ApolloFan98

Here is a link to our 3rd Region Media Day for anyone interested. Most every school showed up to feature their program.

Is the 3rd Region back? That is the question entering the 2024-2025 season. If you simply look at the talent across the area, you should certainly think so. Even with the loss of a Western Kentucky commit in Lawson Rice due to injury, this region is still chalked full of high-level college talent. Sure, the loss of Rice brings Butler County back to the pack a little bit, but the Bears are still loaded with talent and driven to return to Rupp Arena after coming up just short against Evangel Christian last season. Players like Jonathan Moss for Daviess County, Luke Beickman for Owensboro Catholic and Jack Logsdon for Grayson County give those programs a real chance to compete for a regional title. You can never count out Coach Rod Drake and the Owensboro Red Devils, who are looking for a bounce back year after s tough season. Apollo will field its best team in at least 6 years, as they are loaded with young talent ready to put their stamp on a historic program. Muhlenberg County and Breckinridge County have enough firepower to give their fanbases hope that they too can compete with the top of the region. This is as deep of a field of programs as we have seen in the 3rd Region in quite some time. One of these programs will be looking to erase a 9 year losing streak vs the field in the Sweet 16. There is enough talent to have faith that the drought will come to an end in 2025. 1. Butler County Bears (23-9) – 3rd Region Champs – Coach Calvin Dockery Fresh off their first ever 3rd Region Championship, the Bears again find themselves as favorites to repeat as 3rd Region Champions. Even with the unfortunate injury to WKU commit Lawson Rice, Butler County features the regions most experienced rosters. Back-to-back 3rd Region player of the year Ty Price, returns and brings his 29 ppg average with him. Ty recently committed to Tennessee Martin ahead of his senior season. His work ethic has carried through the entire roster that also features lockdown defender Briar Griffin. Griffin isn’t just a defender however, scoring 11.3 ppg last season. Justin Castlen made a name for himself in front of the Rupp Arena crowd in the Sweet 16, knocking down 4-7 shots from beyond the arc en route to a 16-point performance. Trevor and Clayton Deweese also return for Coach Dockery this season. The Bears will play a fantastic schedule, being featured in several big tournaments and welcoming Great Crossing into the Bear Cave on January 3rd. 2.Daviess County Panthers (24-8) – 9th District RUP – Coach Neil Hayden Daviess County is coming off a great season but may have a bad taste in their mouths after losing their final 2 contests of the 2024 season. Owensboro Catholic shocked the Panthers in the district title game, and they followed that up by drawing Butler County in the first round of the regional tournament. They battled the Bears in front a sold-out Owensboro Sportscenter but fell 10 points short. Coach Hayden returns the bulk of the roster from last season, including all region point guard, Jonathan Moss. Moss has several division 1 offers and is coming of a season where he averaged 17.1 ppg. DeArron Watkins also returns his 12.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Watkins is a game changer on defense as well, altering a many of shots around the rim. The Panthers will need to replace guard Gage Phelps 15.7 ppg production but guys like Aydan Ayer and Jaxon Brown look to take another jump forward this season. Ayer is also a high-level defender. Daviess County has several high-profile games on its schedule like Henderson, Taylor County, Male, Butler County and Hopkinsville. Those game should prepare them for what is going to be a much more competitive 9th district from top to bottom. 3.Owensboro Catholic Aces (23-10) – Regional RUP & 9th District Champs – Coach Tim Riley In true Tim Riley fashion, the Aces are coming off a somewhat surprising run to the 3rd Region Championship game a year ago. Luke Beickman took his game to a completely different level down the stretch last season, putting up 31 ppg in the district tournament. Beickman used that success to garner division 1 level respect, eventually committing to Eastern Illinois. The Aces lose Tutt Carrico and will need to find a reliable point guard to replace Kaiser Frick, but they do return key contributors in Waryn Ebelhar, Solly Smith, Vince Carrico and Dre Carothers. Smith and Carothers have unbelievable athleticism and are expected to make a big jump forward this season. As usual, you can expect Coach Riley to get the absolute most out of his roster. The Aces will be battle tested with holiday tournaments at South Warren and Henderson. The 9th district will be a gauntlet, but Aces fan can lean on the fact that Coach Riley has never lost a 1st round elimination game since becoming Owensboro Catholic Head Coach. 