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11-16-2012, 05:37 PM
CENTRAL
* Coach: Doug Bibby (ninth year).
* Last season: 14-15, lost to St. Xavier 70-59 in Seventh Region semifinal.
* Player to watch: Stuart Jackson, a 6-foot-4 senior, can play every position on the court. Look for him to improve on his statistics from last season, when he averaged 12 points and five rebounds. Bibby said Dayton, Valparaiso, Manhattan and Bellarmine are among the colleges showing interest.
* Other top players: G Dominique Chandler (5-11, Sr.); G/F Deiontre Knox (5-10, Sr.); G Jamie Johnson (5-7, Jr.); G Cedric Daniels (5-10, Jr.); C Dominique Sanford (6-3, Sr.); F Miguel Sangester (6-2, Sr.).
* Outlook: Jackson and Chandler lead five seniors that will make the Yellowjackets a regional contender. Bibby calls Chandler "one of the best shooters in the state" and said Johnson is among the Seventh Region's top point guards. Bibby said a lack of size is a concern but added that "all five guys can put the ball on the floor, so we have to play on that strength." Central was picked to finish fourth in the region behind Ballard, Trinity and St. Xavier, but Bibby said "we're not any slouches, either."
MANUAL
* Coach: Jimmy Just (sixth year).
* Last season: 19-11, lost to Ballard 70-56 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Andy Tillman, a 6-3 senior guard/forward, is one of the few players with much varsity experience. He averaged 5.3 points and three rebounds last season.
* Other top players: F Simon Clifford (6-4, Sr.); G/F Miles Thompson (6-2, Sr.); G/F Trey Boyd (6-1, Jr.); F Raleigh Dixon (6-4, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Crimsons lost 10 seniors and will be very inexperienced. Clifford, who has shattered two backboards since last season, is expected to emerge as a solid post presence. Thompson's return from a broken collarbone is uncertain. The roster includes just three seniors and two juniors, with several sophomores and freshmen expected to contribute. Among them is sophomore Michael Nero, a football quarterback.
PORTLAND CHRISTIAN
* Coach: Joe Meredith (third year).
* Last season: 10-18, lost to Central 116-57 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Trenton Scroggy, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, averaged 25.8 points, five rebounds and two assists last season. "He's one of the state's best shooters and scorers ... but has not had a lot of attention due to our small school size," Meredith said.
* Other top players: F Will Adams (6-3, Sr., 12 ppg, 10 rpg); G James Baker (5-7, Sr., 10 ppg); F John Garrison (6-3, Sr., 6 ppg, 8 rpg); G Austin Blake (5-9, Sr., 3 ppg); G Andrew Best (5-11, Jr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg); G Evan Smith (5-7, Jr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg).
* Outlook: The Eagles will start five seniors, four for the third straight season. Scroggy and Adams provide a solid 1-2 scoring punch. The Eagles probably aren't ready to compete with Central and Manual but should contend for No. 3 in the district.
ST. FRANCIS
* Coach: Tony Butler (seventh year).
* Last season: 3-18, lost to Shawnee 45-19 in district opener.
* Player to watch: Len Adams, a 6-1 junior forward, averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season.
* Other top players: G Anthony Perry (5-6, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 1.7 apg); G T.J. Schneider (5-10, Sr., 6.3 ppg); F Cole Von Feldt (5-11, Jr., 4.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg).
* Outlook: St. Francis has won just seven games over the past two seasons, but Butler expects improvement. "With a number of capable seniors and a talented junior class, I like our chances this year," he said. Butler said Perry should be solid after injuries slowed him the past two seasons.
SHAWNEE
* Coach: Carl White (first year).
* Last season: 3-24, lost to Manual 81-39 in district semifinals.
* Player to watch: Desmond Morris, a 5-8 senior point guard, isn't a big-time scorer, "but he'll help somebody else score," White said. "He distributes the ball where it needs to be. He's just a great leader for us."
* Other top players: G/F La'cari Edmonson (6-2, Jr., transfer from Southern); G/F Eric King (6-2, So.); F JaQuail Cardine (6-2, Sr., transfer from Iroquois); G Robert Bendingfield (5-7, So.).
* Outlook: Morris makes the team go, but Edmonson "can score from anyplace on the court and does a good job posting small kids in the paint and finishing at the rim," White said. The coach said his small but quick team is "not going to beat anybody on the boards, so we'll have to turn people over."
