2013-14 Kentucky High School Basketball Preview - 16th Region Ranking the Teams 2013 season in review: Wow is all you can say about the 16th region tournament last season. Just some great performances and great team wins. Many thought Fleming the favorite, with Ashland a close second. Russell had many in its corner, and you could never count out Rowan County. Some solid games in the first round, but no real upsets with the possible exception of Rowan over Morgan. Then the semis saw Rowan upend one of the favorites Russell by the score of 53-50 and Fleming flex over Ashland to set up a 61st district battle for all the marbles. Fleming was just too much in the final for Rowan to make yet another trip to Rupp, and Coach Starns and his bunch cut down the nets after a 60-45 victory. And much to the chagrin of the rest of the region, the forecast for the 16th region teams with hopes of Rupp looked bleak considering the bulk of Flemings roster was littered with 11th graders. 1. Fleming County - So, with all of that history fresh in our memories, lets see what has transpired since the nets at Morehead were replaced. The biggest question mark for the Panthers is when, and with what skill set, will 16th region tourney MVP Darion Burns return from a summer ACL injury and subsequent surgery? Hes undoubtedly the motor for Coach Starns transition offense. But by all reports, Mr. Burns is rehabbing well and should return after Christmas according to those in the know. So, that leaves the load on the capable shoulders of Austin Crisp and Troy Steward. Many think Steward has the highest ceiling in the region. The long, athletic Steward can score from deep and at the rim and is a difficult matchup for most teams. Crisp, who some coaches have remarked, was the piece that put them over the hump last year in the region. The smooth consistent guard will be a force this season and will have to take up slack left by the absence of Burns. Lets suffice to say, if Burns comes back like the Burns of old, we think Fleming will make a repeat trip to Rupp. 2. Ashland - Coach Buddy Biggs likely had to have his eye on the big prize, especially with the news that Burns from Fleming was going to miss time with an injury. The transfer of Montrell Dixson, cousin of Dikembe Dixson had hopes on Blazer Blvd as high as they have been in a decade. Then, the Dixson boys transferred from Ashland to Thomas Nelson in the 5th region to join former 16th region coach Jim Youngman and the Tomcats will have to replace the production void left by the departure of last years leading scorer and rebounder. That scoring load should be hoisted efficiently enough by standout Nick Miller. A true dual thread forward who can score from deep and bang in the middle, Miller will rely on senior Ross Thompson to get the Tomcats in the offense. Thompson is a solid defender and a true floor leader. Coach Biggs will have to develop his squad but has the pieces to make a run. 3. Boyd County - The Lions have improved dramatically under the watch of Randy Anderson, and this may be the year they make a push to get an opportunity to play in Lexington in March. These Lions will be led by Coach Andersons son and coach on the floor, Bobby Anderson. His speed from one end of the floor to the other will be tough to defend. This years Lions should be solid in transition. Senior Tristan Burgess is a smooth lefty with terrific range. Senior Grayson Griffith brings experience and a shooting stroke that will have to be handled by opponents. The addition of super athletic senior Jonah Black should make them tough on the defensive end of the floor as well. 4. Rowan County - Coach Shawn Thacker wont sneak up on many folks considering the run the Vikings have had in the recent past, and the terrific showing they had in last years regional tournament. Frankly, had Tyler Thacker, the straw that stirs the drink, not injured his knee in the tournament, that final may have been different. So, a surgery to repair the injury to the straws knee is perhaps their most pressing issue. Junior Ryne Callahan will be a major factor for the Vikings as a solid backcourt mate to Thacker to make a tough combo for coaches to defend. 