Region 1 Basketball

Top Teams: 1. Calloway County, the hands on favorite to win the region this year. They return several key players led by Skylar Hunter, Parker Adams, and Conner Wagner. The Lakers were a balanced team last year. Adams averaged 13.4, Hunter 11.9, and Wagner 10.4. They also return in the backcourt Wade Carter who averaged 6.3 points. The only question mark last year was on the defensive end last year. Terry Birdsong, the new head coach is known for having his team prepared and being a strong defensive team. There is a reason Birdsong’s name sounds familiar for Laker fans. He led Calloway County to their only regional title back in 2003. Birdsong will have to find some depth to be able to rest his starters. 2. Marshall County, Lost leading scorer Austin Rentfrow but return enough firepower to be ranked towards the top of the region. Mason Wooten finished strong last year and will be counted on for the bulk of scoring. If Marshall would have won the region a strong case could have been made for Wooten to be the MVP of the tournament. He has a strong supporting cast returning in Collin Travis a strong post player, and DJ Pigg a long range shooter. Pigg had some big games last year as a sophomore. The role players after those two will determine how much success the Marshalls will have this year. 3. McCracken County, The inaugural season for the Mustangs and Head Coach Burlin Brower was a great success. The defending Region 1 Champs lost a bunch but return some experience as well. Sharp shooter Caleb Stonecipher returns and will be counted on early to score in bunches. Returning in the post will be seniors Jason Armstrong and Nathan Telfair. Armstrong a starter last year was counted on to guard multiple positions. The strong 6’4 post man was one of the region’s best defenders. Caleb Smith, the top scorer for CCA last year has transferred to McCracken and could provide scoring. Another transfer that could have a big impact is TJ Ingram from South Fulton. He is described as a true PG and that is just what the Mustangs need after the graduation of Kam Chumbler. The Mustangs had one of the best Junior Varsity programs in the region last year and those players will be relied on to step up this year. Jarret Mauk, Jacob Zakutney, and Austin Collins will be relied on to replace the scoring of Kam Chumbler and Jarred Burnett. 4. Paducah Tilghman, after a couple of down years by their standards, the Blue Tornado are in the upswing. They return several players with experience led by Sayveon McEwen, the cat quick point guard can score in bunches. Also contributing are fellow juniors Jesse Dunigan and Devan Hart. Dunigan the starting QB for the football is an excellent outside shooter. Tilghman could start slow if their football team makes a long run in the playoffs. Depth is a plus with this Tornado team. Coach Brad Stieg will play up to 10 players. Jerome Reed, a 6’4 freshman guard is one to keep an eye on. He was injured early last year and missed most of the season. He is one of the best freshman in the state. 5. Murray, Murray has not been to the regional tournament since 2001 and new coach Bart Flener is looking to stop that drought this year with an experienced team returning. Flener is familiar with small schools. He won the All A State Tournament with Brandon Stockton while at Glasgow. He has been the woman’s coach at Asbury the past few years. However it will be a tough task with Calloway County and Marshall County in their district. Murray’s top player is guard James Boone. Boone a 6’4 guard is smooth with the ball and can knock down the 3 point shot. He is joined in the backcourt by Preston English a deadly shooter. English is the grandson of former college and high school coach Ron Greene. The inside combination of Tre Hornbuckle and Tandyn Sheppard give the Tigers a solid inside/outside combination. Add in the Duane Curtis, Ethan Clark, and the coach’s son Zach Flener the Tigers have solid depth as well. *Murray has two transfers from Henry County. More information will come as I receive it. 6. Graves County, This is a major rebuilding year for the Eagles. Under new head coach Josh Frick he will work with players he has brought up through the JV program. Former coach Terry Birdsong left for Calloway County. Graves lost 4 starters from last year’s team with Point Guard Andrew Smith the only returning starter. Smith will be looked upon to lead the team and pick up the scoring lost to graduation. The big unknown is 6’10 Chris Vogt. Vogt picked up a few offers this summer from some mid-major colleges after a strong showing in AAU. After Smith and Vogt there is a lot of question marks for this young team. Eamon Hannon deciding to play in the past two weeks should boost the scoring for the young Eagle team. Hannon was a starter for St. Mary has a sophomore and last year came off the bench for the Eagles. 7. Carlisle County, One of the favorites in the All A along with Murray. They lost 1 senior and return all 5 starters. Led in scoring by 3 juniors, Ethan Weatherspoon, 15.1, Noah Norsworthy, 10.6, and Paxton Crider, 8.7. They have the firepower to score with teams but the big question mark is on the inside. Jordan Kellett, a 6’3 junior will be asked to step up on the interior. Undersized Bailey Morefield, a 6’1 Senior is the only other post player on the roster. The biggest key maybe PG Trey Carrico. He averaged 5 points and 2.3 assists last year. If he can create for the scorers and run the team the Comets could have a big year. Carlisle could be helped on the inside if transfers, twins Austin and Codie Bailey get cleared by the KHSAA. Codie is 6’7 and Austin is 6’5, they both played at Hickman County last year but saw very little time on the floor. 