2023-24 Breakout Stars
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With the dead period in Kentucky coming to an end this past Monday, it is time to start getting excited and looking forward to the 2023-24 season. Let’s take a look at some players I predict to take the next…
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Continue ReadingWith the dead period in Kentucky coming to an end this past Monday, it is time to start getting excited and looking forward to the 2023-24 season. Let’s take a look at some players I predict to take the next step in their development and have big time seasons.
Hunter Haddix
Hunter Haddix
Haddix led Knott County Central in scoring last season with 15.4 PPG and 63 total 3’s made. He is a fearless scorer that can score just about anywhere on the floor, especially from distance. He has a good float game and is crafty around the rim with good quickness. Although he had a very good season last year, I believe he can get his scoring average to the 20’s but more importantly lead his team to a regional tournament title. Big time player with a big time work ethic.
Dylan Giffin
Dylan Giffin
Giffin led a young Scott High School last team being a focal point for opponents all season long. He does a great job using his strength as a guard to play thru contact and get to the rim. With his teammates becoming more experienced this season, it will take some pressure off of him to score and he can play a bit more freely. I look for him to not only be one of the best players in the district this upcoming season, but the entire 1oth region.
Mason VanDyke
Mason VanDyke
VanDyke will take on a much bigger role this season with Dunbar losing their top 4 scorers from last season with VanDyke being the lone starter returning. Last season he did a great job facilitating and getting the team into offense as he wasn’t heavily relied on to score. He has good scoring ability, especially using his speed to get to the paint and score at the rim. He could turn into one of the better players in the region as he will be a high usage player for them this season.
Smith is going to have to step up in a big way to lead Woodford County back to Rupp Arena with the departure of Jasper Johnson to Link Academy, but I think he is more than capable of doing so. Smith’s athleticism and speed is electric which makes him extremely hard to guard and also be elite in transition. If he can get more consistent shooting the basketball, he will be one of the best players in the state this upcoming season.
Richardson comes into games a bit under the radar for Great Crossing as he plays alongside Moreno and Dawson however he has big time scoring ability if he gets hot. In my opinion, he is one of the best shooters in the state and will continue to get open looks. With him growing this offseason and getting stronger, I can see him earning All-Region honors this season and playing a huge part in Great Crossing winning region.
Rondon had a huge 2nd half of the season last year, especially in the postseason as he led a young Cooper team to the 9th region championship game before falling to Newport. From what I have heard, Rondon didn’t skip a beat as he headed into the AAU season as he has garnered national recruiting attention. With a full year of varsity experience under his belt, I am confident to say he will prove to be a top player in all of Kentucky this upcoming season.