4th Region’s Top Shooters have been on fire to start 2021
By Perry Swack
It’s no secret that the three-pointer has taken over the game of basketball. It has been called the “Three-Point Revolution”, among other things, and it appears it is here to stay. We all remember watching Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, and most recently Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard. But those guys are in the pros. Did we really think the Revolution would reach the high school game? The answer has been a resounding yes as the high school game has been overrun with the three-point ball.
Of course, it makes sense that it would reach the hardwood of high school basketball. Three points have always been worth more than two points. Now that athletes are learning to sharpen their range, it makes for some exhilarating action on the court. Below we will look at some of the best three-point shooters in the 4th Region. The season is still young and some area teams have played as few as two games, while others have played as many as nine. For now, these are the most successful shooters of the 2021 season.
Clay Anderson, Russell County
The senior guard is shooting a blistering 52.9% from three-point land this season. He canned three triples in a 48-38 loss at Clinton County in the second game of the season. His nine three-pointers are already more makes than he recorded all of last season (8).
Jaxson Banks, Bowling Green
The senior swingman has been red-hot from beyond the arc through the team’s first four games. Banks has hit nine three-pointers and is currently at 52.9%. His best performance to date was in a road game McCracken County – he hit 4-of-5 three-pointers to lead the Purples to a 77-58 victory.
Luke Burton, South Warren
Burton is shooting 8-for-17 from beyond the arc this season, which is good for 47.1%. The junior forward has made at least one three-pointer in every game, including a 3-for-6 performance in a 58-45 victory over Apollo.
Turner Buttry, Bowling Green
Purple junior Turner Buttry led the 4th Region in three-point shooting a season ago and has picked up right where he left off in 2020. He is currently 8-for-15 from downtown at 53.3% — the region’s best. Buttry has nailed three three-pointers in wins over Greenwood and Warren East.
Jace Carver, Warren Central
The senior is shooting right at 50% on the season, nailing 7-of-14 attempts from distance. He made 72 three-pointers a season ago for South Warren. Carver was a perfect 3-for-3 in an overtime victory over University Heights before hitting three more three-pointers in a 77-47 win over Allen County-Scottsville last week.
Peyton Dial, Metcalfe County
Junior Peyton Dial has improved his three-point field goal percentage from 34.9% last season to nearly 43% this year. His 18 three-point field goals rank him third in the 4th Region, while his 42.9% is ranked tied for eighth. Dial was 5-for-6 from downtown in an 80-68 victory over Russellville earlier this season.
Marc Grant, Greenwood
Grant leads the 4th Region in both makes (24) and attempts (71) from beyond the arc. The senior has made at least three three-pointers in five of the team’s first nine games. He was 7-for-13 in a triple overtime win at Allen County-Scottsville, and he was 5-for-9 in a 70-45 win over Russell County.
Taye Poynter, Barren County
The junior has stepped up in the absence of star teammate Aden Nyekan, who tore his ACL two weeks ago. Poynter has made 20 three-pointers on 57 attempts, both ranked second in the 4th Region. In five of his last six games, Poynter has made at least three three-pointers.
Mason Shirley, Allen County-Scottsville
It is no secret that Mason Shirley can fill up the bucket. The senior guard scored 41 points in game against Greenwood earlier this season. His 16 made three-pointers rank him fourth in the region – he is averaging 2.5 makes per game. Shirley has hit four three-pointers in two games this season.
Blake Wood, Logan County
Wood is one of only two players in the 4th Region (Peyton Dial) ranked among the top ten in three-pointers made, attempted, and in percentage. His 14 makes rank sixth, his 30 attempts rank ninth, and his 46.7% mark ranks seventh. In a 61-27 district victory over Todd County Central, Wood canned 7-of-12 threes to help lead the Cougars to victory.
Anthony Woodard, Logan County
The senior guard is ranked fifth in three-point field goal percentage in this young season at 47.1%. Woodard hit on only 33.3% of three-pointers a season ago, so he has vastly improved this part of his game. He hit 4-of-7 three-point attempts against Todd County Central last week.
Other Notables
Randall Camfield, Cumberland County
John Harlin, Monroe County
Jaiden Lawrence, Warren Central
Dre Miller, Franklin-Simpson
Brakton Stinnett, Greenwood
Cade Stinnett, Greenwood
Gavin Withrow, Barren County
