Top Five Season Preview: First Region

<p>Over the next 2 months, we'll preview the top teams and players in each of the 16 regions as we move toward the 2019-2020 regular season. As part of our preview, we'll break down the regional title contenders and the top college prospects in every region. We start with the first region, where McCracken County is the favorite to get back to Rupp Arena in a region that has been hit hard by graduation since last season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Five Regional Title Contenders:</strong></span></p> <p>McCracken County - They return two of the best players in the region with Noah Dumas and Jackson Sivills. After going 31-4 last season and losing the regional title game to Mayfield, these Mustangs are the heavy favorites in the first region.</p> <p>Marshall County - Coach Birdsong's team returns the entire roster from a 13-19 team that went through some growing pains last year and added the most impactful transfer in the state as Zion Harmon is now eligible after sitting out his Sophomore season.</p> <p>Murray - The Tigers graduated 6 guys last year but the cupboard is not bare in Murray. Hunter Utley is back for his Senior year after averaging 12 points per game as a Junior. He also led the team in rebounding last season with 5 per game.</p> <p>Paducah Tilghman - Senior Michael Laster is going to be the go-to scorer for the Blue Tornadoes this year. Junior Eli Brown should thrive in a bigger role as a Junior. After graduating 5 Seniors and Junior Amirion Joyce to transfer. </p> <p>Carlisle County - Carlisle is one of a few schools who weren't totally decimated by graduation. They return all but 2 players from an 18 win team and only Trey WIlson was a starter. Senior Reese Anderson should be considered one of the best returning players in the first region.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top 5 College Prospects:</strong></span></p> <p>Zion Harmon, Marshall County - Harmon is a top national recruit in the 2021 class. After winning a state title as an 8th grader at Bowling Green, playing at Adair as a freshman and sitting out his Sophomore season due to KHSAA ruling his transfer to be for non-academic reasons. Regardless of the baggage that comes with him, Zion can play. And will be a difference maker for a Marshall County team that can get to Rupp in March.</p> <p>Jackson Sivills, McCracken County - One of the front runners for the annual Mr. Basketball award, Jackson has been an impact player for McCracken for three years now. Offered nearly 20 D1 scholarships over the course of the last few seasons, At 6'6, Jackson is a tough cover for any team in the region.</p> <p>Tyler Stokes, Marshall County - Holding an offer from D2 Quincy, Stokes returns for his Senior year after averaging a team leading 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds as a Junior. It will be interesting to see how much the addition of Harmon affects his production but if the ball moves, they can be the best inside-out duo in the region.</p> <p>Noah Dumas, McCracken County - Often overshadowed by Sivills, Noah is a very tough guard who excels at getting into the lane and finishing or making the right kick to an open shooter. Thought of as a Robin to Sivills' Batman, Noah is a legitimate college prospect who is likely to have some college offers before graduation.</p> <p>Mike Laster, Paducah Tilghman - A little bit of a "tweener" prospect as college goes, Laster would benefit from raising his perimeter skill level to go along with a very solid post game. Coming off a Junior season where he averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds, his stock with colleges will go up if he can shoot better than the 7/40 from three that he posted last season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Predicted Mr. Basketball Finalist:</strong></span></p> <p>Jackson Sivills, McCracken County</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Predicted Regional Champion:</strong></span></p> <p>McCracken County</p>