Top 20 Players: 10th Region Basketball

As we enter the third week of the season, teams all over Kentucky are starting to get into the groove of the season. In the 10th Region we have seen some exciting games thus far and it leaves us anticipating the coming weeks! I have been able to see almost every team in the region play, so I wanted to give my insights as to who the top players I’ve seen so far. Here is my list below…

1. Dontaie Allen, Pendleton County: duh, anyone who has kept up with Kentucky high school basketball knows about Dontaie. This 6’7 senior is averaging 42 points per game in 7 matches, totaling 294 points on the season. To put it into perspective he has already broken his single game scoring record TWICE this season (52 v. Williamstown, 53 v. Scott). He plays tonight vs. Robertson and is 9 points away from a career 3,000 points. Currently he is 36th all time in KHSAA for scoring and 2nd in Pendleton County history. He will be continuing his career and the University of Kentucky next season.

2. Jordan Graham, George Rogers Clark: Jordan is my #2 point guard in the state behind Louisville commit David Johnson. Neverless, I’ve been able to watch Graham play twice this season and each time he shocks me more. He is averaging 13.2 ppg on 49% shooting, but he has increased his three-point accuracy with 10 makes on the season. He is second on my list due to how he can just take over a game and score at will, to be honest he can blow past any defender and could put up 30 a game but he isn’t selfish and involves his teammates. He has one D1 offer (Tennessee Tech) and I believe he will end the season with many more.

3. Drew Wilson, Campbell County: Drew has kinda shocked me this far, I imagined his teammate Reid would have higher numbers, I was wrong. He is putting up 22.3 points per game playing some of the best teams in the state. Wilson, in his first two games put up 52 points (23 v. GRC, 29 v. Walnut Ridge, OH). Seeing him play over the years, he has a nice shot and is shooting 62% on the season. Campbell has started the year 3-1 and has already taken down GRC and 9th Region contender Newport. Drew has a chance to join his brother in the college basketball ranks and would be a steal for a college program next year.

4. Trey Meister, Scott: he comes in at Prep Hoops KY #4 SF in his class, but he has the ability to play either guard spot as well. Trey is putting solid numbers up so far this season also playing some of the best teams in Kentucky. He scored a double-double against Pendleton County which I was in attendance for (26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists). Just from that performance he ended the night with two more college offers to his arsenal (Asbury and Capital). By the time the season is over, Meister will have a lot of options to choose from which is why he is holding out. Scott’s only losses come to 3 teams in the top 10 in the state (Covington Catholic, Beechwood, and Henry Clay).

5. Justin Becker, Robertson County: Becker and company have turned the Black Devils into regional contenders, jumping off to a hot 4-0 start, they host Pendleton County tonight which is one off the biggest games of their season. He is putting up big numbers this year (19.8 ppg, 70% shooting, 9.3 rpg) and is one of the most dominant freshmen in the state. He put up 22 points against Ripley, OH which has been one of their tougher opponents they’ve faced this year. By the time he graduated he has the ability to be one of the best players in Robertson history.

6. Jalen Byars, Paris: I was fortunate enough to watch Jalen play in the Kentucky Bank Shootout last week. He dominated West Jessamine in a loss and kept his team close by putting up a double-double (19 points 10 rebounds). This 6’6 senior forward is making a case for himself to be a top player in the region and I believe he would be a steal for a college coach at some program. He is averaging 18.5 points a game and is trying to get Paris close to a .500% mark on the season.

7. Spencer Free, Harrison County: Spencer has taken a large percentage of Harrison’s workload since his teammate Turley has been out due to injury. Putting up an impressive 26 points per game and can score several ways, his game is really balanced. Although he is putting up great stats, they aren’t translating to wins, with only one win on the season, something will need to start clicking for his team. Turley’s absence has hurt this program and hopefully he is back on the court soon to help the Thorobreds chances this season.

8. Spencer Macke, Silver Grove: another Spencer cracks the top 10, this time the one from Northern Kentucky. Macke recently committed to West Virginia University as a walk-on, so it adds another great commodity to 10th Region Basketball. He transferred from the 9th Region and is now getting a taste of different brands of basketball. Spencer is averaging 27.6 ppg and 10.6 rpg for the Grove and has already carried them to more wins this season then they had all of last year. One of the more noticeable statistical nights came his first game of the season when he put up 34 points and 21 rebounds against Covington Latin. It will be interesting to see how he fares as they play tougher opponents as the season progresses.

9. Mason Rusch, Calvary Christian: coming in around 6 foot, he has solidified himself as one of the best athletes in the region. Quick shifty guard is putting up almost 28 points a game, while leading Calvary to a good 3-2 start. Calvary hasn’t lost in 10th Region play so far, beating small schools Augusta and St. Patrick. Rusch looks to continue his stellar play into the season as they begin to play tougher opponents (Campbell, Pendleton, Scott, Robertson, Bourbon, and Brossart) in the coming weeks.

T10: Reid Jolly, Campbell County: Reid entered the season as our #7 PF in the 2019 class. He is off to a hot start, posting number in the 16 ppg and 10 rpg range. As stated in his teammate Drew’s outlook, Campbell has played 3/4 tough opponents this season. Out of their next four games they play three tough 9th Region teams and host regional opponent Montgomery County. This next stretch of games will really prove how tough this years Camel squad is.

T10: Chad Ohmer, Scott: Ohmer joined his schools 1,000 point club his first game of the season. Since then Chad has carried his team to big regional wins (Mason, Montgomery, Harrison, Pendleton) and haven’t lost a game in their region yet. Out of the games. have seen him play he is averaging around 15 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ohmer and company have faced some of the best teams in the state and almost took down in my opinion the #2 team in the state Covington Catholic last night. He is really vital to the success of his team and is one of the best glue guys in Kentucky.

11. Jaylen Lofton, Mason County: 17.5 ppg / 40% shooting / 5 rpg

12. Alex Schalch, Robertson County: 18 ppg / 53% shooting / 7.5 rpg

13. Jared Wellman, George Rogers Clark: 12.2 ppg / 44% 3pt shooting / 5 rpg

14. Quenton Turley, Harrison County: 11 ppg / 50% 3pt shooting / 3.3 rpg

15. Myron Ralls, Montgomery County: 16.8 ppg / 38% shooting / 2 rpg

16. Ethan Eilerman, Bishop Brossart: 14.3 ppg / 51% shooting / 3.3 rpg

17. Stephen Cordle, Augusta: 15.7 ppg / 69% shooting / 6 rpg

18. Sebastian Dixon, Robertson County: 15.8 ppg / 55% shooting / 2.8 rpg

19. Tad Fisher, Bracken County: 12.8 ppg / 66% 3pt shooting / 8.6 rpg

20. Patrick McKay, St. Patrick: 11.4 ppg / 42% shooting / 2.2 rpg

Others Outside the Rankings:

Brennan Canada, George Rogers Clark