Top 5 Preview: Tenth 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 tenth region where Campbell County looks to fend off Scott and George Rogers Clark to get back to Rupp Arena where they made a run to the Elite 8 last season.
Top 5 Teams:
- Campbell County – The Camels lost Joel Day and Tanner Clos from their Elite 8 team a season ago but they do return Reid Jolly who is one of the more valuable players in the region along with Senior guard Drew Wilson. Not a ton of scoring coming back outside of those two but Campbell gets the early nod until GRC and Scott prove they can beat the Camels.
- George Rogers Clark – Coach Cook’s group is talented but haven’t been able to beat Campbell County or Scott in the last two years. The Cardinals graduated some experienced players and will have a young bench this season. Jordan Graham and Brennan Canada have to step up with Philpot, Cooper and Taylor gone.
- Scott – Scott is only two years removed from a magical Jake Ohmer-fueled run to the state Final four. This season they will try to duplicate that run with Jake’s brother Chad running the point guard spot for the Eagles. Senior Trey Meister stepped up last season to lead the team in scoring and rebounding. For them to get to Rupp, Scott will need a third scorer to help ease the burden on Meister and Ohmer.
- Pendleton County – Too many people see Pendleton as Dontaie Allen and some other guys but Pendleton also returns Junior Cody Sullivan and Sophomore Tredyn Thomas. The offense will run through Allen and he will score a lot of points but don’t count out the Wildcats to get back to the regional and make a run to try to get to Rupp.
- Mason County – The Royals made a coaching change after a mediocre 17-14 season and failing to get to the regional tournament last season. Senior Jaylen Lofton will be the featured player for new coach Brian Kirk. There are a ton of unknowns with Mason but Paris graduated a ton and Harrison may not be ready to make the leap this year so for now Mason County slides in at #5.
Top 5 College Prospects:
- Dontaie Allen – Already committed to Kentucky, Allen is going to be among the state’s leading scorers again this season and could end his career as the second leading scorer in the history of Kentucky high school basketball. Which is pretty insane when you think about it. Not to mention he already has over 1,000 career rebounds.
- Jordan Graham – Blessed with great size for the position at 6’4, Graham has the look of a Division 1 PG and has an offer from Tennessee Tech already. If Graham can show a more consistent perimeter jump shot, he could end up as a mid major D1 point. Right now Jordan is more of a slasher and one dribble pull-up shooter than anything.
- Brennan Canada – Brennan is 6’7 and has the ability to stretch the floor. The thing that limits his ceiling as a prospect is his reliance on his jump shot when he should be bruising people down low a majority of the time. Canada has the potential to average a double-double and post some good shooting stats as a Senior this year.
- Reid Jolly – Jolly would be a no brainer D1 player if he were 2-3 inches taller. As it is, he may end up being a better football receiver than he is a basketball prospect. Jolly grabbed a couple of NAIA offers last week and should already have offers from schools like Asbury and Campbellsville. Jolly is the type of player who will win games for whatever school he plays for.
- Trey Meister – One of the most popular small school recruits around this fall, Meister has been on a tour of a bunch of D3 and NAIA schools over the last few months. He led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding last season and has flashed more athleticism than you expect. Look for Meister to land comfortably at the D2 or NAIA level by graduation.