Next Up: Replacing Top 2020s (Regions 11-16)
The 2020 class is out the door but their high school teams are left to try and replace the production of players who have had a massive impact for the last several seasons. Here’s a look at how teams will…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 class is out the door but their high school teams are left to try and replace the production of players who have had a massive impact for the last several seasons. Here’s a look at how teams will look to replace the top players in the departing Senior class.
Eleventh Region:
Player of the Year: Marques Warrick Marques Warrick 6'3" | SG Henry Clay | 2020 State #365 Nation KY , Henry Clay
Next Up: Kanye Henderson Kanye Henderson 6'3" | SG Henry Clay | 2022 State KY (2022). I feel like I’ve been driving the Kanye Henderson Kanye Henderson 6'3" | SG Henry Clay | 2022 State KY bandwagon for a while now but I do think he is going to burst on the scene next season. He’s a lot like Warrick with his length and smooth scoring ability. Marques eventually became a go-to scorer who could take over games. I’m not sure Henderson has that amount of dog in him but I do think he can be Ques-lite at worst.
Twelfth Region:
Player of the Year: Brayden Sebastian Brayden Sebastian 6'3" | SF Garrard County | 2020 State KY , Garrard County
Next Up: Montavin Quisenberry (2024). Garrard is likely to go right back to rebuilding mode with Sebastian graduating and Coach Ryan Young resigning. Quisenberry showed some flashes of his future potential as he started this past season as an 8th grader. He doesn’t shoot the ball especially well but he can penetrate the defense and make plays happen. Senior Hudson Cornett is likely to lead the Lions in scoring but Quisenberry is the better long term prospect.
Thirteenth Region:
Player of the Year: Matt Cromer Matt Cromer 6'2" | CG South Laurel | 2020 State KY , South Laurel
Next Up: Ayden Evans Ayden Evans 6'9" | C Elizabethtown | 2024 State KY (2024). Senior Micah Anders is the leading returning scorer for the Cards but Mabe is likely to play with the ball in his hands the majority of the time. Long and skinny, Jordan looks like your typical freshman but he does flash some serious potential with his length and guard skills. Time will tell how tall he gets and if he ever fills out his skinny frame but Mabe has a chance to be a top player in the 2024 class.
Fourteenth Region:
Player of the Year: Joe Benton Joe Benton 5'10" | PG Estill County | 2020 State KY , Estill County
Next Up: Landon Napier (2022). Any coach in the 15th region would tell you they’re thrilled to see Benton gone from Estill County after a long career that included a regional title in his Junior season. Napier was the second leading scorer for the Engineers last season and likely to be the leading scorer this year as he’ll get the lion’s share of the shots but won’t have Benton’s dynamic passing to get him open looks. Landon will do his best to keep Estill from facing a total rebuild.
Fifteenth Region:
Player of the Year: Cody Potter Cody Potter 6'5" | SF Shelby Valley | 2020 State KY , Shelby Valley
Next Up: Kaden Robinson (2021). Cody is not going to be replaced by any one player because his lethal shooting opened up everything else for his teammates. Robinson is a good shooter and solid all around player but Shelby Valley will need him and teammates Keian Worrix Keian Worrix 5'7" | PG Shelby Valley | 2022 State KY and Elijah Sykes to all be prepared to step up and shoulder the load as Cody’s graduation costs the Wildcats 25 points per game.
Sixteenth Region:
Player of the Year: Sam O’Keefe, Lewis County
Next Up: Kolby McCann (2021). McCann was basically O’Keefe lite this season as he was second in scoring and rebounding behind Sam and they shot the exact percentage (53.6%) from the field for the season. With the 16th having more talent next season, Kolby will really need to elevate his game to keep Lewis in contention next season. If he can add some stretch to his game and knock down perimeter jumpers, it would go a long way towards making his team (and his game) more dynamic.