2023-2024 Kentucky High School Boys Basketball Preview

2023-24 Kentucky High School
Boys Basketball Preview

If you don't believe in Eli Finley yet, you may very soon. (Photo: Murray Ledger)

1st Region

Calloway Co. (21-10)
St. Mary (14-17)
Graves Co. (11-20)
Ballard Memorial (20-11)
Marshall Co. (20-11)
Murray (22-9)
Carlisle Co. (17-15)
Mayfield (26-6)
McCracken Co. (29-6)
Paducah Tilgham (21-11)
Christian Fellowship (6-23)
Hickman Co. (14-16)
Community Christian (18-12)
Fulton Co. (11-12)
Fulton City (3-23)

1st Region Pre-Season Team
       Eli Finley, Calloway County
       Jace Birney, Ballard Memorial
       Jonah Butler, Calloway County
       Lukas Pigg, Graves County
       Luke Sims, St. Mary

Player of the Year - Eli Finley, Calloway County
Coach of the Year - Chase Denson, St. Mary

Travis Perry and Lyon Co. have their eyes set on mre than a Region 2 title this season. (Photo: A Sea of Blue)

2nd Region

Lyon Co. (31-6)
Christian Co. (19-13)
Webster Co. (17-13)
Hopkinsville (15-17)
Trigg Co. (15-17)
Henderson Co. (22-9)
Hopkins Co. Central (14-18)
Crittenden Co. (11-18)
University Heights (19-11)
Dawson Springs (11-20)
Livingston Central (5-22)
Heritage Christian (6-15)
Caldwell Co. (6-22)
Union Co. (12-16)
Ft. Campbell (4-21)
Madisonville North Hopkins (22-10)

2nd Region Pre-Season Team
Travis Perry, Lyon County
Derrell Bateman, Christian County
Jack Reddick, Lyon County
Brady Shoulders, Lyon County
Antonio Williams, Hopkinsville
Jhaden Vaughn, Trigg Co.

Player of the Year - Travis Perry, Lyon Co.
Coach of the Year - Anthony Babb, Hopkinsville

3rd Region

Butler Co. (22-11)
Daviess Co. (13-15)
Ohio Co. (23-9)
Meade Co. (8-19)
Muhlenburg Co. (8-23)
Breckinridge Co. (12-18)
Owensboro Catholic (28-6)
Grayson Co. (9-20)
Apollo (5-23)
Cloverport (7-22)
McClean Co. (21-9)
Edmonson Co. (18-13)
Owensboro (19-11)
Hancock Co. (18-12)
Whitesville Trinity (14-16)

3rd Region Pre-Season Team
Ty Price, Butler County
Elijah Decker, Ohio County
Gage Phelps, Daviess County
Lawson Rice, Butler County
Tayden Logsdon, Grayson County

Player of the Year - Ty Price, Butler Co.
Coach of the Year - Neil Hayden, Daviess Co.

Bowling Green and Mason Ritter are in prime position to capture the 4th region throne, but Kade Unseld and Warren Central are still lurking. (Photo: Bowling Green Daily News)

4th Region

Bowling Green (26-9)
Warren Central (36-1)
Todd Co. Central (19-12)
Clinton Co. (15-14)
Russell Co. (10-21)
Russellville (7-21)
Cumberland Co. (13-19)
Glasgow 10-18)
South Warren (21-7)
Monroe Co. (18-15)
Greenwood (9-22)
Logan Co. (9-22)
Warren East (21-10)
Allen Co. Scottsville (7-23)
Barren Co. (21-13)
Metcalfe Co. (13-19)
Franklin Simpson (17-11)

Western Kentucky commit Kade Unseld is back to lead the reigning state champs. (Photo: The Courier Journal)

4th Region Pre-Season Team
       Kade Unseld, Warren Central
       Mason Ritter, Bowling Green
       MJ Wardlow, Bowling Green
       Jamison Glass, Todd Co. Central
       Cannon Young, Clinton County

Player of the Year - Kade Unseld, Warren Central
Coach of the Year - Nick Irwin, Clinton Co.

