Summer Ball Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graduations are happening every day across Kentucky and high school summer leagues are starting up next week after the Memorial Day weekend. Hard to believe we're here already but summer basketball is upon us. Here's a look at some summer storylines to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Transfer Portal</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest part of summer basketball, outside of the live period at the end of June, is the player movement that happens during the month of June. We've already had a big transfer in Owensboro where [player_tooltip player_id='2332028' first='Michael' last='Acton'] has moved over to Daviess County. There are rumors of a bunch of transfers in the 11th region that have yet to actually happen, officially. Boyd County added [player_tooltip player_id='2392296' first='Malachi' last='Payne'] from Huntington Prep already, also. Who are the next players to move? We shall see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Breakout Stars?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some players who could be in line for big shifts in playing time, starting this season. Look at players like GRC's [player_tooltip player_id='2360951' first='Conner' last='Morguson'], Cooper's [player_tooltip player_id='2842421' first='Roman' last='Combs'], Ballard's [player_tooltip player_id='2529549' first='Baron' last='Clay'] or [player_tooltip player_id='2429594' first='Everett' last='Stuart'] of Lexington Catholic who could breakout in a big way. Looking for a deeper sleeper? How about names like [player_tooltip player_id='2360943' first='Bryce' last='Vernon'] at Taylor County, [player_tooltip player_id='2360945' first='Bray' last='McNear'] at Collins, [player_tooltip player_id='2532054' first='Jeremiah' last='Marshall'] at Butler or [player_tooltip player_id='2124540' first='Amare' last='Stewart'] at Henderson as some players who could have huge summers now that they should play bigger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">New Coaches</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every spring sees player movement and coaching movement. This year is no different. What will Scott County look like with Sean Woods at the helm? Hazard has a new coach after one of the best seasons in school history. Ditto for Green County and Adair County in the 5th region. Louisville has a bunch of new coaches and are spread across both the 6th and 7th regions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Replacing Legends</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 class was LOADED with talent and multiple players who were highly ranked for their entire high school careers. What will Great Crossing look like without [player_tooltip player_id='1130310' first='Malachi' last='Moreno'], [player_tooltip player_id='1110323' first='Vince' last='Dawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1208167' first='Gage' last='Richardson']? Can Ashland replace the production of [player_tooltip player_id='1089524' first='Zander' last='Carter']? Will Lloyd be able to get an [player_tooltip player_id='1252216' first='EJ' last='Walker']-like performance from anyone? There are schools like Calloway County, Harlan County, South Laurel, Butler County and Pineville who will have to replace some of the best players to come through their programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->