2017-2018 Season Preview: 10th 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 here the 10th Region.
THE CONTENDERS:
SCHOOL NAME (overall record, region record from last season)
George Rogers Clark (20-13, 10-5)
The Cardinals return their top leading scorers in Ryan Cooper (13.6), Will Philpot (11.9), and Jordan Graham (11.5). That alone would have made GRC a contender in the 10th Region this season. But add in junior Brennan Canada (16.8 last season) and freshman Jared Wellman (15.1 last season), GRC now becomes a state tournament contender. The Cardinals also return senior experience in Chase Taylor, who averaged 8.3 points per game as a junior.
Mason County (17-16, 9-7)
Leevi Dunaway has become one of the best scorers in the region, averaging over 22 points per game last season. The senior guard will look to lead a team of other experienced players to the regional tournament in hopes of making some noise. Senior Isaiah Garrison averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds as junior. Junior Jaylen Lofton averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds as a sophomore. Mason County’s best bet at a regional title could hinge on 6’10 senior big man Dalton Perkins’ ability to protect the paint and draw the defense in to open up the floor some more on offense.
Campbell County (30-5, 14-2)
Campbell has some ground to make up after graduating Cole Hegyi and Garren Bertsch , both of whom averaged over 17 points per game last season. They do return a host of players ready to pick up where those two left off. Tanner Clos is set to have a break out senior season. Clos averaged just under 10 points per game as a junior last year. The Camels also return senior Joel Day and Reid Jolly. Tanner Clos and Joel Day were starters for Cmpbell County last season.
Paris (26-8, 17-2)
After a remarkable season that saw the Greyhounds win All “A” State Tournament, Paris graduated Jekobi Wells, who averaged 17 points per game last season. They do return a starting back court of Eric Johnson (15.0) and Marcus Ashford (5.4).
Pendleton County (18-12, 9-6)
Photo Credit: Falmouth OutlookDontaie Allen can play and Keaton Belcher can coach. Pendleton County is a team who always finds a way to play through the district and make it to the regional tournament. Allen averaged 29.1 points and 12.2 rebounds as a sophomore last season and is receiving a number of D-1 scholarship offers. The Wildcats also return Grant Walsh, who averaged 12 points per game last season.