After a summer that saw his stock soar, Gabe Weis has Washington County ready to tackle fresh new challenges. (Photo: PMG Media Group)

5th Region

Washington Co. (23-10)
Central Hardin (19-14)
Taylor Co. (24-7)
Adair Co. (23-10)
North Hardin (15-12)
LaRue Co. (23-8)
Green Co. (16-16)
Hart Co. (14-13)
Elizabethtown (24-10)
Caverna (19-10)
Bethlehem (18-13)
Bardstown (12-16)
Thomas Nelson (3-27)
John Hardin (3-26)
Marion Co. (3-26)
Campbellsville (11-20)
Ft. Knox (9-18)
Nelson Co. (10-21)

5th Region Pre-Season Team
   Brett Decker, Central Hardin
Ayden Evans, Elizabethtown
   Shaun Boykins, North Hardin
   Gabe Weis, Washington County
   Daniel Allen, LaRue County

North Hardin HC Michael Baffour is a rising star in the game.

Player of the Year - Gabe Weis, Washington County
Coach of the Year - Michael Baffour, North Hardin

Kyran Tilley and his running mate Christian Doerr are looking to finish strong this season. (Photo: The Courier Journal)

6th Region

Evangel Christian (29-5)
DeSales (21-12)
Fairdale (22-10)
Lou. Holy Cross (21-9)
Butler (23-9)
Jeffersontown (17-13)
Moore (13-19)
Western (21-8)
Beth Haven (21-11)
North Bullitt (16-16)
Fern Creek (12-17)
PRP (23-6)
Doss (5-23)
Bullitt Central (5-25)
Valley (0-24)
Bullitt East (12-18)
Southern (10-21)
Iroquois (20-12)
Whitefield Academy (8-19)

Dayton Williams and Butler could be the ones with the last laugh when all is said and done. (Photo: The Courier Journal)

6th Region Pre-Season Team
   Damone King, DeSales
   Christian Doerr, Evangel Christian
   Kyran Tilley, Evangel Christian
   Will Gibson, DeSales
   Dayton Williams, Butler
   Jacob Tucker, Fairdale

Player of the Year - Damone King, DeSales
Coach of the Year - Richard Duncan, Jeffersontown

Many seasons Mike Szabo has been left wondering what might have been is this the season the Shamrocks put it all together? (Photo: The Courier Journal)

7th Region

Trinity (24-8)
Male (26-11)
Manual (21-12)
St. X (18-14)
Seneca (13-14)
Ballard (26-5)
CAL (14-17)
Central (15-17)
Brown (8-20)
Kentucky Country Day (14-14)
Waggener (10-16)
Francis Parker (10-21)
Highlands Latin (12-15)
Atherton (12-17)
Collegiate (13-13)
Shawnee (8-20)
Eastern (19-10)
Portland Christian (5-25)

7th Region Pre-Season Team
   Drae Vasser, Trinity
   Julius Edmonds, Trinity
   Quel’Ron House, Seneca
   Cole Edelen, Male
   Justin Bibb, Brown

Player of the Year - Julius Edmonds, Trinity
Coach of the Year - Leroy Hickerson, Seneca

Aaron Gutman leads a Walton Verona squad returning four 10+ PPG players. (Photo:NKY Tribune)

8th Region

Walton Verona (20-11)
Spencer Co. (21-8)
Woodford Co. (22-13)
Oldham Co. (16-16)
South Oldham (16-12)
Anderson Co. (19-10)
Shelby Co. (10-19)
Owen Co. (24-9)
Gallatin Co. (13-18)
Williamstown (14-16)
Simon Kenton (22-11)
Grant Co. (25-8)
Trimble Co. (15-16)
Carroll Co. (7-21)
Collins (26-8)
Henry Co. (3-26)
North Oldham (25-6)
Eminence (17-13)

8th Region Pre-Season Team
   Max Green, Oldham Co.
   Luke Erhardt, Spencer Co.
   Aaron Gutman, Walton Verona
   Julian Miles, South Oldham
   Santonio Wade, Woodford Co.

Player of the Year - Max Green, Oldham Co.
Coach of the Year - Josh Leslie, Oldham Co.