BROWN
* Coach: Jeffrey Kemelgor (first year).
* Last season: 4-25, lost to St. Xavier 81-31 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Matthew Hoag*land, a 6-0 junior guard/forward, averaged 16 points last season. "He never, ever quits on a play," Kemelgor said. "He's one of those Energizer bunny kids. He gives everything he's got."
* Other top players: G Jalen Childress (5-10, Fr.); G Chris Troyer (5-9, Jr.); F Caleb Williams (6-1, 8th); F Justyn Powell (6-0, So.); G William Brown (5-0, 8th).
* Outlook: A former assistant at Southern and Eastern, Kemelgor replaced David Marion as the Bears' head coach during the offseason. Of his 15 players, nine are either eighth-graders for freshmen. "Our goals are to take baby steps and work on doing the right things fundamentally," Kemelgor said. "We want to compete every game, whether we're playing the big boys like Doss or St. X or Male or the schools our size like St. Francis and Collegiate." Another goal is to get to 10 victories for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
COLLEGIATE
* Coach: Joel Morris (second year).
* Last season: 17-11, lost to Male 73-67 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Andrew Steggeman, a 6-0 senior guard, makes the Titans go. He averaged 16 points, five assists and five steals last season.
* Other top players: F David Keyer (6-3, Sr., 14 ppg, 9 rpg); F Bryce Overstreet (6-1, Jr., 11 ppg, 4 rpg); G Will McAnulty (6-0, Sr., 7 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg); G Kennedy Kommor (5-11, Sr., 4 ppg, 3 rpg). G Ethan Perellis (5-10, Sr., 3 ppg, 2 rpg); F Henry Walter (6-3, Sr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg).
* Outlook: Collegiate has eight seniors who helped the Titans to the All "A" Classic semifinals before they fell to eventual champion Covington Holy Cross. There isn't much size, as Keyer and Walter are the tallest players at 6-3. Morris said six players are injured, "so how well they heal and how quickly our young players improve will determine our success."
MALE
* Coach: Larry Miller (second year).
* Last season: 18-15, lost to Trinity 63-44 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Will Parker, a 6-7 sophomore, played only seven games last season because of an injury but averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. He's also an excellent shot blocker.
* Other top players: G D.J. Lambert (6-1, Sr., 8.1 ppg); G Josh Stoner (6-1, Sr., 10.2 ppg); F Tyler Miller (6-1, Sr., 4.8 ppg); F Steven Julian (6-5, Jr., 4.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg); F Jalen Brasher (6-3, Jr., 3.2 ppg); G P.J. Scott (6-0, Jr., 2.6 ppg); C Chris Leon (6-6, Jr., 1.3 ppg).
* Outlook: Miller likes the makeup of this team, with senior guards Lambert and Stoner both considered small-college prospects. Parker, Julian and Leon give the Bulldogs ample size in the paint. Miller expects big things from Brasher if he can overcome a preseason injury. "The major questions for this team are toughness and how well we shoot the ball," Miller said. "We have excellent depth and good overall quickness."
ST. XAVIER
* Coach: Kevin Klein (fifth year).
* Last season: 23-9, lost to Trinity 67-46 in Seventh Region final.
* Player to watch: Brock Kiesler, a 6-9 senior center, has the size to provide matchup problems for most teams in the region. He averaged 9.1 points and 8.8 rebounds last season.
* Other top players: G Robert Shaw (5-10, Jr., 9.0 ppg, 4.1 apg); G Justin Moody (5-10, Sr., 5.1 ppg); G Alex Jones (6-3, Sr., 10.5 ppg); G Will Glasford (5-9, Sr., 6.5 ppg); G Charles Walker (6-0, Jr.. 2.3 ppg); G Christian Hardy (6-2, Sr., 2.6 ppg); F Andrew Marquess (6-3, So.); G Johnny Tobe (6-0, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Tigers lost leading scorer Nathan Smith to graduation but returned 70 percent of their scoring and 75 percent of their rebounding from a team that reached the Seventh Region final for the first time since 1998. Klein said Moody is one of the city's top shooters and Hardy "is a great offensive rebounder and plays much bigger than his size."
ATHERTON
* Coach: Thomas Wilson (seventh year).
* Last season: 9-18, lost to Trinity 84-63 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Devin Mayfield, a 6-0 senior guard, transferred from Illinois last season and fit right in. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals and earned second-team All-Seventh Region honors.
