First

So, it doesn't necessarily identify the cream of the crop by differentiating for advanced classes, but at least it is an indicator. Thanks for the info.

That's great! What a team GPA! What are the requirements to be first team? I'd be curious to see how many of the players, that get talked about on here due to their prowess on the basketball floor, made this list!!! Huge kudos to those that show up on both!

The level of play at the PG position may very well make or break the year for the Rebels. It's unusual to see that kind of size (and scoring potential with Tyler) on a 12th region team with such a question mark around guard play. With a good PG, that team could elevate to the top (of the region). Without, I think it will be difficult for them to get there.

I don't have a dog in this fight as I have no affinity for either team (Travelers or Magic). However, I hope you aren't equating your team playing in a good league with being the better team here. It's certainly up in the air as to who has the better 17U team - its by no means a given. This would be equivalent to saying that just because UK's football team plays in the best college football conference in the country, they are therefore the best team in KY. I believe they were actually #3 in the state last year. ,

My opinion on Gooden: TONS of potential. His physical attributes and skill make him the highest level D1 prospect in the state period- in any grade. I've also been told his work ethic is top notch. Improving his jumper takes him to yet another level. With all of that, there is a real need for improved decision making which becomes even more important if he is to play PG in college. Also needs to work to improve defense.

From what I was told, only Stearns is (plays with Magic I think). Was told Woods and Blevins don't play.

I dont disagree at all. Tyler has already shown the potential to be one of the top players next year, If he ends up that tall, with strength added, look out. iMiniards size is a big difference maker. Again, I just haven't seen Elkins play at a level yet that would indicate he's a major factor. That's not to say he won't as I know he has both size and potential. That unknown coupled with the question mark around guard play (point guard is major concern) is why I say Boyle is the biggest unknown. Honestly, with a good/true point, they could easily win it next year. So, could see them winning the region or coming in around 6th depending on how the above factors play out. I agree Wayne will be ranked #1 but think it is still Southwest's to lose. Compare the talent player by player and there's no way Wayne should win that game- but SW was an underperformer last year while Wayne overachieved. They did beat Wayne in districts but were inconsistent all year. Does anyone know if the Kossick kid is returning to West next year? He was their back up center but wasn't at region for some reason. Had he been they likely wouldve beaten Wayne as West's big sat most of the game with foul trouble. I think Kossick was better than their starter. If he returns I think West would be my preseason #3 as they have both Peters (a top player in region next year) and Henderson back along with others. Regardless, should be exciting with the top 6 or 7 teams being very strong. And several really, really nice players representing the region for the next few years.

Here's my take. On paper, Southwest is the best team with Wayne right behind them. Regarding Somerset, they lost a lot, so Id be surprised to see them in the top 6. Likewise with East. They return Carson (I guess??) but not much else. But I think Lincoln is definitely in the mix given that they have everyone back except Hill. So, I think Southwest and Wayne deserve to be at the top. I think West Jessamine, Mercer, Lincoln and Boyle should duke it out for the next 4 spots. And dont overlook Garrard next year as they could be a surprise team. I think Boyle is the biggest question mark. If Miniard doesn't play, that's big. I believe that'd leave Tyler as rhe lone returning starter. Elkins is unproven but could be a difference maker. If he performs well and Miniard plays, that size would present matchup problems for all 12th region teams.

Where do you expect them to be in terms of the region next year? Are they top 5 or 6? Who are?

ALL mentioned are and will be very good players. But it begs the question of how we are defining "best?" Are we talking who would you want on your team today or perhaps who had the best year? OR who will likely be "best" at the next level/who has the most upside? For instance, if you watched the Richie Farmer-Allan Houston showdown back in the day, perhaps even looked at their seasons, you could have argued Farmer was the better of the two. However, I don't think anyone would've questioned who would be better at the next level. This was due to his (Houston's) advantages in size/length,athleticism and overall skill (I.e. ballhandling).One could argue that there are perhaps "better" freshmen in the state than Goodin, but not if you are talking about potential to play at the next level. IMO he's clearly the best by that measurement. Often, when talking about middle schoolers through Soph, the "best" kids matured early, in terms of both height and strength. If they are mostly "done" maturing, can they play their respective position at the D1 level, D2 level, etc? Right or wrong, that's how I look at potential/whose best. And Goodin, even if he's done maturing, already has the size and athleticism (and a nice skill set too) to play at a D1 level given the position he plays.

