All A State Preview: Players to Watch (Morning Session)
The annual All A State tournament tips off on Thursday morning in Richmond. There are several good teams hoping to cut down nets on Sunday, including reigning All A champions Lexington Christian. Looking ahead to Thursday, here are the players…
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Continue ReadingThe annual All A State tournament tips off on Thursday morning in Richmond. There are several good teams hoping to cut down nets on Sunday, including reigning All A champions Lexington Christian. Looking ahead to Thursday, here are the players to watch in the morning session of the opening round.
Thursday Morning Session:
- Campbellsville’s Malachi Corley – The 6 foot point guard is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Eagles. A two sport star with scholarship offers in football and basketball as a Junior, Corley is the engine that makes the team go. Averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds per game from the point guard spot, there may not be a better athlete in Richmond this week.
- Mayfield’s Connor Guthrie – Guthrie is one of the best shooters in the state, regardess of class. Shooting just shy of 46% from three on the season, Connor is the Senior leader for the Cardinals. Holding an offer from Bethel in Tennessee, Guthrie could be steal for a D2 school in the spring signing period.
- Lexington Christian Academy’s Kyle Rode – One of the best players in the 2019 class, Rode can make a compelling case to be this year’s Mr. Basketball. He truly does it all for Coach Valentine’s team and is likely the most valuable player to his team out of all the teams in the All A. Rode leads the team in points, rebounds and free throw percentage. If LCA will defend their title, it will be because Rode had a huge weekend. Rode is committed to Liberty for college.
- Owensboro Catholic’s John Parker – The leading scorer and rebounder for the Aces, Parker is also one of the most high percentage scorers in the state as he makes 53% of his shots. The match-up between Rode and Parker is going to be a good one. Parker also gets to the free throw line more than anyone else on the team and makes a very solid 75% of his attempts there.
- Middlesboro’s Jabari Kyle – A very off the radar player who will find his way into the 2020 class rankings at our next update, Kyle is a good athlete and shot maker who is capable of beating his man off the dribble consistently. The leading scorer for Middlesboro, Jabari is also a quality college prospect with a chance to make an impact at the D2 or NAIA level.
- Knott County Central’s Khalil Slone – Slone leads the Patriots in scoring and is their on-court leader. He missed 7 games this year but is putting up shooting splits of 56/41/82 and leading Knott in almost every statistical category.
- Walton-Verona’s Dieonte Miles – Already committed to Xavier, Miles has a chance to make an impact for Walton after missing the All A last season after shoulder surgery. Dieonte should be a better rebounder than what he is at 6.7 rebounds per game but his size and athleticism is a match-up nightmare for any all A team they come across this weekend.
- Louisville Holy Cross’ Sam Bearden – Leading the Cougars in scoring and rebounding, Bearden is a solid player who is very good around the rim but struggles when it comes time to stretch the floor with shooting. In order for Holy Cross to upset Walton, Bearden will have to get the better of the match-up against Dieonte Miles and Ethan Brook in the post.