KSR's Kentucky High School Basketball Preseason Preview: Regions 11 and 12

On3 image — Photo by Les Nicholson | Kentucky Sports Radio

It is basketball time in the Bluegrass, and there’s no better feeling in the world. Over the week, KSR will be rolling out the final batch of our Kentucky high school basketball season previews. We’re halfway through the state’s 16 regions, and will dive into Regions 11 and 12 today.

Make sure to check out the regions we’ve already touched on below.

Highlighted numbers in parentheses are what the team is ranked in the entire state, according to KSR’s preseason rankings. Let’s dive into the previews.

Region 11 Preview

2021-22 champion: Henry Clay

Troy’s Top Ten

1. Great Crossing (27-7) (#5) – After winning 20 of their last 24 games and making an 11^th Region semifinal appearance last season, the Warhawks have their sights set higher thanks to the return of four sophomore starters including standouts Vince Dawson (15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and nationally ranked Malachi Moreno (11.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg). The 6’11 Moreno is an elite shot blocker, rebounder and finisher inside (58% FG). His brother, Michael Moreno, helped lead Scott County to two state runner-ups and now stars at EKU. Point guard Junius Burrell (11.0 ppg) and sharpshooter Gage Richardson (10.9 ppg, 46% from downtown) are the other returning sophomore starters.

2. Madison Central (20-12) (#6) – After winning the region in 2021, the Indians lost a tough overtime game to Great Crossing in the first round of the 11^th Region tournament last year. Jaylen Davis (17.6 ppg, 99-for-235 from downtown) was a big factor in the 2021 squad that won the region and will be key again this year. He can get hot from the outside and make contested shots. Guard Hagan Harrison is eligible after sitting out last season due to transferring. He averaged 24.4 points per game for Montgomery County in 2021. Robby Todd (12.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg) provides a strong inside presence. The Indians, which lacked depth last year partly due to injuries, will need a deeper bench this season.

3. Lexington Catholic (26-6) (#7) – The Knights won 14 of their last 16 games last season but suffered a bitter and somewhat surprising 70-58 home loss to Henry Clay in the first round of the region. 7-foot Miami (OH) commit Reece Potter (16.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg) provides a perfect last line of defense in the traditional Knights’ pressing defense due to his shot-blocking ability. The Knights, which lost some talented players, especially Jack Gohmann, return John Reinhart (10.5 ppg) and Hudson Sparks (8.2 ppg). They always play several off the bench which means guys gain valuable experience.

4. Frederick Douglass (19-15) (#23) – After a rough start, the Broncos won seven of their last eight games last season before falling to Henry Clay 41-36 in a hard-fought 11^th Region final. They struggled to get their offense going that night but return all their top players except for big man Tyson Barrett, which certainly leaves a void in the middle. Point guard Kai Simpson (12.9) ppg will be a leader. Sophomore guards Armelo Boone (10.1) and Logan Busson will both be major factors. Boone had a team-high 15 points in the region finals, while Busson was limited to only five games. Wes Scarberry took over as head coach just a few months ago.

5. Madison Southern (21-12) (#27) – The Eagles had one of the best seasons in school history last year, highlighted by a district championship win over Madison Central and first-round victory over Dunbar. Junior Jay Rose (21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) is expected to be one of the top players in the region and several other good players return, including juniors Braden (11.2 ppg) and Zach Hudson (11.6).

6. Paul Laurence Dunbar (14-13) – Playmaker Nick Spalding (20.1 ppg) can score in a multitude of ways and provides good outside shooting for Max VanDyke (12.3 ppg) — both shot 38% from downtown last year. They won five straight games at the end of last season including victories over Henry Clay and Louisville Trinity.

7. Henry Clay (27-9) – The Blue Devils used a great defense to capture the 11^th Region title last season. Repeating will be tough due to the graduation of big-time playmakers Aziel Blackwell and Kanye Henderson. The other main rotation players include Konlin Brown (11.0 ppg, 91 3-pointers made), Mason Hawkins (5.1 ppg), Brenden Wicker (4.8 ppg) and football standout Kyan Miller (4.4 ppg).

