[uhavenoidea]

I don't know if they'll be top 10 or not, but they'll win 20 games easily. W/o knowing the schedule for next season, I'd guess they'll win around 26 or 27 games. They lose a lot, but also return a whole lot and I can imagine Elisha will improve quite a bit again this offseason, not to mention several others. Taylor is really underrated, but will get some recognition this coming season.

Yeah they'll win 20 games, dont know about 26 or more though. I'd imagine the schedule will be tough, so Elisha can get some more exposure. I agree, Taylor is very underrated.

[Mr.Rainman]

I say all you all get surprised. Tyler Newsome will step up big time on scoring. He outscored 4 of the starting 5 for Valley this year against Elliot. With the defense Elliot has and the points he scored. I see him scoring like Ashley Hatfield did this year. He will score alot to help Elisha and Hatfield and Taylor Newsome had 15 rebounds. Taylor is a rebounding machine. Elisha, well everyone knows he's going to be one of the best players in Kentucky next year. I see Cody Varney dunking hard next year and playing defense amazing. I say Valley eases on up to the top 5 in state because them boys can flat out play and they never are easy to beat. They just have to much heart. I give Valley a TOP 5 number in state next year.

[More Cowbell]

Valley should not be in anybody's top 5 for next year at this point. They return 5 experienced players, but will be sorely lacking any kind of firepower off the bench, not to mention the lack of size.

I'm not worried about rebounding, because Taylor is a beast on the glass and rebounds like a man 3-4 inches taller. But he's not tall enough to play the defense necessary on opposing centers if they are in the 6'6 - 6'7 range. If they run into a team with a tall center at state they will be at a disadvantage.

At this point, I would imagine Valley would be ranked in the top 15 just based on Elisha and a strong senior starting five. But unless they develop some bench depth, they won't last long in a tournament setting like the All-A or Sweet Sixteen.

[politician24]

hazard will be tough again... looking forward to it

[kywldcat01]

Next year will be one of the best years in KY history as far as talent goes. Here are a few teams that could cut down the nets:

1. Holmes
Coming off a state championship and return a first team all state selection (Pittman) and a second team all state selection (R. Johnson). This team will be very experienced next year with J. Johnson returning as well and K. Rice who will be playing in his third year of varsity ball as a junior. Their jv team also made it to the jv championship without Rice playing at all...they will be very deep next year. Projected starters:

6'0 Mayfield, 6'4 J. Johnson, 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

Also a rumor out there that 6'7 Chane Behanan may be joining the Dogs next year which would make them an instant lock to repeat as state champs.

2. Scott Co
Return all 5 starters from region championship game. Jackson and Guyn form one of he best 1-2 punches in the state and will be tough to handle. Manning is one of the top players in the state for the c/o 2012, as is Ivey. Only question is their depth.
Projected starters:

6'0 Ivey, 6'3 Guyn, 6'3 Manning, 6'4 Jackson, 6'8 Euton

3. GRC:
Loaded with underclassmen this past year, they return a lot of experience and get back a player they really missed this year down low, in Travis Purvis. GRC's c/o 2011 is hands down the best in ky and they will be one of the bigger teams in the state. Zollo, Purvis, and Rogers will form one of the best front courts in the state, and Stenzel is arguably the best guard in his class.
Projected starters:

5'7 Bailey, 6'4 Stenzel, 6'4 Rogers, 6'6 Purvis, 6'9 Zollo

Others to be considered:

Jeffersontown: Return three starters from this year's region runner up team in 5'11 Jackson, 6'0 Dorsey, 6'2 Cosby,

Warren Central: Return two of the best players in the state for the c/o 2011 in 6'0 Shanklin and 6'6 Fant

Eastern: Return three starters from this year's 7th region championship team, including 6'2 Abell, 6'4 Gaines, and 6'1 Thomas.

Tates Creek: Return three starters in 5'11 Fucci, 6'3 Barksdale, and 6'4 Garner

Mason Co: Return solid front court in 6'7 Setty, 6'5 Barner, and 6'4 Pawsat

Ballard: Will be very deep next year and return experienced, key seniors in 6'1 Ian Chiles, 6'1 Tyrell Means, and 6'4 Keisten Jones

[goldenrule19]

Now Now, Scott County has three players that can win Mr. Basketball and they have chemistry! So rank them in the top 2! Plus they have three of the top 10 players in the state. Five D1 players that start for Scott County and maybe even the six man can play low D1. Just because you put them at number 5 does not make it any better for your team. If I can remember Scott County only lost two games in the state last year. They are Holmes and LexCath by one point. All I ask is that all of you just remember!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 30-4 last year Scott County team! Four returning Starter! The Coach has more wins than any coach in Kentucky coaching right now! Just Remember! How start your ranking. Now you have the facts!

[Gold Charger]

Next year will be one of the best years in KY history as far as talent goes. Here are a few teams that could cut down the nets:

1. Holmes
Coming off a state championship and return a first team all state selection (Pittman) and a second team all state selection (R. Johnson). This team will be very experienced next year with J. Johnson returning as well and K. Rice who will be playing in his third year of varsity ball as a junior. Their jv team also made it to the jv championship without Rice playing at all...they will be very deep next year. Projected starters:

6'0 Mayfield, 6'4 J. Johnson, 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

Also a rumor out there that 6'7 Chane Behanan may be joining the Dogs next year which would make them an instant lock to repeat as state champs.

