Elite 8: 2nd Region
We are only 2 and a half weeks from the start of the KHSAA Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena. Half the schools in Kentucky have been eliminated from the postseason and by Thursday night, that number will dip to 64 teams remaining. The games get started on Tuesday night in the 6th and 7th regions before the rest of the state starts regional play on Wednesday night. We’re going to take a look at the 8 top players remaining in each region and take a shot at power ranking the remaining teams. The 2nd region starts play on Wednesday night. All regional games take place at Henderson County. Here’s a breakdown of the 1st region tournament and the top individual players still playing.
Elite 8 Players (in no order):
PG Kale Gaither, Henderson County – One of the best freshmen in the state, Gaither earned a starting role with the Colonels around Christmas time and hasn’t looked back. Averaging 14 points and 4 rebounds per game, Kale is the more dynamic player on the Henderson roster.
F Isaac Anglin, Henderson County – Henderson’s second biggest weapon, Anglin is an athletic forward who averages 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. The senior has a big time motor and can create havoc on the defensive end as hard as he plays.
C Ksuan Casey, Madisonville – North Hopkins – One of the top sophomores in the state, Casey is 6’9″ and is a load in the post. Skilled around the rim, Casey averages 16 points and 9 rebounds for the Maroons and could be the the key to an upset win over Christian County in the opening round.
Wing Detorrion Ware, Christian County – The senior is one of the best scorers in the state, averaging 31.3 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounding at 9 per game. Ware is the best senior in the region and will make a nice pickup for some college in the spring.
G Dekeyvan “KyKy” Tandy, University Heights – Already holding offers from High Major D1 schools in his junior season, Tandy is an electric athlete who can score the ball at every level. KyKy averages just under 31 points per game and shoots 45% from 3. Tandy took an unofficial visit to Kentucky this past Saturday.
F TaQuan Hollowell, University Heights – The glue guy for UHA, Hollowell averages 11 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Blazers. A lot of his contributions don’t show up in the score book but Hollowell often guards the opposing team’s best player and is the spark that ignites many of the runs that the Blazers make.
F Logan Thomas, Union County – Averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds, Thomas does it all for Union County. The 6’4 senior shot 56% from the field for the season and is capable of pummeling any regional foe inside.
Power Rankings:
1. University Heights – Riding a wave of momentum and 6 straight wins, UHA is the team to beat in the 2nd region.
2. Christian County – The most likely outcome of the tournament is a 4th matchup between UHA and County.
3. Madisonville – Unfortunately the young Maroons will have to beat Christian County to advance. Next year they will be more serious contenders.
4. Henderson County – Barely above .500 for the season, this team is battle tested and should be advance to the semifinals.
5. Union County – Despite losing the district to Henderson, they should advance past Crittenden and make the semifinals.
6. Hopkins County Central – If they were in the right matchup, I’d think they could win a regional game. But they aren’t beating UHA.
7. Crittenden County – The Rockets are 7-19 on the year but won two games when it matters most. They have a chance to beat Union in the first game but their run likely ends no later than the semifinals.
8. Lyon County – 8-18 on the season, the Lyons pulled an upset over Trigg County to even reach this point. Don’t look for the magic to continue here.