goldenbucs

I gotcha on that! Players flying all over the place! Most years it would be safe to throw them in the top ten of a list like this.

Rowan has Ryne Callahan (probably #1 in 16th Reg), Justin Graham (probably top defender in 16th Reg) and Larry Whelan coming back. A pretty tough three-some of guards. They have their 6'6" boy coming back, Brandon Moore. who is an outstanding athlete. Boyd has Bobby Anderson (prob best point guard in 16th Reg), along with Conner Gauze (solid big guy)...plus they have picked up a couple of solid transfers.

Anybody who has Ashland Blazer in their top 10, are simply guessing. They have lost A LOT! I mean A LOT. Sure they may improve as the season goes along, but as of right now they have one good player, Nick Miller. This could be a tough season for them. In the 16th, there are several teams ahead of them right now. I don't know enough about the 13th thru 15th Regions to make a list, but I would easily say Rowan and Boyd belong in the top ten of this list.

Rowan County looks to improve on a couple of .500 seasons. The biggest change this year is a coaching change with Elaine Douglas coaching the Lady Vikings. The girls seem to be responding great to her passion for the game. They return three starters: Sarah Purdy...a very strong inside presence, Hannah Bandura...an intense defender and rebounder, and Becca Duff...a three point specialists. Along with those three they return their two top players off the bench: Nicole Plank...a point guard who can shoot the three and drive to the hole, and Allyson Callahan...she can shoot the three and will be expected to pick up the slack on the offensive end of the court. They also have gotten an important transfer, Torry Mitchell. Her father has been on the coaching staff for the Rowan County boys for several years and Torrey has chosen to come over and help the Lady Vikings with her VERY polished game (from what I've seen she can do about everything). I believe that before Mitchell moved to Morehead, they were going to surprise a lot of people and rack up more wins than last year. With the addition of Mitchell I believe they will have the opportunity to have their most successful season in a while.

Apparently to be on this list you either have to be on two other lists (Cat Pause from last year or Courier Journal from last year) or you paid to go to his camp. He apparently doesn't GO FIND players...he just lists the ones who go to his camp or are already listed. I emailed Bolus to find out how one young man couldn't have even been on his April list (AT ALL), after the 2013-2014 year he had and Bolus told me, "I've never heard of that kid!" Then he explained how he gets his list. Well, this list posted here ALL OF THE SUDDEN has that kid's name on it...apparently HE FOUND the boy! Smh!

The gyms are real close to each other. They are probably a tenth of a mile a part. Easy walking distance.

Here is the actual schedule for the Rowan County Kentucky Bank Challenge: Friday Dec. 19th Schedule- High School Gym 6:00- Lewis County vs. Rowan County 7:45- Johnson Central vs. Clark County 9:30- Belfry vs. East Jessamine Middle School Gym 6:00- Bath County vs. Riverside Christian 7:45- Montgomery County vs. Dixie Heights 9:30- Wolfe County vs. West Carter Saturday Dec. 20th Schedule- High School Gym 12:00- Montgomery County vs. East Jessamine 1:45- Estill County vs. Nicholas County 3:30- Trimble County vs. Bath County 5:15- Montgomery County vs. Johnson Central 7:00- Rowan County vs. Wolfe County 8:45- Knott Central vs. Covington Catholic Middle School Gym 12:00- Dixie Heights vs. Johnson Central 1:45- Louisville Holy Cross vs. Breathitt County 3:30- Lewis County vs. Buckhorn 7:00- Belfry vs. Louisville Holy Cross Looks to be a couple great days of basketball!

Rowan has three solid sophomores-to-be who have play some minutes in the summer. A big, strong kid, Conner Thomas...a workman on the boards. He could earn himself some playing time by simply working hard on the boards. Spencer Price is a solid player who unfortunately is behind a stable of veteran guards (which will limit his play), and Hudson Pratt who is a tall, lanky player who can shoot the three.

Rowan County looks to build on their 20 win season from a year ago. They return three starting guards...three of the best guards in the 16th Region. Ryne Callahan is arguably the best player in the 16th Region and one of the top shooters in the state. Justin Graham is a defensive specialist, but can also get hot on the offensive side of the ball. Larry Whelan is a play-maker...he will drive and kick, drive and score, or just pull up for the three (he is also a headache on defense). THEIR QUESTION: Will the big men show up. 6'5" Brandon Moore and 6'3" Derek Williams are the frontrunners for the other starting spots, but will be pushed by a stable full of pups. MY OPINION: Rowan will be among the top two or three in the region. I would say they are favored by many to make it to Rupp, HOWEVER: They do have some room to grow.

Not much said on here of any 16th Region players and while it may be a bit down, there are a couple players that would fit this thread perfectly: Ryne Callahan (Rowan County) Nick Miller (Ashland) Jair Jackson (Greenup) All three are great ball players who don't get much press.

This is a showcase of teams...great line up! It will be held the 19th and 20th of December. They will have all the games at Rowan County High School and Rowan County Middle School. I know that the effort is to have Cov Cath and Knott Central play during that weekend. I know the coaches have talked about taking this to a tournament in upcoming years, but as for now it is a show case of teams. This past years had two great days of basketball, and 2014 looks like it will be even better.

Rowan County was led by Callahan with 22, Whelan with 11, Graham 7, Pratt 5, Fannin 4, Moore 2, Lee 2. Rowan also played this game without Tyler Thacker with an ankle injury.