Region POY and Mr. Basketball Candidate Rundown
Voted on by coaches from around the Bluegrass, the Kentucky Lion’s Eye and the KABC released each region’s player of the year, which automatically qualifies each player consideration for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award. Prep Hoops Kentucky gives a run down of each region’s player of the year:
1st: JJ Reed – Paducah Tilghman
- Reed has helped the Blue Tornado to a 18-8 overall record while averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game. Reed is shooting 55% from the field.
2nd: Detorrion Ware – Christian County
- Christian County sits atop the 2nd Region and Ware is a huge reason for that success. Ware is averaging 31.3 points and 9 rebounds per game.
3rd: GCorian Gardner – Owensboro
- Gardner is averaging 17.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Owensboro is 19-6, 8-2 in region play.
4th: Skyelar Potter – Warren Central
- The Wright State commit is averaging 24.3 points and 12 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.5% from the field. Warren Central is a favorite to win the 4th Region.
5th: Mickey Pearson – John Hardin
- A St. Louis commit, Pearson is averaging 26.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. John Hardin is 23-7, 10-2 in region play.
6th: Curt Lewis – Valley
- One of the state’s more underrated prospects, Lews is averaging 25 points per game while shooting a blazing 65% from the field.
7th: Jay Scrubb – Louisville Trinity
- With a couple D1 offers already, Scrubb is sure to continue impressing coaches. The senior is averaging 18 and 7 on arguably Kentucky’s most talented team.
8th: Cobe Penny – Anderson County
- The Bellarmine commit is averaging 22.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
9th: Adam Kunkel (Cooper) & CJ Fredrick (Covington Catholic)
- It seemed to be hard to determine a clear cut winner here, but we can’t blame them. Both Kunkel (Belmont) and Fredrick (Iowa) are D1 commits, and playing on the region’s top teams. Kunkel is averaging 21 points per game while Fredrick is averaging 22.5.
10th: Will Philpot – George Rogers Clark
- The senior big man has helped lead the Cardinals to a 26-4 overall record, 12-1 in region play. He is averaging 12.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
11th: Eric Boone – Bryan Station
- Boone has been one of the top performers in the state, not just the Lexington area. He is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. He’s also helped the Defenders to a 22-6 overall record, 14-5 in region play.
12th: Trevon Faulkner (Mercer County) & Steven Fitzgerald (Pulaski County)
- It’s only fitting to have Faulkner and Fitzgerald sharing the prize here in the 12th Region. Pulaski County won the region tournament last year, and Mercer seems to be a favorite to win it this year. There could be a possible match-up as the tournament comes into shape. Faulkner has committed to play at Northern Kentucky, Fitzgerald has committed to play at Samford.
13th: Andrew Taylor (Corbin) & Markelle Turner (Knox Central)
- Corbin’s senior guard and Furman commit, Taylor is averaging 28.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Turner is averaging 22.1 points and 4.3 rebounds, and Knox Central sits as one of the top teams in the region.
14th: Caleb Bonny – Estill County
- Bonny has had a fantastic senior season. He has helped Estill County win 14 of it’s last 15 games. Bonny is averaging 20.3 points per game while shooting 50% from the field.
15th: Wyatt Battaile – Pikeville
- One of the state’s top 2018 shooting guards, Battaile is averaging 23.2 points per game while averaging 8 rebounds.
16th: Dalton Barnett – Menifee County
- Barnett is averaging 22.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He’s also shooting over 50% from the field.