8. Scott County (10-18) – After back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019, the Cardinals fell back to the pack, partly due to the opening of fellow Georgetown school Great Crossing. Their record should be improved this year thanks to the return of leading scorer Nick Mosby (17.9 ppg, 86% FT) along with Micah Glenn (11.2), who only played nine games last season due to injury.

9. Lafayette (4-24) – Head coach Vince Sanford takes over last year’s team that won only four games. The Generals should be much improved with the return of seniors Jack Ackerman (7.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg ) and Jayd Huynh (7.8 ppg). Look for a big year from soccer star Musampa Bandamuna, who wasn’t on the basketball team last season.

10. Lexington Christian Academy – The Eagles struggled last year but return their three leading scorers in Tyler Hall (14.5 ppg), Brayden Mirus (10.4 ppg) and Andersen Green (9.8 ppg). They will need to improve on the boards after averaging only 25.5 rebounds per game last season.

Region 12 Preview

2021-22 champion: Lincoln County

Troy’s Top Ten

1. Lincoln County (31-8) (#15) – The Patriots pushed state champion George Rogers Clark to the brink last year before falling 54-51 in double overtime in the state semifinals. The graduation of point guard Jaxon Smith (12.1 ppg) will be tough to replace, but expect the Patriots to play solid defense as always under head coach Jeff Jackson. Tramane Alcorn (13.8 ppg) is tough to stop off the dribble and Colton Ralston (12.8 ppg) is a sharpshooter. Ralston hit the game-winner at the buzzer to knock off Pulaski County in the region finals in overtime last season.

Top 10

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2. Pulaski County (30-3) – The Maroons had a fantastic season last year only to see it end on a buzzer-beater by Lincoln County in the regional finals. Cayden Lancaster (14.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg) will be the top option this year as big man Gavin Stephens (16.0 ppg, 7.7 prg) and guard Zach Travis (15.8 ppg) both graduated. Carson Fraley (4.8 ppg) played big minutes as an 8^th grader last season and will play a key role this year.

3. Boyle County (23-8) – The Rebels, who were part of the “Big 3” in the 12^th Region last season (along with Lincoln and Pulaski) lost several impact players from last season, most notably Luke Imfeld (20.8 ppg). Seniors Jakei Tarter (7.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Kason Myers (8.4 ppg) will be among the leaders. Look for Tarter to be among the top rebounders in the region. Sophomore transfer Montavin Quisenberry, who is also a standout on the gridiron, averaged 18.2 points a game at Garrard County last season.

4. West Jessamine (19-13) – The Colts will be favored to repeat as district champions again this year thanks to the return of their four leading scorers in seniors Daniel Waters (16.7 ppg), Drew Marshall (14.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg), Brett Bush (11.5 ppg), and Gavin Salva (9.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg). They will be one of the most experienced teams in the region.

5. Danville Christian Academy (18-12) – After winning only seven games in 2021, DCA thrived last season behind the play of 7-footer Lual Ayiei (9.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg), Titus Boyd (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and leading scorer and rebounder Xavier Oduor. Odour has graduated but sophomores Ayiei and Boyd both return so expect the Warriors to continue their upward trajectory.

6. Wayne County (14-18) – The Cardinals lost eight of their final 10 games last season, but expect to be improved due to most players returning, including the high-scoring duo of senior Mason Burchett (16.9 ppg) and freshman Kendall Phillips (16.8 ppg).

7. Danville (16-15) – Jalen Dunn will be a force this year after averaging a near-double-double (14.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg) last season. Jarius Bryant (10.4) and Demauriah Brown (9.4 ppg) will also be key contributors. Brown is coming off an outstanding football season.

8. Mercer County (16-14) – The Titans suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to McCreary Central in the first round of the region. They return two starters in Seth Caton (11.8 ppg) and Trevor Ellis (9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg). That duo lead the Titans in scoring last season.

9. McCreary Central (17-12) – Kyle Stephens (19.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is one of the top players in the region. He shot 58% from the field last season but most of the other contributors from last season graduated.

10. Somerset (10-17) – The Briar Jumpers struggled last year due to heavy graduation losses from the very good 2021 team along with Gavin Stephens transferring to Pulaski County for last season. They return two of their top three scorers in Indred Whitaker (13.9 ppg, 43% from downtown) and Ben Godby (9.6 ppg).