* Other top players: G Marcus West (5-11, Sr., 15.7 ppg); F Josh Floyd (6-0, Sr., 10.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg); C Chandler Stanke (6-3, Sr., 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg); G/F Will Rainey (6-1, So., 2.1 ppg); G Hugo Sanchez (5-11, Sr., 1.2 ppg).
* Outlook: The Rebels are set in the backcourt, where Mayfield and West can score in bunches. West hit 82 3-pointers and shot 82 percent from the foul line last season. The problem is in the paint, where Stanke is the tallest player at 6-3. Wilson also is concerned about inexperience, adding that he might start sophomore Rainey.
* Coach: Doug Bibby (ninth year).
* Last season: 14-15, lost to St. Xavier 70-59 in Seventh Region semifinal.
* Player to watch: Stuart Jackson, a 6-foot-4 senior, can play every position on the court. Look for him to improve on his statistics from last season, when he averaged 12 points and five rebounds. Bibby said Dayton, Valparaiso, Manhattan and Bellarmine are among the colleges showing interest.
* Other top players: G Dominique Chandler (5-11, Sr.); G/F Deiontre Knox (5-10, Sr.); G Jamie Johnson (5-7, Jr.); G Cedric Daniels (5-10, Jr.); C Dominique Sanford (6-3, Sr.); F Miguel Sangester (6-2, Sr.).
* Outlook: Jackson and Chandler lead five seniors that will make the Yellowjackets a regional contender. Bibby calls Chandler "one of the best shooters in the state" and said Johnson is among the Seventh Region's top point guards. Bibby said a lack of size is a concern but added that "all five guys can put the ball on the floor, so we have to play on that strength." Central was picked to finish fourth in the region behind Ballard, Trinity and St. Xavier, but Bibby said "we're not any slouches, either."
MANUAL
* Coach: Jimmy Just (sixth year).
* Last season: 19-11, lost to Ballard 70-56 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Andy Tillman, a 6-3 senior guard/forward, is one of the few players with much varsity experience. He averaged 5.3 points and three rebounds last season.
* Other top players: F Simon Clifford (6-4, Sr.); G/F Miles Thompson (6-2, Sr.); G/F Trey Boyd (6-1, Jr.); F Raleigh Dixon (6-4, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Crimsons lost 10 seniors and will be very inexperienced. Clifford, who has shattered two backboards since last season, is expected to emerge as a solid post presence. Thompson's return from a broken collarbone is uncertain. The roster includes just three seniors and two juniors, with several sophomores and freshmen expected to contribute. Among them is sophomore Michael Nero, a football quarterback.
PORTLAND CHRISTIAN
* Coach: Joe Meredith (third year).
* Last season: 10-18, lost to Central 116-57 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Trenton Scroggy, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, averaged 25.8 points, five rebounds and two assists last season. "He's one of the state's best shooters and scorers ... but has not had a lot of attention due to our small school size," Meredith said.
* Other top players: F Will Adams (6-3, Sr., 12 ppg, 10 rpg); G James Baker (5-7, Sr., 10 ppg); F John Garrison (6-3, Sr., 6 ppg, 8 rpg); G Austin Blake (5-9, Sr., 3 ppg); G Andrew Best (5-11, Jr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg); G Evan Smith (5-7, Jr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg).
* Outlook: The Eagles will start five seniors, four for the third straight season. Scroggy and Adams provide a solid 1-2 scoring punch. The Eagles probably aren't ready to compete with Central and Manual but should contend for No. 3 in the district.
ST. FRANCIS
* Coach: Tony Butler (seventh year).
* Last season: 3-18, lost to Shawnee 45-19 in district opener.
* Player to watch: Len Adams, a 6-1 junior forward, averaged 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season.
* Other top players: G Anthony Perry (5-6, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 1.7 apg); G T.J. Schneider (5-10, Sr., 6.3 ppg); F Cole Von Feldt (5-11, Jr., 4.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg).
* Outlook: St. Francis has won just seven games over the past two seasons, but Butler expects improvement. "With a number of capable seniors and a talented junior class, I like our chances this year," he said. Butler said Perry should be solid after injuries slowed him the past two seasons.
SHAWNEE
* Coach: Carl White (first year).
* Last season: 3-24, lost to Manual 81-39 in district semifinals.
* Player to watch: Desmond Morris, a 5-8 senior point guard, isn't a big-time scorer, "but he'll help somebody else score," White said. "He distributes the ball where it needs to be. He's just a great leader for us."
