2013-14 Kentucky High School Basketball Preview - 1st Region For the first time in five years, there are major changes in store for the alignment of the First Region. The creation of McCracken County caused the 14 schools to be aligned closer to geographical lines. All four Paducah schools are now in the Second District, with St. Mary leaving the Third District and Community Christian exiting the Fourth. The Third and Fourth Districts will now be three-team districts meaning the regular season champ gets an automatic trip to the region tournament by virtue of being seeded into the championship game of the district. Graves County is the defending region champion and the coaches’ pick to repeat their trip to Rupp Arena, although Calloway County received a couple of first place votes in an informal poll. 1. Graves County (27-9) The Eagles rolled through the region and snapped Marshall County’s two-year title streak by knocking off Calloway County in the title game. With three starters back, the Eagles are the favorite to make a return trip to the Sweet 16. Peyton Puckett (6-3, Sr.) led the Eagles in scoring at 13.9 points a game and 5.6 rebounds, while Jake Williams (6-3, Sr.) added 11.5 points. The inside game is anchored by Zach Kimbler (6-3, Sr.), who averaged 9.8 points and grabbed 4.9 boards a contest. 6-5 Senior Eric Vogt should also see time in the paint. The Eagles have some depth in the backcourt with the return of 5-11 senior Justin Hayden (3.1 ppg.) and 6-1 junior Andrew Smith (2.7 ppg.). Terry Birdsong enters his seventh season on the bench having won five of the last six district titles. The veteran coach is skilled at developing depth which may set the Eagles apart in the region once again. 2. Calloway County (23-9) Teams will have a tough time matching up with the front line of Calloway County, who could go 6-7, 6-7, 6-8 if they choose. Senior Michael Arnett (14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds) led the Lakers in scoring last year as Calloway fell to Graves in the region title game. He will be joined by 6-7 senior Skylar Hunter, who averaged 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a contest. The Lakers could also throw 6-8 Tristan Crady inside to go big or for depth against foul trouble. The Laker backcourt is solid with the return of 6-4 junior Parker Adams, who scored nearly 14 points a game. 6-2 junior Connor Wagner (9.5 ppg.) and junior Wade Carter (6.8 ppg.) will join Adams in the guard rotation. The Lakers have more size than Graves, but the Eagles have the edge in the depth department. If Calloway County develops depth, they could unseat the Eagles and make the school’s second-ever trip to Rupp Arena. 3. McCracken County The winds of change blew through McCracken County and saw the closures of Lone Oak, Heath, and Reidland. Burlin Brower, who was 86-60 in five seasons at Heath, takes the reins of the new Mustang basketball program. “The kids get along great, and they are still learning how to use each other to get scoring opportunities,” Brower said. “Our guard play should be good with three guys who could be top ten in the region.” Senior Jared Burnett averaged 16.1 points for Reidland last year. Junior Caleb Stonecipher scored 11 a game for Heath, and senior Kam Chumbler scored 10 a contest for Lone Oak. Each guard brings something different to the floor for the Mustangs, which makes them a tough team to defend. Brower is expecting big seasons from two big men he coached at Heath last year – 6-3 senior Bryce Rodgers and 6-4 junior Jason Armstrong. “Bryce has the quickness and motor to be a tough match up for area post players, while Jason has the strength to become a major factor,” Brower said. It will be interesting to see how Brower uses his depth as the season wears on, especially against the bigger teams in the region. 4. St. Mary (19-14) The Vikings return one of the region’s top scorers in Patrick Hubert, who averaged 20.3 points a game while shooting 40-percent from 3-point range and 79-percent at the free throw line. Three other starters are back for Greg Overstreet’s squad. Wes Averill (4.4 ppg., 3.3 rpg.), Harrison Dickens (5.8 ppg.), and point guard Mason Vaughn (2.8 ppg.) give Overstreet some experience at the different spots on the court. The Vikings should also get some production from McCall Overstreet (2.2 ppg.), Tyler Dome (2.7 ppg.), and Ben Hopper. Overstreet, who begins his 11th season as head coach of the Vikings, points to the seven seniors on his roster and the chemistry they have as a reason why they are a top five team in the region. 