8. Mayfield, they are always a tough out when it comes to postseason. The Cardinals usually start slow because of deep runs in the football playoffs. This year will be no different. They usually come around during the All A. They will be led by swingman Marshall Bacon. Bacon is capable of scoring anywhere on the floor. He is flanked by a solid 3 point shooter in Adam Felts. Zach Tyler will be asked to provide some help on the inside. Their biggest weakness will be on the interior. A couple of 8th graders could see some time in the backcourt due to junior guard Lane Kennemore deciding not to play this year. 9. Ballard Memorial, this maybe the year for the Bombers, they return 6 players that averaged between 4.9-10.8 point per game. Their balance is what makes them tough to guard. Clay Newton led them in scoring with 10.8 but was supported by Keagon Cooper, 10.0, Dre Bledsoe, 9.4, Cody Newton, 6.0, Tolar Terrell, 5.1 and Lee Chandler at 4.9. Scoring will not be a problem for the Bombers. They hope to challenge in the district this year and in the All A. 10. Fulton County, the Pilots return multiple starters this year. They have been in rebuilding mode the past 3 years. Steven Roberson a great leaper and is their top scorer from last year. He put in 12.6 along with Davis Major at 10.4. Both are capable of having big games. Aaron King and DeVontae Hampton will be counted on to add scoring depth. 11. St. Mary, The All A winners from last year will be rebuilding but with Greg Overstreet at the helm they will be competitive. Not much on the offensive end returns for the Vikings. Peyton Smith, Ben Hooper, and Austin Hubert provide some experience to build on. Word is that a few baseball players will come out but have not played basketball the last two years. 12. Hickman County, The Falcons were hit hard by graduation. They were a balanced team last year with multiple players leading the way. Rayshan Shields is the top returning scorer at 7.1. Ethan Carter played well of the bench chipping 3.8. The only player with Varsity experience is Austin Boaz. Jordyn Noranjo a talented 8th grader may get a shot to play with so much inexperience for them this year. 13. Fulton City, the Bulldogs are still in rebuilding mode. Long time 1st Region coach, Jimmy Long will have 3 players returning with experience. Michael Thomas is a beast on the inside but is still very raw. Wing Nick Ware came on strong last year and PG Areon Ferrell will be counted on to provide scoring. 14. Community Christian, this will be a tough season for the Warriors. They lost their top 2 returning scorers to transfers. Caleb Smith went to McCracken County and Tineal Robinson left for Paducah Tilghman. 15. Christian Fellowship, the Eagles will play a limited 1st Region and will compete in the All A tournament this year. They have bypassed the District Tournament the last few years. Jordan Choate and John Robert Ward are their 2 top returning scorers. Top Players 1. Mason Wooten, 6’4 Senior, Marshall County, a workhorse for the Marshalls and score multiple ways. He was one of the top players in the regional tournament last year and look to him to continue that this year. 2. Skylar Hunter, 6’7 Senior, Calloway County, although 6’7 he may be the best shooter in the region. He has multiple mid-majors looking at him. He might be the senior college prospect in the region. 3. Parker Adams, 6’3 Senior, Calloway County, Adams has been starting since his 8th grade year will leave Calloway County as one of their top scorers of all time. A versatile player he can score in the paint, mid-range, and at the 3 point line. 4. James Boone, a 6’4 Junior, Murray, he is smooth with the basketball. He has 3point range but has the ability to put the ball on the floor and score. He is a tough matchup with his size. 5. Sayveon McEwen, 5’10 Junior, Paducah Tilghman, Cat quick PG is hard to handle on the perimeter especially if he is making the mid-range pull up jumper. He does a good job of getting teammates involved as well. 6. Ethan Weatherspoon, 6’ Junior, Carlisle County. He led Carlisle in scoring, rebounding, and assists last year. He is also one of the best defenders in the region. Taking it to the basket and his mid-range is where he gets his points. 7. Marshall Bacon, 6’2 Senior, Mayfield. Bacon has 3 point range but is more comfortable slashing to the basket. Very good rebounder for his size. 8. Conner Wagner, 6’1 Senior, Calloway County. Wagner is at his best slashing to the basket but has 3 point range. Overshadowed by Adams and Hunter he would be a big scorer at other schools. 9. Caleb Stonecipher, 5’11 SR, McCracken. A deadly shooter had to share the spotlight last year with Chumbler and Burnett. He will be counted on heavily especially early in the year. He has a great ability of getting his shots and getting to the line. 10. Chris Vogt, 6’10 SO, Graves County, this pick is more on potential than what he did last year. He had a strong summer in AAU and getting looks from Mid-majors. His presence on the defensive end will be bigger than on the offensive side. Other players to watch: Steven Roberson, Fulton County Tandyn Sheppard, Murray Noah Norsworth, Carlisle County DJ Pigg, Marshall County Keagon Cooper, Ballard Memorial Preston English, Murray Paxton Crider, Carlisle County Dre Bledsoe, Ballard Memorial Colllin Travis, Marshall County Jerome Reed, Paducah Tilghman

It is a district decision.