2017-18 Season Preview: 4th Region
October 15th is a holiday in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. High school basketball season is officially underway in the Bluegrass state. The excitement that comes with a new season will soon be replaced by the grind of the season but every school in the state starts the season with the same goal. Everyone wants to get to Rupp Arena in March. In our season preview series, we break down the favorites to make it to the KHSAA state tournament out of each region. Our previews continue with the fourth region, where Bowling Green looks to return to Rupp Arena as the 4th Region Champion for the 5 straight season.
Defending Champion and Favorite (36-2, 4 seniors graduated; 1 very big 8th grade transfer out)
Best Case Scenario: Jarius Key steps up to lead a relatively inexperienced BG squad. The losses of Terry Taylor, Kyran Jones, Deangelo Wilson and Zion Harmon are minimized by a strong Junior class and the Purples win a 5th straight regional crown before falling in the state tournament.
Worst Case Scenario: The losses are too much to overcome and the Purples limp through the regular season before losing in the district semifinals. Coach Derrick Clubb goes back to the drawing board after his first year at the helm for the Purples.
Contender: Barren County (17-16 last season, 1 senior graduated)
Best Case Scenario: Jared Coomer is the best player in the region. Barren County benefits from the downfall of Bowling Green and advances to the regional championship game to face the winner of the 14th district.
Worst Case Scenario: The Trojans have a lot of depth but no one who can consistently score in double figures but Coomer. They win their district but are knocked out in the regional tournament opener.
Contender: Warren Central (17-14, 5 seniors graduated)
Best Case Scenario: Skyelar Potter is the best player in the region. The Dragons bounce back from a very disappointing 2016-17 season and make a return trip to Rupp Arena as the champions of the 4th region.
Worst Case Scenario: Potter does all he can but the supporting cast is not up to par for Coach Unseld’s Dragons. They fall in the district semifinals for a second straight season and watch rival Bowling Green win the region again.
Contender: Monroe County (17-13 last season, 1 senior graduated)
Best Case Scenario: The Falcons return their top 7 scorers from a year ago. They have the firepower and depth to compete with the big boys of the 14th district. They win their district and eventually take out Bowling Green to be the regional champs and head to Rupp Arena.
Worst Case Scenario: Senior Billy Michael Dyer sees a drop in his impressive production from a season ago and his teammates don’t step up to fill that gap. The Falcons lose in the regional tournament.