4.Grayson County Cougars (17-12) – Upset in 12th District – Coach Travis Johnston The focus for the Cougars is to find a way to make it back to the Owensboro Sportscenter. Grayson was upset at the hands of district rival Edmonson County to end a good season. The roster is full of young talent, including super sophomores Jack Logsdon and Spencer Langdon. Logsdon put up 19.4 ppg last season, while Langdon may be the region’s most underrated player at 16.5 ppg. Brody Armstrong also returns coming off a season that saw him average double figure scoring at 12.2 ppg. The Cougars had no seniors last season, so you can expect this team to be unified early this season. Grayson will face mostly a 3rd region schedule. No matter if it is Whitesville Trinity or if its Edmonson County again, Coach Johnston and the Cougars will be heavily favored to return to the 3rd region tournament field in 2025. 5.Owensboro Red Devils (13-13) – Lost in 9th District – Coach Rod Drake The Red Devils are coming off an unusual disappointing season, just a year removed from being 3rd Region Champions. The Devils lost a tough district elimination game against Owensboro Catholic. They will lose the services of Dayshaun Sanders, but you can expect sophomore guard Michael Acton to take a big step forward this year. In the paint, big man Keaton Hughes returns and brings his 16.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg average with him. Hughes is one of, if not the best, post players in the region. Will Hume returns coming off a great finish to the year last season. Hume put up nearly 10 ppg. Guard Aaron Richardson has moved in from Madisonville and should provide another steady scoring option. Coach Drake has said this team has a very high basketball IQ and will need to put that to work in a very tough 9th district. As usual, OHS plays a great schedule against teams like Warren Central, UHA, Bowling Green, Lyon Co, Evansville Harrison and Henderson County. 6.Apollo Eagles (16-14) – Lost in 9th District – Coach Ryne Tinsley Apollo is coming off its first winning season since 2018 and looking to improve on a 16-win campaign. Seniors Like Jarboe and Kobe Kelly again will look to balance a very young roster. Jarboe was great at times for the young Eagles, averaging 12.7 ppg. Returning sophomores Tate Powers, Eli Williams, Landon Henning and Max Johnson will all return with another year of maturity. Powers put up double figures at the point guard spot, while Landon Henning had a huge summer and expects to be one of the regions more dominate big men. Coach Tinsley also expects Ehmadjai Badger to add a big lift to the rotation for the Eagles. Apollo has a bit tougher schedule this season and will host their own holiday tournament with Russell County, Allen County and Webster County. They will need to take a big step forward to find their way back to the regional tournament for the first time in 6 years. That is the longest drought in school history. That said, the progress of this program was evident last season and this core of young sophomores have a very bright future. 7.Muhlenberg County Mustangs (9-23) – Regional Semifinalists – Coach Aaron Morris The Mustangs struggled at times last season but finished strong, winning a game in the regional tournament. They lost leading scorer Madox Jernigan to graduation, but Gunnar Revelett transferred into the program from Mclean County offsetting the loss. Revelett scored 19.1 ppg last season. Most every other role player returns for Muhlenberg this season. Jace Sommers emerged as a consistent player through the season, as he will return with his 13.4 ppg. Issac Coats also averaged double figures. Kason Morris and Madix Brannon add production and experience to round out a solid rotation for Coach Morris. There have been some rumors flying about a possible returning player to the program, but that has not happened yet. It is something to watch for because any added talent to this already solid roster could make the Mustangs into a legit regional contender. The Stangs scaled back their brutal schedule, but still face several tough teams that should have them ready for tournament time. They will be a heavy favorite to win the 10th district. 8.Breckinridge County Tigers (16-13) – 11th District RUP – Coach Jeff LaGrange Breckinridge County really came on strong to finish last season. They finished winning 10 of their final 13 games. Combine that finish with the fact that they return their top 6 scorers, and you can see why the expectations are high this season. Mercer Rogers returns as one of the best players in the region. He averaged 15 ppg last year. Lance Poole also returns as a double-digit scorer. Jonah Miller, Chase Hardesty, and Braxton Taul are all contributors capable of leading Breck in scoring on any given night. Braden Carmen gives Coach LaGrange an excellent post presence and brings a ton of physicality. Carmen was one of the best rebounders in the region, pulling 7.2 boards per game. The Tigers plan to get plenty of games inside the Sportscenter during the holiday season to better prepare for regional tournament action. They will be heavy favorites to win the 11th district. 9.Meade County Greenwave (16-16) – 11th District Champion – Coach Jason Tripure The Waves enter the season, having to replace 4 of their top 5 scorers from last season. Hayden Shouse returns, coming off a 13.