The Morning After: Notes from Monday’s Games
Last night saw a number of Kentucky high school basketball teams kicking off the week of action across the Bluegrass. Prep Hoops Kentucky gives you the rundown and some takeaways from last night’s games:
- Apollo High School rolled past Webster County 71-53. The victory was a bounce-back win for the Eagles, who fell just short to 4th region contender Warren Central two nights before (56-57). Senior guard Nathan Boyle led Apollo, scoring 24 points while shooting 9-15 from the field. Apollo plays region foe Owensboro Catholic next (Dec. 8th).
- Newport Catholic Central defeated Lloyd Memorial 79-49, improving to 3-0 in the early season. The Thoroughbreds had defeated DeSales and St. Henry previously. Senior guard Brennan Hall entered the school’s 1,000 point club, also. Hall has an offer from Our Lady of the Lake (NAIA) and interest from other small college programs.
- Fleming County fell just short against region foe Menifee County last, losing 74-72. Fleming County head coach Chris Stapleton said afterward, “If you’re jumping off the bandwagon now, don’t be jumping back on when we are cutting down the nets in March.” Got to love the fire in the first year coaches tone. Stapleton, a long time assistant, has seen what success looks like while coaching in the 10th region and has also had success as a head coach on the AAU circuit. Fleming County has some players that I think will allow them to compete throughout this season.
- Somerset High School moved to 3-0 on the young season, defeating Barbourville 71-65. The Briar Jumpers have some impressive wins early, with victories over 14th region contender Estill County and 12th region foe Lincoln County.
- Most lopsided win of the night goes to Rose Hill Christian (remember O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker?). The Royals defeated the Piarist School 71-27.
- Mercer County got back to it’s winning ways, knocking off Garrard County 89-70. Junior point guard Carter Baughman scored a game high 26 points in the win. With senior Northern Kentucky commit Trevon Faulkner getting back into basketball shape (Faulkner was a member of the Titans’ football team) and a loss in their previous game to Knox Central, Mercer County will look to start climbing the ladder of success throughout the season. They are a contender to win the 12 region championship.