QueenoftheSouth

Boyle’s offense should be superb this year. They have 4 skill position players with multiple D1 offers. Two seniors in Quisenberry (WVU commit and had several D1 offers) & Brown (4 offers). Two sophomores in Seneca Driver (8 offers) and Maddox Hager (7 offers). And then senior Brock Driver who is an EKU commit on the defensive side, but that I think will be used as an RB a lot this year. And a few other kids that would be featured on many teams in Lyndon Smith, Jakeem Ray & Geo Brown. Absolutely loaded. As far as lineman Paul McClure, I couldn’t find anything online about offers but think I recall him getting one from Wofford. Regardless, he’s very good and I suspect he will get a couple more before he’s done. I do think they’ll be fine at QB. They just need to gain experience which comes with time. They’ll progress throughout the year. Who are the OL you’re referring to on LCA? I don’t expect this one to be as close as last year’s.

DCA’s top 3 is as good as anyone’s. Actually, better than most. I just think that, after those 3, they drop off way more than the public schools.

I don’t think DCA should be that high this year. They lost Dut and Fugate from their starting lineup, and arguably their best sub in Imfeld. They’ll have 3 good players but a huge question mark beyond those three. And one of those three (their big man) isn’t very strong offensively. I think they’ll struggle to put up enough points to be in the top tier.

Agreed. So add that to what I said above and, on paper, they should be the favorite. I’m not saying I actually think they’re the best team. Hard to argue your comment about Pulaski but I think there’s a strong argument for Mercer as well. Their transfer (guard) is a game changer for them. Exactly what they needed. If they had him last year, they may very well have represented the 12th at Rupp.

West has a guard with multiple D1 offers and newly eligible big with a D1 offer (6’9” or so I believe), along with at least one transfer that I’ve heard is expected to start. What I saw last year was a team that played exceptionally hard. And they now have a proven winner in Coach Adams at the helm. I don’t recall the Murphy kid and haven’t seen the big kid or the transfer. But, on paper, shouldn’t this make them the pre season favorite?

Where is the the third offer from? Where are you seeing it? Don’t see anything on it..

We can’t predict next year, but based on last year Ellis is the best returning player. I will say that I didn’t see Ellis this summer. BUT, hands down, he is the best returning player, and that isn’t really up for debate at this point. His offensive efficiency was ridiculous, with his PPG and FG %, along with his RPG. He also changed games with his rim protection, and he showed the ability to knock down the 3 as the year progressed. I do, however, think that Craig deserves to be in the conversation. He’s a great scorer and a very tough matchup in the 12th given his length as a perimeter player. As far as Ateny, I think he can be top 3-5, perhaps even challenge Ellis & Craig. He has shown high potential. But I fully expect Ellis & Craig 2 to be the best 2 players in the region this year. And I expect Mercer to be a top 2 team.

I really think Southwest will surprise to the upside, and I think West will be top 5. I feel fairly confident in West being there, certainly by mid-season. DCA is going to have to have some other players step up big in order to be top 5. I do agree that Rock may be there.

He did a good job coaching the girls team and will prove to be a good hire for them.

I think Mercer and Pulaski are alone at the top, and probably in that order. Ellis is the best player in the region and the transfer guard was a big get for them. And as said, a healthy Fraley is a must for Pulaski. Both teams have good size and great coaching. I think Southwest, West and Rock will end up being the next 3. The big for West is very good and they also got a solid transfer and a very good new coach in Adams. Both Southwest and West have good size overall. Lincoln may sneak into the mix as well and we all know how well coached they are, but they’re missing experienced size. Rock has a top player in the region who is a great scorer, and good size across the board. After those 6, I think there’s a pretty big drop. That next tier has DCA and Somerset. DCA has 3 good players with a ton of size, but huge holes beyond that, and I can’t speak to the quality of coaching as he’s new to the area. Somerset lost a ton but will be well coached and do have some good young talent. Deeper than DCA for sure. Then I think you go Boyle and East. Regarding Boyle, Quisenberry’s recent commitment to play football at WVU ensures that he won’t be there for basketball, and Brown will likely be in the same situation. That leaves Turner and (Seneca) Driver, assuming both play, along with a lot of kids that haven’t seen much varsity time. And other than Driver, they really lack size and won’t have the elite speed at guard this year to help offset that. Also, if either of those 2 don’t come out, they drop down to the “other” group. And I do think East can sneak into the mix here. They have some talent and I wouldn’t rule it out given their new coach. Beyond those 10, I don’t think there’s a lot out there.

I’ve said previously that West will surprise some people. They have the 6’10” kid eligible now, Adams as the coach and they play exceptionally hard. That said, all this D1 talk is just silliness.

