Top 5 Preview: Eleventh Region
Continuing with some very early 2018-19 regular season previews, we are breaking down the top 5 teams and top 5 college prospects in each region. We move to the Eleventh region where Scott County is the heavy favorite to get back to the Sweet Sixteen and many think they should win the state championship this season.
Top 5 Teams:
- Scott County – The reigning region champions and state Runners-Up, the Cardinals are favored by most to win state this season. They return a veteran core and added the transfer of Isaiah Allen that should help replace Cooper Robb. There may not be another team in the region that can compete with Scott’s depth and overall talent level.
- Henry Clay – The Blue Devils return a strong group and have the best Senior point guard in the region with Keaston Brown coming back. The Devils lack size but they should be able to overwhelm teams with guard and wing depth. Their biggest problem may be that the best team in the region is also in their district but they only have to beat them once to get to Rupp.
- Madison Central – The Indians graduated most of their scoring and experience but return Isaiah Cozart and some younger talent. Central plays in a weak district and should win the championship. They may struggle early but Central will peak in March.
- Lafayette – Junior Ray Surratt joins seniors TeAndre Newcomb and Evan Dreux to make the core of the team that should be (slightly) favored to win the 43rd district. Depending on how Dunbar’s new transfers fit in, they could have all the pieces to win the most wide open district in the region.
- Lexington Christian – Kyle Rode returns for his 5th season as a varsity starter but the supporting cast is largely unproven. The Eagles have to replace Carter Hendricksen and Austin Hall and Coach Valentine will have to work some magic to cover their defensive issues but expect LCA to be right in the mix when the postseason roles around.
Top 5 College Prospects:
- Isaiah Cozart – Isaiah is a true power forward prospect at 6’7 and a remarkable 7’4 wingspan. He is going to be the state’s all time blocks leader and shoots 60% from the field. Cozart ended up with close to 20 scholarship offers and is going to end up at the mid major level in college.
- Michael Moreno – Moreno is another player who ended up with 20 or more offers and will land comfortably at the mid major D1 level. The only thing that hurts Michael as a prospect is his status as a “tweener” who isn’t quite a 4 but isn’t really a wing either. Regardless of positional fit, Moreno is a winner and will provide some school with 4 years of winning plays and high IQ basketball.
- Kyle Rode – Rode has already committed to Liberty and should thrive there for 4 years. Kyle has a very high skill level at 6’7 and can play the point or the post. He is limited athletically but makes up for it with an extremely high basketball IQ.
- Amari Taylor – Amari is hoping to have an injury free Junior season after missing most of last year with a broken wrist. Taylor has the athleticism and skill to play any guard position at the next level and he has worked to add bulk in recent months. If he has a strong season, Taylor’s stock could skyrocket.
- Ben Johnson – Only a sophomore, Johnson has had D1 coaches rolling through the gym at Lexington Catholic for the last month. Ben needs to grow to be a shooting guard or continue improving his ball handling and decision making if he will remain a point guard. Either way, Ben should be one of the top Sophomores in the state this season.