Senior X Factors: 2021s to Watch

<p>With the season looming, some teams appear to be on the short list of teams that can win a state title. Here’s a look at some 2021s who could possibly swing the regional title race this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="922999" first="Dez" last="Lindsay"], Male - </strong>Everyone knows about Kaleb Glen but not enough people talk about Lindsay’s possible impact for the Male front line. At 6’6 and with a long wingspan, he provides rim protection and on offense he can stretch the floor with shooting. If he can stay on the floor and out of foul trouble, Male’s ceiling goes from regional contender to state contender.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="922998" first="Cearius" last="Warren"], Fern Creek - </strong>"King" starts his second season at Fern Creek with a lot to prove. He’s among the best athletes in the entire state and has great size at 6’7. What he doesn’t always show is a great motor. With Zek Montgomery gone, more shots open up for Warren but he’s going to have to show he can play with a great motor for 25+ minutes per game for Creek to get to Rupp.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714507" first="Zavian" last="Jackson"], Jeffersontown - </strong>Another transfer from Southern (like Warren before him), Jackson only averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds as a Junior but says he’s ready to show what he can really do in his Senior year. A big wing forward with tremendous bounce and length, J-town is going to need Zavian to play up to his potential and counteract the size advantage that Fern Creek will have over them.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1065818" first="Xander" last="Wagner-Rose"], Oldham County - </strong>After an injury slowed his Sophomore season, Wagner-Rose had a strong Junior year and could be the mismatch problem for every team in the 8th region thanks to his size. A high IQ forward with the ability to stretch the floor on offense, Xander should provide rebounding and rim protection for the 8th region favorites.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="793779" first="Jacobi" last="Huddleston"], Bowling Green - </strong>A year ago, a D1 coach told me that Huddleston was a "no brainer D1 kid" based on what he saw in open gym. When I watch Jacobi last season, he struggled. It’s time for the big forward to prove he can be the difference maker for a Purples team that is heavy with guards and wings and light on post players. He’s not Terry Taylor but if Jacobi can provide a post presence, BG could be cutting nets in March.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="793824" first="Shane" last="Bibby"], Eastern - </strong>A transfer from Central, Bibby had been the best player for the Jackets the last 2 years and moves into a whole new situation with the Eagles. Likely to play mostly off the ball, Shane should get several clean looks off the dribble penetration of the other Eastern guards. If he can be a secondary ball handler and scorer, Eastern could be a threat in the 7th.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923053" first="Lucas" last="Hornback"], Spencer County - </strong>The starting lineup at Spencer seems like they’ve been in high school for a decade because they were all playing a ton as 8th graders. Now Seniors, Hornback is going to need to provide reliable perimeter shooting for the Bears if they hope to make a run in the 8th. If he can provide some playmaking in addition, they’ll be even better.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="977523" first="Sean" last="Marcum"], Ashland Blazer - </strong>Last season Ashland went undefeated with a roster of 6’2-6’3 kids. Now Coach Mays has added a 6’8 rim runner and rebounder who makes them a more realistic threat to make a state title run. The guards will still determine Ashland’s season but they now have a capable big man who can provide a solid interior defender and rebounder.</p>