Tay Kinney is ready to lead Newport to new heights. (Photo: Link NKY)

9th Region

Newport (28-7)
Covington Catholic (27-5)
Cooper (18-13)
Highlands (23-10)
Newport Central Catholic (11-19)
Lloyd Memorial (19-10)
Ludlow (19-12)
Ryle (10-18)
Dixie Heights (7-18)
Boone Co. (5-20)
Cov. Holy Cross (21-8)
Bellevue (13-16)
Heritage Academy (17-11)
Dayton (10-20)
Villa Madonna (10-20)
Beechwood (11-20)
Holmes (3-22)
Conner (19-9)
St. Henry (14-14)
Cov. Latin (0-21)

EJ Walker hopes he and his Juggernaut team mates fair better this season than last with expectations still mounting. (Photo: The Daily Hoosier)

9th Region Pre-Season Team
       Tay Kinney, Newport
       EJ Walker, Lloyd Memorial
       Caden Miller, Covington Catholic
       Yamil Rondon, Cooper
       D.J. Jackson, Newport

Player of the Year - Tay Kinney, Newport
Coach of the Year - Jake Luhn, Newport Central Catholic

Mason Co. made a major jump with the addition of Blake (above) and Cayden Reed. (Photo: Your Sports Edge)

10th Region

Mason Co. (29-6)
Montgomery Co. (18-13)
George Rogers Clark (30-6)
Harrison Co. (27-7)
Augusta (18-14)
Campbell Co. (22-12)
Paris (17-14)
Scott (14-19)
Bracken Co. (16-14)
Bourbon Co. (11-19)
Nicholas Co. (11-22)
Pendleton Co. (6-25)
Bishop Brossart (13-16)
Calvary Christian (4-27)
St. Patrick (2-20)
Robertson Co. (4-27)

Kaydon Custard is one of the top all around athletes in the state. (Photo: The State Journal)

10th Region Pre-Season Team
Blake Reed, Mason Co.
Kaydon Custard, Harrison Co.
Malachi Ashford, George Rogers Clark
Cayden Reed, Mason Co.
Reshaun Hampton, George Rogers Clark

Player of the Year - Blake Reed, Mason Co.
Coach of the Year - Jason Hinson, Augusta

Malachi Moreno had a successful summer, so much that he hopes it can translate to a region and/or state championship. (Photo:UM-Hoops.com)

11th Region

Great Crossing (28-6)
Frederick Douglass (33-3)
Lexington Christian (23-10)
Madison Southern (19-14)
Lexington Catholic (32-3)
Western Hills (17-12)
Bryan Station (11-19)
Sayre (19-12)
Tates Creek (11-18)
Henry Clay (16-15)
Madison Central (19-15)
Franklin Co. (11-18)
Scott Co. (11-22)
Berea (9-22)
Lafayette (9-22)
Dunbar (10-21)
Frankfort Christian (11-20)
Model (13-17)
Frankfort (15-13)

Armelo Boone and Frederick Douglass will have their chances to take control of the 11th region. (Photo: Sentinel Echo)

11th Region Pre-Season Team
Malachi Moreno, Great Crossing
Armelo Boone, Frederick Douglass
Aveion Chenault, Frederick Douglass
Vince Dawson, Great Crossing
Jay Rose, Madison Southern

Player of the Year - Armelo Boone, Frederick Douglass
Coach of the Year - Steve Wright, Madison Southern

12th Region

Danville Christian (14-14)
Wayne Co. (17-14)
Somerset (17-11)
Mercer Co. (14-18)
Boyle Co. (15-15)
Rockcastle Co. (16-16)
Pulaski Co. (27-7)
East Jessamine (9-21)
Casey Co. (10-19)
Southwestern (13-17)
Lincoln Co. (24-10)
Garrard Co. (13-18)
McCreary Central (22-12)
West Jesamine (22-11)
Trinity Christian (14-15)
Somerset Christian (7-24)
Burgin (7-24)
Danville (21-11)
Kentucky School f/t Deaf (1-12)

12th Region Pre-Season Team
           Emmanuel Dut, Danville Christian
           Titus Boyd, Danville Christian
           Kendall Phillips, Wayne Co.
           Ben Godby, Somerset
           Owen Barnes, Mercer Co.

