Preseason Predictions: Regions 1-4
Basketballs have started bouncing all around Kentucky in the last 3 days as we are officially underway with the 2018-19 basketball season. It’s still several weeks until games start and we won’t have scrimmages for a few more weeks but it’s never too early to make predictions on who will win the regional and which senior player will represent their region at the Mr. Basketball banquet in March. Here’s an early breakdown of regions 1-4.
First Region:
Champions: Mayfield. The Cardinals have been inching closer and closer to Rupp Arena over the last two years and it’s now or never for a good Senior class led by twin brothers Connor and Carson Guthrie. Graves County, McCracken County, Marshall County and Paducah Tilghman should put up a good fight over the course of the season but look for Mayfield to end their season in the Sweet Sixteen.
Mr. Basketball Finalist: Connor Guthrie, Mayfield. Connor has been one of the better (and most consistent) players in the region the last two seasons. Guthrie acts as the primary ball handler, often guards the opposition’s best player and is trusted to take and make the big shots late in games.
Second Region:
Champions: University Heights. Calling for the Blazers to repeat should be no surprise as they return most of their team from last season and have a top 100 player with the ball in his hands most of the game. Christian County, Hopkinsville and (maybe) Madisonville will be in the mix to win the second but UHA should have the firepower to get back to Rupp this season.
Mr. Basketball Finalist: Dekeyvan “KyKy” Tandy, University Heights. This is as close to a no brainer as there is in the state. Barring injury, Tandy should run away with the award in the second region and could garner some votes at actually win Mr. Basketball.
Third Region:
Champions: Owensboro Catholic. The third is a complete crapshoot this season with so many unknowns. So I guess I’ll take Coach Tim Riley to take the Aces to the Sweet Sixteen after falling short last season. The champion of the third usually hails from the 9th district but Muhlenberg County and Breckinridge County could both make a run at the title this season.
Mr. Basketball Finalist: Kobe Poole, Breckinridge County. One major reason Breck has a shot to get to Rupp this year is the return of the region’s leading scorer from a season age. Poole is a certified bucket getter who should keep scoring in bunches and end his career as one of the best players in Breckinridge history.
Fourth Region:
Champions: Warren Central. The Dragons and Warren Central have seemingly played for the regional title every year since basketball started in Kentucky so why should it change now? Central has a bunch of transfers that may take a while to gel on the court but Bowling Green is very young and likely a year away from being the favorites to win the region again. Glasgow has a good shot to dethrone the Warren County schools but the loss of Kobe Brents to Warren Central really hurts them.
Mr. Basketball Finalist: Jackson Harlan, Clinton County. Like Tandy in the second region, Harlan is a slam dunk to win the award, barring injury. Most of the best players in the region are younger and Jackson is the best scorer and has the most impact on his team of anyone in the region, if not the state. Look for the WKU commit to be at the Mr. Basketball banquet in March.