First

Haven't seen Elkins enough to render an accurate opinion. But have seen the Miller kid at Lincoln which no one seems to know about. Like I've been saying, I'm just trying to get an explanation/justification for rating Boyle over those 2 teams. On paper, it doesn't bear out - without Miniard. And I agree Adams is a great coach but this is the first time in a few years that Lincoln has the talent edge on the court I look forward to your write-up as you did some really nice analysis last year. I just think that your black and gold colored ( Rebel) glasses cause some blurred vision at times

I'm basing my player and team rankings on Miniard NOT playing, which is what I've been told. If he doesn't, Boyle returns 1 starter from a power rated #6 team in the region. West returns 3 from a team with a higher power rating and Lincoln 4 players and they were power rated just below Boyle. To me, this puts Boyle (with Tyler and Ray) and Mercer (who returns their top 2 scorers) vying for 4th behind Wayne, West and Lincoln. Boyle has to solve for their PG spot and Mercer will have to contend with the size of Elkins. Also, how is Boyle a top 2 or 3 team with only 1 player in the top 10 (I think Ray deserves consideration ). And how is Lincoln Top 4 with only 1 and Mercer top 5 with no players in top 10 (Taylor and Hager)? Can't justify the team ratings without the players to support it.

Agree Purple Pride that Southwest is not a top 5 now for sure. Just to be clear, I wasn't saying that they are. They dropped from 1 or 2 out of the top 5 losing those 2 players.

I tend to agree more with the Cats Pause ranking of the 12th region teams. I do think it's comical that while their #1 team has 3 players in their top 10, their #2 & #3 teams (removing Southwest due to their 2 transers) have only 1 player each in the top 10 - and it's not as if Wayne is Ballard-like. Where are Taylor and Henderson? Doesn't add up!

I'm really familiar with this region as this is my area. I watched most all of the regional tournament last year. Based on what I've seen, here are my top 10 players: 1-3: Edwards, Carson & Woods 4: Peters 5-7: Conway, Hager, Tyler 8-10: Timmy Taylor, Stearns & Clayton Ray I listed these in groups as I think it's difficult to differentiate between the players in each grouping. Some comments on the players: Edwards (SR) - probably the best high school player in the group heading into his senior year. Little unsure as to his position at the next level. Probably 6'4" or 6'5" and a PF IMO. Can shoot the three fairly well. Carson (JR) - when he plays with a PG mentality, probably the best player on here. Can score and pass as well as/better than anyone on this list. Great college potential. Can absolutely dominate a game when he's focused. Woods (JR) - heady kid that is a great shooter and can get to the basket fairly well. Good length. Needs to improve ball handling for the next level. Very impressed by him at the regional tournament last year. Pleasantly surprised by his ability to get to the rim. Conway (JR)- may be the best outside shooter in the group. GLAD to see him getting some well deserved respect in the Cats Pause rankings, though he should have been rated higher. A solid 6'3" if not taller. Still looks young and doesn't appear to be done. Needs to improve handle but great 2 guard potential for the next level. Peters (SR) - one of the more athletic kids on this list. Great leaper and very strong. Will have a great senior season and may move into the top 2 or 3 by year end. Needs to improve handle to make the transition to the next level. Hager (SO) - gets to the FT line perhaps better than anyone on this list. Good perimeter defender. Excellent job handling the ball at PG at the regional tournament against Kapinga in team's win over Southwest. He's a long 6'3" and still looks young but needs improved strength. Figure him for a "2" at the next level. Tyler (JR) - streaky shooter but has unlimited range when he's on. Really stepped up his game last year and look for big things from him this year. Long and lanky. Needs to work on his ball handling for the next level to play the 2, and certainly has the tools. Taylor (JR) - didn't make the top 10 on either list. Puzzles me as to why this kid gets no respect. Easily the best PG on this list; maybe the only true PG. He's a pass first type of kid that truly sacrifices for the team. Gets to the basket at will and can keep you honest with his outside shot. Look for a great year from him this year. Stearns (SO)- crucial part of their state tournament run as a freshman. Very mature, strong and athletic. Very unselfish and does all of the small things his team needs to win. Impressed by his interior defense. Gets to the rim well with bigger players on him. Very good high school player. At his current height of 6'1", needs to improve outside shot and handle for the next level. 10 a) Clayton Ray (SR) - this kid was Garrard's best player last year and is now at Boyle County. Likewise, got not respect on either ranking. He's a senior and kind of came out of nowhere last year. He'll be the key as to how well Boyle does in 13-14. 10 b) Will Henderson (SR) - maybe the best perimeter defender on this list. Very solid at the PG position. Deceptively quick and a great leader on the court. He's been part of a winning program at West and finds a way to continue that tradition.

So Ballard has 5 of the top 10 players in that region? It really won't be fair to play their district and regional tournament games with that kind of advantage. Seriously, if you look at all of the talent on the teams in their region, really? It seems that the people doing the ratings for Cats Pause only watched the state tournament last year (and nothing leading up to it)! Did they know that there were games prior to that event lol?

Its' a joke to have Tisdale rated 10th. Easily a top 5. Going out on a limb and saying he's 3rd or 4th by year end. Enough talent to be at the #2 spot.

