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03-24-2010, 04:29 PM
From Jody Demlings recruiting blog:
Shelby Valley downed Ballard in the championship game of the PNC Boys' Sweet 16 state championship game last weekend in Rupp Arena.
It marked the end of a stellar week of hoops at the event.
Here are a few leftovers from the week:
Shelby Valley guard Elisha Justice was sensational during the four-game run to the state title for the Wildcats. He scored 97 points to lead the tournament and 15 assists and hit 15 of 32 from three-point range. The University of Louisville walk-on commitment likely played himself into the Mr. Basketball frontrunner role and really opened some eyes. He was really good. One college coach told me "Louisville is getting a huge steal with this kid."
Justice wasn't alone in making plays for Shelby Valley with Ashley Hatfield, Tyler Newsome, Taylor Newsome and Cody Varney all making big-time contributions during the state championship run for Jason Booher's team. I think each of those kids can and likely will play small-college ball somewhere.
Ballard senior Ian Chiles had a big-time Sweet 16, including a long three-pointer to win the game against Warren Central. Chiles should play at the next level but what a steal Bellarmine University coach Scott Davenport has in Keisten Jones. The jack-rabbit like Jones can score from inside and take it to the rack. DeVante Parker is going to be one of the better players around next season and the Bruins again will be a top team from Louisville and a player on the state scene.
Scott County has three players that could be labeled first-team All-Staters this season in Dakotah Euton, Chad Jackson and Ge-lawn Guyn. It was only fitting for Euton and Jackson to make a run at the Sweet 16 after their illustrious six-year careers. Guyn is still not 100 percent from his knee problems. Watch out next season for sophomore Tamron Manning because when he's one of the the guys he's going to be one of the state's elite players. I also like Tanner Shotwell and some school is going to get a nice shooter and all-around player when they take a chance on senior Austin Flannery.
Want an early pick for a top-five team next season - Christian County. The Colonels are athletic and loaded with talent. I loved junior guard Anthony Hickey, who has really improved and is a Division I-type player. He has the size, speed and ballhandling skills to play at the next level. Junior Donovan Kates is also going to be a nice college prospect, while Bubby Tandy is a nice athlete. Senior Shaquille Wilson will play at the next level.
The player that raised his stock more in my eyes than anyone - West Jessamine senior guard Jarrod Polson. He's a legitimate first-team All-State type player and is going to make someone a special player. He's a one-man press break and can score. He doesn't have the best-looking shot but is pretty crafty around the hoop.
Mason County made a nice run without really play at their highest level. Jordan Gilbert was one of the players that impressed me the most, while Neal Pawsat is a big-time athlete even just coming off a knee injury. Junior Treg Setty is the team's leading scorer on the season and didn't have his best tournament but is still one of the state's elite players and will get major Division I attention this spring and summer.
Warren Central has two of the state's top senior and even with the tough draw George Fant and Jordan Shanklin had solid showings. Shanklin is almost fully healthy and Fant can get a really nice Division I scholarship with a solid summer.
I still can't get over the game Shelby County freshman Darryl Hicks put on against Ballard, racking up 30 points. No record of how many freshman have scored that many points in a Sweet 16 game in state history but it can't be many. Senior Donovan Johnson doesn't have many college looks but someone will get a steal.
Paducah Tilghman didn't have a great showing getting blitzed by Shelby Valley in the opener, but Josh Forrest has really come into his own athletically. He's one of the best junior athletes in the state and has filled out. He's playing the point guard and will be interesting next season to see if he picks hoops or football for college. Also watch for sophomore J.B. Harmon, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, who has a chance to be really good.
Butler sophomore Jalen Wesson and freshman Demetrius McReynolds are going to be a nice duo for the next few years for coach Shawn Purlee.
North Hardin coach Ron Bevars was correct when he said senior James Berry was not the same player as prior to his knee injury. But Berry is still a very nice player.
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/dem...et-16.html
Shelby Valley downed Ballard in the championship game of the PNC Boys' Sweet 16 state championship game last weekend in Rupp Arena.
It marked the end of a stellar week of hoops at the event.
Here are a few leftovers from the week:
Shelby Valley guard Elisha Justice was sensational during the four-game run to the state title for the Wildcats. He scored 97 points to lead the tournament and 15 assists and hit 15 of 32 from three-point range. The University of Louisville walk-on commitment likely played himself into the Mr. Basketball frontrunner role and really opened some eyes. He was really good. One college coach told me "Louisville is getting a huge steal with this kid."
Justice wasn't alone in making plays for Shelby Valley with Ashley Hatfield, Tyler Newsome, Taylor Newsome and Cody Varney all making big-time contributions during the state championship run for Jason Booher's team. I think each of those kids can and likely will play small-college ball somewhere.
Ballard senior Ian Chiles had a big-time Sweet 16, including a long three-pointer to win the game against Warren Central. Chiles should play at the next level but what a steal Bellarmine University coach Scott Davenport has in Keisten Jones. The jack-rabbit like Jones can score from inside and take it to the rack. DeVante Parker is going to be one of the better players around next season and the Bruins again will be a top team from Louisville and a player on the state scene.
