First

Everyone will "knock" them. How much depends on how well they do - the better they do, the more chirping you'll here! There were several teams in the 12th region that had as many, or more, transfers than Boyle had last year. But they flew under the radar because they didn't do as well. Take it as a compliment when people are talking about you. It means you're relevant.

I agree with a lot of what you said but will disagree on one part. Mercer does already have some kids that can score, but they do so in a way that's very different than James. Looking at his stats, there wasn't a better 3 point shooter in the state last year (47%). My knock on this Mercer team last year was their lack of a serious 3 point threat. Yeah, they had kids that could shoot the 3, but not really any 3 point shooters. James is a 3 point sniper, period. Much more difficult to zone them now.

At least 3 have/are getting legitimate D1 interest. To me, that's a D1 "prospect" or prospective player. As far as how many will actually play D1, I agree with Wireman; maybe 1 or 2. What I'm much more certain about is that they now have 4 top 10 players in the region. And I think that, as the year progresses, there's a good chance they'll have 3 of the top 6. That's what I'm more concerned about!

Never know how it'll shake out but, prior to James transferring, Mercer was the favorite. They beat Southwest in the regional tournament last year and retun all starters. Southwest was very balanced but did lose 2 starters including their best player last year (at least in my opinion) in Isaacs as well as their only size real size in Gaskins. Mercer's size and athleticism is superior to other teams in the 12th. The knock was their inconsistency from the perimeter. For those 2 reasons, all they ever saw was zone. If James plays and teams choose to continue that strategy, he may average 30 PPG! And I wouldn't sleep on Wayne. They will be just as good as Southwest in my opinion and one of the 3 teams capable of winning 4 games in region. After that, West Jessamine has 2 transfers and will be good, as always. Pulaski has a key transfer as well.

Not sure why the age question for a kid that'll be a junior....odd, to say the least.

I know Hager & Dow have for years; Dunning has off & on for some time; Lanham did for a little bit, likewise with Carter Baughman. For purposes of this thread, it's relevant to note that, with the exception of Dow, all of those kids have been at Mercer all along.

They had 1 last year. If this pans out, there'll be 2 this year. There were 2 brothers from Lincoln that transferred in the spring. One would likely see varsity minutes if he stays and plays and the other is a younger player that would likely be mostly JV. So, not much different than many teams any given year; even West Jess and East Jess within their own district.

Would love to know if the Boyle County folks know the answer to this one. Or what about last year/single season?

You talking about Powell? Another 12th region team?

Is this less offensive? It is my belief that Eli Wright is the best player in KY as it relates to his ability to have success in college at a high-level program. Maybe that will be less controversial and create less dialogue. If you you have to be so guarded on a forum like this that you can't state an unequivocal opinion about a certain kid being the best player in the state, then sites such as these will get boring pretty quickly.

Regarding the 3 vs 4 star rating, Goodin has been on the stage much longer. He's been "highly ranked" since he was a freshman. Wright really only became a known commodity in the second half of last year's AAU season, then missed the spring live periods this year (due to injury). For those reasons, you just can't fully rely on those ratings. This past weekend, the CHAIR of the High School Naismith Trophy committee had just watched Eli play. He tweeted, "Definitely a Naismith All-American Candidate." Hard to be that if you are just a 3 star player. His 3 point shooting, mid-range jumper and ability to slice through the lane are all strengths. He also handles the ball plenty well to play the 2 in college. While he can get better in all areas, he truly doesn't have a weakness (offensively).

My intention wasn't directed at or meant to discredit Goodin or any other player. It was to give credit where I feel credit is due. Eli is a special talent AND his upside is significant. Regarding camps, I put more stock in watching a kid perform in a team setting and playing against high level talent over time. I respect your opinion but have seen enough to feel strongly about mine. And only time will tell as we see how they progress in their college careers.

There really is no question that he's the best player in KY's class of 2016, or any class for that matter. Frankly, it's not even close when it comes to ceilings. He is a COMPLETE offensive player and is that special level of elite athlete that you just don't seee that often in KY. Even more impressive are his attitude and how coachable he is. He truly is the ideal package as a a basketball player.

I would agree that this is the most talent I can remember at Casey. But, absent additional transfers to Casey this year, and given Pulaski's and West's transfers, I think I'd probably put Casey 6th behind them. Although they will lose White, Casey will return most of their key players for 2016-2017. That should be their best shot as Mercer, Wayne and West Jessamine will lose a lot in 2016.