* Other top players: G/F La'cari Edmonson (6-2, Jr., transfer from Southern); G/F Eric King (6-2, So.); F JaQuail Cardine (6-2, Sr., transfer from Iroquois); G Robert Bendingfield (5-7, So.).
* Outlook: Morris makes the team go, but Edmonson "can score from anyplace on the court and does a good job posting small kids in the paint and finishing at the rim," White said. The coach said his small but quick team is "not going to beat anybody on the boards, so we'll have to turn people over."
BROWN
* Coach: Jeffrey Kemelgor (first year).
* Last season: 4-25, lost to St. Xavier 81-31 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Matthew Hoag*land, a 6-0 junior guard/forward, averaged 16 points last season. "He never, ever quits on a play," Kemelgor said. "He's one of those Energizer bunny kids. He gives everything he's got."
* Other top players: G Jalen Childress (5-10, Fr.); G Chris Troyer (5-9, Jr.); F Caleb Williams (6-1, 8th); F Justyn Powell (6-0, So.); G William Brown (5-0, 8th).
* Outlook: A former assistant at Southern and Eastern, Kemelgor replaced David Marion as the Bears' head coach during the offseason. Of his 15 players, nine are either eighth-graders for freshmen. "Our goals are to take baby steps and work on doing the right things fundamentally," Kemelgor said. "We want to compete every game, whether we're playing the big boys like Doss or St. X or Male or the schools our size like St. Francis and Collegiate." Another goal is to get to 10 victories for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
COLLEGIATE
* Coach: Joel Morris (second year).
* Last season: 17-11, lost to Male 73-67 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Andrew Steggeman, a 6-0 senior guard, makes the Titans go. He averaged 16 points, five assists and five steals last season.
* Other top players: F David Keyer (6-3, Sr., 14 ppg, 9 rpg); F Bryce Overstreet (6-1, Jr., 11 ppg, 4 rpg); G Will McAnulty (6-0, Sr., 7 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg); G Kennedy Kommor (5-11, Sr., 4 ppg, 3 rpg). G Ethan Perellis (5-10, Sr., 3 ppg, 2 rpg); F Henry Walter (6-3, Sr., 2 ppg, 1 rpg).
* Outlook: Collegiate has eight seniors who helped the Titans to the All "A" Classic semifinals before they fell to eventual champion Covington Holy Cross. There isn't much size, as Keyer and Walter are the tallest players at 6-3. Morris said six players are injured, "so how well they heal and how quickly our young players improve will determine our success."
MALE
* Coach: Larry Miller (second year).
* Last season: 18-15, lost to Trinity 63-44 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Will Parker, a 6-7 sophomore, played only seven games last season because of an injury but averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. He's also an excellent shot blocker.
* Other top players: G D.J. Lambert (6-1, Sr., 8.1 ppg); G Josh Stoner (6-1, Sr., 10.2 ppg); F Tyler Miller (6-1, Sr., 4.8 ppg); F Steven Julian (6-5, Jr., 4.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg); F Jalen Brasher (6-3, Jr., 3.2 ppg); G P.J. Scott (6-0, Jr., 2.6 ppg); C Chris Leon (6-6, Jr., 1.3 ppg).
* Outlook: Miller likes the makeup of this team, with senior guards Lambert and Stoner both considered small-college prospects. Parker, Julian and Leon give the Bulldogs ample size in the paint. Miller expects big things from Brasher if he can overcome a preseason injury. "The major questions for this team are toughness and how well we shoot the ball," Miller said. "We have excellent depth and good overall quickness."
ST. XAVIER
* Coach: Kevin Klein (fifth year).
* Last season: 23-9, lost to Trinity 67-46 in Seventh Region final.
* Player to watch: Brock Kiesler, a 6-9 senior center, has the size to provide matchup problems for most teams in the region. He averaged 9.1 points and 8.8 rebounds last season.
* Other top players: G Robert Shaw (5-10, Jr., 9.0 ppg, 4.1 apg); G Justin Moody (5-10, Sr., 5.1 ppg); G Alex Jones (6-3, Sr., 10.5 ppg); G Will Glasford (5-9, Sr., 6.5 ppg); G Charles Walker (6-0, Jr.. 2.3 ppg); G Christian Hardy (6-2, Sr., 2.6 ppg); F Andrew Marquess (6-3, So.); G Johnny Tobe (6-0, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Tigers lost leading scorer Nathan Smith to graduation but returned 70 percent of their scoring and 75 percent of their rebounding from a team that reached the Seventh Region final for the first time since 1998. Klein said Moody is one of the city's top shooters and Hardy "is a great offensive rebounder and plays much bigger than his size."
