Predictions After the Next Up Recruits Jamboree
Butler High School played host to the 4th Annual Next Up Recruits Jamboree. Each game pitted a Louisville school against a school from outside Louisville. There were some close games and some blowouts. There were several kids on the floor that hold Division 1 offers and others who will definitely be college basketball players eventually. Here are some of my predictions after watching a full day of scrimmages.
- University Heights is going to score a lot of points. With KyKy Tandy, TaQuan Hollowell, KJ Crump and Drew McGowan, the Blazers play very fast and shoot a lot of 3s. On the nights that they are hitting shots, they may hit 100 points in regulation. But if they struggle to score from the outside, they will struggle to win.
- TreVon Smith can lead the state in scoring, because he has to. In their struggles against Waggener, if Smith wasn’t scoring or creating the offense for his teammates, the Cardinals wouldn’t score. Forced to play point guard when he’s more of a natural shooting guard, Smith was forced to try and split double teams over and over as Waggener pressed in the full court and trapped ball screens in the half court. If Taylor County wants to get to Rupp Arena again, Smith will carry them there.
- Stephon Franklin will be a steal for some college. Franklin impressed in the Doss game against John Hardin. The senior knows how to run a team and never gets rattled. Shooting almost 45% from 3 as a junior, Steph would be known statewide if he played outside of Louisville or played with a bigger AAU program. Look for some college to come into the Derby City and get a steal with Franklin.
- Bardstown will surprise some folks in the 5th region. The Tigers are clearly very young overall but they have 2 bigs who can play and, more importantly, can guard. Coach Boo Brewer will have this group of Tigers peaking going into the postseason.
- Collins can win the 8th again. Led by Dayvion McKnight, Marcellus Vail and senior center Nick Forte, the Titans played Butler tough and close while never once substituting during the game. Coach Chris Gaither was missing players due to injury and football. Once they get to full strength, Collins will be a tough out in the 8th region tournament.
- Waggener will make the regional finals. This could qualify as a bold prediction but Waggener has quality depth and are capable of turning teams over. Trinity will get all the headlines and be the favorite all season but I think Waggener can beat them. Junior Kevion Hudson is going to surprise some people in the 7th this season.
- Butler will make the regional finals and they very well may win it. Butler has a lot of pieces and are well coached. Fern Creek, like Trinity, will get all the hype, all season long (and deservedly so) but Butler can get to Rupp Arena. I would have them ahead of PRP as the second best team in the 6th region right now.
- Lots of guys who played Saturday will be small college players. Whether it’s Southern’s Matthew Jones, Seneca’s Carl Parker, Marion County’s Lez Means, Butler’s JaQuay Wales, or several of the other standouts from Saturday, lots of the guys who stood out on Saturday will wind up being good college players at the NAIA, D2 and D3 levels.