Impressive Opening Week Performances in NKY

The opening week of high school boys basketball in northern Kentucky featured standout performances from players of all school sizes, roles, and skill sets. There were 30-point outings, triple-doubles, clutch efforts, and plenty of impactful play across the area. While many players impressed, here's a look at seven performances that stood out:    [player_tooltip player_id='2208708' first='Finn' last='Louden'] opened his senior campaign with a standout 32-point performance, leading the Cougars to a win over Simon Kenton. He flashed his deep shooting range, knocking down multiple threes from well beyond the arc, including shots from the volleyball line and catch-and-shoot opportunities. He showed strong floor vision and ran the floor well in transition, consistently making the right plays and finishing them, highlighted by a one-handed putback tip.     [player_tooltip player_id='2248846' first='Anthony' last='Blaackar'] led the Juggernauts in scoring on opening night of the Kentucky high school basketball season, dropping 27 of Lloyd's 93 points in their win. He added six rebounds, five assists, and a steal. With EJ Walker graduating after leading the Juggs last season, Blaackar stepped into the primary role and delivered, showing his effectiveness in transition with a slam and creating those chances by jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense.     As a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='2694628' first='Austin' last='Davie'] opened his season with a triple-double, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists while leading his team to a win. His performance reflected his on-court versatility, scoring at all three levels and showcasing advanced passing ability. He handled the ball with confidence, creating his own shots and generating looks for teammates by drawing defenders and kicking out to open shooters. When openings to score, he embraced contact and finished through it, rounding out an impressive season debut.     Jaylen Stone helped his team pull out a 70–69 victory with team highs of 27 points and seven rebounds, doing it efficiently by shooting 11-for-16 from the field and 3-for-5 from three. He delivered multiple clutch buckets in the fourth quarter with the game tied or within one possession, showing his athleticism and ability to attack the rim with force. He also knocked down contested shots outside the paint and stayed active by consistently coming to the ball throughout the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1575699' first='Athens' last='McGillis'] opened his senior season with an impressive 34-point outing against St. Joseph's College (Australia), shooting a strong 60.9% from the field. On a floor loaded with talent and defensive pressure, he consistently flowed back into the offensive end, showcasing his ability to absorb contact and finish at the rim. His perimeter shooting remains a known strength, and he again displayed reliable catch-and-shoot mechanics throughout the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='2326411' first='Amontae' last='Lowe'] opened the 2025–26 season with a strong 29-point performance in the win over Community Christian Academy (Independence). He came close to a double-double, adding nine rebounds to his scoring output, and shot an efficient 50% from the field while going 9 of 10 at the free-throw line. Lowe ran the floor well, finished effectively in transition, and set the tone on both ends.     [player_tooltip player_id='1543634' first='Trent' last='Stone'] poured in 31 points in a loss to Bourbon County, accounting for just over half of the Eagles' scoring in their second game of the season. He shot 13 of 22 from the field (59.1%), added a three-pointer, knocked down four free throws, and grabbed four rebounds. Twenty-four of his 31 points came on two-point field goals, highlighting his effectiveness inside the arc.

The opening week of high school boys basketball in northern Kentucky featured standout performances from players of all school sizes, roles, and skill sets. There were 30-point outings, triple-doubles, clutch efforts, and plenty of impactful play across the area. While many players impressed, here's a look at seven performances that stood out: