Herbie22

Where there is smoke there is fire... I have heard Brad Sizemore's name mentioned a ton for this one. I would look for this to be made public within the next 48 hours.

I saw in the 11th region thread where Jagger Prickett has left Russell and is headed to Lexington Catholic. I am also hearing that Gabe Pridemore, will be leaving Russell and heading to Boyd County. Side note: Russell, would have the best team in the 16th if they could have retained all the talent. Neel, Rimmer, Pridemore, Prickett and Burgess would have been an extremely talent group for the Red Devils.

I always thought him moving to Paris, was sort of strange to begin with. I thought he might have ended up back at Boyle.

The opportunity to play for Coach Cook, proven winner arguably best coach in the state on track to have a career as good as Billy Hicks. The other option play for a relatively unknown guy whose best win was against June Buchanan and Oneida Baptist Institute. I recall in another thread I used the phrase "not moving the needle" when talking about hiring Parker Stewart. I would say look no further!

Woah, shocked this one is open especially after just two years on the job. I wonder if East could have found just two more points against West, if coach Bentley would still be at the helm? If all things stayed the same East would have played Somerset Christian with a chance at the semifinals. I know there were a lot of ifs in those scenarios but just interesting to think about. Regardless East Jessamine, is looking for a new leader of their program. The 12th region is usually fairly balanced across the board and the Jaguars, return 5 of their top 7. However, Coach Bentley, didn't schedule a ton of in region games they played 13 games against teams in their region but 9 of those games came against teams in the 46th district. I am not exactly sure where East Jessamine, will stack up to the rest of the 12th region but will have experienced players to compete with anyways.

Brian Hall by the numbers 2021-22: 18-13 District Champs, Regional runner up 2022-23: 20-13 Regional tournament appearance 2023-24: 21-11 Regional tournament appearance 2024-25: 14-16 District Champs 2025-26: 8-19 First round of districts 81-72 District Champs: 2 Regional Runner up: 1

A obvious choice to me last year would have been Terrence Brooks, from what I have heard he wanted it last time. I know there seemed to be a falling out which led to him coaching middle school last year at Bourbon County. Will he be interested and can those relationships be mended? The fact remains to be successful at Bourbon County or Paris, you're going to have to be one of the best teams in the state just to make the regional tournament. Tough world to live trying to compete against Moco and GRC.

Dee Spencer by the numbers 2012-13: 15-15 Regional tournament appearance 2013-14: 8-19 Regional tournament appearance 2014-15: 8-19 District Champs 2015-16: 24-5 District Champs 2016-17: 26-7 District Champs, Regional Semifinals 2017-18: 7-23 Regional tournament appearance 2018-19: 16-13 Regional tournament appearance 2019-20: 14-16 Regional tournament appearance 2020-21: 14-4 District Champs 2021-22: 18-9 District Champs 2022-23: 17-11 Regional Tournament appearance 2023-24: 14-13 Loss first round of district 2024-25: 11-14 District Champs 2025-26: 9-16 Regional Tournament appearance 201 - 184 6 District Championship 1 Semifinal appearance

Ashland loses two key pieces but brings back enough to be the favorite in the 16th region. Caleb Clarke and Drew Smith, will be missed but this is a next man up situation. Look for Justin Hughes, to have a break out season as a junior. Owens, Strader, and Lynch look to have more involved roles as Sophomores. This core will be around for three years, and I would look for them to keep the Tomcats in the thick of things. Lastly, they will bring back arguably the best returner in the region Elijah Neel, I would expect him to have average into the mid 20's next year. However, I don't think Russell is too far behind the Tomcats they will certainly be in the mix with Burgess and Pridemore being a year older. The biggest question mark is Boyd County, they will have two imposing players from a size standpoint in Rimmer and Carter. How does coach Anderson, utilize these two and will he change playing styles to cater to them? As we look at the region now feels like a 3-horse race. Also, within the next two years East Carter and West Carter will be consolidating will that bring a Carter County High School to the forefront of the 16th region? The only current opening is Menifee County, from a coaching perspective should be little movement this off season.

Tremendous hire for LCA.