5. Marshall County (26-6) The Marshals’ bid for a fourth straight district title fell short to Calloway County 54-51. The loss stuck Marshall County against a district champ in the region tournament where they were ousted by Graves County. Gus Gillespie welcomes back three starters to a squad that will be better offensively but not as deep. 6-6 senior center Austin Rentfrow is the top returning scorer at 13.9 points a game. He also averaged 8.5 rebounds a game. He will be joined on the frontline by senior Mason Wooten, who scored 5.5 points a game. The backcourt will take on a different look with the graduation of top scorers Chase Clark and Noah Steele. Sophomore D.J. Pigg and freshman Dawson Jolly will be pressed into play early as the Marshals try and solidify their backcourt. Drew Warrick and Collin Travis will join Wooten and Rentfrow on the frontline. The Marshals should be better offensively with their experience in the post and better shooting. However, they won’t be as deep a team as Marshals fans are accustomed to seeing. 6. Paducah Tilghman (12-19) Paducah Tilghman suffered through their first losing season since 2005 and saw their streak of seven straight district titles come to an end. A deep run into the football postseason also means some of Brad Stieg’s key players will be late to the hardwood once again. 5-10 guards Sayveon McEwen and Andre Strayhorn are two of the three returning starters for Tilghman. 6-3 forward Mikey Davis will join the squad once football season is over. Stieg also expects increased production from a trio of 6-2 sophomores – Jesse Dunigan, Brannon Warfield, and Devon Hart. 6-4 8th grader J.J. Reed may also work his way into the rotation early. “We will be a deeper team than last year and more versatile,” Stieg said. “We will be quick and better shooters, but our lack of size inside is a concern.” 7. Mayfield (18-12) With just one returning starter, Mayfield will take on a new look when the full team hits the floor. In his 12th season as head coach, Chris Guhy knows it will usually be mid-December before he gets to see his full squad due to the dominance of the Mayfield football program. Taye Love is a quick guard who finishes well in transition and is the lone starter back from last year’s team. Marshall Bacon and Lane Kennemore also saw a considerable amount of playing time last year. The Cardinals will have a bit more size than they are accustomed to. 6-5 swingman Haley Ballard can shoot from the outside, and 6-6 Kyle Downing gives the Cardinals a strong inside presence. Jake Guhy, the quarterback on the football team, also gives Mayfield some depth at guard along with juniors Nick Felts and Dylan Reed. “We should be a good shooting team. We have several guys who can shoot the 3-pointer,” the Mayfield coach said. “We will also be able to go with good size when we need to. But we aren’t as quick and won’t be able to apply the defensive pressure that we often can.” With several key players on the football team, it may after Christmas before they get into full basketball shape. If that timetable holds up, expect the Cardinals to challenge St. Mary for the First Region All-A Classic title. 8. Murray (12-18) Murray finds itself in a situation like Mayfield – a deep football postseason run keeping key people off the hardwood. Seniors Dylan Boone and Kendrick Lee are two key people back from last year’s 12-18 squad. Sophomore Tre Hornbuckle gives the Tigers some size inside, and senior Dylan Upchurch is one of the few guards returning with much game experience. Head coach Joey Adair will look to a large and talented group of freshmen and sophomores to fill some gaps in depth as the season progresses. 9. Ballard Memorial (6-23) Like most teams in the region, Ballard Memorial returns a solid crew on their frontline. However, inexperience at the guard position may plague the Bombers early. 6-3 junior Dre Bledsoe (7.5 ppg., 3.2 ppg.) is the top returning scorer for second-year head coach Matt Botner. Junior twins Clay Newton (6-3, 6.6 ppg., 2.3 rpg.) and Cody Newton (6-2, 7.9 ppg., 3.0 rpg.) give the Bombers a scoring punch down low. Ballard must find a way to replace the 18 points a game that graduated with shooting guard Clay Chandler. Junior Lee Chandler, sophomore Keagan Cooper, and senior Trevor Langston will be called on to fill out the backcourt for Ballard Memorial, who now find themselves in a tough three-team district with Mayfield and Graves County. 