Scott County has three players that could be labeled first-team All-Staters this season in Dakotah Euton, Chad Jackson and Ge-lawn Guyn. It was only fitting for Euton and Jackson to make a run at the Sweet 16 after their illustrious six-year careers. Guyn is still not 100 percent from his knee problems. Watch out next season for sophomore Tamron Manning because when he's one of the the guys he's going to be one of the state's elite players. I also like Tanner Shotwell and some school is going to get a nice shooter and all-around player when they take a chance on senior Austin Flannery.
Want an early pick for a top-five team next season - Christian County. The Colonels are athletic and loaded with talent. I loved junior guard Anthony Hickey, who has really improved and is a Division I-type player. He has the size, speed and ballhandling skills to play at the next level. Junior Donovan Kates is also going to be a nice college prospect, while Bubby Tandy is a nice athlete. Senior Shaquille Wilson will play at the next level.
The player that raised his stock more in my eyes than anyone - West Jessamine senior guard Jarrod Polson. He's a legitimate first-team All-State type player and is going to make someone a special player. He's a one-man press break and can score. He doesn't have the best-looking shot but is pretty crafty around the hoop.
Mason County made a nice run without really play at their highest level. Jordan Gilbert was one of the players that impressed me the most, while Neal Pawsat is a big-time athlete even just coming off a knee injury. Junior Treg Setty is the team's leading scorer on the season and didn't have his best tournament but is still one of the state's elite players and will get major Division I attention this spring and summer.
Warren Central has two of the state's top senior and even with the tough draw George Fant and Jordan Shanklin had solid showings. Shanklin is almost fully healthy and Fant can get a really nice Division I scholarship with a solid summer.
I still can't get over the game Shelby County freshman Darryl Hicks put on against Ballard, racking up 30 points. No record of how many freshman have scored that many points in a Sweet 16 game in state history but it can't be many. Senior Donovan Johnson doesn't have many college looks but someone will get a steal.
Paducah Tilghman didn't have a great showing getting blitzed by Shelby Valley in the opener, but Josh Forrest has really come into his own athletically. He's one of the best junior athletes in the state and has filled out. He's playing the point guard and will be interesting next season to see if he picks hoops or football for college. Also watch for sophomore J.B. Harmon, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, who has a chance to be really good.
Butler sophomore Jalen Wesson and freshman Demetrius McReynolds are going to be a nice duo for the next few years for coach Shawn Purlee.
North Hardin coach Ron Bevars was correct when he said senior James Berry was not the same player as prior to his knee injury. But Berry is still a very nice player.
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/dem...et-16.html
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03-24-2010, 05:12 PM
I really enjoy reading Jody Demling's blog. He's up to date with recruits from all-around the state and does a great job at keeping us updated with some of the bigger tournaments around the state as well.
I was also impressed with Darryl Hicks of Shelby County. He really stood out as a pure shooter, just needs to let his body mature and create more off the dribble and he'll be a fine D1 prospect by his junior/senior season.
I was also impressed with Darryl Hicks of Shelby County. He really stood out as a pure shooter, just needs to let his body mature and create more off the dribble and he'll be a fine D1 prospect by his junior/senior season.
03-24-2010, 05:52 PM
BlackcatAlum Wrote:I really enjoy reading Jody Demling's blog. He's up to date with recruits from all-around the state and does a great job at keeping us updated with some of the bigger tournaments around the state as well.
I was also impressed with Darryl Hicks of Shelby County. He really stood out as a pure shooter, just needs to let his body mature and create more off the dribble and he'll be a fine D1 prospect by his junior/senior season.
I agree. I've watched him play all year, and he really seems to have improved his shooting from last year. He is also a great rebounder and a great athlete. He has some work to do, but he should be a great player some day.
03-24-2010, 07:17 PM
ryanblue1424 Wrote:I agree. I've watched him play all year, and he really seems to have improved his shooting from last year. He is also a great rebounder and a great athlete. He has some work to do, but he should be a great player some day.
Wasn't it announced last spring/summer in the Sentinal-News that Hicks was going to transfer to one of the Oldham Co. schools? Or am I getting him confused with someone else?
03-24-2010, 07:22 PM
Jarons Wrote:Wasn't it announced last spring/summer in the Sentinal-News that Hicks was going to transfer to one of the Oldham Co. schools? Or am I getting him confused with someone else?
He did go to North Oldham until before fall break when he transfered back to Shelby County. Since he hadn't played on a varisty team while in high school, he was still eligible to play at what ever school he wanted to. The family said that Darryl came back to Shelby County because he was homesick. The family also said that he went to North Oldham because he wanted to go to Duke and had to have better grades, which I don't know how North Oldham would help him with that, but it is more likely that he went to play with his AAU teammates.
03-25-2010, 03:03 AM
Jody Demling, and Jason Frakes are on a whole another level when it comes to following prep sports for the bluegrass.
Theyre are the best around, and good to see Valley getting some great media coverage as well
Theyre are the best around, and good to see Valley getting some great media coverage as well
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