Those are all fair points on both Elsbernd and Hinson, I am just going of an earlier post where both names were listed as applicants. Also, a name I skipped over but shouldn't have was Freddie McCoy, stellar playing career at Pike Central. He has currently been on staff at Great Crossing, for the last handful of seasons. The championship pedigree definitely puts him in the mix.

I value Morguson, A LOT. Basketball is a guards game he will be the best guard in the 14th next year. The group of Sophomore's enjoyed a ton of success prior to varsity run, I expect them to all make the transition easily.

I know Sam Elsbernd was mentioned earlier in the thread as an applicant, with all this talk of the late 2000's Holmes teams think it is worth mentioning he was on that staff too. He has bounced around the 10th region with stops at Scott, Bracken County, Pendleton County and Bishop Brossart within the last 10 years or so. He has been the coach at Holmes, for the past two seasons and punched above their weight class considering a myriad of factors. Of the applicants Hinson, and Elsbernd make the most sense of the ones that have applied. I will be interested to see what comes of this job, in the coming days/weeks.

Last I heard Rigdon was at Pike Central, and I believe his son is playing collegiate basketball (not sure where) seems unlikely that he would want to take the reins in Brooksville.

There is no doubt Parker, had a great playing career having family from Northwest Tennessee, I have heard stories from his playing days in Union City. However, not sure this will move the needle for Montgomery County Basketball, relatively inexperienced coach taking over at a school where the previous coaches haven't spent enough time to get their mail switched over. Also, with his connections to South Laurel, I thought he might be pursuing that opening. He finished one year at Jackson County, they had a tremendous season when looking at the win/loss total. However, they scheduled the 222nd toughest schedule out of 289 teams according to Massey Ratings. His best wins this season are likely Sayre, Barbourville, Pineville or Breathitt County. The schedule that Montgomery County, has been playing for the last several seasons has been fairly tough. If most of those games have two year contracts Coach Stewart, will be spurring against some of the best talent and coaching the state has to offer. I will be interested to see this one play out and remain cautiously optimistic for the Tribe.

Powell County and Perry Central, should be 1A and 1B in the preseason rankings however, there will be several teams knipping at their heels. Knott County Central, Letcher County Central, Hazard all should be just a touch behind them. I have heard a rumor that Wolfe County, could possibly be open we will have to wait and see. As for Estill County, I think coach Hall, has been mentioned to retire for several years he hasn't done it yet. My guess is he will be back on the sidelines with Engineers, for next season. I am most interested to see what Hazard, will put together for next year around Trace Kincaid. The 14th region will have tons of parity again and will be fun to follow all year.

I have not heard that either of these guys have applied but I would think Brian Kirk and Owens Crawford, would be logical choices. Any other names that would be on the Bracken short list, or that may have applied?

I don't see anyone on the current staff being given much of a chance. I don't want to speak for Mason County Admin but my feeling is the position is currently open because, they want someone who can win the region. If Brian, was unable to do it with Owens on his staff there is nothing to make me think him sliding one seat over to be the HC will change that. I believe Owens, is a good up and coming young coach in the area. I still think it is likely that he remains on the next staff anyway.

Jeff Davis by the numbers: 2011-12: 11-22 Regional Tournament appearance 2012-13: 13-17 Regional Tournament appearance 2013-14: 15-14 Lost 1st round of district 2014-15: 15-11 Lost 1st round of district 2015-16: 29-7 District Championship, Region Championship, KHSAA Final 4 2016-17: 23-11 Regional Semi finals - lost District Championship 2017-18: 22-9 District runner up, regional runner up 2018-19: 28-4 District Championship, Regional semifinals 2019-20: 28-5 District Championship, Regional semifinals 2020-21: 18-6 District Championship, Regional Tournament Appearance 2021-22: 23-8 District Championship, Regional Semifinals 2022-23: 24-9 District Championship, Regional Semifinals 2023-24: 19-11 Regional Tournament appearance 2024-25: 25-9 District Championship, Regional Runner up 2025-26: 14-15 Lost 1st round of district Total Splits 307-158 Regional Championships: 1 Regional Runner ups: 2 District Championship: 7

He left Bracken County, and went to West Jessamine, made the final 4 in 2009. He then left to take over Letcher County Central, where he coached from 2010-2017.

This has to be one of the premier jobs this off season, I would think this will garner interest from around the state.