Event Preview: Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic (Free)
The Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic enters it’s 4th year at Warren Central and features several of the top Juniors in the state in action this Saturday. While there are only 3 games Saturday, they are all marquee match-ups with stars in each game. Here’s a look at the match-ups and players to watch:
Greenwood v. Owensboro Catholic (Noon)
Tale of the Tape: Greenwood sits at 10-11 overall with a Friday game against South Warren before the game against Catholic. The Aces are 13-7 heading into a Friday game against Daviess County. The Gators average 61 points per game while Catholic scores just shy of 68 points per game. Coach Tim Riley is a legend from his years at Warren Central and will look to beat Greenwood while pushing the pace for all 4 quarters.
Players to Watch: Catholic’s John Parker is the leading scorer and rebounder for Catholic but Freshman JiArius Webb has the length and potential as a young player that makes you think he could be a big time player in a year or so. Greenwood is led in points and rebounds by Ben Carroll while Sophomore Noah Stansbury is a solid player with a nice pedigree as the son of Western Kentucky head coach Rick Stansbury.
Madisonville-North Hopkins vs Bardstown (1:30)
Tale of the Tape: Bardstown is 10-12 heading into what should be a win against Nelson County tomorrow night. They’re averaging 57 points per game and shooting less than 30% from the 3 point line. Madisonville is 17-5 and in contention for the the 2nd region title. They’re shooting even worse from 3 as a team at 27% but they are averaging over 68 points per game and will look to push the pace against the Tigers on Saturday.
Players to Watch: Bardstown’s Junior duo of JJ Traynor and JaRel Montgomery are combining for 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. Traynor has had an up and down season but is one of the highest ranked players in our 2020 rankings. Madisonville with counter with Juniors Ksuan Casey and Kenny White. Both hold D1 offers as Juniors and Casey has shined this year with 16 points and 9 rebounds per game. It will be interesting to see if Traynor can guard Casey in the post.
Collins vs. Warren Central (3:00)
Tale of the Tape: The Dragons are 12-7 and have won 4 out of their last 5 games heading into a game with Warren East Friday night. They’re putting up 68 points per game and have the depth and athleticism to run and gun for 32 minutes. The Titans are on a 3 game losing streak but have a chance to end that against St. Xavier tomorrow. They’re averaging 61 points per game but have lost most of the games where they struggle to score.
Players to Watch: Collins Junior guard duo of Dayvion McKnight and Marcellus Vail both hold D1 offers and combine for 36 points per game. The key to beating Collins is slowing down one or both of that duo. Warren Central is also led by two Juniors in Dre Boyd and Kobe Brents. Those two combine for 26.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. Boyd leads the team in both categories. Neither player is a lights out shooter and that could be the difference in this game.