Top 5 Preview: Region 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KHSAA Basketball season starts officially on Thursday and this season looks to be pretty open. There is so much talent in the bluegrass state right now and this season is shaping up to be a great one. It's time for my annual "Top 5 Preview" where I break down the top 5 teams and college prospects in each region. These are the top 5 college prospects, not the top 5 high school players right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 Teams:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Rogers Clark - The reigning state champs are looking ready for a potential repeat. They lost Malachi Ashford to graduation but Andrew Terry transferred in this spring, Tidiane Faye transferred in this summer and Conner Morguson returned from Powell County last month. With elite size and a lot of weapons, they'll be hard to keep from getting back to Rupp at the very least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery County - Likely the only 10th region team with a puncher's chance of beating GRC. Tyce Jarvis is headed to Jacksonville State and the Sears brothers offer perimeter scoring. Makhi Mahorn is healthy and earning D1 offers. Tybee Flanery will have pressure on him to provide an anchor in the post. The Indians will win a lot of games this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell County - Losing Austin Davie this summer effectively ended any regional title hopes but the Camels are always well coached and competitive. Junior Cade Anthrop and Senior Braden Elam should be a dynamic duo. There are a total of 9 Juniors on the Camels returning roster and they should be well positioned to make a run at Rupp in 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pendleton County - Kamden O'Hara and Ja'Zi Grayson are a formidable guard duo for the Wildcats. Hunter Keeton is another Senior who provides an interior presence and toughness. With 7 Seniors on the roster, this could be the best Pendleton team we've seen since Dontaie Allen was playing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourbon County - Mark Perraut is a load downlow for the Colonels. Dailyn Fields is a lockdown defender. The Colonels have some talent. Their problem will always be that they have to beat either Montgomery County or GRC to get to the regional tournament. A tall task, indeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 College Prospects:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2122438' first='Montez' last='Gay'], GRC - Committed to EKU, Gay is a versatile wing with tremendous long term potential. There are stretches where he can disappear because there is so much talent on the roster. If Montez eliminates that, he will be in the mix for Mr. Basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2529539' first='Andrew' last='Terry'], GRC - The rare cross-district transfer, Andrew made the move to GRC from Montgomery back in April. A big body who is a good rebounder and has the skills to play inside and out, Terry is potentially the difference in a repeat state title for Coach Cook's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026991' first='Tyce' last='Jarvis'], Montgomery County - Headed to Jacksonville State for college, Tyce is a super athletic wing who could potentially be a lockdown defender. Blessed with a lot of tools, Jarvis has the ability to make a run at regional player of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2194461' first='Austin' last='Sears'], Montgomery County - Sears is a volume scorer who has "in the gym" range on his jumper. With his scoring ability and evolving playmaking skills, Austin could be the difference in where the season ends for MoCo. Two years ago, Cayden Reed led Montgomery to Rupp. Austin Sears has the potential to do the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2541123' first='Ryder' last='Akins'], GRC - A lefty driver who embraces contact at the rim and finishes well. The transfer on Terry into GRC probably makes us forget how impactful Akins was as a Sophomore for the state champs. Ryder has a bevy of D1 interest and could be a steal at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='2122438' first='Montez' last='Gay'], GRC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->