Top 5: Eighth Region
Continuing with some very early 2018-19 regular season previews, we are breaking down the top 5 teams and top 5 college prospects in each region. We move to the eighth region today where Oldham County is in rebuild mode and Walton-Verona looks to use their size to win their way to the Sweet Sixteen.
Top 5 Teams:
- Walton-Verona - Walton amassed 26 wins last year and made the regional tournament despite not having Dieonte Miles for most of the season. Miles is back and there is a large 9 member Senior class with him. Walton has size and quality guards. They should be hard to match up with in the post. Right now they are the team to beat in the 8th.
- Gallatin County - Troy Coomer is one of the best shooters in the state and Gallatin returns a solid core that lost in the regional semifinals last year. Gallatin is typically physical and tough and well coached but they lost 2 games to Walton last season so W-V gets the early edge this season.
- Collins - With Nick Fort and Jacob Feltner gone to graduation, the Junior class at Collins should now have a chance to step up. They'll be smaller than most of their opponents but if they play with pace and space they will have the potential to outscore some teams.
- Spencer County - One of the youngest teams in the region last season, Spencer returns most of their core, including a very good Sophomore class. After two years of varsity experience for Jake Whitlock and Sam Conley, the Bears should look to make some strides this year.
- South Oldham - The 5th spot in the preseason is a shot in the dark. Any number of teams could fill this spot. Oldham County, North Oldham,Simon Kenton and South Oldham have all been decimated by graduation but South has a tradition of excellence and tend to play well in the postseason. So, for now, the edge goes to the Dragons.
Top 5 College Prospects:
- Dieonte Miles - Already committed to Xavier, Miles has the kind of upside that had most of the top coaches in the country drooling at the end of July. His whirlwind recruiting ended with a commitment to the Musketeers last month. Make no mistake, Miles has NBA draft pick type of upside.
- Dayvion McKnight - Already holding 3 offers, McKnight is the second ranked player in our 2020 class rankings. Dayvion is a difference maker on both ends of the floor and may be the best rebounder in the region and he's a point guard. As he continues improving as a shooter, the sky is the limit for McKnight.
- Kelly Niece - A gifted scorer, Niece is going to be counted on for more than the 16 points per game he averaged as a freshman last year. Kelly peaked in the regional tournament with a 37 point game and will likely only be better this year after playing up a grade level on the Adidas Gold circuit.
- Marcellus Vail - One of the best scorers you will find in the Junior class, Vail is going to have to step up big time in his Junior season where he should be a bigger part of the Collins offense. Marcellus is known mainly as a shooter and needs to affect the game more to be the best college prospect he can be.
- Luke Morrison - Great size as a wing shooter at nearly 6'5, Morrison has the ability to get hot and stay hot from the perimeter. Where he has to improve is with his ability to attack the rim. This season, Luke should be the focal point of the South Oldham offense this year and will have to deal with the added pressure of not having Devin Young on the floor with him anymore.
