Top 5 Teams and Prospects: Regions 7 and 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regular season practice has started all across the Bluegrass state and scrimmages will start in the next month. I wanted to breakdown the top 5 college prospects and the top 5 teams in each region heading into the year. This should not be considered the top 5 overall players! These are the best college prospects in each region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 7:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 Prospects:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1359139' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'], Trinity (2026) - A top 100 prospect in the class nationally, Johnson is a big shooter with a big bag full of scholarship offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2429606' first='Josh' last='Lindsay'], St. X (2028) - With his athleticism and skill set, Lindsay is a potential high, high major recruit down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1359140' first='Cole' last='Edelen'], Male (2026) - Cole is one of the best shooters in the state and sees the floor very well. He's probably underrated by most people in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1563823' first='Jeremiah' last='Jackson'], St. X (2026) - A big wing shooter, Jackson has about a half dozen D1 offers already and 2 more years to keep improving and showcasing his skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(tie) [player_tooltip player_id='2115231' first='Justice' last='Decker'], Manual (2025) - Justice is a good wing/forward who is capable of scoring inside and out. He should be Manual's go to scorer this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(tie) [player_tooltip player_id='1144955' first='Julius' last='Edmonds'], Trinity (2025) - Edmonds has been a top player in Louisville since he was starting varsity as an 8th grader at Western. He's one of the toughest matchups in the city.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 Teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saint Xavier - Loaded with talent, they may be the deepest team in the state. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1369458' first='Will' last='Hanke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1369457' first='Graham' last='Krezmien'] are the anchors for the Tigers roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity - The reigning regional champs, the Rocks have a lot of talent. The first full season without Mike Szabo at the helm will be interesting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Male - Coach Haworth is set up for success with [player_tooltip player_id='2104594' first='Keashawn' last='Jordan'] down low and Jayson Gasaway and [player_tooltip player_id='2439209' first='Jordan' last='Mitchell'] joining [player_tooltip player_id='1359140' first='Cole' last='Edelen'] on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manual - Losing 5 Seniors will hurt but Manual still has a good talent level with [player_tooltip player_id='2115231' first='Justice' last='Decker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1783054' first='Malachi' last='Coleman'] returning as leading scorers from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian Academy of Louisville - They are very young but [player_tooltip player_id='1705952' first='Jayden' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2520123' first='Boogie' last='Cook'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2429604' first='Man' last='Robinson'] make a tough trio and they'll improve as the season goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 8:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 Prospects:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1344607' first='Armelo' last='Boone'], Woodford County (2025) - Committed to WKU, Boone should be one of the most impactful transfers in the state this season after he left Douglass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2046738' first='Omari' last='Jointer'], Woodford County (2027) - One of the best guards statewide in 2027, Omari will be a top guard in the region after a big offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1876862' first='Aaron' last='Gutman'], Walton-Verona (2025) - Gutman is one of the more "slept on" players in the Senior class but he'll make some college coach look very smart on signing day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1745593' first='Kade' last='Goodin'], Collins (2027) - A big time football recruit, Goodin is one of the best downhill drivers in the class of 27 and does a lot to impact winning for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1513540' first='Julian' last='Miles'], South Oldham (2025) - A big time scorer, Miles has earned some college offers this summer and fall and should have a huge season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 Teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County - Their backcourt is really good and [player_tooltip player_id='1951942' first='Carson' last='Probst'] gives them a true 6'10 post player that can protect the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walton-Verona - Gutman is talented and Walton plays super fast and score a ton of points. If they have some young players step up, they can win the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Oldham - Miles is a pure scorer and Coach Simpson is a Hall of Famer. They will peak when it matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Kenton - Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2408685' first='Jay' last='Bilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2175405' first='Bode' last='Stone'] are a formidable inside-out duo. In a year where the talent in the 8th isn't overwhelming, Simon Kenton can make some noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins - Coming off a rough season, Coach Gaither's squad should be pretty solid after only graduating one Senior after last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->