Top Five Preview: Region Thirteen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are only a few weeks away from the first scrimmages in the lead up to the 2025-26 KHSAA basketball season. The excitement level for this year is high. This is the first time in a few years that we haven't had a few teams that are clearly ahead of the pack in the race for the state title. I am going to be previewing all 16 regions by breaking down the top 5 teams and the top 5 college prospects in each region. Being a top 5 college prospect and being a top 5 player in the region are not the same thing. There are a lot of really good high school players in Kentucky who are not necessarily great college prospects. Here's a look at the top 5 teams and prospects in the thirteenth region, where [player_tooltip player_id='1558733' first='Reece' last='Davidson'] hopes to end his career at Rupp Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Five Teams:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Laurel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corbin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Laurel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harlan County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Five College Prospects:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558733"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690953949b67e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reece is one of the front runners for Mr Basketball and is currently ranked as our top Senior in the class. Committed to Liberty, Davidson is a mismatch for every opposing team. The only thing that has slowed him down has been some injuries in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2866431"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690953949b701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grubb burst on the scene for Clay County last year and rode his momentum into a very strong AAU season. Adon is an explosive athlete who plays with a relentless motor. He's a player who could elevate Clay County's ceiling and make them a factor in the regional title race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2149111"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690953949b74b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buell is one of the players who I think others would appreciate if they got to see him. An underrated athlete, Ethan is very skilled and has good size. Able to get to his spots and score the ball, Buell should be one of the anchors for a Bell County team that hopes to get to Rupp Arena in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2983284"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690953949b797"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Only a freshman, Braxton got a VERY early offer from EKU a year ago as an 8th grader. With his ability to penetrate defense and finish at the rim, Ferguson is a tough cover for any opponent. He can bully opposing guards and is a capable shooter from range, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2885748"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690953949b7dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellis missed most of last season after a transfer from Whitley County but made an impact when he got eligible. A big scorer, Evan should flourish this season and the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='2541123' first='Ryder' last='Akins'] to GRC means even more time handling the ball and running the offense for the Redhounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='1558733' first='Reece' last='Davidson'], North Laurel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->