2. Scott Co
Return all 5 starters from region championship game. Jackson and Guyn form one of he best 1-2 punches in the state and will be tough to handle. Manning is one of the top players in the state for the c/o 2012, as is Ivey. Only question is their depth.
Projected starters:

6'0 Ivey, 6'3 Guyn, 6'3 Manning, 6'4 Jackson, 6'8 Euton

3. GRC:
Loaded with underclassmen this past year, they return a lot of experience and get back a player they really missed this year down low, in Travis Purvis. GRC's c/o 2011 is hands down the best in ky and they will be one of the bigger teams in the state. Zollo, Purvis, and Rogers will form one of the best front courts in the state, and Stenzel is arguably the best guard in his class.
Projected starters:

5'7 Bailey, 6'4 Stenzel, 6'4 Rogers, 6'6 Purvis, 6'9 Zollo

Others to be considered:

Jeffersontown: Return three starters from this year's region runner up team in 5'11 Jackson, 6'0 Dorsey, 6'2 Cosby,

Warren Central: Return two of the best players in the state for the c/o 2011 in 6'0 Shanklin and 6'6 Fant

Eastern: Return three starters from this year's 7th region championship team, including 6'2 Abell, 6'4 Gaines, and 6'1 Thomas.

Tates Creek: Return three starters in 5'11 Fucci, 6'3 Barksdale, and 6'4 Garner

Mason Co: Return solid front court in 6'7 Setty, 6'5 Barner, and 6'4 Pawsat

Ballard: Will be very deep next year and return experienced, key seniors in 6'1 Ian Chiles, 6'1 Tyrell Means, and 6'4 Keisten Jones

Bailey graduated last year. Rogers will be pushed hard to start, could see Daniels, and Rogers coming off the bench. PG will be Kindred.

On Mason Co, Barner transfered and Pawsat is hurt and looks like out for the year.

I've seen Highlands twice now. After all the teams got their football players back last fall, HHS lost every game that they were supposed to lose to. They got handled rather easily down the stretch by Holmes, Boone Co. & Newport Catholic. I don't see HHS being one of the states top teams. Granted, they return their three top scorers, but they are small. They do not have the size to compete against any of the top teams in the state.

Mason Co, though they are an annual top team in the state, may lose too much this year. With Middleton's graduation, they lose their leader. Pawsatt is hands down the best returning player, but there is already talk that his Basketball days are over. The kid is a potential D1 football quarterback, who most likely will be attending passing camps during the winter next year.

For this year, looks like it. Pawsat tore his MCL in the football game last Friday, and looks like out for the year.

Leave my picks alone or I will get theville after you.:lmao:
Don't underestimate Mason I'm sure there will be good players there.:popcorn:

With Barner transfering and Pawsat hurt, they are much thinner now.

[SV71]

SH\helby Valley is definitley a top 10 team as far as top 5 i'm not so sure on that one, they aren't a really big team but they are fast. I say by half way through the season they will be top 5

[kywldcat01]

With the season right around the corner, I'd go with the following top five:

1. Holmes
6'3 D. Avery, 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'5 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

2. Scott Co
6'1 Ivey, 6'3 Guyn, 6'4 Manning, 6'4 Jackson, 6'8 Euton

3. Eastern
6'1 Thomas, 6'3 Abell, 6'4 Marks, 6'5 Gaines, 6'6 Woods

4. GRC
5'10 Kindred 6'4 Stenzel, 6'4 Rogers, 6'8 Purvis, 6'9 Zollo

5. Christian Co
5'11 Lewis, 5'11 Hickey, 6'4 McDuffen, 6'4 Wilson, 6'5 Kates

[goldenrule19]

With the season right around the corner, I'd go with the following top five:

1. Holmes
6'3 D. Avery, 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'5 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'7 Pittman

2. Scott Co
6'1 Ivey, 6'3 Guyn, 6'4 Manning, 6'4 Jackson, 6'8 Euton

3. Eastern
6'1 Thomas, 6'3 Abell, 6'4 Marks, 6'5 Gaines, 6'6 Woods

4. GRC
5'10 Kindred 6'4 Stenzel, 6'4 Rogers, 6'8 Purvis, 6'9 Zollo

5. Christian Co
5'11 Lewis, 5'11 Hickey, 6'4 McDuffen, 6'4 Wilson, 6'5 Kates

If the season started today it would be Scott County's Austin Flannery at 6'2 plus Ivery is 6'3 now.

[More Cowbell]

They also lose Logan Bryant, who never ever got any credit for what he done. They have NO bench!, You said it yourself in your post. Top 10 teams contend for a state title, unless your from central kentucky, when you can have two or three top 10 teams in your region at any time.

Varney can't shoot by any means, but does hustle, tends to get excited. Hatfield played below expectations this year. Tyler is decent, but not above average. Taylor will be a force next year, IMO.

I agree with you about Logan Bryant, he was definitely the unsung player on last year's team. His heart and intensity will be hard to replace.

However, I disagree with your assertion that "top 10 teams contend for a state title". I think that SV could be a top 10 team next year, even though that have absolutely NO shot at a state title. By that I mean they wouldn't be able to get past either Holmes or Scott County. But, I believe they can hang with any other team in the state, even if they may not win.

IMO, with a favorable draw, including both Holmes and Scott Co. on the other side of the bracket, it's not inconceivable that SV could get hot and make a run to the state title game (West Jessamine almost did it last year). But if SV draws either of those two in the first round, then they're good as gone.