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg average. Cade Scott returns to the lineup this year after missing last season due to a football injury. Scott averaged 12.8 ppg as a sophomore and will provide a big lift to the roster. Coach Tripure will be depending on younger players to step forward this season while leaning on Scott and Shouse to carry the bulk of the scoring. Even with the questions about overall team production, Meade should be right in the mix for another 11th District Title. 10.Mclean County Cougars (16-12) – Lost in 10th District – Coach Darren Lynam Coach Lynam has guided the Cougar program to its most successful stretch of seasons in school history. That said, he will enter this season with his work cut out for him. Top scorer Gunnar Revelett transferred to district rival Muhlenberg County. The Cougars also lost double digit scorer Brodie Cline to graduation. Even with those major losses, they still return 5 players who played in 28 varsity games last season. Jax Lee leads that list, bringing back close to 8 ppg. Camden Baird, Jaelin Groves, Zane Decker, Landon French and Braxton Floyd all logged key minutes last season. Coach Lynam has a knack for maximizing his talent and this year should be no different. The Cougars expect to compete for a regional tournament spot as well as a 10th District Championship. 11.Ohio County Eagles (19-13) – 10th District Champs & Regional RUP – Coach Matt Brigance No team in the region lost more production from last season than the Ohio County Eagles. Elijah Decker has been playing varsity basketball for the Eagles for the past 6 seasons. Carter Young and Bo Morse also graduated. Paul Decker stepped down as Head Coach at the end of the season, leaving long-time assistant, Matt Brigance to take the helm. Brigance added a former 3rd Region Championship Coach, Steve Barker, to the staff to assist with the rebuild. Ryan Durham will go from role player to leader for the Eagles. Tate Abney and Alex Quisenberry will provide some returning experience as well. The Eagles should still be in the mix for a spot in the regional tournament but will need some players with little varsity experience to step up and make an impact. 12.Hancock County Hornets (9-23) – Lost in 11th District – Coach Josh Roberts The Hornets faced a bit of a rebuilding campaign last season, having to replace a large senior class that had a lot of success in the program. Coach Roberts did an excellent job of securing 9 wins with a whole new cast. He will look to build on that this year. Big man Alex Madden returns off a 11.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg season. Madden was a breakout player in the region last season. Dylan Morris scored right at 10 ppg last year and expects to be a leader again this year. Kegan Wilson and Dec Lewko return as key contributors from last year’s roster. The Hornets should be right in the competition with Breck and Meade for a spot in the regional tournament. 13.Edmonson County Wildcats (14-16) – 12th District RUP – Coach Brad Meredith The program coming into the season with the most questions would likely be Edmonson County. The Wildcats not only lost their top 4 scorers but turned the page from Coach Trey Tinsley after just one season. Coach Meredith takes over a program that features 3 seniors, led by Kolin Doyle. Players like Tyler Wilson, Braden Wright and Blayne Deweese will look to take a step forward in a tough 12th district. 14.Whitesville Trinity Raiders (2-28) – Lost in 12th District – Coach Nathan West Since coming into the Raider program, Coach Nathan West has always gotten the most out of his roster. Last season the Raiders had to replace years of production from a great senior class causing the program to take an expected step back. This season, they will return almost all their production in Hayden Aull and Connor Hatfield. Hatfield is coming off a knee injury but should be ready to start the year. Expect the Raiders to take a step forward this season but could find tough sledding in a district with two top 5 programs in Grayson County and Butler County. 15.Cloverport Aces (4-22) – Lost in 11th District – Coach Jason Hurst The Aces will face a rebuild this season after losing their top 2 producers in Cole Weatherholt and Dorcey Emery. The roster is made up of all freshman and sophomores this year. All Region First Team Ty Price – Butler County – 29 ppg – Player of the Year Jonathan Moss – Daviess County – 17.1 ppg Luke Beickman – Owensboro Catholic – 20.6 ppg Jack Logsdon – Grayson County – 19.4 ppg & 6.9 rpg Keaton Hughes – Owensboro – 16.2 ppg & 10.3 rpg Lawson Rice – Butler County – 18 ppg & 10.7 rpg (WKU Commit – out with injury) 2nd Team Gunnar Revelett – Muhlenberg County – 19.1 ppg DeAaron Watkins – Daviess County – 12.4 ppg & 6.4 rpg Briar Griffin – Butler County – 11.3 ppg & Defensive Player of the Year Spencer Langdon – Grayson County – 16.5 ppg Mercer Rogers – Breckinridge County – 15 ppg Other top returning players Michael Acton – Owensboro – 9.8 ppg Brody Armstrong - Grayson Co - 12.2 ppg Jace Sommers - Muhlenberg Co - 13.4 ppg Luke Jarboe – Apollo – 12.7 ppg Landon Henning – Apollo – 6.9 ppg & 7.3 rpg Tate Powers - Apollo - 10.3 ppg Solly Smith - Owensboro Catholic - 9.8 ppg Hayden Shouse – Meade – 13.1 ppg & 6.4 rpg Alex Madden – Hancock Co – 11.3 ppg & 9.3 rpg

