Boys Basketball
By Perry Swack
It is never too early to project how the 2021-22 high school basketball season may look like. The Kentucky Senate passed a bill last month that would allow current high school seniors an extra year of high school and athletic eligibility. It is unclear which school districts will utilize this provision; however, if it is allowed by 4th Region schools, it would certainly shake up the 2021-22 athletics’ season. For purpose of these rankings, we will assume high school seniors are off to college (but will update as new information becomes known).
School 2021 Record 2021 Final Ranking
- Greenwood 17-13 2
Returning: Cade Stinnett (Sr), Aaron Brown (Sr), Lofton Howard (Jr), Brakton Stinnett (Sr), Will Gaddis (Sr), Jax Buchanon (Sr), Hunter Raymer (Sr), Mason Thornhill (Sr)
Departing: Marc Grant
Party like it’s 2008? Greenwood will likely be favored to win its first region title in 14 years when we tip off next winter. A massive senior class of ten players led by Cade Stinnett and Aaron Brown will look to return the Gators to Rupp Arena.
2. Warren Central 8-7 7
Returning: Chappelle Whitney (Jr), Jaiden Lawrence (Sr), Omari Glover (Jr), Damarion Walkup (Jr), Izayiah Villafuerte (Jr), Dalton Farley (Jr)
Departing: Jace Carver, Tyson Garrett
Despite missing the 4th Region Tournament for the first time in four seasons, Warren Central should be back to “favorite status” in 2021-22. Will Unseld’s club brings back nearly everyone from this season, including a stout junior class that broke on to the scene as sophomores in ’21.
3. Barren County 21-9 5
Returning: Aden Nyekan (Sr), Mason Griggs (Sr), Taye Poynter (Sr), Aiden Miller (Jr), Ryan Shirley (Sr), Eli Brooks (Jr), Colton Stephens (Sr), Lane Stephens (Sr)
Departing: Gavin Withrow, Corbin Murphy
Barren County will be very talented next season, especially with the hopeful return of star Aden Nyekan who played in only four games this season before tearing his ACL. His return coupled with a deep senior class will make the Trojans a trendy pick to win region. A Barren title would be the first for a non-14th District school since 2001 (Russellville).
4. Glasgow 9-15 9
Returning: Sam Bowling (Sr), Ashton Cerwinske (Sr), Jackson Poland (Sr), Brennan Short (Sr), Trey Brown (Sr), John Myers (Sr), Javon Clark (Jr), Clay Pippen (Jr)
Departing: Ethan Harlow
Don’t let their 9-15 record fool you. Eleven of the Scotties’ fifteen losses were decided by ten points or less. Returning the entire rotation should give Glasgow the punch it needs to contend 4th Region. Sam Bowling averaged 19.9 points per game this past season.
5. Clinton County 20-5 3
Returning: Bryson Cross (Sr), Nick Delk (Sr), Blake Melton (Sr), Adam Hay (Sr), Cohen Davis (So), Cole Nuetzman (Sr)
Departing: Chase Stines, Nick Brown
Clinton County will lose two of its top three scorers and rebounders, but the Bulldogs should return three starters and three players who gained experience during the 2021 run. Don’t expect Todd Messer’s squad to go away quietly.
6. Metcalfe County 17-10 8
Returning: Jax Allen (Sr), Wyatt Blythe (Sr), Peyton Dial (Sr)
Departing: Boston Devore, Jacob Murrell, Dathan Jolly, Sawyer Edmunds
The Hornets won their first district title in 20 years this spring and will now look to build upon that momentum heading into the 2021-22 season. Returning the three-headed monster of Jax Allen, Wyatt Blythe, and Peyton Dial will certainly help Brandon Brockman’s club compete for a district title and more.
7. Bowling Green 24-3 1
Returning: Turner Buttry (Sr), Willie Wilson (Sr), Makayelus Wardlow (So), Mason Ritter (So), Curtis Lin (Sr), Elijah Starks (So)
Departing: Isaiah Mason, Jacobi Huddleston, Jaxson Banks, Conner Cooper, Trace Flanary, Jordan Dingle
Is #7 too high or too low? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure: it will be no easy task to replace the 2021 senior class led by Isaiah Mason and company. Turner Buttry and Willie Wilson will seemingly lead the squad, as a talented incoming sophomore class will be expected to take a big step.
8. South Warren 17-6 9
Returning: Luke Burton (Sr), Caden Veltkamp (Sr), Brandon Rowe (Jr), Will Faulkner (Sr), Joel Davis (Sr)
Departing: Tayshaun Jones, Cooper Myers, Malachi Reynolds, Jason Putman, Nathan Neal
South is still looking for that elusive trip to the 4th Region Tournament. Returning three of the team’s four leading scorers will certainly help the Spartans in their search. Leading scorer and rebounder Caden Veltkamp (9.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG) will return, along with Luke Burton and Brandon Rowe. I expect the Spartans to contend in Jason Holland’s second season.
9. Franklin-Simpson 14-4 6
Returning: Jalen Briscoe (Sr), Demarcus Hogan (Jr), Connor Vincent (Jr), Gabe Jones (Jr), Sam Mylor (Jr), Gavin Dickerson (So)
Departing: Dre Miller, Kyjuan Stutzman, Marlon Sims, Isaac Marshall, Kadyn Lowe,
There is seemingly no bigger departure than Dre Miller and Kyjuan Stutzman from a squad that won the 13th District Tournament and just missed a chance to play in Diddle Arena in the region semifinals. Jalen Briscoe will return for his senior season, along with a talented junior class featuring Demarcus Hogan and Connor Vincent.
10. Todd County Central 7-12 NR
Returning: Preston Moore (Sr), Amari Andrews (Sr), Mareke Johnson (Sr), Anthony Johnson (Sr), Preston Rager (Jr), Logan Burgess (Sr), Jamison Glass (Sr), Jacob Brandon (Jr), Will Kearns (Sr), Perez Whitlock (Jr), Nate Reding (Jr), Hayden Strader (So), Micah Smith (Jr), Trayvon Foster (So), Keanu Galima (Sr)
Departing: None
Why not Dennis Pardue’s Rebels for our final slot in the power rankings? Todd County Central will return every player from a team that went 7-12 in 2021, after going 3-24 in 2019-20. The Rebels lost their first six games of 2021 but rebounded to finish better than .500 the rest of the way.
