Boys Basketball
By Perry Swack
A top ten poll projecting next season might seem like a pointless endeavor. For example, a season ago, Bowling Green, Warren Central, and Glasgow were the only teams we ranked in the Never Too Early poll to make the 4th Region Tournament this past March. With this idea in mind, our Never Too Early ST Power Rankings are simply for enjoyment as fans cope with the realization that basketball season has come to an end. Take a look at our rankings and see who you think should be ranked higher!
*Team rosters may change over time but this is how they project at the end of the 2023-24 season. Players listed as their 2024-25 class.
School 2023-24 Record
- Bowling Green 29-6
Returning: Deuce Bailey (Sr), Braylon Banks (Sr), Jace Wardlow (Sr), Luke Idlett (Sr), Kadyn Carpenter (Sr), Trevy Barber (Jr)
Departing: Mason Ritter, MJ Wardlow, DeMarr Starks, Ishmael Holcomb
The Purples will lose the likes of Mason Ritter and MJ Wardlow, but don’t expect Bowling Green to go anywhere. Returning Deuce Bailey (12.8 points per game), Braylon Banks (8.4 PPG), and Jace Wardlow (7.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG) make it easy to pencil in BG as early region favorites in 2025. Senior sharpshooter Luke Idlett and junior Trevy Barber played big minutes in ‘24 and will be called upon to assume larger roles moving forward. D.G. Sherrill’s club has been as consistent as any in the 4th Region and will look to play in a twelfth-straight region championship game next March.
- Warren East 19-11
Returning: Brenden Bratcher (Sr), Jordan Hogue (Sr), Kyler Pedigo (Jr), Kaleb Prince (Jr), Dane Parsley (Sr)
Departing: Jari Barber, Michael Clark, Cayson Riggs, Sean Rigsby
The Raiders will return six of their top seven scorers next season, none more important than All-Region pick Kaleb Prince. The incoming junior averaged 15.2 PPG on 46% shooting and was the team’s second-leading rebounder. All-District performer Brenden Bratcher will also return after making 66 three-pointers in 23-24. Kyle Benge’s team will look to get back to the region tournament after being upset in the district semifinals this past season.
- Glasgow 11-17
Returning: Jerrick Martin (Jr), Jeremiah Driver (Sr), Josiah Driver (Sr), Quinn Nunley (Sr), Landon Minton (Jr), Jaylen Bradley (So)
Departing: JC Walbert, David Dale, Javan Garmon
After losing a heartbreaker in the 2023 district semifinals, the Scotties avenged their last-second loss with a game-winner of their own over Warren East to qualify for the 4th Region Tournament. The Scotties won the 15th District for the first time since 2019 and then secured their first region victory since 2012. Coach William Buford’s club is expected to return six of seven rotation players next season, led by junior Jerrick Martin. The springy forward averaged 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore. Seniors Jeremiah and Josiah Driver also return after averaging a combined 15 points for the Scotties.
- Barren County 20-13
Returning: Tate Spillman (Sr), Brey Bewley (Sr), Waylon Clemmons (Sr), Jackson Reece (Sr), Kade Hardy (Jr), Gavin Nunn (Jr)
Departing: Mason Bunch, William Compton, Graham Hall, Carter Browning, Cash Moore
Barren County has been the most consistent team in the 15th District over the course of the last half-decade, qualifying for every region tournament since 2020. A talented roster will give Coach Warren Cunningham and his staff a great opportunity to qualify for a sixth-straight year. Cunningham will enter his 17th year at the helm with two All-District performers in the lineup. Tate Spillman (14.5 PPG) and Brey Bewley (9.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG) will be seniors as the Trojans look to navigate a tough 15th District in 2025.
- Warren Central 17-12
Returning: Jarek Kirk (Sr), Dominique Anthony (Jr), Johan Pratt (Jr), Armani Byrd (So)
Departing: Kade Unseld, Drevin Bratton, Elijah Starks, Cadin Hammer, Elijah Howard, Braylon Boards, Muhammad Ali
A year ago Warren Central lost six of its top seven rotation players to graduation after winning the state championship. The same thing is happening again this offseason, with six, rotation seniors set to graduate. Of the returning players, Jarek Kirk (4.6 PPG) and Dominique Anthony (2.0 PPG) are the only two who played in both the region title game and state tournament this past season. For more than 20 years now, Warren Central has had new players step up each season. With talented underclassmen waiting in the wings, Coach William Unseld and his staff await the next group of outstanding players.