Mclean has been playing their best football of the season over the past few weeks which is a Coach Wagner staple since he has been with that program. Aden Boldin is a very underrated athlete for the Cougars. He is putting up 140 yards per game on the ground. The Cougars struggled finishing drives with points and self inflicted wounds earlier in the year. If they can run the football consistently and finish drives with points they can maybe keep this game close. I just worry that the physicality of Adair, along with the offensive balance, will be tough for Mclean. I'll say both Lane and Bolden finish with 150 plus rushing yards but the difference is the Adair passing game with Jessie. Adair 42 - Mclean 21

Can Hancock slow down the Franklin Simpson running game? That is the major question heading into this game. The Hornets defense has been spectacular against the run all season outside of their lopsided defeat to Union County. They only give up around 89 yards per game on average. If they can limit the run as they did against John Hardin (under 200) they will have a punchers chance. Offensively, I do not love the matchup for Hancock either. The Wildcats have a strong pass defense that will make things difficult for a banged up Dylan Morris. The Hornets have relied a little more on their ground game as of late. They will need their best performance of the season to advance tonight. If the Hornets get the win, expect Sophomore Brady Eubanks to be a big reason why. I'm going to go Franklin Simpson 28-7

This has the potential to be a great game. I think it comes down to Meade's defense against that Great Crossing run game. Great Crossing runs it for 233 per game vs a Meade County defense giving up about 140 per game. Wyatt Raney and Thomas Fox will have their hands full tonight, but I actually like them in this matchup. Meade QB Cade Scott can sling it and he has a solid corps of receivers. A lot of people do not realize that Scott has a Marshall offer. Coach Mofield always has his guys prepared for the postseason. Give me the Wave in an upset!

