64 Districts, 64 X-Factors: Region 13

<!-- 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. 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">Forty Ninth District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543623"],"_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-673e69dd7ba5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Laurel is not going to be very deep this season but they did get a lot of experience last season in their first year after Reed Sheppard graduated. Now with a group of mostly Sophomores and Juniors for Coach Valentine's squad, the Jags are on the short list of best teams in the 13th. To get to Rupp Arena, they'll need a big season from Rawlings. He shot 38% from three last season but took 229 threes as opposed to just 60 twos. If he can add more balance to his scoring, his PPG numbers should go up more as he will get to the free throw line on more occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fiftieth District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2541123"],"_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-673e69dd7bac0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corbin returns a lot of youth this season. Where South Laurel is the popular pick to win the region, they may not be able to beat a tough Corbin squad. The Redhounds have a dynamic player in the 6'3 Akins. He's able to slash and get into the paint and shot a very solid 38% from three last season. After averaging 9 points per game as an 8th grader, Ryder could see his numbers rise to 15 points per game or better, depending on how much he plays with the ball in his hands this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fifty First District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2451396"],"_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-673e69dd7bb04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another freshman, Zachery could step up and be the solid third scoring option behind [player_tooltip player_id='1130315' first='Sawyer' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1288975' first='Ashton' last='Moser'] this season. While Preston didn't see a ton of playing time last season as an 8th grader, he was able to get his beak wet with a few minutes here and there. He shoots the ball well and is a pretty good athlete. Don't be surprised if Pineville wins their district and does it with some important playing time from the young guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fifty Second District:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2358597"],"_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-673e69dd7bb42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cottrell became a legend at last year's KHSAA Sweet 16 thanks to his long hair and high motor that often had him looking like if Cousin IT from the Addams Family had picked up a basketball. Reggie was unfortunately injured in a Fireworks accident this summer and lost a finger. Harlan County was going to struggle to replace the production of Trent Noah but now Reggie is a real X-factor as we don't know how effective he will be with his new circumstances. Definitely something to watch as the Black Bears will hope to win the region again in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->