- South Warren 14-11
Returning: Griffin Rardin (Sr), Bryce Button (Sr), Jace Jarvis (Sr), Thad Hall (Sr), Cameron Bell (Sr), Colton Veltkamp (Sr), Owen Shively (Jr), Camden Page (So)
Departing: DeShawn Bridges, Drew Hudson, Kye Rich
The Spartans will deeply miss All-Region standout Drew Hudson; however, coach Carlos Quarles’ club will return eight of their top nine scorers from this season. Griffin Rardin had a breakout junior year, averaging 14.4 points per game with 59 three-pointers. The sharpshooter shot better than 50% from beyond the arc and grabbed four rebounds per contest. Bryce Button averaged 11.7 PPG and 4.2 RPG to help pace the Spartans in the paint. A strong senior class will have the opportunity to help South qualify for its first-ever 4th Region Tournament berth.
- Cumberland County 18-14
Returning: Zachery Harwood (Sr), Byren Crawley (Sr), Burk Sells (Sr), Deven Norris (Sr), Braden Perdue (Jr), Aiden Branham (Jr), Gavin Craft (So),
Departing: Lance Willen, Damian Kowalewski
Cumberland County will enter the 2024-25 campaign favored to win the 16th District as they return their top seven scorers from their district-title winning team of this season. It all begins with All-Region product Zachery Harwood. The forward averaged 15.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game on 55% shooting. The trio of Byren Crawley (9.5 PPG), Burk Sells (8.1 PPG, 48 made threes), and Braden Perdue (7.9 PPG) will round out a solid quartet ready to lead the Panthers as they seek to defend their first 16th District championship since 2009.
- Metcalfe County 12-22
Returning: Cade Button (Jr), Hudson Jessie (Sr), Maddux Garrett (Jr), Kruz Tucker (Jr), Ben Shirley (Sr), Collin Shive (Sr), Byron Kirkland-Lundy (Sr)
Departing: Cabot Boling, Colton Huffman
The Hornets took their lumps throughout the regular season, but when the lights shone brightest they delivered. 16th District Player of the Year Cade Button (24.4 PPG) and upcoming senior Hudson Jessie (13.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG) will return for another crack at a deep postseason run. In three postseason games this season, the duo scored 129 of Metcalfe’s 182 points, or 71% of the total output. Maddux Garrett (7.5 PPG) and Kruz Tucker (7.0 PPG) round out a talented junior class for 2025.
- Franklin-Simpson 14-13
Returning: Jakai Partinger (Jr), Kamryn Ray (Sr), Brody McAlister (So), Cole Sharer (Jr), Malik Butler (Jr)
Departing: OJ Gamble, Gavin Dickerson, Mathias Dickerson
Franklin-Simpson will lose the trio of OJ Gamble and Gavin and Mathias Dickerson; however, the cupboard will not be bare for coach Dee Spencer as he enters his thirteenth season next winter. Senior Kamryn Ray will return after averaging 8.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this past season, as will junior Jakai Partinger (8.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG). The Wildcats failed to make the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2015. I believe a new streak of appearances will begin again in 2025.
- Monroe County 15-14
Returning: Brison Nuckols (Jr), Branson Williams (Jr), Caden Geralds (Jr), Wade Carnahan (Sr), Brayden Baxter (Jr), Reece Bartley (So)
Departing: Austen Arnett, Jameson Petett
After being named to the ST All-Freshman Team in 2023, Brison Nuckols and Branson Williams made the jump as sophomores to become major contributors for the Falcons. Nuckols was Monroe’s second-leading scorer at 16.2 points per game, while WIlliams averaged a double-double with 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest. Both players should return for their junior season next winter and will be paired with four other members of coach Ashley Geralds’s rotation. The 16th District will be competitive again, but I expect the Falcons to be in the thick of the race.