Madisonville has been one of the most up and down teams I've seen in recent memory. If the very best version of them shows up tonight, I still think it would take a C game from the Purples for it to be competitive. After how they performed vs St X last week, and seeing that Madisonville defense really struggle at times this season, I'll take BG in a running clock in the 3rd quarter.

Apollo has the talent to compete. My concerns for the Eagles would be up front. Can that offensive line for Apollo hold up against a great South Warren front? Bryce Button and Veltcamp is another major concern. I don't know that Apollo can score enough to keep up if it does turn into a track meet. The Apollo secondary has been sound all season but they will need to be excellent to have any chance tonight. If they can force a few turnovers and feed Niles Board, it could be interesting. There isn't any pressure on Apollo to win this game, so that could help them settle in early. Coach Edge will no doubt have a good game plan. Hopefully this will be a fun one to watch!

Evan Hampton is the key to this game for me. I do not know if Apollo has an answer for him. Hampton is the type of player that you can defend well and he can still out athlete you and make you pay. I expect that may happen this week. I do like the Apollo secondary to at least be able to compete with the Devils but with the weather forecast, it may be a ground and pound type of night. Apollo needs to prove it can score consistently on a high level team like Owensboro. I give them a but of a pass against Catholic because that was week 1. They were able to put up points on McCracken and Meade but this is a different level. Owensboro has struggled a bit vs the run this season but Apollo has been more pass heavy. Niles Board will need to be a big factor is Apollo is to keep this game close. Apollo is as good as they have been since 2017, which happens to be the last time they beat Owensboro. I just don't think they are quite to the level of the Red Devils as of yet. Owensboro 35 - Apollo 18

I came prepared to discuss this one in the final segment of this weeks Gamechangers and blew it. I knew Andrew McCutcheon was THE guy in this matchup and misread my notes and picked Prestonsburg. I need to stick to Western Kentucky football, obviously. I will extend an apology to Mr. McCutcheon and the Bobcats by officially changing my pick. 28-21 BL

Coach Edge and the Eagles say... wait just a darn minute!!! ?

I missed promoting last weeks show but if you missed it, we had Highlands Coach Sphire along with LCA QB Saxton Howard. Tonight's episode will feature Trinity Coach Cobb along with Covington Catholic QB Cash Harney. This show has been a real treat to do. It has been awesome to talk with some of the best in the state!

I will be interested to see how this game goes in the trenches. Owensboro has struggled on both sides when it comes to the trenches. This matchup usually favors Owensboro but I think the Aces may be a little better up front this time around. The weather looks to have cleared off, which should favor the Aces. You have to think they will score 30 plus points with Atwell running the show. Can Delacey at least keep pace? The Devils will need big plays in the passing game. Hampton has struggled to get going in the first 3 games. He is only putting up 87 yards per game thus far. The Devils will need to double that to have a chance, especially hearing that Morris won't be able to go. Dillard would be someone to watch, if the Devils do find a way to get the win. Special teams is one area that Owensboro could have an advantage. A return TD or two could be just what the doctor ordered for Owensboro. I'm just not sure the Devils can keep pace with Atwell and the Aces. Ill say Owensboro Catholic wins this one 35-21.

Sorry I am just now seeing this. You can listen on iTunes and Spotify. Just search "TheGame Changers". Last week was tough to schedule guests off the holiday weekend but the interview with Brady Atwell was very impressive. I am obviously a huge fan of that young man on the field and off the field! Tonight, we have Owensboro Catholic Coach Jason Morris along with Boyle County's Montavian Quisenberry. Both did an excellent job. It was a real treat getting to speak with Montavian coming off that incredible performance against St Edward.

