First

Hey, I'm the one that threw Elkins' name out there - and I was very surprised that he wasn't on the list. But I also said that I think the list is very good overall - and that coaches' votes are the most accurate way to do this. I don't think anyone on here, other than Doubletake, is saying anything to the contrary. That being said, this is a forum for discussion of things like this. You need not take offense to folks saying this or that player should have made the list. Heck, I'd argue that it's good for you to have your list being talked about. It means it's relevant and taken seriously! Lastly, thanks for the work you do. It's very good and we are fortunate to have it.

Frakes is right on target with his comments. I can think of a couple of notable omissions, one of which I already mentioned, and may disagree with some of the placements. However, overall this is a pretty good list. Probably the most relevant fact here is that this ranking is based on a huge sample (coaches throughout the state). Generally, they have no bias outside of their own players. Most other rankings we see are one individual's opinion and, even if those weren't biased, are still just one person's opinion. Oh, and then there's the fact that these high school coaches do basketball full time. They tend to know the game, and the lay of the land, pretty well.

How is Colton Elkins not on this list? He is a game changer on defense and at 6'8" is an elite athlete. He has also improved offensively. I really don't understand that omission.

Ok, thanks. I had only seen Hollingsworth and Carson Williams mentioned, thus the question. That's big for Owen County. I saw Dunbar this summer at KBA state where they made it to the final 4. I think they are a legit top 10 team. How'd Dunaway do for Owen?

Saw Hollingsworth mentioned as having had a good game. Did Darius Williams play for Dunbar?

Which Central are you referring to?

Why do you think?

That summer game was a tale of two halves. Lafayette owned the first half and Mercer owned the second half. It was a summer game, but neither team played like it. Being a final four game at state, both teams wanted that one. And, as I said earlier, I think Lafayette is a top 10 team. No disrespect here at all. Relative to this summer's game, the regular season game will be at Lafayette, so that's an advantage for them. Mercer didn't have Dylan James in the summer game, a kid that averaged 22 & 10 last season and that is a 3 point sniper. Advantage for Mercer. Point being it should be a great game. Looking forward to it.

Wayne County not in the top 25? They should be top 15, and Southwest should be top 25. Some of these teams seem to be getting rankings based on tradition and program name. If that's the case, how did Wayne not make the cut? Perplexing. Also, Lafayette is a top 10 team, and Clay County a top 15 team.

Those three 11th region teams were good last year and return virtually everyone I believe. Southwest will be very good as they have a lot of talent and balance. They are very deep. But realize that they lost 2 significant starters - their senior PG, leading scorer and best player in Adam Isaacs as well as their only size and imposing post presence in Gaskin.

So, two 9th region teams in the top 3 and no 11th region team in the top 10. With Dunbar, Lafayette, and Henry Clay, the 11th's top 3 teams are better than the 9th's top 3. NCC in the top 5????? And while I like seeing a second 12th region team listed, you've listed the third best team in the 12th region as the 8th best team in the state.

Looking at this list of teams, I think the 12th has 3 teams that could be in this conversation as the year progresses. Mercer was 4-0 against these teams this summer, including 2-0 against Bullitt East. They beat Lafayette and Henry Clay in route to the KBA summer state title. Yet their quarterfinal game against 12th region rival Southwest went down to the wire. Then there's Wayne, who by most accounts is the #2 team in the 12th. I say this to point out that Mercer showed this summer that they belong in the top 10, maybe top 5 - and that was prior to receiving transfer Dylan James. And both Wayne and Southwest are right there with them in the hunt for the title in the 12th. Much like last year, the 12th will be very, very strong this year.

Agreed. It's Mercer's to lose, but Wayne is another program that just wins, and tradition means a lot.

Like Trinity, Cov Cath will always be good. It's just what they do. However, given their roster, I don't think a top 5 ranking is warranted. IMO, top 10 is a stretch, at least to start the season.

He's a big-bodied, traditional 5 man on a team that plays a very up-tempo style. It will be very interesting to see how how that plays out.

Given their style of play and the type of player that he is, how much does this help Wayne?

Agreed. I do think Jones will be eligible, but it may not be until some time in December (a year from when he last played at East).

Hearing that LCA's starting PG (Davis) has transferred to West Jessamine. That gives them 3 true PG's in Davis, transfer Cam Jones and Cameron Seater. All of that coupled with great coaching makes them a solid 4th. If Powell is indeed eligible at Pulaski, I'd put them at #5.

Hey, I have all of the respect in the world for what Coach Woods and Wayne County have done over the years. They just win, over and over. And they have a VERY talented team this year. VERY talented. In fact, I''d say they are at least top 15 in the state, probably top 10. Trust me, we all know exactly who they are and have the utmost respect for them. That's said, I do think Mercer has the most talent in the region this year and has as good of a coach as you'll find. But that doesn't mean that they'll win it. It should be another great year in one of the better regions in the state!

I think Faulkner is nearly 2 years younger, which is material as far as physical development. We tend to get too carried away with "recruitment" so early in the process. What matters is the level of interest/offers for these 2 players two years from now. A lot can be gained, and lost, in the meantime.

Agreed. Possibly 4 players.

Hager (G) - Mercer Faulkner (G) - Mercer Blevins (G) - Wayne Elkins (PF/C) - Boyle Stearns (F) - Wayne Dow (F) - Mercer Fitzgerald (G) - Southwest Gentry (PF/C) - Rockcastle Sylvester (F) - Pulaski Holifield (F) - West Jessamine

Did Landon Powell end up at Pulaski?

I too think Cam Jones and Peyton Gover are top 10 worthy. And I'm confident that Dylan James will demonstrate that he is as well.