Region 9’s Small School Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's talent everywhere, from small schools to big schools and from big cities to small towns. This list is simply an opportunity to highlight some of the small school players to watch this upcoming season across each region of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Region 9, schools eligible to have a player included on the “small school” list are members of the All “A” Member schools for the 2026-27 season. Those schools include Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Heritage (Florence), Holy Cross (Covington), Ludlow, Newport, Newport Central Catholic, St. Henry and Villa Madonna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326411"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abafac58c522"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2326411' first='Amontae' last='Lowe'] had a terrific season last year, leading Newport with 20.1 points per game. He also shot 34% from three, averaging two made triples per game while leading the Wildcats with 54 total threes. Lowe also contributed 4.3 rebounds per game. He thrives with the ball in his hands, using his craftiness and quick decisions to create opportunities in the open floor. Lowe can draw multiple defenders and find teammates for scores, and Newport has a noticeably different look when he is on the floor because of how much he creates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964788"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc01640"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2964788' first='Dylan' last='Topmiller'] established himself as one of the top players in the 9th Region last season, averaging 20.7 points per game. He shot 50.3% from the field and an impressive 41.4% from three while knocking down 91 triples. Topmiller has a confident offensive game and can hurt defenses both as a driver and a perimeter shooter. He added 3.8 rebounds per game and led his team in free-throw percentage.Topmiller holds an offer from Eastern Illinois and enters the season with plenty of attention on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3561684"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc016e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3561684' first='Logan' last='Day'] was one of the Panthers' top scoring options last season, averaging 17.4 points per game. He was a reliable threat from deep, knocking down 65 threes while averaging 2.3 makes per game. Day is a smooth scorer who can make shots off the catch and does a good job creating space for himself. He is also a reliable ball-handler who can help initiate the offense and take care of the ball. Day also added 3.8 rebounds per game, giving him another way to impact the game beyond his scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3561741"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc01739"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3561741' first='Malachi' last='Kennedy'] is a fantastic athlete who has found success on both the basketball court and the football field. He led Dayton in scoring last season, averaging 18.9 points per game. Kennedy knocked down 56 three-pointers, averaging just over two makes per game and giving him another way to hurt defenses. He also averaged 6.3 rebounds per game, the second-highest mark on the Greendevils. Kennedy's success earned him NKAC Division 3 All-Conference honors last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3224534"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc0177f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3224534' first='Jaylen' last='Stone'] returns after averaging 14.3 points per game last season. He was a consistent threat from deep, knocking down 74 threes while averaging 2.5 makes per game. Stone also led the Panthers on the glass, pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game. The likelihood of Stone knocking down multiple threes in a game is high, and he is a tough shot-maker even with defenders closing in. His athleticism and vertical ability also allow him to challenge defenses inside and make plays around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3557126"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc017c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3557126' first='Jayden' last='Wilkins'] arrives at Newport after stints with Overtime Elite in Atlanta and Southeastern Prep in Orlando. He is a dynamic combo guard with a good handle, strong court vision and a high basketball IQ. Wilkins can score from all three levels and has the shooting ability to make defenses pay when given an opening. He makes smart decisions with the ball and can use his handle and quickness to create his own shot or get into the lane. Whether it is knocking down a tough shot or finishing above the rim, Wilkins brings an element of excitement every time he has the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2272617"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abb24dc01804"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After time away from Newport, [player_tooltip player_id='2272617' first='Griffin' last='Starks'] returns to the Wildcats after previously playing at Southeastern Prep. During his sophomore season at Newport, he averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting nearly 50% from the field. Starks has the skill set to handle the ball, knock down shots and make plays with his court vision. His length and size give him an advantage as a playmaker and create matchup problems on both ends. Starks can also disrupt opposing offenses with his length and activity on defense, and he recently committed to North Alabama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2381903' first='Kingston' last='Brockett'], Beechwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Watson, Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony Hull, Dayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2391114' first='Kaden' last='Anderson'], Dayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3449388' first='Mykah' last='Foster'], Dayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isiah Paul, Heritage (Florence)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oscar Kawanishi, Heritage (Florence)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2482007' first='Amir' last='Henderson'], Holy Cross (Covington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gage Grider, Ludlow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben McKinney, Newport</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davae Andrews-Glover, Newport</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2381905' first='Gabe' last='Waggoner'], Newport Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3269170' first='Tyler' last='Detzel'], St. Henry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2974104' first='Zachary' last='Webb'], Villa Madonna</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->