Nice road win for the Eagles, after a rough one vs Owensboro Catholic last week. This was a wild one that saw multiple lead changes, including a 60 yard screen to Niles Board with a minute left, to win it. Board caught the screen on one side of the field and reversed all the way to the opposite sideline to take it to the house. McCracken jumped on top 21-7 early, but Apollo responded with a huge 2nd quarter that included a couple of special teams plays, a big turnover and some tremendous play from Sophomore QB Max Johnson. They left some points on the field to close the half with a chance to go up 40-21 and it appeared that would be the turning point until the big 4th quarter screen, as McCracken took a 36-33 lead after an Apollo turnover in the 3rd. I thought Apollo showed a lot of toughness and a will to win that hasn't been there the last couple of season. Congrats to Coach John Edge and the Eagles on the win!

This week's show will feature Beechwood Head Coach Jay Volker as well as CAL QB/DB Connor Hodge. Both did a GREAT job with the interviews. I was blown away by Connor. Tonight at 6PM Central Time here... https://1027thegame.com/player/?playerID=2947

This should be a fun one. I really like the QB's on both sides. Looking at the game last season, Henderson QB Trajon Davis threw for 134 and 2 TD while running for 125 yards and 3 TD. On the other side Meade County QB Cade Scott threw for 211 yards and 2 TD while running for 127 yards and 2 scores. Whichever team brings the defense tonight should be the one to come out on top. I will go with Meade at home. Meade 35 - Henderson 28

I expect this year's version of the Apollo Eagles to be much improved with Sophomore QB Max Johnson emerging as a top tier QB. He took some lumps as a freshman behind an offensive line that never found their grove. Coach Edge will be calling the offense this season and I expect he will help take some pressure off the OL. Apollo is solid at the skill spots with Eli Williams, Landon Bratcher, Niles Board (Out this week), Caiden Tutt and John Milburn. They will need to sustain drives in order to avoid being ran off the field tonight. The defense was a bit underrated last season, but was put in bad spots by an offense that couldn't stay on the field. The Eagles play a brutal schedule, but by district time, I think they could compete for a home playoff game. All of that said, the Aces are heavy favorites in this one. Their big play offense will be hard for the Eagles to keep up with. Brady Atwell will have some new pass catchers in the mix this season, but I do not expect a drop off in his production. As long as Catholic plays clean and does not turn the ball over, I expect they win this one going away. Owensboro Catholic 49 - Apollo 28

Yes sir! I have really enjoyed talking with the Coaches and Players. I am working hard to try to learn as much as I can about the programs around the state but I certainly have a ways to go. It should be a little easier when the games fire up and I don't have to speculate as much.

If you missed this week's episode with Frederick Douglass LB Kaden Clay and Bowling Green Head Coach Mark Spader, it is now posted on iTunes and Spotify.

Episode 2 of The Game Changers airs tonight on 1027 The Game. We are joined by Coach Haddix from Boyle County and Paducah Tilghman's Martels Carter. You can listen live at 6pm Central Time here.... https://1027thegame.com/player/?playerID=2947 The show will be up on iTunes and Spotify directly following the episode. Just search "TheGame Changers".

We asked about rosters and he said that there was a data clean up going on and that has pushed back the upload. He expected them to be up sometime this coming weekend.

The show is now approved by iTunes. Here is the link... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-thegame-changers-8-7-24/id1761856055?I=1000664738911

We are having some trouble with our Spotify For Podcasters account pushing this show out to iTunes but I am working on it. It pushes out our daily Live at 5 show, so I just assumed it would for Gamechangers too. Unfortunately, we have to resubmit a request to Apple for the new show and now are waiting for approval. I will post the link as soon as it is approved.

Much appreciated! I came away thinking the same. Coach Dew was excellent and it really feels like the program is in good hands with the Coach Morris tree remaining mostly in place. Also, I couldn't have been more impressed with Deuce. He is obviously a team first guy. I loved his answer about winning Mr. Football. He nailed it! It is going to be really fun to get to see the personalities of these great Coaches and Players across the state!

If you missed it, here is the Spotify link to listen back: https://open.spotify.com/show/0O81rnVWbePCc6psTnfTvz?si=11cb71baf852417e