Top 5 Preview: Region 12

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KHSAA Basketball season is officially underway 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>West Jessamine - The Colts are loaded with young talent and have a D1 big man patrolling the middle. With [player_tooltip player_id='2522623' first='Luk' last='Tut'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2906291' first='Peter' last='Patterson'], Coach Adams has 2 of the biggest players in the region. Sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2888407' first='Brayden' last='Haffley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2897210' first='Solo' last='Collins'] are a nice backcourt and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2888486' first='Cameron' last='Hobson'] will be eligible for varsity play right at the start of postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pulaski County - Pulaski is just consistently good. They return 4 of their top 5 players from last season and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2360947' first='Tanner' last='Absher'] is potentially a breakout player in the 12th this season. After a disappointing loss in the district opener last year, I expect the Maroons to be back in the mix to win the region this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danville Christian - DCA has been hit hard by graduation with Leek Ateny and Ben Mikels now gone. Two of the transfers into the program have left for Texas so it looks like they will be smaller than your typical team. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2871529' first='Graham' last='Domidion'] is going to have to be really good for his team to be in the regional mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln County - Death, Taxes and Jeff Jackson. Three things that are inevitable. [player_tooltip player_id='2333693' first='Cash' last='Baird'] has seemingly been at Lincoln for a decade. Losing Sawyer Robbins will hurt the Patriots but Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3768195' first='Myles' last='Carroll'] is expected to start and make a big impact for a team that is young but likely to peak in postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somerset - Coach Ryan Young lost a couple of good players but returns a lot of his varsity roster from last season. [player_tooltip player_id='3430370' first='Brock' last='Stevens'] is a Junior who could be the biggest breakout player this year as he has to fill the void left by Aedyn Absher. It may not be this year that Somerset wins the 12th but they are set up for a lot of wins over the next 2-3 years.</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='2522623' first='Luk' last='Tut'], West Jessamine - Tut is the best big in the 12th and just picked up a D1 offer from Troy over the weekend. Luk has continued to improve over his career and is the biggest X factor of any team in the 12th as no one can match his size and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2450182' first='Tyson' last='Duke'], East Jessamine - Tyson has had a good last 12 months of high school ball and AAU. Moving forward, it could be time for Duke to become the player he has shown he can be in stretches. If Tyson's motor gets consistent, he will have East in the running for a regional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2906291' first='Peter' last='Patterson'], West Jessamine - Peter is going to have a chance to make an impact for the Colts after playing mostly JV last season. Going up against Tut in practice every day should help Patterson improve and get tougher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1745594' first='Maddox' last='Hager'], Boyle County - Hager missed his Junior season after an ACL tear but should be back on the court this season. Prior to his injury, Maddox was showing the potential as a face up 5 man that can put the ball on the floor as well as score on the low block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2333693' first='Cash' last='Baird'], Lincoln County - Baird has to be one of the best players in Central Kentucky that no one talks about. With his athleticism and length, Cash is an issue for opposing team's guards to handle. If Baird can get some help on the offensive end this season, look for Lincoln to be better than expected.</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='2333693' first='Cash' last='Baird'], Lincoln County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->