Seniors With the Most to Prove
Less than a month now until we start the 2018-19 Kentucky high school basketball season. Continuing our series on the players with the most to prove this season, we look at the Seniors with the most to prove this year.
- Trinity’s Senior David Johnson needs to prove he can elevate his game without Justin Powell (transfer to Montverde) and Jay Scrubb (graduation). Johnson is going to have to be the man for the Rocks this year. David will still have help from Stan Turnier and Jamil Hardaway so the cupboard isn’t bare at Trinity but this will David should expect to carry a larger load at Trinity this season.
- Walton-Verona big man Dieonte Miles must show he’s the high major player that he looked like in July. If Miles can be the rim protector and floor stretching big that he looked like in AAU, Walton should be the heavy favorite to win the All A state title and the 8th region this year. Dieonte missed most of his Junior year but ended up committed to Xavier before August was over with. He could be the difference maker in the 8th region.
- Taylor County’s TreVon Smith needs to show everyone that Taylor County’s 4 win season last year is an aberration. Smith struggled with double teams and pressure all season long. Coming off multiple regional titles, everyone was shocked to see Taylor struggle so mightily. If the Cardinals are going to get back to Rupp Arena its up to Smith to get them there.
- Jamarion Sharp of Hopkinsville has to prove he is a capable scorer and not just a shot blocker. The 7 footer is known for his defense but Hopkinsville can make a push to get back to Rupp Arena if he can provide an inside scoring threat for the Tigers.
- George Rogers Clark duo Jordan Graham and Brennan Canada had Will Philpot, Chase Taylor and Ryan Cooper a year ago and couldn’t beat Campbell County early in the season or in the regional tournament. A year later and the GRC duo have to prove they can get past Campbell (and Scott) if they want to make it to Rupp Arena in March. Both need to step their games up to find their way to the Sweet Sixteen.
- Another top Senior duo, Carson Guthrie and Connor Guthrie of Mayfield need to show everyone they can beat Graves County when it matters. Mayfield knocked off Graves in the regular season before losing the district title game to Graves by a bucket. Mayfield could be the team to beat in the 1st region. But they have to be able to get past Graves when it matters.
- It’s now or never for Newport Seniors Makhi McGuire and Donnie Miller. Two of the best guards in the 9th region have waited for Covington Catholic and Cooper to take a step back so they can find their way to Rupp Arena. It remains to be seen if either of those teams take a step back but Newport’s guards should be just as good as any in the 9th region. Time to prove that they can get the job done and win the 9th region All A and make a push for Rupp Arena.
- Corbin’s Chase Sanders needs to show that Corbin can still compete for the 13th region title after Andrew Taylor and Chandler Stewart both graduated. Sanders is the leading returning scorer for the Hounds but they need to make up for about 45 points per game that graduated with Taylor and Stewart. Look for Sanders to get the lion’s share of the shots this season as he’ll try to guide the Hounds back to Rupp Arena.
- Harrison County seniors Spencer Free, Thomas Thompson and Quenton Turley had a good summer for the Thoroughbreds but are out to prove that Harrison County can be a factor in the 10th region this season. Coming off a disappointing Junior campaign where they only won 11 games, the trio needs to make the leap and show they can contend for a district and regional title in their final seasons at Harrison.