ATHERTON
* Coach: Thomas Wilson (seventh year).
* Last season: 9-18, lost to Trinity 84-63 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Devin Mayfield, a 6-0 senior guard, transferred from Illinois last season and fit right in. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals and earned second-team All-Seventh Region honors.
* Other top players: G Marcus West (5-11, Sr., 15.7 ppg); F Josh Floyd (6-0, Sr., 10.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg); C Chandler Stanke (6-3, Sr., 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg); G/F Will Rainey (6-1, So., 2.1 ppg); G Hugo Sanchez (5-11, Sr., 1.2 ppg).
* Outlook: The Rebels are set in the backcourt, where Mayfield and West can score in bunches. West hit 82 3-pointers and shot 82 percent from the foul line last season. The problem is in the paint, where Stanke is the tallest player at 6-3. Wilson also is concerned about inexperience, adding that he might start sophomore Rainey.
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11-16-2012, 05:37 PM
SENECA
* Coach: Brandon Grammer (first year).
* Last season: 7-22, lost to St. Xavier 50-36 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Gerald McCarver, a 5-10 senior, was an honorable-mention Minnesota All-Stater the past two seasons at Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy, where he averaged 23 points, six assists and five rebounds last season. "He's an old-school point guard," Grammer said. "He doesn't try to do too much from himself. He gets his teammates involved."
* Other top players: F Jeont'a Samuels (6-4, Jr.); F Kenneth Wachira (6-6, Sr., transfer from Western); F Brandon Trotter (6-6, Jr., transfer from Moore); G Antonio Dyson (6-3, Jr., transfer from Chicago); G Darian Porter (6-1, Sr.).
* Outlook: Grammer, a 2000 Ryle graduate, was coach at Fort Pierce (Fla.) Central last season. Four of his top players are transfers, including 6-6 forwards Wachira and Trotter. "They're not bangers," Grammer said. "They're very thin, but they should help us control the boards better than they did last year." Grammer said his biggest obstacle will be developing a team concept. "We have several very good players, but they have never played in a game together."
TRINITY
* Coach: Mike Szabo (12th year).
* Last season: 35-3, beat Scott County 71-53 in Sweet 16 final.
* Player to watch: Darryl Hicks, a 6-4 guard, may be the go-to player after the graduation of Mr. Basketball Nathan Dieudonne. Hicks averaged 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds and is the state's No. 2-ranked senior behind Bullitt East's Derek Willis.
* Other top players: G James Quick (6-2, Sr., 8.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G Miles Rice (6-0, Sr., 4.4 ppg); F DeMarcus Page (6-1, Sr., 3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg); G/F Sam Strothman (6-4, Sr., 1.9 ppg); F Craig Owens (6-3, Jr., 2.8 ppg); G Trey Ivory (5-10, Jr., 1.3 ppg).
* Outlook: The Shamrocks lost three starters in Dieudonne, Charles Foster and Troy Saxton. Hicks is expected to score more this season, but Szabo doesn't think he needs to average 25 points. "We're going to share the ball and play as a group," Szabo said. Quick won't join the team until football season ends. Page is only 6-1, but Szabo expects he'll guard opponents' post players because of his strength and toughness. If the Shamrocks can match last season's defensive intensity and find a No. 3 scorer behind Hicks and Quick, they can compete for another state title.
WAGGENER
* Coach: Bryan O'Neill (second year).
* Last season: 8-21, lost to Seneca 64-59 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Joseph Head, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 20 points, 3.4 assists and two rebounds last season and will anchor the backcourt again.
* Other top players: G/F Semaj Ingram (6-0, Jr., 6.4 ppg); F Tyrone Stallard (6-2, Sr., 8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F Roddrick Maddox (6-2, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg); F Garrett Dennison (6-6, So., 3.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg); G/F Daeron Adams (5-8, Jr., 3.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg).
* Outlook: Head and Ingram return as starters for a team that lost 13 of its final 15 games last season. O'Neill is excited about a freshman class that includes big forwards Nicholas Kratholm (6-7, 210) and Kevin Kirby (6-5, 200). They'll try to help the Wildcats reach the regional for the first time since 1999.
BALLARD
* Coach: Chris Renner (15th year).