I think they mean last name of Goodin, not Taylor. Also, can anyone confirm the Beverly offer? That was first circulated a month or two ago but I heard at that time that while they had watched him no offer had been extended. Can anyone confirm this?

Thats was my first thought when I saw that yesterday😂. Heard this team lost to a younger version of their team (or perhaps a B team version) in the championship today. Can anyone confirm?

Ok, thanks! Also, when I saw the roster a few weeks ago, there was another big kid on there. I believe the name was Elkins. Don't see that name on this list. Is that accurate?

You seem to be "in the know" regarding this team. Can u tell me if/how Chandel Shanklin is affiliated with them?

You seem to be "in the know" regarding this team. Can u tell me if/how Chandel Shanklin is affiliated with them? Just curious. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with the Rockcastle players. Ray did have a good year so probably deserves mention here. Think you have to include Taylor as he may be the best "true" PG in the region. Also, is this a ranking? I was assuming so but wasn't sure. And looks like it consists of 5 soph and 3 fresh (class as of current year). 4 of your top 10 are soph and 2 of them are freshmen. Goes to what BC23 is saying about level of young talent. I think a few of these players have real potential to play at the next level - at varying levels. Wonder how many are playing on AAU teams?

Going with Bishop Broasart in 10th. Also Southwest in the 12th.

I got to see several of these kids at the regional tourney this year, while catching a few during the year as well. Based on what I saw this year (in no certain order): Kapinga and Edwards from Southwest. Woods and Stearns from Wayne. Conway from Lincoln, and Taylor. Tyler from Boyle. Carson from East Jessamine. Hager from Mercer. Peters from West Jessamine. Collier from SW, Sebastian from Garrard, Sims from Mercer and Miniard from Boyle could play themselves into the mix. So, who are the top 10 pre-season? Also, which players have the most potential to play at the next level?

Any idea what type of offers he has received (what level of schools)?

If Snoop Johnson were on a high profile team, he'd be getting lots of love! Also, not sure how we can determine that the Williams kid is done growing?? And for a kid with his size and strength, he's an excellent leaper and by no means slow.

Anyone know where Gover (from Pulaski) will be playing his college ball?

This kid is a really, really nice player. He might not get a UK offer. However, that doesn't mean he can't/won't play for a team that can compete and even beat UK. No need to hate on him. He is legit. Should be happy for a KY kid getting well-deserved recognition!

I saw that article as well. And I would definitely agree if you are talking about school ball or perhaps even local type all star teams. Especially at younger ages - that was the focus of those studies. However, if you're talking about playing at an elite level, in high school, I would echo Romeo's concerns. For example, look at the Shabaz Muhammad (spelling?) news that came out the last couple of days. It talked about how his father falsified his age (said he was a year younger) and how that enabled him to dominate. I'm not condoning that, but it does speak to the idea of whether its a good idea to play up (or not) against major competition. Now for why I think it makes some sense for these guys to play up. Goodin and Beverly are very talented freshmen. They are also very mature physically, much more so than most of their freshmen peers. By playing up, they are playing against kids with bodies that are more similar to theirs - something that will happen with their own age group over the next 12-18 months. Their degree of success while playing up should give them a clearer picture of where they will likely stand by the time they reach their junior and senior years. I realize they do this already at the high school level (play against older pmayers), but that's a different world as compared to top level national competition.

Highly unlikely they will win against Central, I just hope they are able to keep it respectable. As far as returning to Rupp, they did it this year so they certainly can do it again. But it's definitley no lock, especially given their reliance on the three ball. Woods has 2 years left. On paper, Southwest should be the favorite again next year -but they should've been this year too! West will be tough again and I really think Lincoln will be much better the next 2 years as they return 4/5 starters including their leading scorer and playmaker. Then there are Mercer & Boyle. Mercer returns their top 2 scorers (senior and sophomore) as well as another sophomore that started as an 8th grader but missed almost the entire year this year (freshman year) due to an ankle injury. Boyle returns their leading scorer (junior) and their 6'7" leading rebounder (senior). Add to that 2 sophomores that are talented and got minutes this year as freshmen, one of which is already 6'5." Finally, Garrard has virtually everyone back and has a lot of talent in their sophomores to be! So, the good news for Wayne is they are young. The bad news for them is that 3 or 4 other teams in the 12th have really good young talent as well.