KSR's '23-24 Kentucky High School Boys Basketball Preseason Top 25

It’s basketball time in the Bluegrass. The 2023-24 Kentucky high school boys basketball season tips off on Monday.

With reigning champion Warren Central and runner-up George Rogers Clark each graduating four starters, the field is wide open this year. All of the top six teams have a reasonable possibility of winning the championship, with teams seven through 11 also having at least a shot should things fall their way. There’s plenty of young talent spread across the state, so don’t discount a Cinderella run from a team further down the rankings.

We’re in for another exciting season of Kentucky high school hoops. Let’s get things rolling with our preseason rankings.

KSR’s KY High School Boys Basketball Preseason Top 25

1. Great Crossing – The Warhawks return their top five scorers from a team that went 28-6 and finished number eight in the final KSR rankings. Four-star 2025 big man Malachi Moreno may be the top junior in Kentucky.

2. Lyon County – The Lyons return their top five scorers from a team that went 31-6, made the state quarterfinals, and finished number five in the final KSR rankings. Four-star 2024 guard Travis Perry is a UK commit and the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky. He is the favorite to win Mr. Basketball.

3. Frederick Douglass – The Broncos return three of their top five scores from a team that went 33-3, made the state semifinals, and finished number three in the final KSR rankings. Aveion Chenualt is one of the top-ranked juniors in Kentucky and Armelo Boone is one of the top players in the 11th region.

4. Trinity – The Shamrocks add some impact transfers and return three of their top five scores from a team that went 24-8 and finished number 11 in the final KSR rankings. Four-star 2026 shooting guard Jayden Johnson is one of the top sophomores in the state.

5. Newport – The Wildcats add some key Cincinnati transfers and return four of their top five scores from a team that went 28-7, won the 9th Region, and finished number 19 in the final KSR rankings. Point guard Tay Kinney is one of the top sophomores in the state.

6. Bowling Green – The Purples return their top four scorers from a team that went 26-9, pushed eventual state champion Warren Central to overtime in the 4th Region finals, and finished number 14 in the final KSR rankings. Mason Ritter is one of the state’s best inside players.

7. Male – The Bulldogs return three of their top five scorers from a team that went 26-11, made the state quarterfinals, and finished number six in the final KSR rankings. Point guard Cole Edelen is one of the top sophomores in Kentucky. 

8. Covington Catholic – The Colonels add several impact transfers and return two of their top five scores from a team that went 27-5 and finished number 16 in the final KSR rankings. Star tennis player Brady Hussey will also be one of the top basketball players in the 9th Region.

9. Evangel Christian – The Eagles return four of their top five scorers from a team that went 29-5, won the state All “A” Classic, and finished number 15 in the final KSR rankings. Christian Doerr is one of the best players in the 6th Region.

10. Lexington Catholic – The Knights lost their top two scorers but return four of their top six from a team that went 32-3 and finished number four in the final KSR rankings. Bellarmine commit Tyler Doyle is one of the top players in the 11th Region.

11. Harlan County

12. Woodford County

13. DeSales

14. Warren Central

15. Boyd County

16. Mason County

17. Elizabethtown

18. Cooper

19. St. Xavier

20. Butler

21. Madison Southern

22. Washington County

23. George Rogers Clark

24. LaRue County

25. Ballard

First Teams Out: Ashland, Martin County

Also Receiving Votes: Ohio County, Butler County, Corbin

The rankings are voted on by myself & Clark Howell. Fans are welcome to send their feedback on Twitter to @teeroyhowell and @rezinc. You can check out our podcast of the upcoming season, the High School Basketball Season Preview Podcast, by clicking the link here.