* Last season: 24-9, lost to Trinity 58-55 in Seventh Region semifinal.
* Player to watch: Quentin Snider, a 6-1 junior guard who has committed to the University of Louisville, might be the state's best player regardless of class. He had an outstanding summer after leading the Bruins in scoring (16.9 ppg) and shooting 45.3 percent from 3-point range last season.
* Other top players: G Lavonne Holland (6-0, Sr., 15.7 ppg); F Kelan Martin (6-6, Jr., 13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg); G Dontez Byrd (5-10, Sr.); F Malik Dow (6-3, Fr.); G/F Jalen Perry (6-1, So.); F Raeshawn Robinson (6-3, So.); F Corey Douglas (6-4, So.); G Zach Caggins (6-2, Sr.); G Timmy Haick (6-1, Sr.); G Brandon Berry (6-1, So.).
* Outlook: The Bruins are No. 1 in The Courier-Journal's preseason poll of coaches for good reason. It starts with the top three scorers from last season: Snider, Holland and Martin. Snider and Holland both shot better than 42 percent from 3-point range, and Renner said Martin played "like the best player in the state" for much of the summer. Much of the Bruins' depth comes from a talented sophomore class led by Perry and Douglas, and Renner said Dow is "one of the best freshmen in the state."
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
* Coach: Casey Smallwood (second year).
* Last season: 14-17, lost to Eastern 59-47 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Logan Wade, a 6-2 senior, is the Centurions' top returning scorer (9.3 ppg) and is "our best 3-point shooter, easily," Smallwood said.
* Other top players: G/F Sawyer Hobbs (6-0, Sr., 8.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg); F Chase Darst (6-3, Sr., 7.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G Colton Talley (5-10, Jr.); F Max Duff (6-5, Jr.).
* Outlook: Wade likely will be CAL's top scorer, but Smallwood said, "We don't really have one go-to guy." Hobbs is the top driver, and Darst "will score 80 percent of his points in the paint," Smallwood said. CAL played tough against several top teams last season, losing to Trinity (66-55) and St. Xavier (56-50) in January. "These seniors are all hard workers," Smallwood said. "Nobody is going to outplay us on a given night. There's not a guy on this team that I can question about how much they care."
EASTERN
* Coach: David Henley (first year).
* Last season: 17-14, lost to Central 64-61 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Demontay Hassell, a 5-11 senior guard, is expected to be the leader after all five starters graduated.
* Other top players: F Chris Renfroe (6-4, Sr.); F Jocarie Beattie (6-1, Sr.); G/F Aaron Matthews (6-1, Sr.); G Jordan Brangers (6-0, Sr.); G Austin Howard (6-0, Jr.); F Jacob Biller (6-3, Jr.); F Zach Duvall (6-5, Jr.); F Tyler Cambron (6-3, Jr.).
* Outlook: Henley, who coached Holmes to the 2009 state title, takes over from Jason Couch, who took the Shelby County job. He inherits a program searching for leadership after the loss of several stars over the past two seasons. "The thing I like about our team is we don't have any superstars," Henley said. "We will have eight to 10 players ... who should be able to contribute on a nightly basis." Brangers, who transferred from North Hardin before last season, is an outside threat but will be out until at least Christmas because of a stress fracture and strained Achilles tendon.
KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY
* Coach: James Booker (fifth year).
* Last season: 14-13, lost to Ballard 80-41 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Robert Scholtz, a 6-5 senior forward/center, is a college prospect in football at quarterback but also is the top returning scorer (8.3 rpg) and rebounder (4.1 rpg).
* Other top players: G Henry Crockett (5-10, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 3.1 apg); G/F Zach Lyles (6-2, Jr., 6.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg); G/F Benton Seay (6-2, Sr., 1.5 ppg); G Khaleel Wilson (5-9, Sr.).
* Outlook: KCD lost four of its top seven players, including leading scorer and rebounder Blake Scinta (20.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg). Scholtz, Crockett and Lyles will provide the nucleus, and Booker expects several underclassmen to contribute heavily as the Bearcats shoot for their third straight winning season. "We'll be a quick, athletic team that is strong on the defensive end of the floor," Booker said.
WALDEN
* Coach: Norm Linton (second year).
* Last season: 2-12, did not compete in postseason play.
* Player to watch: Senior William Davis, a 6-3 forward/center, averaged eight points and four rebounds last season. "He has a quick first step and good range," Linton said. "He can go inside, and he can go outside."
