to take anything away from Gayheart, she is an outstanding talent, but whifield is still the better player IMO. Whitfield did just sign a LOI to play in the Big East....

I hope Whitfield didn't just sign a LOI with a Big East Team that would be another Big East recruiting violation.

I hope Whitfield didn't just sign a LOI with a Big East Team that would be another Big East recruiting violation.

 

excuse me...a verbal commit

excuse me...a verbal commit

No problem I was just making sure you weren't spilling the beans on a Big East School. Also I wouldn't read to much into who goes where and what conference they end up in. Kids pick schools for many different reasons. It doesn't mean that was the only choice they had.