Top 5: Sixth 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 sixth region region today where the region has been hit hard by graduation. Any number of teams could end up finding their way to Rupp Arena in March.
Top 5 Teams:
- Butler – The Bears lost 7 Seniors to graduation but return Senior Reese Tolley and Junior Jadon Lamb.This summer Butler overwhelmed teams with their depth and constant pressure. Coach Goodin’s team will play hard every night out and that’s enough to give them the edge as of right now when so many other teams have huge question marks.
- Fern Creek – The Tigers lost even more players to graduation than Butler did. Fern Creek graduated all 5 starters and 10 players total this spring. So why are they ranked so high? There is still a lot of talent at the Creek and Sophomores Jaden Rogers, Darrius Washington and Devean Franklin are ready to step up and compete. They will struggle early but should peak in the postseason.
- Pleasure Ridge Park – Another squad hit hard by graduation, PRP lost the majority of their offense. They do return Darius Osborne and should have a total of 6 seniors on the roster. The issue early will be trying to find out where the scoring is going to come from this year after losing Tre Hill, Gerald Gray and Bryant Robinson. PRP has a habit of being good every year and Dale Mabry is an excellent coach so look for them to be in the mix all season long.
- Bullitt East – The Chargers bring back two good guards in Thomas Wiseheart and Zak Perdew. Coach Couch’s team wasn’t decimated by graduation as badly as most of the region. Last season was up and down and ended with a 15-16 record but East should be better this season and it doesn’t hurt that so many other teams in the sixth are going to have to adjust to life without many of their top players from a year ago.
- Bullitt Central – Central is a rarity in the fact that they bring back most of their roster from last season. Juniors Jake Mann, Chandler Ocasio and Tyler Tatum are all back for the Cougars and looking forward to a chance to prove they can compete with the traditional powers of the 6th region.
Top 5 College Prospects:
- Darrius Washington – Washington already has great size at the forward spot and continues to show an improved motor and skill level. Darrius should be the premier post player in the city of Louisville for the next 3 years and continue to stay near the top of the 2021 class rankings.
- Darius Osborne – Already holding an offer from Nicholls State, Darius is long and an excellent shot blocker whose offense continues to improve. Osborne has a tendency to float to the perimeter a little too much but he can shoot the ball a little. If PRP makes a run to the region title or beyond, Darius is going to play a pivotal role.
- Jaden Rogers – Only a sophomore, Rogers is going to go through the fires this season as a starting point guard in the 6th region. Jaden has good size for the position and continues to improve as he gets older. Rogers is already on the radar for many colleges and should eventually see D1 offers.
- Reese Tolley – Reese can score the ball at all three levels and would be one of the biggest Senior recruits in Louisville if he were taller. Tolley’s scoring ability is even more impressive when you consider his size at 5’9. Reese could be a really good D2 or NAIA player for a school that needs a certified bucket getter.
- Zak Perdew – The Junior point guard for Bullitt East has good size for the position and made big strides over the spring and summer. If you’re looking for a breakout candidate this season, Perdew would be a good choice. The battles between he and Jaden Rogers should be fun to watch over the next two years.