Totally agree. I think it’ll be theirs to lose if this all happens, assuming no chemistry issues. Which one can’t just assume.

With the loss of Fugate, DCA is even more limited in terms of depth. They have 3 solid or better players and then it’ll be a challenge. Fortunately, Danville & Garrard will be down again this year. Lincoln lost most everyone other than Baird. And Boyle, who was only a .500 team last year, figures to lose its top 2 scorers (leaving early for football) and 3 out of 5 starters. They do return 2 good sophomores in Turner and Driver, but I’m not sure what they’ll have beyond those 2, so it figures to be a tough year for them. Definitely the weakest the 45th has been in years. As for the 46th, it will be a tougher district. I look for West to be a lot more competitive this year and East should be above average again. But Mercer is the clear favorite and has to be one of the top 2-3 teams in the region. They return a lot, including Trevor Ellis. Regarding Wayne, Dumphord is now at Southwest. There are rumblings that a couple other starters could be leaving as well. Either way, they likely won’t be as good as last year.

This is a strange hire.

I can’t see how that would make sense for Sparrow.

This one comes as a bit of a surprise. They have an above average roster returning, but it is always tough to find quality candidates for the small private schools. Look forward to seeing what level of interest it generates.

He’s been rumored to be moving for some time. This is a better football school than Wayne with a chance to be very competitive in basketball next year, and not too far from home. With just 1 year left for a kid playing receiver, Boyle is loaded at the skill positions so that may have been part of the consideration. Plus, Southwest figures to be the better option for basketball (compared to Boyle).

I think they could very well be in that 5-6 range. Mercer is the only team in that group that I’m confident will be superior to them. I do think they’re better than Lincoln. Deeper talent and now have a coach to compete with Coach Jackson. DCA is really going to struggle next year with depth. I can see them landing in that 5-6 range as well with what they are losing. TBD what Wayne looks like with their new coach and if any of the transfer rumors materialize. I do think Pulaski will continue to be in the top annually. Anyway, with the addition of their new big kid and Coach Adams, I think they’ll now be in the mix and be competitive. Likely be very good the following year relative to the rest of the 12th.

That current sophomore group plays as hard as any group I’ve seen, but needs some discipline. That’s Adams’ strength. I don’t think they’ll win it next year but I do think they’ll be in that top 5 or so range.

A little bit of a surprise based on the rumors on the street but this is a really good hire. Adams gets the best out of his teams. Easily one of the top coaches in the 12th. How long was he out of coaching? I’m thinking maybe 5 years or so. Must have really missed it. Anyone know if he will also be teaching at West?

As in literally no high school experience? No even as an assistant? If so, I would assume that’s an interim.

I agree. He’s a very good coach and, if given the chance, will do a nice job.

I’m pretty sure he was the head coach at Marion County as well. He didn’t have much to work with there and didn’t fare well. But he’s done a nice job when/where he’s had some talent. Any talent at Thomas Nelson the next few years?

I like Mercer, Wayne and DCA as the top 3 next year. Mercer didn’t lose much nor did Wayne (other than their coach). Mercer returns the best player in the region and I’m hearing they may have a couple transfers that would help. They will likely have all the pieces to get it done. With a good coach, Wayne is a contender next year. Phillips and Dumphord are a couple top 10 caliber players. DCA lost a key part in Dut but returns 4 starters. I think Atteny could contend with Ellis for the best player in the region next year. However, they will struggle more than ever with depth, and they seemed to peak too early each of the last two years. East, if they get the right coach and maintain everyone, could be top 5. And could have a few good years given the young talent they have. That’d be good to see as they haven’t been in that spot for some time. They have a top 10 talent in Jones and I think he will make them competitive. I also think West will be much improved. If their new big is eligible and they land a good coach, they could really surprise on the upside. That group plays as hard as any team. They may be a year away, but I think they’ll be much more competitive next year. And I think they’ll be a real contender in two years and be back in the mix moving forward. Pulaski and Somerset lost a lot so I don’t think they’ll be top 5 this year, though I thought that about Pulaski the previous year! And they do have some solid younger guys and a proven system. Danville & Boyle don’t figure to be in the mix. Danville didn’t field enough talent last year to be competitive, even if all returned (and some won’t). I just don’t see how they get it turned around. Boyle had the talent the last couple years but failed to make a splash. Next year will mark the beginning of a stint with significantly less talent. With the 3 football players leaving early and the speculation around other kids not playing, it doesn’t look promising. I suspect you could pull players out of the halls of these two schools and have the talent to compete with their varsity squads. Overall, considering expected talent and coaching, I’m going with Mercer as the favorite in the 12th next year.

Sorry for the confusion. That was not thename I had heard, not even a name I had heard mentioned!