KABC Titans Shootout: Saturday Kentucky 2025/26 Standouts
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The KABC Titans Shootout brought lots of the top talent from Kentucky to Shelbyville for teams to compete during the first June live period weekend. I caught action from start to finish on Saturday and these were my 2025 and…
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Continue ReadingThe KABC Titans Shootout brought lots of the top talent from Kentucky to Shelbyville for teams to compete during the first June live period weekend. I caught action from start to finish on Saturday and these were my 2025 and 2026 standouts from the host state.
One of the top athletes in Kentucky, Sperry is a standout on both the gridiron and hardwood. An explosive athlete, Sperry gets off the ground in an instant and can change speeds and directions quickly. Also having the ability to hang in the air, Sperry could start on one side of the rim and finish on the other. Routinely going to the jump pass, Sperry would scan the court in the air and make acrobatic passes to the other side of the floor. Had to create a majority of the offense for his team, Sperry would drive and usually attract two or three defenders all over him in half-court settings. Didn’t really look to shoot the 3-pointer but hit some tough mid-range shots, I’d be curious to see what Sperry looks like at the grassroots level surrounded by similar level talent.
One of my favorite players to watch all weekend, Gutman played like a Division I prospect on Saturday against the 64 team champion Fishers (IN). I love the way Gutman handles the ball for his size, taking defenders from one end of the court to the other to finish at the rim. With the way he changes pace and directions, he’s tough to rattle unless you bring a double team and his Walton Verona squad had enough shooters to punish you for that. In the half-court Gutman had a nasty spin into an and-1 finish that was a move that will translate to the college level. Also shooting it from 3-point range, Gutman nailed a couple off the bounce 3-pointers. Low to mid major programs should be watching Gutman in July.
Highlights
Loy is a big time shooter from the outside who made a handful of 3-pointers in Adair County’s opening round victory over host Collins. As a team, Adair County rebounded as a group and were disciplined in their style of play. I also saw Loy flash some off the bounce game with an attack of a closeout into a mid-range pull-up jumper. In overtime, it was a steal that turned into an and-1 finish for Loy that got his team the victory. A small college target for regional programs.
Highlights
Cochran has a pair of Division I offers and showed why he’s that level of recruit in the second half against Adair County. A good shooter from the outside, Cochran has a smooth release and made a handful of 3-pointers in a second half charge to bring the game into overtime. Against the zone defense that was played, Cochran was put in the middle and helped move the ball quickly from one side of the court to the other, leading to open shots for his teammates. Cochran should stay on low to mid major radars as he continues his rising junior summer.
Woodford County lost superstar Jasper Johnson to national powerhouse Link Academy, they still managed to make it to the final four of the 64 team bracket. Jenkins was impressive with his quickness and ability to get into the lane. Best when the game was going up and down, the faster the tempo, the better Jenkins was. Able to finish through contact with acrobatic finishes at the rim and make dump passes to his forwards, Jenkins was tough to stop with a head of steam going to the basket. I expect Jenkins to receive scholarship interest next spring and summer if he continues to develop as a prospect.
Highlights
One of the top guards in the 2026 class, Kinney made a statement on Saturday night when he led Newport past Great Crossing. Kinney has sort of an old school game with his ability to play in the mid-range area and how he attacks. With good burst to get around the initial defender and Kinney starting to expand his shooting range past the 3-point line, Kinney is improving every time I watch him play. With an impressive feel for the game, Kinney had high major coaches raving about his ability. Expect to continue to hear about Kinney throughout the next few years as one of the top prospects in Kentucky regardless of class.