Role Players Ready To Break Out

<p>With the 2020 season over, time to take a look ahead to what 2021 could look like in Kentucky high school basketball. With the 2020 class graduating, several schools will need to replace a lot of production next season to maintain the standard of winning they’re accustomed to in the last few years. Here’s a look at some players who could have huge roles next season after being bench contributors this season.</p> <p><strong>Ian McCune, McCracken County (2021) - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="915102" first="Jackson" last="Sivills"] is the best player in the short history of McCracken County high school and no one player is going to replace his production but McCune is likely to get the first chance to take Sivills’ shots next year. Ian averaged 7.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a Junior with respectable shooting percentages of 47/33/79. Don’t be surprised if a lot of plays next season are designed for Ian McCune.</p> <p><strong>Jaiden Lawrence, Warren Central (2022) - </strong>Coach Will Unseld raved about Lawrence’s potential to me not that long ago and Jaiden was getting more playing time as his Sophomore season went along. The Dragons graduate 11 seniors and someone is going to have to step up in a big way. Lawrence saw the floor in 24 games and shot 37% from three last season. He could be the next Jared Savage for Warren Central.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Tyus, John Hardin (2022) - </strong>John Hardin may get hit harder by graduation than anyone in the 5th region and Tyus is going to become the focal point of the offense in his Junior season. If Tyus can become a more efficient scorer than his 37% from the field this season indicates, then Jalen will have a chance to put up some big numbers for the Bulldogs next year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="692954" first="Kennedy" last="Hayden"], Ballard (2022) - </strong>As a middle schooler, "Keno" was once ranked as the #2 player in the 2022 class in Kentucky. After transferring from East Jessamine to Ballard for high school, Hayden has struggled to see the floor for the Bruins. If he’s going to make it, next season is the time. Hayden averaged 1.1 points per game in 19 games this year and Ballard graduates 6 Seniors and there is an opportunity for Kennedy to start or fill the 6th man role next year if he takes advantage of the opportunity.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923049" first="Trey" last="Stone"], Male (2021) - </strong>The 7th region champions also graduate 6 players but [player_tooltip player_id="923001" first="Cam" last="Pope"] and [player_tooltip player_id="932764" first="Kaleb" last="Glenn"] expect to get the Lions’ share of the shots next year. In order for Coach Haworth’s squad to get the type of offensive production they had this year, Stone will need to step up in a big way after only seeing the floor in 21 games this season. Stone and Pope can be a formidable backcourt but there is a loaded Sophomore class at Male that will push those two for starting spots.</p> <p><strong>Quintin Simmons, Collins (2023) - </strong>I haven’t seen him play yet but Coach Chris Gaither thinks Simmons can be the next [player_tooltip player_id="706003" first="Dayvion" last="McKnight"] if he stays healthy. Simmons battles injuries and only played in 16 games this season but there is going to be a massive hole on the roster at Collins next year after losing 2 D1 signees in McKnight and [player_tooltip player_id="915103" first="Marcellus" last="Vail"].</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="932777" first="Chandler" last="Starks"], Covington Catholic (2023) - </strong>The big man from Cincinnati had a good freshman season for Cov Cath and should have a much bigger role next season, depending on who enrolls for the Colonels this summer. Chandler is a throwback post player with his back to the basket. If he grows a couple of inches this summer, he’ll be in the mix for best Sophomore in Northern Kentucky next year. </p>