Reed Sheppard, Xavier Booker headline 2022 Titans Rockets Summer Shootout

Starting on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend, the third annual KABC Titans Rockets Summer High School Shootout returns to Shelbyville, KY. The 64-team tournament, which is hosted every summer at Collins High School once the contact period opens in mid-June, is a perfect opportunity for college coaches to observe some of the best talents the state of Kentucky has to offer, including plenty of high-level out-of-state prospects.

All games this weekend will be live-streamed on BallerTV. A full schedule can be viewed by clicking the link here. Games start early on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with the final game tipping off at 9:00 p.m.

As you might have guessed, KSR will be there all weekend to soak everything in.

Last year, we got our first true Reed Sheppard experience at this very event, months before he would ultimately commit to the Wildcats in the fall. The four-star North Laurel guard will make the trip back to Shelbyville once again this weekend where the Jaguars will unveil Sheppard’s new teammate, Trent Noah, one of the state’s top scorers who recently transferred from Harlan County. Noah and Sheppard immediately form one deadly backcourt combination that will surely make North Laurel favorites to make a run at next season’s state title.

Friday, 5:00 p.m. | North Laurel vs. Evangel Christian (Collins Main gym)
Friday, 7:00 p.m. | North Laurel vs. TBD

5-star C Xavier Booker comes to the Bluegrass State

But those two are hardly the only attractions. Cathedral (IN) will cross the border with newly-minted five-star center Xavier Booker taking the floor. The 6-foot-10 class of ’23 big man has shot up recruiting rankings in previous weeks. He’s currently the No. 8 overall recruit according to On3’s individual rankings and is now considered a five-star player with offers from the likes of Duke and Kansas. Cathedral also features another talented ’23 prospect in 6-foot-6 wing Jake Davis, who holds offers from the likes of Thomas More and Indiana Wesleyan.

Cathedral has just one opponent scheduled, which is slated for Saturday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at the main Marnel C. Moorman gym, but they’ll play at least two games. They’ll face off against Ohio County High School in their opener. Regardless of a win, the next contest for Booker and Cathedral will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. the same day.

Kentucky has yet to offer Booker, but there is interest between both sides. He recently called the program his “dream school” and says he would like to take a visit. Expect a coach or two from UK to make the short drive to Shelbyville to watch both Booker and Sheppard.

A talented overall field

With schools from Ohio, Indiana, and even Florida making the trip for this event, there will be no shortage of premier talent. It won’t be to the level of a Nike EYBL session, but for a local tournament right outside of Louisville, there will be plenty to pay attention to aside from the big names like Sheppard and Booker.

Most notably, Chico Johnson (Toledo Central Catholic) and Lawrent Rice (Wayne) out of Ohio will take the floor as two of the most sought-after prospects available. Rice is considered a three-star talent by some recruiting services and holds offers from the likes of Louisville, Rutgers, Ohio State, and West Virginia. Joey Hart is another three-star ’23 prospect who will be participating as a member of Linton-Stockton (OH).

Then you’ll have a slew of local recruits with plenty of potential such as 6-foot-11 Cyr Malonga from Evangel Christian (who will face North Laurel on Friday), Ballard’s Gabe Sisk (mid-major prospect), and Lyon County’s Travis Perry (’24 recruit with multiple Division I offers). Those are just a few of the bigger names, too. Those who follow high school basketball in Kentucky closely will know of names such as Jerone Morton (George Rogers Clark), Reece Potter (Lexington Catholic), Teagan Moore (Owen County), Zee McCown (Pleasure Ridge Park), Grant Whitaker (Murray), Dallas Roberts (North Oldham), and John McCrear (Woodford County).

All of them will be in Shelbyville for the tournament, along with dozens more of equal talent. There will be some of the state’s top youngsters in attendance too, such as rising sophomores Jasper Johnson (Woodford County guard) and Malachi Moreno (Great Crossing forward). A pair of soon-to-be freshmen, 6-foot-5 Trinity guard Jayden Johnson and 6-foot-8 Westminster (FL) guard Alex Constanza, will also take the court over the upcoming weekend.

We’ll have updates from the entire tournament throughout the next three days. Stay tuned.