Franklin-Simpson is favored again in the 13th as Phil Todd returns to the sidelines for Russellville
By Perry Swack
13th District Boys Preview
Franklin-Simpson Wildcats
2021-22 Record: 18-9
Won 13th District
4th Region Quarterfinalist
Franklin-Simpson enters the 11th season of the Dee Spencer Era looking to not only win a third-consecutive 13th District championship, but also to reach the 4th Region semifinals for the first time since 2017. The Wildcats have qualified for the region tournament in nine of Spencer’s ten seasons, but they have not advanced in each of the last five years. Expectations are high in 2022 as the reigning district champions return nearly its entire rotation from a season ago. It all starts with senior Jalen Briscoe, who have averaged 14.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 2021-22. The guard will be called upon to lead the Wildcats through an improved 13th District and into the region tournament again. Franklin has won sixteen-straight district games dating back to the 2020 district tournament.
Watch Out For
Senior Gabe Jones. The guard canned 56 three pointers for the Wildcats last season on 37% shooting. He averaged 11 points per game and will have an even more impactful role this winter for F-S.
Circle the Date
December 13 – Franklin travels to Warren Central to face the region favorite. The two programs have not met since January 2020.
Todd County Central
2021-22 Record: 23-9
13th District Runner-Up
4th Region Quarterfinalist
Year One of the Josh Stigall Era went off without a hitch as the Rebels won more games (23) than it had in the previous three seasons combined (18). Three of the team’s top four scorers have graduated; however, Todd returns its leading scorer and rebounder in junior Jamison Glass. The Rebel big man averaged 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 2021-22 as the program won more than 20 games for the first time since the 2001-02 season. What will be the encore?
Watch Out For
Senior Perez Whitlock averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 2021-22 and will play a larger role for the Rebels in 22-23 on both ends of the floor.
Circle the Date
December 2 – The Bowling Green Purples travel to Elkton for a matchup that will give the Rebels a clearer picture of where they stack up against the 4th Region’s elite
Russellville Panthers
2021-22 Record: 7-17
There are not many coaches across the country that have the opportunity to coach on a court named in their honor. Phil Todd is an exception to that rule. Again. The legendary Panther basketball coach returns to the RHS sidelines just five years after his second stint with the program ended with a trip to the 4th Region championship game. From 1990 to 2004, Todd oversaw five trips to the region finale, three titles, and two appearances in the state semifinals. From 2012 to 2017, he upped his district championship count to nine before retiring for a second time. Over the summer, Todd was hired to lead the Panthers again. The likes of Tony Key and Pedro Bradshaw will not be walking through the door this go around, but the Panthers do have a solid senior class to build upon. Jayden Russell and Layne Steele return as the team’s leading scorers from a season ago.
Watch Out For
Senior Andrew Dowlen is the top returning rebounder for Russellville and will be asked to continue his rebounding prowess this winter.
Circle the Date
November 29 – The Panthers open their season with a home date against Butler County in what will serve as the re-introduction for Phil Todd on the sidelines.
Logan County Cougars
2021-22 Record: 1-27
Josh Frick begins his tenure as Logan County basketball coach with a team that won only one game a season ago. Returning its top three scorers will benefit the Cougars as senior Zane Batten and juniors Kade Wall and Jack Delaney look to improve upon a tough 2021-22 season. Wall averaged 7.7 points and shot nearly 35% from beyond the arc, while Batten 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Watch Out For
Sophomore JunVontre Dillard. The guard averaged 4.4 points per game a season ago on 40% shooting and got to the line 71 times – good enough for second on the team. Talented underclassmen like Dillard will be a major part of the team’s success as only two seniors feature on the roster.
Circle the Date
January 6 – A road trip to crosstown rival Russellville kicks off the Cougars’ district slate. This matchup will show us where each team stands a month into the season as the calendar turns to 2023.