10. Fulton County (6-15) Mitchell Williamson is one of two new coaches in the First Region this year. He takes over for Andrew Clinton, who won 64 games in six seasons. Williamson has four starters back from a six-win team and thinks the Pilots have a shot at surprising some people in both the First District and First Region All-A race. Senior forward Octavious averaged 11.9 points, while fellow forward Joe Holman scored eight a contest. Junior guard Steven Roberson scored 10 points a game last year and will be joined in the backcourt by freshman Davis Major. “Our defense will be intense and quick,” Williamson said. “We just have to be able to handle the pressure other teams throw at us.” 11. Carlisle County (22-10) The region’s most veteran coach will earn his paycheck this year as Brian O’Neill enters his 17th season as Carlisle head coach having to replace his top four scorers from last year’s district champion team. Gone are Marcus Burnett and Derik Elliott, who proved to be a solid 1-2 scoring punch for the Comets. O’Neill will have to work his magic with a roster full of guards and not much size. 5-10 sophomore guard Ethan Weatherspoon (4.2 ppg.) is the top returning scorer. 5-9 sophomore Noah Norsworthy averaged three points a game, and junior guard Trey Carrico are expected to see the bulk of the time in the backcourt. Sophomore Paxton Crider and 6-1 senior Chase French should also challenge for starting spots. 12. Fulton City (10-17) Fulton City lost the bulk of their scoring punch from last year in the form of Jordan Miller and Khalil Frame, who combined to average 34.2 points and 22 rebounds for coach Jimmy Long’s squad. The Bulldogs will rely on youth and quickness in 2013-14,led by returning senior guards Blake Roach and Bryan Johnson. The Bulldogs’ roster also features four freshmen who could see some considerable playing time. 13. Hickman County (15-10) Erick Blalock takes over a Hickman County program looking for their first district title since 2006. Despite graduating their top two scorers from a 15-win season, the Falcons expect senior guard Billy Speed to shoulder the scoring load. Speed averaged 14 points last year. 6-0 seniors Ryan Harpole (5.5 ppg.) and Harley Hinshaw (3.7 ppg.) lack size but give Blalock some valuable experience at the forward slot. 14. Community Christian (10-21) Perhaps the biggest loser in the region realignment was Community Christian, who jump from the Fourth District to the Second with Paducah Tilghman and McCracken County and small school St. Mary, who is usually among the favorites to win the All-A region. Head coach B.B. Kendrick enters his sixth season with some returning parts from last year’s 10-21 record. Senior Hunter Rommelman and junior Jonathon Wingfield return in the backcourt, while 6-4 junior Braden Smith and 6-1 junior Cole Smith are back on the frontline. Top Players in the First Region Patrick Hubert (St. Mary – 6-2, Senior, Guard) – One of the top scorers and deep shooting threats in the region. Also ducks inside and grabs seven rebounds a game. Michael Arnett (Calloway County – 6-7, Senior, Center) – Solid post presence who should benefit from an experienced returning backcourt. Austin Rentfrow (Marshall County – 6-6, Senior, Center) – Hard worker in the paint and runs the floor well. Peyton Puckett (Graves County – 6-3, Senior, Forward) – Puckett, who is also the quarterback of the football team, led the Eagles in scoring at 13.9 points a game and 5.6 rebounds last year. Parker Adams (Calloway County – 6-4, Junior, Guard) – The swingman can shoot outside or post up inside and cause match up problems for defenses. Skylar Hunter (Calloway County – 6-7, Senior, Forward) – Hard worker inside that could average a double-double this year. Zach Kimbler (Graves County – 6-3, Senior, Forward) – Some coaches expect Kimbler to have a break-out season for the Eagles. Jake Williams (Graves County – 6-3, Senior, Guard) – Williams should pick up more of the scoring slack in the backcourt for the Eagles this year. Caleb Stonecipher (McCracken County – 6-0, Junior, Guard) – Played at Heath last year and should benefit from the increased talent in the backcourt this year at McCracken County Jared Burnett (McCracken County – 6-0, Senior, Guard) – Led Reidland in scoring last year at nearly 16 points a game. Most Wins by Coaches at Their Current School 258 – Brian O’Neill (Carlisle County 229 – Brad Stieg (Paducah Tilghman) 220 – Gus Gillespie (Marshall County) 165 – Chris Guhy (Mayfield) 143 – Greg Overstreet (St. Mary) 142 – Terry Birdsong (Graves County) 104 – Bruce Lane (Calloway County) 86 – Burlin Brower (Heath, now McCracken County) 43 – B.B Kendrick (Community Christian) 35 – Jimmy Long (Fulton City) 23 – Joey Adair (Murray) 6 – Matt Botner (Ballard Memorial) Most First Region Titles 23 – Paducah Tilghman 8 – Graves County 7 – Marshall County 7 – Mayfield 6 – Carlisle County 3 – Murray 2 – Fulton City 1 – Calloway County 1 – Hickman County bluegrasspreps/ky-boys-basketball/2013-14-kentucky-266757.html
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:26:28 +0000