Top 5 Preview: Region 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KHSAA Basketball season starts officially on October 15th 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>Taylor County - The trio of Josh Augmon, [player_tooltip player_id='2522912' first='Cooper' last='Stone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2360943' first='Bryce' last='Vernon'] is going to be hard to beat. I think Bryten Close's presence in the middle will be missed more than most people realize. Also will be interested to see how much depth the Cardinals have behind their "big three".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LaRue County - Senior point guard Mikey Harris is perhaps the most valuable player in the region to his team. After averaging 20 points per game last season, Harris is the frontrunner to be the Mr. Basketball candidate for the 5th. Cole Miller and [player_tooltip player_id='2920969' first='Braylin' last='McDowell'] are both double figure scorers who are back for the Hawks as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Hardin - You can count on a few things. North Hardin will play super hard and they will be athletic. [player_tooltip player_id='2149144' first='Terrion' last='Mack'] was a breakout performer last season. Could Kylan Abernathy be that same type of breakout player this year? Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2983287' first='Cam' last='House'] is going to be in the mix to be the top Sophomore in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bardstown - The Tigers have a talented core coming back from last season and perhaps the most explosive player in the fifth with Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2408981' first='Chi' last='Poynter']. Senior Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2784055' first='Tylan' last='Spalding'] is a potential breakout candidate. Coach Brewer's team will not hit it's stride until all their football kids get into basketball shape. Look for them to peak in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adair County - Coach Breeze will have to replace a lot of scoring this season but Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2357247' first='John' last='Shehan'] and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2560652' first='Samuel' last='Feese'] are both capable of being all region type of players. They will likely live and die with the three ball but Adair has a chance to be in the thick of the regional title race by February.</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='2555374' first='Joshua' last='Augmon'], Taylor County - One of the most high profile transfers into Kentucky this summer, Augmon holds a D1 offer from UNLV. Headed into his Junior season, Josh has the size and athletic ability to impact the game on both ends. There's a world in which Augmon, Vernon and Stone run through the 5th region on their way to Rupp Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2149144' first='Terrion' last='Mack'], North Hardin - Terrion has offers from all over the place. A D1 offer from Air Force joins offers from D2s like Malone University on Mack's list. With his size and playmaking, Terrion should push Mikey Lewis to be the 5th region player of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2360943' first='Bryce' last='Vernon'], Taylor County - Vernon checks every box that a college coach looks for in a wing prospect. He's an elite shooter and a high level defender who stands 6'6" and is still growing. If Bryce can avoid the injury bug that has plagued him for his career, his potential as a two way wing has mid major D1 possibilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2522912' first='Cooper' last='Stone'], Taylor County - Stone is one of those players who gets things done every time he hits the court. Holding an offer from EKU, Cooper could be the leading scorer in all of the 5th region this season, depending on how much Augmon's addition eats into Stone's total shot attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2983963' first='Truk' last='Jennings'], Adair County - Some could look at Jennings' inclusion on this list and find it head scratching but when you realize the list is about most college potential and not "best high school player", it makes sense. There aren't many kids in Kentucky with Truk's size and build. He's 6'8" and built like a grown man. If he stays healthy and becomes more impactful, Jennings could be among the top bigs in the state.</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='2634182' first='Michael' last='Harris'], LaRue County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->