QueenoftheSouth

I think your point about the culture with Boyle football is spot on. And I think Atkins’ turnaround his first year at Mercer was phenomenal. That was an even better coaching job than what he did last year in getting them to the regional championship game. But Mercer was playing a 5 man rotation in the regional tournament when they had Sparrow and Sexton who could’ve provided strong minutes off the bench. I checked and DCA used 9 players in the semifinal game while Mercer used 5. I don’t think anyone would argue that the players off DCA’s bench should’ve been starting, but it made sense for them to be part of the rotation. Likewise with Mercer. I think those 2 kids, specifically, should’ve gotten meaningful minutes. Maybe they’d still be at Mercer this year but regardless I think Mercer would’ve been a better team last year.

I’m really looking forward to the Southwest & West game. To me, those are the second and third best teams. I’m just not sure in which order. I think Hutchinson may be the best player in the region, definitely top 3. And Simpson is a very good big man. I really like this Boyle team. It is Boyle’s best start in 4 years with a squad that most felt would be down in talent compared to that 3-year stint. I feel like right now they are playing as well as anyone and they’ve only had a game or two where they’ve had all of their rotation. And given that only 2 returnees have meaningful varsity experience, I think they’ll only get better. Could be a 20 win season for the Rebels!

Sexton was sick as well. Impressive win given that they were missing these 3 players. I’m excited about how Coach Todd has this team playing.

I don’t think Pulaski is a top 2 team. Maybe top 5.

MC is good even without Feldhaus (who may be the best 2026 player in the state). They have plenty of additional talent, including Asher who I’m impressed with.

Yes, and all can guard a wing and 2 of them can guard physical inside players as well. Good versatility. Also, I’ve heard there’s a possibility that Hager makes it back by late season.

Agreed. I can’t remember a year in the 12th with that many impact players out due to injury.

I didn’t see it that way. I think it was very much lineup dependent. When they went man in Q3, with their best defensive lineup, they went on I believe a 10-0 run to take the lead. Created a few turnovers and made it very difficult for Taylor to get quality looks. There are some nuances they need to work on, such as not helping off good shooters. But that’s not a difficult fix. I think once the coach figures out the best rotations vs different types of lineups, they will be a really good defensive team. Plus you have Driver’s presence in the lane and he alters just about everything.

Taylor County is very good! Extremely well coached, disciplined, tough defensively and can really shoot the ball. But Boyle had a legit chance in this one. Looking at these last two games, I think they just need to learn how to win. And that takes some time to establish. I really like this Boyle team‘s ceiling. They’re better than I thought possible this early in the season. They play hard and move well off the ball. And while they don’t have the crazy athletic guards creating havoc like they did the past few years, their team defense looks better. Outside of DCA, I think they can be as good as anyone in the region.

Big improvement for Dunbar vs last year.

Didn’t West have another kid close to 7’ that wasn’t eligible last year? Wondering if he’s still there and if so his status.

Is Fraley playing and healthy this year? Also, to your comment in the post before this one, are any of the injured players due back at any point during the season? That could factor into how it shakes out come tournament time.

How’d DCA look? Boyle scrimmaged them as well and won by 20+.

I see the most parity that we have seen in years. It won’t surprise me one bit if any of the top 6 teams (per the above rankings) end up as the best team. I’m not sold on DCA at the top. While they have one of the top players in the region, based solely on returnees from last season, I don’t see the separation I’ve seen the last couple years. They’re certainly in the mix, but not above it, in my opinion. Also, based on who all I have heard is playing for Boyle, I will throw them in the mix too (with the other 6). Ethan Milburn (6’5” wing) and Collier Sexton (skilled PG) are back playing again. Add them to Webb, Wheeler and Driver, plus a host of athletic backcourt players that I hear are likely playing, and they’ll present a unique challenge for many teams.

Who is the new addition at West?

I really hope so. That would help the team, for sure. He is athletic and very long.

I believe they’ll all three be on the court at the same time. I think of Wheeler as more of a wing. He has grown and gotten a lot stronger. Always been a good shooter and plays hard, but I don’t see his role as being one of the two primary ball handlers.

I think the region will be deeper and more balanced this year. wirh as many as 9 teams that have at least a shot come regional tournament time. DCA, Pulaski, West, Southwest, Somerset, Boyle, Rock, Wayne & Lincoln.

To be fair, Mercer and DCA were when he was in elementary. I believe he went to Boyle in early middle school. Maybe 6th grade. He did leave for Mercer last year and came back this year. I’m assuming this is another move back precipitated by the basketball coaching change. I think he will make a big difference for Boyle. He’s a guard that can handle it and score. He and Harper Webb will make for a good backcourt.

@24Rocks who is Ateny playing AAU with? Any offers at this point?

I really see them as different players. Similar measurables and both are athletic and strong, with Driver the most athletic kid in the region IMO. He’s a different level. His biggest strength is as a rim runner and he will destroy you on the boards. Hager can play back to the basket, but can face up and put it on the floor as well. I really think Boyle gains a lot offensively by playing those two together. They’re not similar players. As far as outside shooting, if they can just be a threat, that’s help. But I would agree that’s not what you’re counting on from those two. Often what keeps coaches from being able to play two “bigs” at the same time is the defensive end, but both of these guys are quick enough to guard most 3’s and obviously can guard the 4 & 5. Meaning Boyle won’t be forced to play a zone in order to have them both on the floor at the same time. Honestly, if it were me, I’d play some 1/3/1 with Driver on the top. His length and athleticism could wreak havoc in that spot. Regardless, I think they’re now in the mix in the 45th and in the region overall. Something I didn’t think would be the case at the end of last season.

Didn’t they beat Spencer County by 15 or so? That’s a great sign for a team that has a new coach and new pieces to blend. Spencer is a top 2-3 team in the 8th and has good size and can shoot it well. And that has played together for a while now. I agree with you that they should be in the hunt in the 12th this year.

I think DCA and Boyle each have a lot to prove but both could compete for the regional title IF all the pieces come together for them. Lincoln has more returnees but the loss of Fugate is big for them. Baird is really good and Robbins is good as well but I don’t think they have the upside of the other two. But they could end up being the best in the district, really depending on how the other two teams gel. I’m unsure about Garrard.

Jakeem Ray playing as well. If all of those guys play, that’s a lot of size, athleticism and likely a better perimeter shooting team than we’ve seen at Boyle for a while. That should put them in the hunt as well.

I can see West, Pulaski, Somerset, Wayne or Southwestern. I think West should be the favorite and Southwestern has the talent to be in the mix. Somerset always seems to peak come tournament time If Craig comes back at 100%, he puts Rock in the mix. He would be the best offensive player in the region. While I’ve been someone that has picked DCA the last 2 years, I’m not there this year with the loss of Boyd and big Lou. Boyd was their MVP and leader on the floor. Second leading scorer and stat sheet stuffer. Best defensive player. Lou allowed them to play that style and changed everything around the rim on defense. They still have Atteny who is a top player in the region. But it is going to depend on them being able to play a different style (I would think) and doing so without the guy that led them for years. I do think they have a few other guys who have the ability to get you double figures on a given night. It’ll just depend on how they develop. I can see them being in the second 5 but could see them working their way up as well.