Teams With the Most to Prove
Last week we previewed which players in each class have the most to prove this season. Today we take a look at which teams have a lot to prove this year. Here’s a breakdown of which teams have to prove something this year.
- Reigning state championsĀ Covington Catholic are going to have to show people that there is life after CJ Fredrick and Aiden Ruthsatz. The Colonels will be fairly inexperienced. Tyler Fleek, Nick Thelen and Jack Davin all played a lot last year but the rest of the roster will be mainly JV players who played spot minutes for the varsity. Granted their JV was undefeated last season so it’s not like the Colonels will be lacking for talent. Just varsity experience.
- Scott CountyĀ is going to have to prove that they can survive a season of being the heavy favorite. The Cardinals fell in the state title game in March and bring back everyone but Cooper Robb. Dunbar transferĀ Isaiah Allen will help an already loaded back court and the emergence of Junior forwardĀ Terrin Hamilton should make Scott County one of the deepest rosters in the state. Rumors continue to circle that Billy Hicks is done after the season and the new (second) high school opens in Georgetown next school year. The pressure will be on the Cards to win it all this year.
- Bowling Green is in the midst of a youth movement. SophomoresĀ Connor Cooper, Isaiah Mason, Trace Flanary and Cobi Huddleston along with freshmanĀ Turner ButtryĀ will all see a lot of playing time. Warren Central’s roster is loaded with upperclassman transfers and Glasgow is likely the early favorite to win the 4th. The Purples have to prove that their talented youngsters are ready to compete and win in a tough region as they try to get to the Sweet Sixteen.
- University Heights is among the favorites to not only get back to the Sweet Sixteen in March but make a run at a title. In order to get there and challenge for the big trophy, the Blazers have to show they can play some defense. They have a ton of firepower on offense but they’re eventually going to run into a team they can’t outscore. Whether it requires them to play zone or even press some, the only way UHA wins the state title is if they prove they can guard teams in March.
- Fern Creek needs to show the Commonwealth that the Tigers are a 6th region dynasty and not just a two year run of excellence. Ahmad Price, Anthony Wales, Clint Wickliffe and Tony Rogers have all graduated.Ā Jaden Rogers, Darrius Washington and Devean FranklinĀ are ready to step up. Getting back to Rupp Arena with such a young team would validate Coach Schooler’s abilities as he is pretty consistently underrated among the state’s better coaches. If Schooler can get his young Tigers to Rupp this year, 3 straight region titles qualifies Fern Creek as a dynasty.
- Hopkinsville had a miserable losing season last year and have been down the last couple of seasons. WithĀ Jamarion Sharp,Ā Alijah Watts, Tefrel Toliver and James NicholasĀ back to lead the Tigers, it’s time for Hoptown to show that they won’t stay down long. UHA, Madisonville and Christian County should all be good again this year but Hopkinsville always has talent. Time to prove that they have discipline to go with it.
- Trinity is in the last year of the David Johnson era. Since David emerged as one of the state’s most talented players, the Rocks have been knocked out in the opening round of the Sweet Sixteen twice and beaten in the regional semifinals one time. Johnson is a high major talent who likely ends up in the NBA in the future. As talented as he is, the supporting cast at Trinity has to prove they can get deep in the state tournament.Ā