5. Lewis County - The Lions of Lewis County have been waiting for this group to come of age and Coach Joe Hampton has to like his chances in his district and the region. The Lions will be led by the dynamic scoring ability of senior Brett Ruckel. The lanky Ruckel was thought to be simply a long range threat, but has transformed his game to get to the rim and consequently to the line. Hes our pick to lead the region in scoring. His running mate Wade Adams provide experience and perimeter play alongside soph Trenton Walker. Perimeter play will be the Lions strength. If they can get any perimeter help from the likes of Isaac Weddington, the Lions have a legitimate shot. 6. Greenup County - Expectations always seem high in Lloyd. And now, they may be realized if for no other reason than they have a coach who has stayed for more than a cup of coffee. Coach Harold Tackett has some nice length in the post, something Greenup never seems to lack. The athletic Jair Jackson can play above the rim along with his partner in the post, Brandon Johnson. The question for Greenup will be perimeter play. Frosh Jarell Jackson got some valuable experience running the point last year as an 8th grader. His play will be key for the Musketeers. They should be more than capable at making a run at a 63rd district crown and possibly a run for the region. 7. Elliott County - The Lions of Elliott Co. have had a drought since the Faulkners and Ferguson ran roughshod over the 16th. This may be the year that Coach Adkins gets his Lions back as a fixture in the regional tournament. Theyll be led by the deep threat Logan Nickell who is literally tough to guard behind the arc simply because he has seemingly unlimited range. The Griffith twins at the guard spot will also provide experience and make the perimeter game of the Lions tough to defend. If they can hold their own in the post, they may make noise this post season and get all of those Sandy Hook fans back out to the gym. 8. Fairview - Lets just say, this Eagle team should have some incentive to thrive under the scrutiny the school has endured from the football program. With that said, Coach Derek Cooksey has some solid returnees in Isaiah King at the point. Tanner Dolen, Ryan Jones, and Andrew Carroll will all bring experience and stabilty to the Eagles who will be a player in the 64th and could be a participant in at Morehead in March. 9. Raceland - basking in the glory of their gridiron success this season wont affect the drive Coach Trimble has for his basketball Rams. In his second season as the boys coach, Trimble has some athletes who wont be out until the football Rams lose or hoist the big trophy. Senior David Pennington will provide solid guard play and the ultra athletic Conner Messer will undoubtedly be a matchup stress for opponents. Forward Tyler Morris and guard Maverick Dixon will both provide depth and Raceland, by seasons end, may be climbing this ranking. 10. Morgan County - Coach Matthew Perry always plays his roster close to the vest. No secret there, yet theres no denying that his son Jordan is their go-to-guy. The talented guard is on his way to being the most prolific scorer in school history, but has benefitted from some transfers in the past. This year, with no news of transplanted Serbians, the Cougars will rely on Jarod Burton and Ryan Adams in the frontcourt. Mikie Whisman returns in the backcourt for Morgan and theyll be a contender in the 62nd. 11. Russell - Merle Kidwell will have to replace the vaunted senior class that graduated last season that had some much promise. Yet, he has some experience in the post in senior big man Johnny McGuire who will post matchup problems for most in the region. Guard experience will be sparse, but senior Ramsey Mullins will gain that running the point for the Devils this season. Sophomore guard/forward Tanner Miller will help with the scoring load. Some seasoning of youngsters like Ethan Raby will be a key. Coach Kidwell is difficult to out-prepare, which will have Russell a threat in the 63rd to make it to the region. 12. East Carter - The Raiders and Coach Brandon Baker are in a district with no clear favorite. With that said, look for them to make noise later than earlier considering some of the youth theyll overcome. Freshman Cameron Sparks will be a name to remember. Conner Greene and Cole Brammer will bring stability and experience as East will try to gel into a post season threat. Again, with the district wide open, the development Coach Baker gets from this group will be fun to watch. 