The Best of Kentucky: Elite Centers
In Kentucky, we are starting to see the separation in talent between individuals and teams. As each team is about to enter their 15th game of the season, regional favorites and contenders are starting to form. Not only that, but…
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Continue ReadingIn Kentucky, we are starting to see the separation in talent between individuals and teams. As each team is about to enter their 15th game of the season, regional favorites and contenders are starting to form. Not only that, but the top players in the state are starting to rise and make a name for themselves. Also, these players are translating their performances into wins. Listed below are my picks for the Elite Centers in the state.
Kentucky as a whole lacks true centers, so bare with me as this is virtually an extension of power forwards.
– Isaiah Cozart, Madison Central: earlier in the season Cozart became the KHSAA all-time leader in blocks. Standing 6’8, his game embodies a true center role and he has taken over as one of the best big men in the state. He is averaging 20.4 points per game on 62% shooting. Also, he is also top 3 for statistical rebounding leaders in the state with 13 rebounds per game. Watching Isaiah play is a pleasure and he really pushes his team to compete. Madison Central has been all over the state playing some of the top teams around, with a 7-7 record they have fallen to the middle of the pack in the Lexington area 11th Region. On a brighter note, last year he committed to play under Rick Stansbury and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He looks to go to Bowling Green and continue their trend of producing good forwards like Charles Bassey who is likely a first rounder in the 2019 NBA Draft. Cozart and the Indians host #1 in the state Scott County tonight and top 12th Region team West Jessamine on the 1/15.
– Trey James, Sheldon Clark: James is one of the top players in the KY 2021 class and lately he has sparked interest from top D1 programs. In state, Kentucky and Louisville have shown interest by inviting him to Big Blue Madness and unofficial game visits. Standing 6’10 he is one of the tallest players in the state and his ceiling is realistically unlimited. He is averaging 18.3 points per game on 61% shooting. Also he is posting great rebounding numbers (11.1 per game) and just under 5 blocks per game. Trey and his team have traveled all around southeastern Kentucky and also went to Las Vegas, NV to play in the Tarkanian Classic (1-3 record). He has the ability to be the highest rated recruit besides 2021 guard Zion Harmon and both of them will most likely play at a high level D1 program. James and the Cardinals play the toughest part of their schedule the next three games; @ Paintsville, @ Lawrence County, v. Johnson Central in their next three games. It will be interesting to see how his game fares against 3 of the top 5 teams in the 15th Region.
– Ksuan Casey, Madisonville-North Hopkins: coming in as our #1 C in the KY 2020 class, Casey has been a force to be reckoned with this year. He is the leading scorer on his team who is 10-5 and a top 3 team in their region. Realistically MNH is one of the only teams who has the ability to contend with University Heights for the 2nd Region title. Ksuan is averaging 15.4 points per game on 57% shooting. His rebounds numbers are on the upward trend, increasing with each game he plays, he is now at 9.1 rebounds per game. In the past week he has also received his first D1 offer from Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is the first of many to come. By the time his senior year rolls around, I believe his team will have a long run at Rupp Arena and will contend for a state title. The Maroons host another top team in their region, Caldwell County on January 8th.
– Dieonte Miles, Walton-Verona: Dieonte, like a few other players in his class had an incredible 2018 AAU summer. This led to his commitment to Xavier University under Travis Steele in the Big East. In terms of competitiveness, WV has been on a tear the past couple of seasons and is right up there with Collins, Simon Kenton, and South Oldham for the top teams in the 8th Region. Miles is posting steady numbers this season, 11.7 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. He also splits a lot of the workload with two players who are 6’6 or taller. He has made a case as the best big man in the state after his team defeated Isaiah Cozart (mentioned above) and Madison Central earlier this year at the KOB. The 8th Region is probably the most competitive its been in 4-5 years and the Bearcats have a difficult task if they are to play at Rupp Arena. Regardless it will be interesting to see how his game transfers over into college. Walton-Verona currently is 10-2 on the season and the meaty part of their season is about to take place (All A Tournament, Campbell County, Spencer County).
– Jamison Epps, Marion County: almost another extension of a player in between PF and C. Epps, has been on a tear lately posting insane numbers this season. Another player in the 2020 class who is drastically helping his team out on the court. He is averaging 14.2 points per game and 12 rebounds per game and his team is top 5 in their region. Jamison stands 6’7 and has an incredible ceiling, it wouldn’t shock me to see him in our top 15 players for his senior season and on a college roster. Marion County has a tough hill to climb in order for their team to be able to make it to a Sweet 16. He has solidified himself as a big man and is top 10 in the state in total rebounds per game. Marion County is 12-4 on the season and much like every team in the state their schedule is set to beef up. The play in the inaugural 2A Championship against DeSales and then take on district opponents Campbellsville and Adair County in the next week.
– Ray Surratt, Lafayette: Ray’s stock has risen based off his play this season. He may now wind up on a college roster since a reliable 6’11 big man is hard to turn away. Already he has drastically increased is season averages from his sophomore to junior season (10.1 ppg – 18.4 ppg & 5.5 rpg – 8.6 rpg). I was able to watch him play when I was in high school and his athleticism has increased since then making him one of the top bigs in his region. He comes in at our #2 Center for the Kentucky 2020 class and his profile is starting to spread across the state. The past couple of years, besides Scott County, Lexington area schools have been on a downward trend behind Louisville and Northern Kentucky schools for high school hoops. Surratt and Lafayette are hoping to turn around that stigma and bring Lexington high school basketball back on the upward trend. The next two games Ray and the Generals play are against Lexington powerhouses Lexington Catholic and Lexington Christian in the next weeks..
Others Outside the List:
Jamarion Sharp, Hopkinsville: 7 ppg / 52% FG / 6.8 rpg / 9-8 record
Mark Goode, LaRue County: 17 ppg / 60% FG / 9.5 rpg / 13-2 record
JJ Traynor, Bardstown: 10.2 ppg / 44% FG / 8.2 rpg / 8-9 record
Riley Bodner, Lincoln County: 6 ppg / 51% FG / 9 rpg / 11-6 record
Kobe Bowling, Buckhorn: 20.7 ppg / 57% FG / 12.1 rpg / 11-5 record
Tobias Thompson, Southern: 14 ppg / 62% FG / 10.4 rpg / 8-7 record
Cameron Aldridge, Fulton County: 10 ppg / 52% FG / 13 rpg / 6-6 record, #1 C in state rebounding.
Nick Keeton, Paintsville: 11 ppg / 64% FG / 12.8 rpg / 11-2 record
Jonathan Stokes, Marshall County: 17.7 ppg / 51% FG / 11.2 rpg / 8-9 record
Tyler Pitney, East Jessamine: 18.4 ppg / 51% FG / 10.8 rpg / 7-9 record
John Calvery, Todd County Central: 18.7 ppg / 52% FG / 12.4 rpg / 5-13 record