Top 5 Preview: Region 7

<!-- 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>St. Xavier - The Tigers looked to be in the driver's seat for the state title in March before GRC made a comeback to take the title. Coach Klein returns most of his core from last year and adds one of the top freshmen in the state in Prince Thomas. X has [player_tooltip player_id='2429606' first='Josh' last='Lindsay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2429605' first='Jordan' last='Jackson'] back and an impactful transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='2965783' first='Dario' last='Harper']. They will be the favorite to win the 7th and maybe the state title as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard - The Bruins have almost no depth but they have what has to be considered the best starting 5 in the city. With [player_tooltip player_id='2851845' first='Mason' last='Grivna'], [player_tooltip player_id='2529549' first='Baron' last='Clay'], [player_tooltip player_id='2389668' first='Garrison' last='Gilvin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2459420' first='Qyntin' last='Woods'] on the court, Coach Willis has a ton of offensive firepower. If their bench can develop and give them quality minutes, Ballard can win the region and make a run at Rupp as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Male - Male would be the best team in most regions in Kentucky. That's how deep the 7th region is this season. Getting [player_tooltip player_id='2360949' first='Trey' last='Hillerich'] back is huge for the Bulldogs. Losing Jordan Mitchell hurts but [player_tooltip player_id='3250729' first='Mason' last='Calhoun'] seems to be ready. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2851856' first='Jaden' last='Johnson'] could be the X factor for Coach Haworth's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity - Trinity lost [player_tooltip player_id='2389668' first='Garrison' last='Gilvin'] over the summer but [player_tooltip player_id='3246445' first='Jaidan' last='Bartlett'] is supremely talented and the Rocks added [player_tooltip player_id='2851875' first='Jeremiah' last='Queen'] from Seneca. Fellow Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3240854' first='Cam' last='Jackson'] is a potential difference maker in his second year with Coach Saxton's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CAL - With Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2520123' first='Boogie' last='Cook'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2492699' first='Myles' last='Howard'], Coach Riley has two of the top 10 players in the region. With 5 star defensive end, the Centurions have a bruiser in the paint who will happily play a role. The problem for CAL is that they are in the same district as Eastern and Ballard. Only 2 of the 3 can get to the regional tournament.</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='2851845' first='Mason' last='Grivna'] - The best prospect in Kentucky, regardless of class. Mason is being recruited by blue bloods and has already become a fixture at Team USA events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2520123' first='Boogie' last='Cook'] - Cook is an electric prospect with tantalizing potential. He's got the tools to be a pro after college. Boogie also disappears at times in games. If he gets his motor running all the time, there may not be a better player in Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2829981' first='Prince' last='Thomas IV'], St. Xavier - This choice will either age well or very poorly but I think Prince is going to be an absolute stud over the next 4 years. Thomas has great length and athleticism but he also has a big time motor and is developing as a wing prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2429606' first='Josh' last='Lindsay'] - Josh continues to be highly recruited and is a walking highlight reel. The addition of Dario Harper means Lindsay will play another year as a shooting guard instead of a point guard. For him to get to the highest level, Lindsay will have to show he can be a point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2360949' first='Trey' last='Hillerich'], Male - Back from an ACL tear that cost him most of last season and all of his AAU season, Trey has the potential to be a power 4 recruit. If he's all the way back, Male is firmly in the mix to be the 7th region champion when the dust settles.</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='2389668' first='Garrison' last='Gilvin'], Ballard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->