13. West Carter - last years stats reported for West Carter only included Kyle Brown. Considering he graduated, there is only one thing to deduce from that. The Comets will be young. Seniors Dalton Spurlock and Jacob Layne return. With one of the best coaches in this region in Jeremy Webb, dont count them out when March rolls around. 14. Bath County - The Wildcats will have some work to do. Coach Larry Tiller has seen the departure of Keegan Sammons and will have to place the load squarely on the shoulders of Blake Maze to ring the scoring column. The 61st will be a serious mountain for Bath to climb. 15. Menifee County - Coach Tim Swartz has a tough task ahead of him with this years Wildcats. From what weve gathered in the preseason, the Wildcats are young but scrappy. Theyre far from a finished product and the jury is out on 2014 Wildcats. 16. Rose Hill - Coach Justin Maynard has his kids primed to improve this season. Experience will be the key. The Royals return senior PG Cameron Thomas, senior Elijah Daniels and long range threat, freshman Nathan Hamilton. The Royals have a tough task in the 64th, but wont be the pushover they have been in the past. Top 10 players 1. Darion Burns (Fleming) - with injury aside, hes clearly the smoothest, yet strongest guard in the region. He has the ability to go coast to coast and finish better than anyone in the region. 2. Troy Steward (Fleming) - its not fair that the best team has the best 2 players, but it is what it is. Steward can stroke it from deep, get to the rack and contest at the rim. What else is there? 3. Brett Ruckel (Lewis) - like we said in the ranking, he once was thought to be a deep threat only. Thats just not true any longer. Ruckel should lead the region in scoring and is money at the line. 4. Nick Miller (Ashland) - Just a tough matchup. He is relentless on the boards and can knock down shots. Hell carry the Tomcats. 5. Tyler Thacker (Rowan) - Like Burns, injury aside, Thacker can be the most dynamic player in the region. His health, and his ability to get his team involved will be the key for Rowan. 6. Jordan Perry (Morgan) - Like most coaches sons, he gets it. Just a dynamic scorer who has an awful lot of basketball left to play. He will contend with Ruckel as the scoring king of the 16th. 7. Austin Crisp (Fleming) - Hes steady. Hes consistent. Hes smart. He defends. Hes a major cog in the Fleming machine. 8. Logan Nickell (Elliott) - Deep threat. The kid is not timid and is in range when the bus doors open. Hell also contend for scoring leader in the 16th. 9. Conner Messer (Raceland) - Probably the best all around athlete in the region. He can contend vertically with anyone on the region. 10. Bobby Anderson (Boyd) - perhaps the quickest from one end of the floor to the other in the region. Terrific handles and steady floor leader. District Predictions 61st District Champ - Fleming Runners-up - Rowan 62nd District Champ - East Carter Runners-up - Elliott 63rd District Champ - Lewis Runners-up - Greenup 64th District Champ - Ashland Runners-up - Boyd Just a few questions to be answered 1. Fleming - can the Panthers repeat? Can Burns return to form? And in the event he cant (which we all pray he can), does Fleming have enough to get back to Rupp? 2. Ashland - how do they replace the loss of Dixson? Can someone fill the shoes left by the steady Logan Salow? Can Miller carry the scoring load? 3. Boyd - how does Boyd replace the scoring and leadership of Austin Hunt? Can they get over the Ashland hump and win the district this year and be a 1 seed in the region? 4. Officials - yeah, we will say it. Can we get a memo about what is gonna be emphasized this season. Last year the hand check emphasis had 3 hour games in the region. This was mentioned by more than a couple coaches. 5. Thackers - both of them. Tyler, can he return from injury to get to form? Shawn, can he get his kids back to the big dance? Do they have enough post play? 6. 63rd - we just have a feeling this distric will be a battle. Will someone show dominance? This may be the year that seeding and blind draw wouldnt matter much. 7. Scoring leader - who will replace Kyle Skaggs as scoring leader in the region? Ruckel? Perry? Nickell? Someone else? Dates to remember Dec. 6th - Ashland hosts Boyd Dec. 13th - Greenup hosts Lewis Jan. 10th - Fleming hosts Rowan bluegrasspreps/ky-boys-basketball/2013-14-kentucky-266619.html
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:47:37 +0000
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