Per the KHSAA site, Blades averaged 3.6 PPG & 3.1 RPG last year at Woodford. No roster was filed so I'm not sure of his position or class.

Clearly the favorite to win their region. Strong team that plays very hard. Sharpe is tough and plays 110% at all times/ Farris is a presence in the paint. If they don't end up making it to Rupp, it will be a surprise.

Who has he been playing with?

This has to be one of the most bizarre threads I've seen on here. I agree with some part of both sides of this argument. The reality is the kid must've done well in front of the right person to get that offer. The other reality is that way too many of these programs throw out offers before they do the proper due diligence. That leads to some of these offers being worthless, as was referenced above. In reality, no school should offer based solely upon an unknown sophomore-to-be's performance at an elite camp. That being said, maybe this kid was truly on their radar prior to the camp. If so, then it's likely much more legit. I didn't know of this kid prior to this thread. Did he play with Lex Cath in summer ball? And yes I am A Christian....

^^You are correct. Technically, you didn't give them too much credit, just inferred it. Like I said, we all know you wouldnt do that... Regarding Lincoln, I never said Mercer would beat Lincoln in region last year. Never thought it. Wouldn't have happebed 2/10 times at Lincoln's gym. Regarding the game vs Southwest the other night, had Fitzgerald and Butt played they may have beaten Mercer. May not have. The 2 kids that took their places hit 9 or 10 threes. Would those 2 have been on like that? Did you mention and was it a factor that Mercer's starting center didn't play either? Mercer's boys were talking before the game how those 2 weren't playing. Did they overlook them as a result? All of the above is speculation. ALL OF IT. What's fact? Mercer beat them with neither team at full strength on Saturday night. AND Mercer's 2015-16 team returns all 5 starters from the team that knocked Southwest out of region last year, and Southwest lost 2 starters in their leader (and best player last year IMO) PG Adam Isaacs and their only size in starting center Gaskins. I think both teams can be top 20 teams next year and I think either could win region, along with Wayne. But nothing factual supports that Southwest should be favored at this point. No one expected Mercer to win KBA state this past weekend. So your comment after they did is that maybe Mercer has been getting too much credit? That's a logical conclusion, right? "C'mon man."

Me too. I will say the same about LCA. Those are 2 teams that, if hitting the three, will be able to beat anyone in that region. LCA hit their first 6 threes against Mercer and shot it very well the whole game. When you are a better than average team, then shoot the ball like that, you can be lethal. Of course, LCA then couldn't buy a 3 in losing badly to Catholic (though without their best player for the first half). Catholic had the same issue in losing to Southwest by 25. Point being that it appears these 2 teams will live and die by the three. They can both be very, very difficult to beat when they are on.

That's because I only referenced tournament play. I didn't mention any pool play games, good or bad. Mercer won their other pool play game but didn't look good in doing so. They did not play well Friday in either game. So, using your logic as it relates to this event, they got it done "when it mattered" - in tournament play.

If you had seen the game, you'd understand! A fellow from Burnside (Pulaski County) asked me yesterday if I had heard abut the brothers transferring. He then said that, the way those other boys shot the previous night, he's not sure it would've made a difference. Their 3 point percentage (and number attempted) was off the charts. I always look forward to your input. Mercer wins a tournament that had all the 11th region powers, Southwestern and West Jess from the 12th, and a smattering of other regional contenders, and your comment is that maybe you've been giving Mercer too much credit. I'm trying to recall your pro-Mercer comments....

I know the Stevens kid (I think that's his name) hit at least 5 as well. Gover did his normal thing too. That was an unreal shooting display.

I'm not saying the top 2 teams. Most years, that's going to be Wayne's & Southwest's district, but both of those teams are all but guaranteed to make it to region. Last year it was Boyle's and Lincoln's district. I'm coming at it from the standpoint of that there's usually no easy 2 vs 3 game. Most districts have 2 good teams, not 3. Garrard being better than Burgin (as #4 seeds) doesn't much matter. Neither has won a district game in years. Mercer, West and East are usually competitive.

In the tournament, Mercer beat Grant, Southwestern, Bryan Station, Lafayette and Henry Clay. Can't recall a time where this could be said in the past, but Mercer's athleticism matches that of any of those schools. And their size is superior to all of those. Coach Cook does a masterful job of getting these kids to buy in and play unselfishly. Hard to do with a group of kids that talented. Kudos to him. Hard to believe how far Mercer has come in 12 months under his leadership.