If its the kid from Fleming that I'm thinking of, does that put Mason up there with Montgomery as a favorite?

If true, they've lost 2 of their top 3 (returning) players. Still talented but that puts Wayne County as the obvious front runner in the 12th.

I guess that would be over the past 2 years. I dont think that factors in to this year's games given that, compared to last year, Boyle has a 1 full-time starter returning compared to Lincoln's 4. I'm not saying that Boyle won't fare better than Lincoln this year. Their coach tends to get them to perform better than expected. But on paper, objectively, that shouldn't be the case. Also, watch out for an unknown player from Lincoln. Heard they played well this summer. He may be the X factor for them like you are predicting Elkins to be for Boyle.

I'm hearing that Boyle got another transfer in from Garrard County. I was told he was Garrard's leading scorer last year, though I don't know that to be true. Also heard again that the big kid (Miniard) is definitely not going to play. Is it true about the Garrard kid transfer and, if so, I assume that's a part of what's adding to your level of confidence?

I realize you had them at third, but I thought you said it would be a 3 way race between those (3) teams? Along the same lines, one could argue that Boyle has no one that can guard Taylor or Conway, and that Lincoln's supporting cast is better. Lincoln has 4 proven players whereas I think Boyle really only has 1 in Tyler - basing that on quality of returning (varsity) contributors.

It'll be interesting to see how they fare. If the Miniard kid doesn't play, I think it's a stretch to put them with the top 2. If he does, with all of that size, I can see predicting separation over Lincoln and Mercer. Without him, not saying it can't happen, but I can't justify it based on returning players for those 5 teams. Again, I think Lincoln is more balanced, more experienced and they have years of chemistry. I see Boyle and Mercer as vying for the 4th spot. Different strengths but lot of unknowns for those 2 teams. I'd even throw West Jessamine in that mix as well.

I agree, I think. He's really just a special talent, but not necessarily a pure 1 or 2. I guess the "combo guard" label is as appropriate as any.

That would be my assumption. I believe he's off ball on his AAU team. Has Beverly, Bolden and maybe even Kapinga?? as PG on there I believe.

Wayne County's Coach Woods. Been consistently good for years with homegrown boys. Hard to be that good at one school for that many years, especially without the benefit of a lot of transfers.

Good top 3 but I wouldn't list Justice as a PG. I know he's forced to play that spot in high achool. He's a very good 2 guard, and deserves to be at the top in a list of KY players, but don't feel he's a top 3 PG.

I don't really disagree with your top 5 for the 12th region. But how do you justify putting Boyle with Soutwest and Wayne as a favorite? I think those first 2 are clear favorites with the next 3 (including Boyle) being dark horses. Honestly, I'd probably give Lincoln a slight edge over Boyle and Mercer.

; So I came with a top 18 instead, in 3 groups: Top 5 1. Goodin - Clearly the best in this class. As good as or better than anyone currently with a skill set that transfers well to the next level. Enough said. 2. Kirby - probably the best player that never gets talked about. Long, athletic, good feet and hands. Tall and looks like could have some growth left. If he does, then he could be a major D1 with continued work. 3. (Carson) Williams - maybe the "best"player right now in that he's almost unstoppable, at least around here. So strong and good leaper. Surprisingly good in the open floor (break). If he can get 2-3" more, look out! 4. Beverly - I like his game better than anyone on the list. Such a great floor general. Knows how to compensate for his size and lack of quickness when playing against better athletes. He makes the team better. Downside is his size given that he's not going to be quicker than D1 guards. 5. Wright - haven't seen him play enough, but he certainly looks the part of a D1 guard. Good body, speed and strength. Significant upside. Next 8 (alphabetical order) Ayers Dow Hager Hill McClendon Jordan Perry Darius Williams Weyer Next 5 Elkins Faulkner Farris Stearns Long - haven't seen this kid, but being 7 feet gets you on the list.

I will post my top 20 (professional opinion, of course )in a little while as well.

Based on some of your previous comments, I'm guessing you are referring to the Ayres kid?

Agree that it is a difficult task. But I guess what Im asking for is related more to potential than where they are today. Factor in things such as can they play their position at the next level; do they look to be done growing and maturing; can they defend and handle well enough to play at the next level (given their position); can what they are relying on today translate to the next level if they are done maturing? And by next level, I dont mean all necessarily mean D1! Of the kids mentioned, I think some are mostly "done" while others aren't close. And I can think of some others that appear to have more upside that perhaps should be on the list. Agree that Goodin has the opportunity to be the best. His struggle is figuring out his position. He's not a PG, yet not truly a SG.

So your top 20? And to the Goodin/Beverly comments above, given skill and anticipated maturation, what are your top 20 as it relates to end of 2016 as opposed to today (not an easy task, granted).

Granted, I didn't see what happened but, from what I was told by someone close to the program, Hoop Dreams led the whole first half and much of the second. More importantly, they were up 5 points with the ball and 2 minutes left, and with the other team playing zone. Yet they continued to force the issue. So, it sounds to me like they should've won that game. and when you dont win a game that you should have, I believe you have underachieved. Again, it comes down to basketball IQ.