Top 5 Preview: Eleventh Region

<p>Over the next month, we'll continue to preview the top teams and players in each of the 16 regions as we move toward the 2019-2020 regular season. As part of our preview, we are breaking down the regional title contenders and the top college prospects in every region. We continue with the eleventh region, where it's more wide open than it's been in years after Scott County split into two schools.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Five Regional Title Contenders:</strong></span></p> <p>Henry Clay - The Blue Devils are the best team in the region by a wide margin heading into the season. They have a veteran group led by <strong>Marques Warrick, Marquis Mackey and Jackson Phillips. </strong>The additions of transfers <strong>Aziel Blackwell and Sebian Dillard</strong> help increase the firepower for Coach Brown's team and <strong>Kanye Henderson</strong> is ready to break out in his Sophomore season. </p> <p>Lexington Catholic - After a losing season, Catholic returns most of their key pieces from last year and hope Junior <strong>Ben Johnson</strong> is ready to make the leap in his third year of varsity action. <strong>Luke Wedding </strong>can heat up in a hurry from three but the key to the season could be the growth of Sophomore <strong>Jack Gohmann</strong>. Jack was a really good second scoring option for the Knights this summer and could be the key to Catholic being a serious contender.</p> <p>Dunbar - Dunbar is huge along the front line but the key to their season is going to be quality guard play. <strong>Tim Hall, Shyheim Drew, Rabby Kamona, Lionel Kumwimba and Robby Todd</strong> are all 6'6 or taller but it won't matter if they don't have guards who can make shots and get the ball to the bigs. Coach Chalk's team should dominate the rebounding battle this season but they will have to figure out who the leader of the team is and where the scoring is going to come from. </p> <p>Frederick Douglass - In the school's third year in existence, there is some pressure on the Broncos to match the success that the football team has seen. In Coach Kurt Young's third year at the helm, he will rely on Junior <strong>DaShawn Jackson</strong> to lead the team and do a lot of the scoring. They have a chance to get to the regional tournament for the first time in program history this year.</p> <p>Scott County - Losing a hall of fame coach is never easy. Losing half your program to a new school is even harder. I was way down on the prospects of this particular Cardinal team but after seeing them play against Butler two weekends ago, it looks like they will be as competitive as ever but this team will lack depth and can ill afford an injury or anything that can affect their depth.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top 5 College Prospects:</strong></span></p> <p>Marques Warrick, Henry Clay - Committed to NKU already, Warrick is the best player in the region and continues to improve his game every time I see him.</p> <p>Ben Johnson, Lexington Catholic - The top Junior in the region is also one of the top Juniors in the state. A shooter with "in the gym range", Johnson is also an underrated athlete.</p> <p>Tim Hall, Dunbar - Hall is one of the state's best Sophomores and one of the most athletic kids in the city of Lexington. His biggest asset as a player is his motor. Tim never seems to take a play off.</p> <p>Ray Surratt, Lafayette - Highly skilled big man should be a scholarship level player. Ray can score the ball and is a good rim protector for a Lafayette team that could surprise some folks.</p> <p>Terrin Hamilton, Scott County - A versatile wing forward at 6'6, Hamilton could be a breakout player this season after being limited to a role player the last three seasons.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Predicted Mr. Basketball Finalist:</strong></span></p> <p>Marques Warrick, Henry Clay</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Predicted Regional Champion:</strong></span></p> <p>Henry Clay</p>