Logan County’s mass exodus paves the way for a balanced district
By Perry Swack
Logan County Cougars
2019-20 Record: 28-4
Won 13th District
Reached 4th Region Semifinals
Logan County had a banner year in 2019-20, going 28-4, winning the 13th District title, and reaching the 4th Region semifinals. However, just about everyone – including the head coach – have moved on leaving the cupboard rather bare for the Cougars. Six players on the roster averaged at least 8 points last season, five of which were seniors. Jose Nazario (13.7 PPG), Jay Hardison (13.3 PPG), Dalton Thompson (9.8 PPG), Nathaniel Vick (8.2 PPG), and Dylan Basham (8.1 PPG) all left their mark as one of the most successful classes in school history. Taking the reins will be Anthony Woodard, who averaged 13.7 points per game last year. The senior guard was named First Team All-Region a season ago and will need to continue his stellar play to keep the Cougars in the thick of the 13th District race.
Watch Out For
Sophomore Chance Sweeney. The guard appeared in only 16 games last season but knocked down 5-of-11 three-pointers, good enough for 45.5%.
Circle the Date
February 5 – The Cougars travel to Franklin for the second meeting between the schools in what could decide the district’s top seed
Franklin-Simpson Wildcats
2019-20 Record: 14-16
13th District Runner-Up
4th Region Quarterfinalist
Dee Spencer enters his ninth season at the helm looking to not only extend a five-year streak of consecutive 4th Region Tournament appearances, but also to get back into the winner’s circle as 13th District champions. The Wildcats won back-to-back district crowns in 2016 and 2017 but have yet to win the tournament since then. Franklin-Simpson may very well be the favorites in the district, as the club returns its top two scorers – Kyjuan Stutzman and Andreyous Miller. Both seniors, Stutzman averaged 14.8 points per game, hitting 69 three-pointers on 35% shooting from behind the arc. Miller checked in at 13.2 points per game on 45.6% shooting. He is the team’s leading returning rebounder at 3.9 rebounds per game.
Watch Out For
Junior Jalen Briscoe and sophomore Demarcus Hogan will be called upon to provide secondary backcourt scoring behind Stutzman and Miller. Briscoe nearly shot 80% from the charity stripe, and both players will help with ballhandling and perimeter defense.
Circle the Date
January 30 – South Warren makes the short trip to Franklin-Simpson in what should be an entertaining game between two teams expected to improve upon 2020.
Russellville Panthers
2019-20 Record: 6-21
The Panthers struggled to post victories in coach Carlos Quarles’ first season as the Russellville head man. The team ended the season on a ten-game losing streak; however, seven of those losses were by ten points or less and four by three points or less. Nine of the top ten scorers return for Russellville, who will be expecting to improve in year two of Quarles at the helm. Top two leading scorers and rebounders Jaquis Todd and Josh Allen both return, as Todd averaged 15.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Allen checked in at 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Watch Out For
Senior guard Chaun Cheaney who averaged 6.9 points per game last season. Cheaney will potentially be a solid third option behind Todd and Allen, and he has the ability to stretch the defense with 13 made three-pointers, tied for third on the team last year.
Circle the Date
January 11 – The Panthers take on Glasgow in the opening round of the 4th Region All “A” Classic. It should be a telling matchup for both teams as they play an inter-region game against a program it stacks itself up against.
Todd County Central Rebels
2019-20 Record: 6-21
Dennis Pardue enters his second season at Todd County Central looking to improve upon the Rebels’ 6-21 record from a season ago. Just three years ago the Rebels reached the 4th Region Semifinals. The current senior class were freshmen that season. However, Todd has zero seniors on the roster for 2021. Its top three scorers are gone from a season ago, but the team will return Preston Moore and Amari Andrews. Moore averaged 9.1 points and led the team with 5.1 rebounds per game. Andrews scored 4.0 points per night while grabbing 2.8 rebounds per contest.
Watch Out For
Junior Anthony Johnson. The center appeared in 17 games for the Rebels last season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He will be relied upon heavily in the frontcourt.
Circle the Date
February 19 – Franklin-Simpson comes to town in the season’s final district game. District seeding will definitely be on the line as the Rebels look to place highly for the 13th District Tournament.
