12th Region Preview: Lincoln County Outlook
Flipping the calendar to October means the high school basketball season is rapidly approaching. After an unprecedented start to the 2020-2021 season, programs look to get back into their routine for the launch of the 2021-2022 campaign. Prep Hoops will…
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Continue ReadingFlipping the calendar to October means the high school basketball season is rapidly approaching. After an unprecedented start to the 2020-2021 season, programs look to get back into their routine for the launch of the 2021-2022 campaign. Prep Hoops will be following along with the 11th and 12th Region top 4 finalists from last season.
Lincoln County Patriots
2020-2021 Record
12-6 Regular Season
4-1 Postseason (Lost to Boyle County in 12th Region Championship)
Prep Hoops spoke with Coach Jackson about his team. The Lincoln County program is a perfect example of what makes Kentucky basketball special. The current roster has several players that have lived in the Lincoln County region their whole lives and are second, third, fourth, and fifth-generation Patriots. Coach Jackson and his coaching staff have a strong returning nucleus that took the Patriots a couple of possessions away from reaching Rupp. We preview a few returning players that are primed to make another jump in the 12th region this season. Two players, Jaxon Smith Jaxon Smith 6'2" | PG Lincoln County | 2022 State KY and Tramane Alcorn Tramane Alcorn 6'0" | CG Lincoln County | 2023 State KY , are ranked in our Prep Hoops Player Database.
Top Returner: Jaxon Smith Jaxon Smith 6'2" | PG Lincoln County | 2022 State KY , is following in his father’s footsteps suiting up for the Patriots. Jaxon is entering his senior year as a 5th-year starter. He has already eclipsed the 1000 point scoring record and is solidifying his name as one of the most accomplished players in school history. Smith embodies the Lincoln County brand by being an outstanding student-athlete, a leader in the community, and a winner on the court. Prep Hoops has Smith ranked as a Top 20 player in the state (Class of 2022 Rankings). For the Patriots to return to the 12th Region Tournament, look for Smith to build on his outstanding junior season campaign by becoming more efficient on the offensive end and use his high basketball IQ and elusiveness to aggravate defenses.
Top Playmaker: Tramane Alcorn Tramane Alcorn 6'0" | CG Lincoln County | 2023 State KY , is a returning junior starter that has explosive playmaking potential at every bounce. Alcorn is a Top 15 player in the class of 2023 (Newest 2023 Player Rankings). His aggressiveness getting to the rim and crafty offensive skill-set makes him a matchup problem that will be on every scouting report. Look for Alcorn to become a tenacious, ball-hawking defender that will cause disruptions in the passing lanes and turn into easy offense for the Patriots.
Top Surprise: Jackson Simms, will be a player that is sure to surprise opponents this season. Simms has had a significant growth spurt that will give him another dimension of his development. Simms was already a proven shooter but he will be able to play more wing/forward minutes this season for Coach Jackson. Simms is another player who knows how to make winning plays. Look for Simms to have an immediate impact on the court.
Players we will keep an eye on as the season unfolds:
- Will Bishop, Rockcastle County transfer, #5 PF in the class of 2024 rankings
- Evan Smith, returning for another year and rejoining the Patriots
- Clayton Davis, currently leading the Patriots football team with 10 touchdowns and 900+ receiving yards
- Underclassmen Jalen Smith and Connor Davis Connor Davis 5'10" | PG Lincoln County | 2024 State KY