2017-2018 All Prep Hoops Kentucky First Team
Now that the 2017-18 season is over and the championship trophy made its way back to Covington Catholic, the post season looms large. Before we move into AAU season and publish our final class of 2018 rankings, we need to recognize the players who made the most impact across the Bluegrass State in the regular season and into the postseason. Team success is taken into consideration with these teams and not just the individual statistics that players accumulated during the season. Here is the 2017-2018 Prep Hoops Kentucky First Team (in no particular order):
Mickey Pearson, John Hardin – Committed to Saint Louis, Mickey averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds on the year while leading John Hardin to the regional title. Pearson was a nightmare matchup for 5th region foes all year long. He leaves John Hardin as the career leader in about every statistical category possible. Mickey was the 5th Region Player of the Year and a Mr. Basketball finalist.
Trevon Faulkner, Mercer County – 2018’s Mr Basketball, Faulkner is headed to Northern Kentucky in the fall. Trevon finished his senior season averaging 26.5 points and 9 rebounds per game. Trevon also eclipsed 3,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds in 5 years of starting varsity for the Titans.
Andrew Taylor, Corbin – Another Mr Basketball finalist who will finish his career with over 3,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, Taylor led his Corbin team back to Rupp Arena for the first time in his high school career and won a game before falling to Scott County. Andrew averaged nearly 29 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Red Hounds. Taylor has signed to play at Furman next season.
Jayden Scrubb, Trinity – One of the premier athletes in the state, Scrubb was voted the back to back Most Valuable Player in the 7th Region. Scrubb helped lead Trinity to Rupp Arena, where they fell to Scott County in one of the best games in the Sweet Sixteen. Jay recently announced his intentions to complete a post graduate year at Aspire Academy in Louisville.
CJ Fredrick, Covington Catholic – The MVP of the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen, Fredrick will be enrolled at Iowa in about 3 months. CJ put on a remarkable shooting display all season but especially when it mattered most at Rupp Arena. Fredrick’s evolution from a sixth man on the freshman team to a high major D1 signee is commendable and goes to show what hard work can do for you.
Skyelar Potter, Warren Central – The player of the year in the 4th region, Potter is signed to Wright State. Skyelar is capable of scoring buckets on anyone and from anywhere on the floor. Skyelar helped lead the Dragons to the State Final 4 before falling to Scott County.
Michael Moreno, Scott County – The best player on the state tournament runner-up. Moreno is almost an automatic double double, averaging 20.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. His play in the state tournament was phenomenal and he would have been tournament MVP if the Cardinals had won the title game.
Dontaie Allen, Pendleton County – The 6’6″ guard is a pure scorer who also ranked among the state’s top rebounders all season long. Allen averaged just under 32 points per game on the season and pulled down 11.4 rebounds per contest too. Already at over 2,600 points and 1,000 rebounds for his entire career. Allen was probably the single most valuable player on any particular team this season as he accounted for roughly 50% of Pendleton’s offense and 30% of their rebounding.
Dekeyvan “KyKy” Tandy, University Heights Academy – Another elite prospect in Kentucky’s 2019 class, Tandy is a high level athlete and a big time scorer. KyKy averaged 30.5 points per game for the Blazers with remarkable 61/45/78 shooting splits. KyKy put on a show in a losing effort to Campbell County at Rupp Arena and twitter was buzzing afterwards about the Kentucky recruit.
De’Torrion Ware, Christian County – The state’s second leading scorer at 31.9 points per game, Ware put his teammates on his back more than once on their way to 22 wins. Ware is still unsigned but recently had a visit with Saint Louis coach Travis Ford after the Second Region championship game.