Elizabethtown Panthers (24-10)- Longtime head coach James Haire put together a great season last year which culminated in another 5th Region Title (the third in four seasons) and an Elite Eight appearance. This season shouldn’t be much different even though he will have to reshuffle some playing time. Five seniors (two were major starters) were lost, but Haire will still have All Area center Ayden Evans (548-points/328-rebounds), who wasn’t just a scoring demon, but also the best rebounder on the team and a great shot blocker. With Jujuan Williams and Obian Howard gone, JQuan Williams (273-points) will be asked to pick up the slack as will Trey Durbin (205-points) and Alex Evans (93-rebounds) will get more playing time as well.
Taylor County Cardinals (24-7)- Ever since coach Montrelle Irvin came over from Marion County and helped build a team which dominated during the Richard Gatewood days. This season could be the year as last season’s team which made the region tourney again will return all three scorers. Layken Lyons (583-points) will be back as will Jackson Wise (416-points) and both guys are good free throw shooters. Keeton Clements is the third best scorer (412-points) is also the best rebounder on the team. Rounding out the team is Landon Blakey (257-points) and Kobe Colvin (138-points). The Cardinals will be in several big games this season including the King of the Bluegrass as well.
Washington County Commanders (23-10)- Last season, under Stephen Woodson the Commanders had quite a successful season and made a second-round push into the Region tournament until they were upended by LaRue County in the second round. This season, Woodson will return the One-Two punch of Beau Baker (479-points/279-rebounds/65% free throw shooter) and Noah Reynolds (382-points/45-made threes) along with Gabriel Weis (367-points), Riley Brown (338-points) and Kamar Phillips (225-points). Like Taylor County, Washington County will also have a challenging schedule with the King of the Bluegrass on their schedule as well.
Central Hardin Bruins (19-14)- The Bruins are about to begin a new era with longtime coach Matt Nickell stepping down. Now Tavon Johnson becomes the new guy on the sideline and he will have several questions to answer and a few spots to fill. A lot will depend on how fast Ace Jagger heals from a knee injury he suffered during the Summer. If Jagger (510-points) can come back full strength, then that will give All Area guard Brett Decker someone to match up with. Decker had a great season (735-points/112-made 3’s/83% free throw shooter) and should finish out his varsity career with even bigger numbers. The loss of Jakob Frederickson, Nolan Stith and Adam Hobbs leaves a hole in the middle, but with Donovan Stone coming over from Bardstown, the Bruins should have another scorer.
LaRue County Hawks (23-8)- Once again, the Hawks had a season to remember as they put together 23-wins and another 5th Region Final appearance, but just came up short. Still, longtime head coach Paul Childress will field a great team with plenty of experience starting with senior forward Daniel Allen. The do everything player scored 599-points, pulled down 217-points and led the team in free throw appearances shooting 75%. With Carson Childress, Luke Trumbo and Jaxson Thomas gone, Jagger Mardis (463-points) will play a bigger role and should get more opportunities. Childress will look for other starters, but he has built teams on the run before and will most likely do it again.
North Hardin Trojans (15-12)- Despite not making the Region Tournament since 2017, the Trojans are starting to look better and could be one of the surprise teams in the Region this season. Second year coach Micheal Baffour helped put together a squad which improved as the season went on and will not only return some experienced talent, but may have a few surprised as the season progresses. The Trojans will return four of their top scorers including football talented Shaun Boykins (550-points/147-rebounds) and Taveon Smith (453-points/77-made 3’s/104-rebounds). Both can score and are good free throw shooters. Trevion Ross will also be back after putting up 200-points and Javan Ditto (98-points).
Bardstown Tigers (12-16)- Last season was not typical of Tiger teams of the past as coach James Brewer’s team struggled a bit. With four of his top five scorers gone, only Tyleeq Williams (148-points) will be back. However, Brewer has delt with big graduated classes before and if he can find the right pieces, then the Tigers should be off and running again.
Adair County (23-10)- Five years removed from their last Region Final Appearance, the Indians look like they could make some noise again, this season. Coach Jeffrey Breeze has a young and talented group coming back including Conner Loy (678-points/192-rebounds), Brayton Coomer (355-points / 198-rebounds), Dawson Gilbert (337-points), Blane Bardin (267-points) and Carter White (246-points).
Bethlehem Eagles (18-13)- Head coach Jordan Cooper-Livers and the Eagles put together a pretty good season. Now, the new coach (Brad Greenwell) will try to repeat the same despite losing three of their top five scorers. Nicholas Osborne (445-points) and Nicholas Culver (192-points). Greenwell will build around those two and several others on the roster.
