New Years Storylines to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is about 1/3 of the way over and some of the big Post-Christmas tournaments are in full swing this week. There are still plenty of things to figure out in the upcoming weeks as we turn the calendar to 2026. Here's a look at some storylines to monitor over the coming weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Transfer Eligibility:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the overwhelming majority of transfers have been approved or denied at this point, there are still a few HUGE transfers waiting to hear their fate. North Hardin's [player_tooltip player_id='1565984' first='Keriawn' last='Berry'], Montgomery County's [player_tooltip player_id='2194461' first='Austin' last='Sears'] and Caverna's [player_tooltip player_id='1472002' first='Gavin' last='Lightning'] are all waiting to hear if they will be able to play this season. All 3 are difference makers who could sway regional title races down the stretch, IF they are eligible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Top Sophomore in Kentucky?</span></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a long time, [player_tooltip player_id='2429606' first='Josh' last='Lindsay'] has laid claim to the top spot but it looks like [player_tooltip player_id='2439209' first='Jordan' last='Mitchell'] is making a move for number one. Not to mention that [player_tooltip player_id='2360949' first='Trey' last='Hillerich'] is always improving and [player_tooltip player_id='2520123' first='Boogie' last='Cook'] will get eligible at CAL sometime early in the new year. The 2028 class is loaded with talent and several are hovering around the top of the rankings for this Sophomore class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who wins the 7th region?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top of the 7th is absolutely loaded with talented teams. Male is sitting at 10-2 but undefeated in Kentucky. Eastern is 8-1 and still waiting for Noah Bol to get eligible. St. Xavier is 8-2 and has a talent loaded roster and several upperclassmen who plan to cut down nets multiple times this year. Ballard is only 5-3 but their talent is all young and will only get better as the season rolls along. Seneca is 5-2 and have some serious quality wins over Bryan Station and Eastern. CAL is 5-3 and waiting on [player_tooltip player_id='2520123' first='Boogie' last='Cook'] to join the roster in the near future. Trinity is only 3-4 but are capable of beating anyone on any night. The top of the region is crazy talented with several D1 prospects and elite coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the top team in the state?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beyond the logjam at the top of the 7th region, there are several teams who are in the mix to win the state title. Madison Central with [player_tooltip player_id='2726831' first='Jake' last='Feldhaus'] in the 11th region, Ashland and [player_tooltip player_id='2809202' first='Caleb' last='Clarke'] in the 16th region, Daviess County and [player_tooltip player_id='1359130' first='Jonathan' last='Moss'] in the 3rd region and Warren Central with [player_tooltip player_id='2326410' first='Armani' last='Byrd'] in the 4th region are all in the mix to be top in Kentucky when the dust settles. Not to mention Covington Catholic and [player_tooltip player_id='1575699' first='Athens' last='McGillis'] possibly being the best team in all of Northern Kentucky and a legitimate threat to win it all. The race for a state title should be fun to monitor. Especially when so many of the top teams are located in the 7th and 11th regions this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->