[blue1424]

Right now: Anderson, Walton, South Oldham, Owen are the top contenders. ML Collins, Simon Kenton, and Oldham are just below that group.

I think Owen is the surprise team. I have seen them play this summer and they have looked really good. Gayheart looks much improved, and that's a scary thing.

Not sure exactly what Simon has to replace those departed Seniors. If they get solid play, Wainscott could carry them.

Anderson is still super young, although very talented. They are playing a killer schedule next year so if they can keep it together they will be in a great place to make another run at the 8th.

The 8th will be much better next year as far as where the level of talent ranks in the state. Anderson will be a top 20 preseason team I would think. The rest of the contenders will be just outside that range, but overall the level of play in the region is going up.

I agree. The 8th region was very young last year and should be much better this year.

Shelby County only has two returning high school players from last year, and neither of them played much at all. Shelby County does not have a very good feeder school either so it will take a while for Shelby County to rebuild.

Martha Layne Collins, however, has a good group returning and a great feeder school in Shelby West. Last year's 8th grade team went 24-2 and 7th grade went 20-4. Their starting lineup will probably look something like this:

G - Leeara Cardwell (Jr.)
G - Chelsea Slaughter (So.)
G - Addie Fow (Sr.)
G/F - Aaliyah Wells (So.)
C - Shayla Bolin (Sr.)

Aaliyah Wells averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds last year and Leeara Cardwell averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds a game. Both players played excellent during the end of the season. I think that Martha Layne Collins is a lock for 2nd place in the district and could contend for the regional title next year, but I think that either Anderson County, South Oldham, or Walton-Verona will make it to state next year.