Trent Noah follows Reed Sheppard as the next 13th Region star to play at Kentucky

The 13th Region has produced some all-time Kentucky greats throughout the men’s basketball program’s illustrious history. Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones (Harlan) and Richie Farmer (Clay County), in particular, made names for themselves during their respective college careers playing basketball for the Wildcats. This past season, Reed Sheppard broke a 30-plus year drought of 13th Region boys suiting up in the blue and white, winning National Freshman of the Year along the way.

But, especially over the last few decades, it’s not often that the 13th Region — made up of schools from eastern Kentucky — sends hoopers to Lexington to play inside of Rupp Arena. Sheppard was the first in a long time. But as of this week, a small trend is beginning to form.

Following in Sheppard’s footsteps is Harlan County’s Trent Noah, who committed to the Wildcats on Wednesday and will play under new head coach Mark Pope starting this fall. It’s no secret that the Big Blue Nation can hold in-state players in higher regard than those from outside of the Bluegrass — even more so when that player hails from EKY.

Noah will be the second 13th Region product in as many years to wear Kentucky across his chest.

“It’s super humbling and it’s awesome to even be mentioned in the realm of those guys because they’re exceptional, exceptional talents,” Noah said Thursday morning on KSR. “And just what Reed did last year, it was just super cool to see. Just what he’s done for the state of Kentucky and just being from Kentucky, how he went in year one as a freshman and contributed was just amazing and I just couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Back in March, Noah led Harlan County to the Sweet 16, the first 13th Region school to make the boys’ state tournament since Clay County clinched back-to-back berths in 1988 and 1989 (Farmer was on the ’88 squad). Not only did Noah and the Black Bears make it out of their region, but they also advanced all the way to the championship game before losing to Lyon County and future Kentucky teammate Travis Perry.

Jones, Farmer, and Sheppard all made significant impacts on Kentucky basketball out of the 13th Region. Is Noah next in line?

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