* Other top players: F Jacob Wunsch (6-0, Jr., 8 ppg, 8 rpg); G C.J. Burton (5-5, So.); G/F Sean Dowling (6-0, So.); G Sarah Holloway (5-6, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Wolverines will not compete in the 28th District Tournament this season but are playing a more competitive varsity schedule. "We might take our lumps again with this schedule, but hopefully we can be more competitive with the teams we've played in the past," Linton said. Holloway is in her third season after being allowed to join the team because the school doesn't have a girls' team.
http://www.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...2311140122
* Coach: Brandon Grammer (first year).
* Last season: 7-22, lost to St. Xavier 50-36 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Gerald McCarver, a 5-10 senior, was an honorable-mention Minnesota All-Stater the past two seasons at Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy, where he averaged 23 points, six assists and five rebounds last season. "He's an old-school point guard," Grammer said. "He doesn't try to do too much from himself. He gets his teammates involved."
* Other top players: F Jeont'a Samuels (6-4, Jr.); F Kenneth Wachira (6-6, Sr., transfer from Western); F Brandon Trotter (6-6, Jr., transfer from Moore); G Antonio Dyson (6-3, Jr., transfer from Chicago); G Darian Porter (6-1, Sr.).
* Outlook: Grammer, a 2000 Ryle graduate, was coach at Fort Pierce (Fla.) Central last season. Four of his top players are transfers, including 6-6 forwards Wachira and Trotter. "They're not bangers," Grammer said. "They're very thin, but they should help us control the boards better than they did last year." Grammer said his biggest obstacle will be developing a team concept. "We have several very good players, but they have never played in a game together."
TRINITY
* Coach: Mike Szabo (12th year).
* Last season: 35-3, beat Scott County 71-53 in Sweet 16 final.
* Player to watch: Darryl Hicks, a 6-4 guard, may be the go-to player after the graduation of Mr. Basketball Nathan Dieudonne. Hicks averaged 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds and is the state's No. 2-ranked senior behind Bullitt East's Derek Willis.
* Other top players: G James Quick (6-2, Sr., 8.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G Miles Rice (6-0, Sr., 4.4 ppg); F DeMarcus Page (6-1, Sr., 3.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg); G/F Sam Strothman (6-4, Sr., 1.9 ppg); F Craig Owens (6-3, Jr., 2.8 ppg); G Trey Ivory (5-10, Jr., 1.3 ppg).
* Outlook: The Shamrocks lost three starters in Dieudonne, Charles Foster and Troy Saxton. Hicks is expected to score more this season, but Szabo doesn't think he needs to average 25 points. "We're going to share the ball and play as a group," Szabo said. Quick won't join the team until football season ends. Page is only 6-1, but Szabo expects he'll guard opponents' post players because of his strength and toughness. If the Shamrocks can match last season's defensive intensity and find a No. 3 scorer behind Hicks and Quick, they can compete for another state title.
WAGGENER
* Coach: Bryan O'Neill (second year).
* Last season: 8-21, lost to Seneca 64-59 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Joseph Head, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 20 points, 3.4 assists and two rebounds last season and will anchor the backcourt again.
* Other top players: G/F Semaj Ingram (6-0, Jr., 6.4 ppg); F Tyrone Stallard (6-2, Sr., 8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F Roddrick Maddox (6-2, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg); F Garrett Dennison (6-6, So., 3.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg); G/F Daeron Adams (5-8, Jr., 3.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg).
* Outlook: Head and Ingram return as starters for a team that lost 13 of its final 15 games last season. O'Neill is excited about a freshman class that includes big forwards Nicholas Kratholm (6-7, 210) and Kevin Kirby (6-5, 200). They'll try to help the Wildcats reach the regional for the first time since 1999.
BALLARD
* Coach: Chris Renner (15th year).
* Last season: 24-9, lost to Trinity 58-55 in Seventh Region semifinal.
* Player to watch: Quentin Snider, a 6-1 junior guard who has committed to the University of Louisville, might be the state's best player regardless of class. He had an outstanding summer after leading the Bruins in scoring (16.9 ppg) and shooting 45.3 percent from 3-point range last season.
* Other top players: G Lavonne Holland (6-0, Sr., 15.7 ppg); F Kelan Martin (6-6, Jr., 13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg); G Dontez Byrd (5-10, Sr.); F Malik Dow (6-3, Fr.); G/F Jalen Perry (6-1, So.); F Raeshawn Robinson (6-3, So.); F Corey Douglas (6-4, So.); G Zach Caggins (6-2, Sr.); G Timmy Haick (6-1, Sr.); G Brandon Berry (6-1, So.).
