Top Five Preview: Region Eight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are only a week away from the first games of the 2025-26 KHSAA basketball season. The excitement level for this year is high. This is the first time in a few years that we haven't had a few teams that are clearly ahead of the pack in the race for the state title. I am going to be previewing all 16 regions by breaking down the top 5 teams and the top 5 college prospects in each region. Being a top 5 college prospect and being a top 5 player in the region are not the same thing. There are a lot of really good high school players in Kentucky who are not necessarily great college prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Five Teams:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Oldham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Oldham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oldham County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Five College Prospects:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2880415"],"_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-69238dfbd01c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryant is one of the best prospects in a very good 2029 class. He offers size and athleticism at the wing spots and is an above average passer already. Ty's biggest limitations will be based on how well he can guard laterally against smaller players but he has time to continue improving in that department. Don't be surprised if Bryant takes a young Oldham roster on a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194461"],"_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-69238dfbd029a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sears is a big time shooter who is in range as soon as he enters the gym. The next step in Austin's game will be showing if he can facilitate as well for others as he can create his own shot. I expect Sears to show some growth this season and continue improving as a defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046738"],"_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-69238dfbd0322"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back after missing his Sophomore season, Jointer is primed for a big season. Omari is a dangerous downhill driver who is also an excellent finisher. He's still not a great three point shooter but Omari shoots it well enough to keep defenses honest. I think Omari is the most under-recruited Junior in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2392232"],"_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-69238dfbd03a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big wing shooter, Gregg had some big time scoring games last season. He's got the ability to heat up in a hurry from the perimeter but Tommy hasn't hit his ceiling yet. Still with plenty of room to improve as a driver and finisher, I look for Gregg to have a big season and show how efficient of a scorer he can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2530802"],"_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-69238dfbd0426"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noah is back after missing all spring and summer of AAU after hand surgery. After being the main younger contributor on a team loaded with Seniors last season, Beasley should be able to play more as a guard/wing and less like a post this year. If he is allowed to play more with the ball in his hands as a Sophomore, Noah's stock could take a big boost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Most Likely Mr. Basketball Finalist:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2175419' first='Kolton' last='Wuchterl'], South Oldham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->