By Perry Swack
Clinton County Bulldogs
2019-20 Record: 24-8
Won 16th District
4th Region Tournament Semifinalist
Clinton County returns five of its top seven scorers from a season ago, a season that saw the Bulldogs win the 16th District Tournament and reach the 4th Region semifinals. Coach Todd Messer’s top two scorers also return – Chase Stines and Nick Brown. Stines – a senior – averaged 15.3 points per game and 4.8 rebounds. The guard also got to the line 337 times hitting 244 free throws, 72.4% on the year. Brown averaged 9.2 points a night while grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The senior guard shot 80% from the free throw line. Clinton County was the seventh-best defense statewide in points allowed per game last year. They gave up a measly 49.7 points per game. If they can continue their defensive success, you can expect more wins to pile up in Albany.
Watch Out For
Junior Nick Delk. The forward/guard averaged 5.9 points per game and 3.3 rebounds. Junior guard Bryson Cross is also expected to have a great season after averaging 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest in 2019-20.
Circle the Date
February 11 – Clinton County travels to Barren County in what may be a game to decide who is the best team outside of Warren County. The two played an overtime thriller a season ago in Albany that was won by Barren County.
Metcalfe County Hornets
2019-20 Record: 15-15
Coach Brandon Brockman will be hoping the pundits are correct – that the teams who have the least amount of roster turnover will have a leg up on other teams with COVID-19 limiting preseason preparations. It also helps to have All-Region performer Boston Devore in the lineup, a season after the guard averaged 18.6 points per game and grabbed 5.3 rebounds per contest. Devore was a major reason the Hornets started the season 13-7 and reached the All “A” state quarterfinals. Peyton Dial is also back in the fold after averaging 14.6 points and 4.2 rebounds a night last season. Metcalfe’s backcourt will be as experienced as any in the region.
Watch Out For
Keep any eye on Jax Allen this season – the junior guard averaged 6.3 points per game in 2019-20 and was among the team’s leaders in every statistical shooting category. His 38 made three-pointers were third on the team behind Devore and Dial, while shooting a slightly higher clip at 36.2%.
Circle the Date
January 28 – Metcalfe County travels to Clinton County in what may decide who has the upper hand in the 16th District standings.
Russell County Lakers
2019-20 Record: 13-17
William Carson returns for his fourth season, looking to take the Lakers back to Diddle Arena for the first time since 2018. Russell County was seeded second in the 16th District Tournament last year; however, the squad lost an overtime game to Cumberland County to eliminate themselves from contention for the region tournament. Scott Hamm returns for RCHS after posting solid numbers of 14.4 points per game and 6.9 rebounds. Both led the team Jay Milburn also returns for the Lakers after averaging 9.4 points per game a season ago. The junior guard was first on the team in free throw percentage at 72%, while finishing second in rebounding with 5.6 per game.
Watch Out For
Two seniors that will be expected to play major roles for Coach Carson’s crew are senior center Devonte Grayson and senior guard CJ Vonfumetti. Grayson averaged 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds last season, while Vonfumetti checked in at 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest. Both will be utilized in more prominent ways after the departure of key contributors like Ryan Coffey and Briley Hadley.
Circle the Date
March 8 – Russell County travels to South Warren to take on the Spartans in what should be an entertaining game between h two teams featuring talented frontcourts.
Cumberland County
2019-20 Record: 7-22
16th District Runner-up
Region Tournament Quarterfinalist
Cumberland County reached the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2009, when the Panthers won the 16th District and nearly toppled eventual champion Bowling Green (losing 64-63 in triple overtime). Cumberland County did not give anyone a scare at Diddle in 2020, but the experience was vital for the returning players. Amidst those returners is junior Ty Seay. The guard averaged 9.6 points per game in 2019-20 and shot 74% from the free throw line.
Watch Out For
Coach Kurtis Claywell will rely upon both Hunter Perdue and Will Staley to play larger roles for the Panthers this season. The senior Perdue averaged 5.5 points per game, while the junior Staley was at 4.7 points per night. Perdue shot 52% from the field and a team-high 43.5% from downtown.
Circle the Date
January 18 – The Panthers host Russell County in a district showdown. Cumberland upended the Lakers last season in the district tournament, giving the game a little more luster.