Player of the Year - Emmanuel Dut, Danville Christian
Coach of the Year - Don Story, Danville Christian

It's not every year the state has two SEC caliber players, that's the case as Harlan Co.'s Trent Noah is headed to South Carolina. (Photo: Harlan Enterprise)

13th Region

Harlan Co. (27-6)
Clay Co. (15-16)
South Laurel (24-9)
Pineville (18-11)
Bell Co. (15-16)
Jackson Co. (17-13)
Corbin (23-8)
Harlan (24-8)
Knox Central (4-26)
Middlesboro (9-22)
Oneida Baptist (11-21)
North Laurel (25-11)
Whitley Co. (20-10)
Red Bird (5-18)
Barbourville (19-11)
Lynn Camp (5-24)

13th Region Pre-Season Team
Trent Noah, Harlan Co.
Jordan Mabe, South Laurel
Kyler McLendon, Harlan
Sawyer Thompson, Pineville
Maddox Huff, Harlan Co.

Player of the Year - Trent Noah, Harlan Co.
Coach of the Year - Michael Jones, Clay Co.

14th Region

Knott Central (13-18)
Perry Central (20-15)
Powell Co. (14-19)
Hazard (28-4)
Estill Co. (20-13)
Jenkins (18-13)
Breathitt Co. (18-10)
Buckhorn (11-17)
Leslie Co. (15-15)
Wolfe Co. (15-17)
Letcher Central (22-11)
Lee Co. (15-15)
Owsley Co. ( 6-25)
Cordia (1-29)
Jackson City (7-21)

14th Region Pre-Season Team
               Kizer Slone, Perry Co. Central
               Austin Sperry, Breathitt Co.
               Corey Flinchum, Powell Co.
               Jayden Huff, Knott Central
               Hunter Haddix, Knott Central
               Trayten Woods, Perry Co. Central

Player of the Year - Austin Sperry, Breathitt Co.
Coach of the Year - Casey Huff, Knott Central

Luke Hale will lead Martin Co. in their search of a region title. (Photo: The Mountain Citizen)

15th Region

Martin Co. (24-11)
Pike Co. Central (21-9)
Floyd Central (19-9)
Magoffin Co. (16-11)
Pikeville (22-8)
Lawrence Co. (19-15)
Betsy Layne (19-11)
Shelby Valley (18-10)
Paintsville (14-17)
East Ridge (12-17)
Prestonsburg (14-15)
Johnson Central (14-16)
Phelps (6-21)
Belfry (9-24)

Jaylan Rigdon and Pike Co. Central have a opportunity for a special season. (Photo: Appalachian News-Express)

15th Region Pre-Season Team
           Jaylan Rigdon, Pike Co. Central
           Aden Barnett, Magoffin Co.
           Luke Hale, Martin Co.
           Jaden Stewart, Pike Co. Central
           Andrew Bllomfield, Lawrence Co.
           Ronnie Samons, Floyd Central

16th Region

Boyd Co. (27-6)
Fleming Co. (22-9)
Morgan Co. (22-8)
Ashland Blazer (23-12)
Bath Co. (16-14)
East Carter (19-11)
Rowan Co. (13-16)
Menifee Co. (10-20)
Fairview (15-16)
Raceland (13-18)
Lewis Co. (12-19)
Rose Hill (7-23)
West Carter (7-20)
Elliott Co. (3-25)
Russell (26-7)
Greenup Co. (11-18)

16th Region Pre-Season Team
               Jacob Spurlock, Boyd Co.
               Zander Carter, Ashland Blazer
               Brevon Ricker, Menifee Co.
               Seth Hickerson, Fleming Co.
               Maki Cary, Bath Co.

Player of the Year - Zander Carter, Ashland Blazer
Coach of the Year - Matthew Perry, Bath Co.

2023-24 Kentucky High School​Boys Basketball Preview

2023-24 Kentucky High School
Boys Basketball Preview