KABC Titans Shootout: Saturday Kentucky 2024 Standouts
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The KABC Titans Shootout hosted in Shelbyville, Kentucky brought out many of the top teams and prospects from around the state. In this article I’ll break down some standout 2024 prospects I watched from Kentucky on a loaded Saturday slate.…
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Continue ReadingThe KABC Titans Shootout hosted in Shelbyville, Kentucky brought out many of the top teams and prospects from around the state. In this article I’ll break down some standout 2024 prospects I watched from Kentucky on a loaded Saturday slate.
Evangel had a huge day blowing out Princeton then went back and forth with Bowling Green in a competitive game. After being down six in the fourth quarter, Doerr took things into his own hands by scoring eight straight points to start the quarter. A 3-pointer, steal to breakaway layup then another 3-pointer gave Evangel the lead. Then he had a fly by off a pump fake from the mid-range to take the lead again later in the quarter. An impressive athlete driving to the rim as well, Doerr had some athletic finishes at the rim. A name for low major and scholarship Division II and NAIA programs to target, I was impressed with Doerr on Saturday afternoon.
Ritter led his team to a victory over Evangel Christian in what might’ve been the best game I saw all day. Ritter is a little undersized as a center but makes up for it with skill and strength. A load on the low block, Ritter has good touch shooting over his left shoulder and makes the right pass when double teamed. Defensively, Ritter knows where to be and competes but lacks a little in terms of rim protection and explosiveness but makes up for it with his rebounding ability. Ritter only has two Division I offers and they were both around a year ago. In the right fit, Ritter could be a productive player at the low to mid major level and should be a guy college coaches target during the second June live period and throughout July.
Martin County made it rain 3-pointers in their upset bid against Warren Central. Hale was making shots from absolutely everywhere on the court with at least six 3-pointers in the game. Didn’t need much space and his teammates did a great job of finding him when he was open, there can’t be many better shooters in Kentucky’s 2024 class.
The defending state champs look strong again as Unseld and company have reloaded for another deep run. The best passing and ball movement team I saw all day, the ball doesn’t stick in any Warren Central players hands. Unseld was in the middle of the zone trapping defense they saw and routinely made the right read, using patience and no look passes to keep the defense guessing. A dangerous shooter from 25+ feet, Unseld made some DEEP 3-pointers in the game I caught. Overall, I thought Unseld was just really active and made a huge impact on winning. A mid major target with a handful of offers right now, Unseld is one of the top players in Kentucky’s 2024 class.
Layton Starks
Layton Starks
Woodford County really caught my eye as despite being without superstar Jasper Johnson, who recently transferred to powerhouse Link Academy, they still found a way to beat Louisville Western and Louisville Trinity. Starks was a key reason for this success as the two-sport stud was physical on the interior and threw down numerous dunks in transition. A guy who just played harder and more physical than his opponents, it was a simple game for Starks to have a big impact on winning. Also receiving college interest on the gridiron, Starks showed he’s a talented basketball player as well.
Newport has loaded up on talent from the other side of the Ohio river and Jackson made the move from Cincinnati Taft to Newport. A tough guard, Jackson uses his strength and toughness to get into the lane. With good touch around the basket, Jackson made a couple floaters through contact. An elite passer, Jackson averaged over eight assists a game as a Junior and shows that skill every time you watch him play. For Jackson to become the best college player he can, a total rework of his jump-shot is necessary, but he brings a ton else to the table. If a program believes they can develop his jumper, the sky is the limit for Jackson down the road. Currently, he’s a very impactful high school player who continues to get better and better each time I watch him play.