64 Districts, 64 X-Factors: Region 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is less than a month away and scrimmages are starting up as soon as this weekend. For a different type of season preview, I wanted to find one "X-Factor" in each of Kentucky's districts for this season. Starting with Region 1, here are 64 X-Factors for the 24-25 season, one for district in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">First District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046736"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c02164aea8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Looking at the first district, Carlisle absolutely dominated last year. So instead of expecting competition from Fulton City, Fulton County or Hickman County let's look at Carlisle's chances of winning region. It likely all comes down to the development of Rickard. At 6'9, Wyatt is skilled and an excellent shot blocker. For Carlisle to have a chance to win the 1st, Wyatt will need to elevate his game even more!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Second District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2131723"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c02164af3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCracken County has been a powerhouse in the first region since the school opened. This is a year that the Mustangs could be trending down. Sophomore Jay Martin is going to be in a position to make a big impact after being a role player last season. Martin is a shifty guard who can get to his spots. Rival Paducah Tilghman is full of athletic guards and Martin will likely be in charge of helping to contain Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1571421' first='Miles' last='Woodfork'] when they play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Third District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2209403"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c02164afad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braden is a load on the low block but he's also capable of stepping out and attacking off the drive or knocking down an open 3. With his size and strength, Waller is a mismatch issue for district opponents Mayfield and Ballard Memorial. You can count on Graves keeping games in the halfcourt but Braden thrives in those situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fourth District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2127278"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672c02164b016"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 4th district is the best in the region by far and features 3 of the top 5-6 teams. In 3 games against Marshall County last season Armstrong only had 10 points combined. In 2 games against Murray he had 13 points before [player_tooltip player_id='1229152' first='Eli' last='Finley'] came back from injury and 5 points in the second meeting. For Calloway to win the region (I picked them to) Luke will need to step up when it matters most. He can be the difference in finishing the season at Rupp Arena or in the opening round of the district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->