Eric Slater
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 sixth region, where Fern Creek expects to make it back to Rupp Arena and contend for a state title.
Defending Champion and Favorite: Fern Creek (35-2 last season, graduated 4 seniors)
Best Case Scenario: The Tigers roll through the region all season. No one in the 6th can compete with Coach James Schooler’s bunch and they return to Rupp Arena for a second straight season. This time they get the job done and Ahmad Price, Clint Wickliffe, Anthony Wales and the rest of the senior class graduate as state champions.
Worst Case Scenario: The losses to graduation a season ago leave the Tigers lacking elite offensive players. They play well together but fall in the regional tournament due to a lack of quality depth.
Contender: Butler (16-12 last season, graduated 7 seniors)
Best Case Scenario: Led by Michael Burns and Devin Pendergrass, Coach KC Goodin’s Bears make huge strides. The talented freshman and sophomore classes combine with the upperclassmen to give Fern Creek all they want in the regional title game.
Worst Case Scenario: The younger Bears cannot replace the production lost to graduation. Butler struggles to score all season and they eventually fall in the district semifinals for the second straight season.
Contender: Pleasure Ridge Park (18-11 last season, graduated 2 seniors)
Best Case Scenario: the very deep and talented 7 man senior class carries Coach Dale Mabry’s Panthers to the regional title. Tre Hill is named the regional player of the year and he is vindicated for transferring from Fern Creek during his Sophomore season.
Worst Case Scenario: As good as PRP is, they aren’t good enough to get to Rupp Arena. The Panthers fall in the regional tournament and fail in their bid to get Coach Mabry back to the state tournament.
Contender: Valley (22-9 last season, graduated 4 seniors)
Best Case Scenario: Junior Cameron Wilson and Senior Curt Lewis become two of the top 5 players in the region. The Vikings surprise everyone but themselves by making a run to Rupp Arena.
Worst Case Scenario: Coach Dejuan Wheat cannot overcome the loss of 3 of his top 5 scorers from a year ago and a general lack of size dooms the Vikings in a region full of good post players. They lose in the regional tournament.
Contender: Desales (18-13 last season, graduated 2 seniors)
Best Case Scenario: The losses of Jaxon Burgess and Austin Black to graduation are not as devastating as predicted and the Colts use quality depth to win over 20 games and make a regional semifinal before losing.
Worst Case Scenario: After graduating 2 of their top 3 scorers, the Colts can’t score enough to compete in the strong 6th region. They limp to a sub .500 record and are eliminated in the district semifinal.