Kentucky’s Top 2021 Snipers

<p>Here at Prep Hoops Kentucky, we are officially turning the page and leaving the 2020 class behind. Over the next few months, 2021 and 2022 will be our focus and more attention will be paid to 2023 and even 2024 prospects. Here’s a look at Kentucky’s best shooters in the rising Senior class.</p> <p><strong>JaVaughn Smith, Bardstown - </strong>One of the top shooters in the state regardless of class, Smith didn’t get a ton of publicity behind [player_tooltip player_id="706008" first="JJ" last="Traynor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="915136" first="JaRel" last="Montgomery"] this year. Heading into his Senior season, Javaughn is going to have to be the man for Coach Brewer’s squad in 2020-21. Coming off a Junior year where he shot 46.5 percent from deep and had over 3 makes per game, Smith has a chance to make a run at 5th region player of the year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923057" first="Baylor" last="Mattingly"], Lincoln County - </strong>Mattingly has been known as a shooter since he showed up at Lincoln County and his Junior campaign solidified him as the top catch and shoot player in the 12th region. Baylor made 93 threes this season at a 45% clip and only even attempted 21 shots that weren’t threes. Hitting just shy of 3 threes per game as Junior, Baylor is capable of making 5 or more threes per game when he gets hot.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923025" first="Luke" last="Muller"], Highlands - </strong>Muller averaged 16 points per game this past season while making 3.3 threes per game, good for 6th in the state in threes made per game. He also made 43% of his attempts from downtown and 43% of his shots overall.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923036" first="Deaton" last="Oak"], Oldham County - </strong>While he’s already committed to be a baseball player in college, Oak had a breakout Junior year for the Colonels. Likely the most balanced scorer on this list, Deaton made 83 twos and 86 threes while leading Oldham in scoring at just shy of 15 points per contest. Oak is also a rarity on this list as he is less of a catch and shoot threat and more likely to launch a three off the dribble.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923031" first="Tripp" last="Branch"], Caldwell County - </strong>Another player who is primarily a catch and shoot player, Branch has been a main piece for the Tigers for the last two years and is one of the top returning players in the second region next season. Tripp shot 40% from three for the season and could be a 18+ point per game scorer as a Senior if he can up his shooting percentages a little.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923001" first="Cam" last="Pope"], Male - </strong>A 45% shooter from deep, Pope had a breakout Junior year for the 7th region champions and would have been a member of the prestigious 50/40/90 club but had struggles from the free throw line. With so many Seniors leaving Male, don’t be surprised if Pope is among the leading scorers in Louisville next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="604116" first="Ben" last="Johnson"], Lexington Catholic - </strong>Johnson doesn’t get as much credit for being a good shooter as he probably should. He’s known more state-wide for his overall scoring ability but Ben shot 38 percent from deep while making 3 per game. One of the front runners for 2021 Mr. Basketball, Johnson is not just one of the best scorers in the class but also one of the best shooters.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="793793" first="Noah" last="Stansbury"], Greenwood - </strong>Noah is another player who can get his shot off the dribble or as a catch and shoot player. When he’s able to step into his shot, he’s a lights out shooter from deep and finished the season at 38% from downtown after some early season struggles. Look for Stansbury to be one of the top scorers in the 4th region in his senior season.</p>