03-13-2012, 08:49 PM
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association bills the PNC Boysâ Sweet 16 as the âGreatest Show in Hoops.â But itâs not always the greatest collection of talent the state has to offer because of the 16-region format and tournament upsets.
Thatâs not the case this year.
The Sweet 16 begins Wednesday in Rupp Arena with a field chock full of talent. The event will likely decide this yearâs Mr. Basketball winner, will give several juniors a jump on next yearâs race and give the state a glimpse at several future stars.
âFrom a talent perspective, this has to be one of the better fields for the state tournament in a while,â Scout.com national analyst Evan Daniels said. âThere are a number of Division I prospects in this tournament.
âThere are top seniors, arguably the best player in the state in any class and a lot of young guys who are going to make a splash.â
Two of the biggest stars in the field are the leaders in next seasonâs Mr. Basketball race â Bullitt Eastâs Derek Willis and Trinityâs Darryl Hicks. Willis will be playing in Rupp Arena for the first time since he committed to Kentucky, and Hicks has multiple Division I offers and a ton of other interest.
Three seniors who could be among the five finalists for Mr. Basketball this season (to be named on Friday) are also in the field. Scott Countyâs Tamron Manning (Marshall), Trinityâs Nathan Dieudonne (Boston University) and Rowan Countyâs Adam Wing (Evansville) have already signed Division I scholarships.
The field also includes top sophomores Shane Hall of Johnson Central and Justin Edwards of Pulaski Southwestern and the two players many consider the best freshmen in the state in Jaqualis Matlock of Hopkinsville and Camron Justice from Knott Central.
âThere is a ton of talent in the field,â Bullitt East coach Troy Barr said. âAs a basketball fan, the Sweet 16 is a great tournament and you always get great games and some great stories that go along with some of the teams.
âBut this year, people are going to get all the bang for their buck. Not only will you see some great teams, but a lot of talented players that down the road you are going to be watching play college basketball someday.â
http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...le&avis=B2
Thatâs not the case this year.
The Sweet 16 begins Wednesday in Rupp Arena with a field chock full of talent. The event will likely decide this yearâs Mr. Basketball winner, will give several juniors a jump on next yearâs race and give the state a glimpse at several future stars.
âFrom a talent perspective, this has to be one of the better fields for the state tournament in a while,â Scout.com national analyst Evan Daniels said. âThere are a number of Division I prospects in this tournament.
âThere are top seniors, arguably the best player in the state in any class and a lot of young guys who are going to make a splash.â
Two of the biggest stars in the field are the leaders in next seasonâs Mr. Basketball race â Bullitt Eastâs Derek Willis and Trinityâs Darryl Hicks. Willis will be playing in Rupp Arena for the first time since he committed to Kentucky, and Hicks has multiple Division I offers and a ton of other interest.
Three seniors who could be among the five finalists for Mr. Basketball this season (to be named on Friday) are also in the field. Scott Countyâs Tamron Manning (Marshall), Trinityâs Nathan Dieudonne (Boston University) and Rowan Countyâs Adam Wing (Evansville) have already signed Division I scholarships.
The field also includes top sophomores Shane Hall of Johnson Central and Justin Edwards of Pulaski Southwestern and the two players many consider the best freshmen in the state in Jaqualis Matlock of Hopkinsville and Camron Justice from Knott Central.
âThere is a ton of talent in the field,â Bullitt East coach Troy Barr said. âAs a basketball fan, the Sweet 16 is a great tournament and you always get great games and some great stories that go along with some of the teams.
âBut this year, people are going to get all the bang for their buck. Not only will you see some great teams, but a lot of talented players that down the road you are going to be watching play college basketball someday.â
http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...le&avis=B2