Predicting 2023 Mr. Basketball Finalists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season will be over for some in about a month and we're cruising towards the postseason. With the postseason comes award season. While it's a foregone conclusion that [player_tooltip player_id='932765' first='Reed' last='Sheppard'] will be 2023 Kentucky Mr Basketball, it doesn't hurt to predict who the regional players of the year will be. Remember, these MUST be Seniors!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='932794' first='Jack' last='McCune'], McCracken County - With presumptive favorite [player_tooltip player_id='932780' first='Grant' last='Whitaker'] having missed the entire season thus far, McCune has been the most deserving player in the region and is the best player on the best team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1124021' first='Gerard' last='Thomas'], Henderson County - Madisonville Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1191947' first='Marcus' last='Eaves'] is firmly in the mix here but G gets the nod as he is likely the most valuable player in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Third Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='801607' first='Brian' last='Griffith'], Owensboro Catholic - The best player on the best team. I'd be surprised if Griffith isn't the winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fourth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1493243' first='Chappelle' last='Whitney'], Warren Central - Again, best player on the best team. And has been at his best in the big games too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fifth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1637711' first='Casey' last='Steadmon'], Bethlehem - This is extremely hard because 95% of the talent in the 5th region are juniors and below. Steadmon has the biggest numbers of the Seniors out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sixth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='932773' first='Keith' last='Robinson'], PRP - One of the most blue collar kids in Louisville, Robinson should cap off a really good career with a Mr. Basketball nomination. [player_tooltip player_id='1022269' first='Cyr' last='Malonga'] also in the mix here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seventh Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1768688' first='Gabe' last='Sisk'], Ballard - After a short detour out west, Sisk returned to Ballard and took them back to the top of the 7th region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eighth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1116655' first='Teagan' last='Moore'], Owen County - Don't be shocked if [player_tooltip player_id='932769' first='Dallas' last='Roberts'] ends up as the Co-Player of the Year as either would be fine choices after long and decorated careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ninth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1614816' first='Jacob' last='Meyer'], Covington Holy Cross - [player_tooltip player_id='1219719' first='Evan' last='Ipsaro'] is almost definitely going to end up a finalist as well. Both are worthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tenth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='692930' first='Jerone' last='Morton'], GRC - The reigning state tournament MVP is the pretty obvious pick in the 10th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eleventh Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1088851' first='Reece' last='Potter'], Lexington Catholic - The talent in Lexington (and surrounding areas) is fairly young and Reece is the best Senior in the 11th by a large amount.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twelfth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1511830' first='Cayden' last='Lancaster'], Pulaski County - Once again, the nod goes to the best player on the best team. Lancaster is legitimately very good and super athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thirteenth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='932765' first='Reed' last='Sheppard'], North Laurel - Who else would even get a vote? He's a McDonald's All American for goodness sake!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fourteenth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1215546' first='Christian' last='Collins'], Breathitt County - You can also make an argument for Wolfe County's [player_tooltip player_id='1130315' first='Sawyer' last='Thompson'] in this spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fifteenth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='926887' first='Rylee' last='Samons'], Pikeville - No one in the 15th has anywhere near as good a case as Samons for player of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sixteenth Region:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1124020' first='Zack' last='Otis'], Bath County - Bath isn't great but Otis has had a great career and is having another awesome season. He likely gets the nod.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->