Next Up: Replacing Top 2024s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class was really strong from top to bottom and included (by my count) 14 players who signed at the D1 level. But with summer upon us, it's time for players to step up and take the spots of the top players in 2024. Here's a look at some players who could be in line for much bigger roles starting as soon as this week with “summer ball” starting up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='939117' first='Travis' last='Perry'] will not be easily replaced. The state champion Lyons will have to replace the state's all time leading scorer and will also have to replace fellow D1 signees [player_tooltip player_id='1088820' first='Brady' last='Shoulders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1221721' first='Jack' last='Reddick']. [player_tooltip player_id='1543608' first='Bray' last='Kirk'], Isaac Defew and [player_tooltip player_id='2317256' first='Lukas' last='Breedlove'] will do their best to replicate the production that the state champs have lost to graduation.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lyon County defeated Harlan County in the state title game and the Black Bears are losing their all time leading scorer. With [player_tooltip player_id='939116' first='Trent' last='Noah'] gone to UK, [player_tooltip player_id='1130313' first='Maddox' last='Huff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2358597' first='Reggie' last='Cottrell'] will look to pick up the slack while Jaycee Carter will control the paint for another season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1148597' first='Brett' last='Decker'] was the best player I've ever known to come through Central Hardin and will be hard to replace. On top of that, Central Hardin also lost Ace Jaggers and [player_tooltip player_id='1123570' first='Donovan' last='Stone'] to graduation. [player_tooltip player_id='2420996' first='Camdyn' last='Hogan'] is the top returning scorer for the Bruins but Cameron, Cannon and Cameron Elmore all will look to combine their powers to help replace some lost production.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seneca lost the most valuable player in the state last season (in my opinion) with [player_tooltip player_id='1306914' first='Quel'ron' last='House'] graduating. Assuming [player_tooltip player_id='2451384' first='Prestyn' last='Wheatley'] actually attends Seneca as a freshman, he will be the go to guy for the Redhawks. If Wheatley opts to enroll elsewhere for his freshman season, it's hard to see Seneca being competitive next season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Warren Central is actually going to be a little better prepared than most for life without [player_tooltip player_id='939716' first='Kade' last='Unseld'] as Kade missed the first half of his Senior season after knee surgery. [player_tooltip player_id='2411584' first='Jarek' last='Kirk'] is the returning leading scorer for the Dragons but I look for [player_tooltip player_id='2326410' first='Armani' last='Byrd'] to be their leading scorer as a Sophomore, assuming there are no new transfers into the district.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->