Hidden Gems: Players Ready to Shine (Part 2)

<p>The season starts a week from tonight and everyone should be ready after a 6 week delay from when we were supposed to get started. Here’s a look at some players who could emerge this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926915" first="Ian" last="Hart"], McCracken County - </strong>One of the few players in the state holding a D1 offer at this point, Hart is a big wing/forward who has some skill level to go with good size. McCracken is in reload mode after graduating a veteran core but they are hoping that Ian can step up in a big way to make up for the loss of 2020's regional player of the year. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926920" first="Tucker" last="Blanford"], Bullitt East - </strong>Often thought of as more of a blue collar worker, Tucker spent the summer and fall showing that he's a big wing and not an undersized post. Blanford is a good rebounder with a nose for the ball but his offensive game has really progressed to where he's a threat to score the ball from anywhere on the floor. Look for him to be among the most improved Juniors in the 502.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926929" first="Brytton" last="Walker"], Madisonville - </strong>Walker is 6'7 and strong but a lack of consistency has really hampered his development. After a freshman season at Madisonville, he transferred to Warren East before returning to Madisonville and re-enrolling this summer. If Coach Newton can develop Brytton, he could be a difference maker in the wide open 2nd region.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="926923" first="Andrew" last="Patterson"], Valley - </strong>Patterson made the move from Eastern to Valley in hopes of a bigger role and that should be the case for him in his Junior season. Primarily a shooter on offense, Andrew is going to have to show the ability to score the ball at all 3 levels in order to be the type of impact player that he Valley needs him to be if they want to have a successful season.</p>