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Area Rankings: The Mountains

Area Rankings: The Mountains
Steve Quattrocchi
Steve Quattrocchi October 4, 2022 @ 10:27 AM
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In this article:

Rylee Samons
Rylee Samons 6'7" | SF | 2023
KY
Zander Carter
Zander Carter 6'6" | SG | 2025
KY
Austin Sperry
Austin Sperry 6'3" | SG | 2025
KY
Jaylan Rigdon
Jaylan Rigdon 6'0" | PG | 2024
KY
Christian Collins
Christian Collins 6'8" | PF | 2023
KY
Jacob Spurlock
Jacob Spurlock 6'4" | SG | 2026
KY
Aden Barnett
Aden Barnett 6'1" | SG | 2024
KY
Zack Otis
Zack Otis 6'0" | CG | 2023
KY
Eli Johnson
Eli Johnson 6'1" | PG | 2024
KY
Rydge Beverly
Rydge Beverly 5'9" | PG | 2025
KY
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Prep Hoops bosses have encouraged us to break down prospects in cities in our individual states but with the talent and population spread from Pikeville to Paducah, that's a little hard. So instead, I'm opting to break down prospects by area. Here's a look at the top players in the farthest Eastern Kentucky/Mountain area of Kentucky. For purposes of this article, we are only considering the 14th, 15th and 16th regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecd9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["926887"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Committed to Tennessee Tech since the summer, Samons is a big wing who has overcome a knee injury to reclaim his spot as one of the best players in the mountains and one of the best Pikeville has ever seen.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecda","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089524"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Carter's stock keeps trending up as he has been adding D1 offers recently and has been a popular name with college coaches all over the midwest for the last year or so.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecdb","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1111948"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An explosive athlete, Sperry is a dynamic offensive player and has all the intangibles to be a high major D1 player before he hits signing day.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecdc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the more overlooked players in the 2024 class, Jaylan recently earned his first offer from Pikeville and is a no brainer scholarship player in college.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecdd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215546"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Extremely athletic and a potential game changer when his motor is running at a high level, Collins has NAIA offers and would be a steal at that level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecde","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359133"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The best rising freshman in the area, Spurlock is going to score a ton of points in his high school career and will potentially be top 5-10 in Kentucky in points per game this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ecdf","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228477"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Aden is one of the better players in Kentucky that almost no one knows about. Barnett is a scoring machine and a really good athlete. Some college will get a steal with him on signing day.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ece0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1124020"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Otis has been one of the leading scorers in the region for the last several years and shows no signs of slowing down. He's a crafty scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere at anytime.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ece1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043603"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the more impactful transfers this summer, Johnson brings more scoring punch to the backcourt for the Panthers this season. At Magoffin, Eli had to carry the team for the last few seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e39577ece2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939118"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Beverly is a high IQ point guard and a dynamic passer and ball handler who is often overlooked when talking about the best players in the mountains. Also a solid shooter, Rydge is a really nice player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->

Our Prep Hoops bosses have encouraged us to break down prospects in cities in our individual states but with the talent and population spread from Pikeville to Paducah, that's a little hard. So instead, I'm opting to break down prospects by area. Here's a look at the top players in the farthest Eastern Kentucky/Mountain area of Kentucky. For purposes of this article, we are only considering the 14th, 15th and 16th regions.

Tennessee Tech
Rylee Samons

Rylee Samons

KY
SF
HEIGHT 6'7"
POS SF
CLASS 2023
View Player
​
Rylee
Samons SF
Class
2023
Height
6'7"
HS
Pikeville
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Committed to Tennessee Tech since the summer, Samons is a big wing who has overcome a knee injury...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Tennessee Tech
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Rylee Samons

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Pikeville
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Liberty
Zander Carter

Zander Carter

KY
SG
HEIGHT 6'6"
POS SG
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Zander
Carter SG
Class
2025
Height
6'6"
HS
Ashland Blazer
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Carter’s stock keeps trending up as he has been adding D1 offers recently and has been a popular...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Liberty
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Zander Carter

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Ashland Blazer
Club: Midwest Basketball Club 3SSB
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Austin Sperry

Austin Sperry

KY
SG
HEIGHT 6'3"
POS SG
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Austin
Sperry SG
Class
2025
Height
6'3"
HS
Breathitt County
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
An explosive athlete, Sperry is a dynamic offensive player and has all the intangibles to be a high...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Austin Sperry

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Breathitt County
Club: Kentuckiana Hoops
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Pikeville
Jaylan Rigdon

Jaylan Rigdon

KY
PG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG
CLASS 2024
View Player
​
Jaylan
Rigdon PG
Class
2024
Height
6'0"
HS
Pike County Central
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
One of the more overlooked players in the 2024 class, Jaylan recently earned his first offer from Pikeville...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Pikeville
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jaylan Rigdon

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Pike County Central
Club: Phenom United Adidas Gold
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Christian Collins

Christian Collins

KY
PF
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS PF
CLASS 2023
View Player
​
Christian
Collins PF
Class
2023
Height
6'8"
HS
Breathitt County
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Extremely athletic and a potential game changer when his motor is running at a high level, Collins has...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Christian Collins

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Breathitt County
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Youngstown State
Jacob Spurlock

Jacob Spurlock

KY
SG
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jacob
Spurlock SG
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Boyd County
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
The best rising freshman in the area, Spurlock is going to score a ton of points in his...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Youngstown State
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jacob Spurlock

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Boyd County
Club: Indiana Elite 3SSB
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Aden Barnett

Aden Barnett

KY
SG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS SG
CLASS 2024
View Player
​
Aden
Barnett SG
Class
2024
Height
6'1"
HS
Magoffin County
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Aden is one of the better players in Kentucky that almost no one knows about. Barnett is a...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Aden Barnett

State: Kentucky
School: Magoffin County
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Zack Otis

Zack Otis

KY
CG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS CG
CLASS 2023
View Player
​
Zack
Otis CG
Class
2023
Height
6'0"
HS
Bath County
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Otis has been one of the leading scorers in the region for the last several years and shows...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Zack Otis

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Bath County
Club: Vision Elite 2023
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Eli Johnson

Eli Johnson

KY
PG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS PG
CLASS 2024
View Player
​
Eli
Johnson PG
Class
2024
Height
6'1"
HS
Pikeville
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
One of the more impactful transfers this summer, Johnson brings more scoring punch to the backcourt for the...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Eli Johnson

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Pikeville
Club: Phenom United Adidas Gold
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Rydge Beverly

Rydge Beverly

KY
PG
HEIGHT 5'9"
POS PG
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Rydge
Beverly PG
Class
2025
Height
5'9"
HS
Perry County Central
|
KY
Area Rankings: The Mountains
Beverly is a high IQ point guard and a dynamic passer and ball handler who is often overlooked...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Rydge Beverly

Instagram
State: Kentucky
School: Perry County Central
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Prep Hoops

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Rankings

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  • 4
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View Full Rankings

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