Predicting 2023 Mr. Basketball Finalists
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The regular season will be over for some in about a month and we’re cruising towards the postseason. With the postseason comes award season. While it’s a foregone conclusion that Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel |…
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Continue ReadingThe regular season will be over for some in about a month and we’re cruising towards the postseason. With the postseason comes award season. While it’s a foregone conclusion that Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel | 2023 State #22 Nation KY will be 2023 Kentucky Mr Basketball, it doesn’t hurt to predict who the regional players of the year will be. Remember, these MUST be Seniors!
First Region:
Jack McCune Jack McCune 6'5" | SG McCracken County | 2023 State KY , McCracken County – With presumptive favorite Grant Whitaker Grant Whitaker 6'3" | PG Murray | 2023 State KY having missed the entire season thus far, McCune has been the most deserving player in the region and is the best player on the best team.
Second Region:
Gerard Thomas Gerard Thomas 6'2" | PG Henderson County | 2023 State KY , Henderson County – Madisonville Senior Marcus Eaves Marcus Eaves 6'4" | SF North Hopkins | 2023 State KY is firmly in the mix here but G gets the nod as he is likely the most valuable player in the region.
Third Region:
Brian Griffith Brian Griffith 5'9" | PG Owensboro Catholic | 2023 State KY , Owensboro Catholic – The best player on the best team. I’d be surprised if Griffith isn’t the winner.
Fourth Region:
Chappelle Whitney Chappelle Whitney 6'4" | SF Warren Central | 2023 State KY , Warren Central – Again, best player on the best team. And has been at his best in the big games too.
Fifth Region:
Casey Steadmon Casey Steadmon 6'5" | SF Darlington | 2023 State KY , Bethlehem – This is extremely hard because 95% of the talent in the 5th region are juniors and below. Steadmon has the biggest numbers of the Seniors out there.
Sixth Region:
Keith Robinson Keith Robinson 6'5" | PF Pleasure Ridge Park | 2023 State KY , PRP – One of the most blue collar kids in Louisville, Robinson should cap off a really good career with a Mr. Basketball nomination. Cyr Malonga Cyr Malonga 6'10" | C Evangel Christian | 2023 State KY also in the mix here.
Seventh Region:
Gabe Sisk Gabe Sisk 6'6" | SF Ballard | 2023 State KY , Ballard – After a short detour out west, Sisk returned to Ballard and took them back to the top of the 7th region.
Eighth Region:
Teagan Moore Teagan Moore 6'4" | SF Owen County | 2023 State KY , Owen County – Don’t be shocked if Dallas Roberts Dallas Roberts 6'1" | PG North Oldham | 2023 State KY ends up as the Co-Player of the Year as either would be fine choices after long and decorated careers.
Ninth Region:
Jacob Meyer Jacob Meyer 6'2" | PG Holy Cross (Covington) | 2023 State KY , Covington Holy Cross – Evan Ipsaro Evan Ipsaro 5'11" | PG Covington Catholic | 2023 State KY is almost definitely going to end up a finalist as well. Both are worthy.
Tenth Region:
Jerone Morton Jerone Morton 6'3" | SG George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY , GRC – The reigning state tournament MVP is the pretty obvious pick in the 10th.
Eleventh Region:
Reece Potter Reece Potter 6'11" | C Lexington Catholic | 2023 State #212 Nation KY , Lexington Catholic – The talent in Lexington (and surrounding areas) is fairly young and Reece is the best Senior in the 11th by a large amount.
Twelfth Region:
Cayden Lancaster Cayden Lancaster 6'5" | SF Pulaski County | 2023 State KY , Pulaski County – Once again, the nod goes to the best player on the best team. Lancaster is legitimately very good and super athletic.
Thirteenth Region:
Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel | 2023 State #22 Nation KY , North Laurel – Who else would even get a vote? He’s a McDonald’s All American for goodness sake!
Fourteenth Region:
Christian Collins Christian Collins 6'8" | PF Breathitt County | 2023 State KY , Breathitt County – You can also make an argument for Wolfe County’s Sawyer Thompson Sawyer Thompson 6'2" | CG Pineville | 2025 State KY in this spot.
Fifteenth Region:
Rylee Samons Rylee Samons 6'7" | SF Pikeville | 2023 State KY , Pikeville – No one in the 15th has anywhere near as good a case as Samons for player of the year.
Sixteenth Region:
Zack Otis Zack Otis 6'0" | CG Bath County | 2023 State KY , Bath County – Bath isn’t great but Otis has had a great career and is having another awesome season. He likely gets the nod.