[EKY]

Saw the following on nky.com and I thought I'd post it to get some chatter going about Mr. Basketball at the midway point. THe following is from a piece that Ryan Ernst did in today's Kentucky Enquirer:

Heading into the 2009-10 football season, Holmes senior Ricardo Johnson was among a group of potential Mr. Basketball candidates. At the halfway point, that group has gotten much smaller.

Curtis Washington, a USC commit and the top-ranked recruit in Kentucky's senior class, left his Elizabethtown team last week according to a report in The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise. Scott County standout guard Ge-lawn Guyn has been hampered by injuries. Even if he returns to lead Scott County to the state tournament, the team's trio of all-state-caliber players (including Chad Jackson and Dakota Euton) will hurt his chances.

Johnson, the reigning Sweet Sixteen MVP, faces a similar situation. His teammate and fellow senior Elijah Pittman also is an all-state player. He's also a big-time talent who has showcased his game at Rupp Arena the past two seasons. But most coaches - every coach in the state gets a Mr. Basketball vote - see Johnson as the team leader and more polished player.

The award goes to the state's top senior, so junior standouts Vinny Zollo (George Rogers Clark), George Fant (Warren Central) and Chane Behanan (Bowling Green) aren't factors.

That leaves a field of three: Johnson, Josh Sewell and Elisha Justice.

Sewell has led Trinity to the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press state poll. He's put up solid numbers (19.9 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game), but the Shamrocks might have trouble emerging from a very tough Seventh Region. That could hurt.

Justice, of Shelby Valley, is the best player in the mountains. He averages 21.2 points a game. His team probably will reach the Sweet Sixteen. He's sure to garner plenty of votes from the eastern part of the state. He'll also get some added exposure at this week's All "A" Classic state tournament. But he's not seen as a Division I commodity. That will hurt him.

Johnson has a reputation as a complete player and a clutch performer. He's won on the state's biggest stage and probably will have a chance to do it again. His numbers (12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists) could hurt him.

But, really, who knows? I thought Simon Kenton senior Miles Simpson was going to win Mr. Football. He didn't.

Thoughts?

My thoughts after watching all 3 play are that Sewell coming from a school that isn't very well liked in the 7th region will struggle to receive the votes he needs to win.

Johnson's surrounding talent and his lack of stats will hurt his chances.

Justice would have the upper hand, having the better stats of the three and drawing from a large number of Eastern Ky schools that should stick together for a Mr. Basketball candidate.