* Outlook: The Bruins are No. 1 in The Courier-Journal's preseason poll of coaches for good reason. It starts with the top three scorers from last season: Snider, Holland and Martin. Snider and Holland both shot better than 42 percent from 3-point range, and Renner said Martin played "like the best player in the state" for much of the summer. Much of the Bruins' depth comes from a talented sophomore class led by Perry and Douglas, and Renner said Dow is "one of the best freshmen in the state."
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
* Coach: Casey Smallwood (second year).
* Last season: 14-17, lost to Eastern 59-47 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Logan Wade, a 6-2 senior, is the Centurions' top returning scorer (9.3 ppg) and is "our best 3-point shooter, easily," Smallwood said.
* Other top players: G/F Sawyer Hobbs (6-0, Sr., 8.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg); F Chase Darst (6-3, Sr., 7.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G Colton Talley (5-10, Jr.); F Max Duff (6-5, Jr.).
* Outlook: Wade likely will be CAL's top scorer, but Smallwood said, "We don't really have one go-to guy." Hobbs is the top driver, and Darst "will score 80 percent of his points in the paint," Smallwood said. CAL played tough against several top teams last season, losing to Trinity (66-55) and St. Xavier (56-50) in January. "These seniors are all hard workers," Smallwood said. "Nobody is going to outplay us on a given night. There's not a guy on this team that I can question about how much they care."
EASTERN
* Coach: David Henley (first year).
* Last season: 17-14, lost to Central 64-61 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.
* Player to watch: Demontay Hassell, a 5-11 senior guard, is expected to be the leader after all five starters graduated.
* Other top players: F Chris Renfroe (6-4, Sr.); F Jocarie Beattie (6-1, Sr.); G/F Aaron Matthews (6-1, Sr.); G Jordan Brangers (6-0, Sr.); G Austin Howard (6-0, Jr.); F Jacob Biller (6-3, Jr.); F Zach Duvall (6-5, Jr.); F Tyler Cambron (6-3, Jr.).
* Outlook: Henley, who coached Holmes to the 2009 state title, takes over from Jason Couch, who took the Shelby County job. He inherits a program searching for leadership after the loss of several stars over the past two seasons. "The thing I like about our team is we don't have any superstars," Henley said. "We will have eight to 10 players ... who should be able to contribute on a nightly basis." Brangers, who transferred from North Hardin before last season, is an outside threat but will be out until at least Christmas because of a stress fracture and strained Achilles tendon.
KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY
* Coach: James Booker (fifth year).
* Last season: 14-13, lost to Ballard 80-41 in district semifinal.
* Player to watch: Robert Scholtz, a 6-5 senior forward/center, is a college prospect in football at quarterback but also is the top returning scorer (8.3 rpg) and rebounder (4.1 rpg).
* Other top players: G Henry Crockett (5-10, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 3.1 apg); G/F Zach Lyles (6-2, Jr., 6.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg); G/F Benton Seay (6-2, Sr., 1.5 ppg); G Khaleel Wilson (5-9, Sr.).
* Outlook: KCD lost four of its top seven players, including leading scorer and rebounder Blake Scinta (20.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg). Scholtz, Crockett and Lyles will provide the nucleus, and Booker expects several underclassmen to contribute heavily as the Bearcats shoot for their third straight winning season. "We'll be a quick, athletic team that is strong on the defensive end of the floor," Booker said.
WALDEN
* Coach: Norm Linton (second year).
* Last season: 2-12, did not compete in postseason play.
* Player to watch: Senior William Davis, a 6-3 forward/center, averaged eight points and four rebounds last season. "He has a quick first step and good range," Linton said. "He can go inside, and he can go outside."
* Other top players: F Jacob Wunsch (6-0, Jr., 8 ppg, 8 rpg); G C.J. Burton (5-5, So.); G/F Sean Dowling (6-0, So.); G Sarah Holloway (5-6, Jr.).
* Outlook: The Wolverines will not compete in the 28th District Tournament this season but are playing a more competitive varsity schedule. "We might take our lumps again with this schedule, but hopefully we can be more competitive with the teams we've played in the past," Linton said. Holloway is in her third season after being allowed to join the team because the school doesn't have a girls' team.
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