BULLITT CENTRAL
Coach: Joe Pat Lee (11th year).
Last season: 14-14, lost to Moore 65-62 in district first round.
Players to watch: G Chase Craddock (5-11, Sr., 12.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); G Cameron Dukes (6-0. Sr., 13.4 ppg., 2.7 rpg.). “We may have one of the best backcourt in the region,” Lee said. “They both are three-year starters and they compliment each other. Craddock is more explosive and Dukes is a lights-out, three-point shooter (he hit 49 last season compared to 31 for Craddock). Both can play either point guard or the two-guard.”
Other top players: G Kevin McKnight (5-8, Sr., 3.4 ppg.); F Mason Shifflett (6-2, Fr.); G Logan Koch (5-8, Sr., 2.4 ppg.); F Danny Goldsmith (6-4, Jr., 1.5 ppg.); G Logan Terry (6-0, Sr., 1.2 ppg.); G Austin Pollard (6-2, Jr.)
Outlook: “We’ll be a perimeter shooting team,” Lee said. “Pollard is a transfer from South Warren who enables us to play a lot of four-man and 5-man guard lineups to stretch the defenses out and find ways to dictate the tempo.”
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN
Coach: Joe Washington Jr. (sixth year).
Last season: 14-14, lost to Southern 82-60 in district first round.
Player to watch: C-F Justin Smith (6-5, Sr., 16 ppg., 14 rpg.). “Justin has a lot of potential,” Washington said. “He has a soft touch and good range on his shot, and he has become more aggressive around the basket since the summer. His dad, Marvin, is in Evangel’s 1,000-point club and Justin is getting close and should make it this year.”
Other top players: G Josh Donlon (8 ppg., 6 rpg.); G Sam Kays (6-0, Sr.); F Caleb Payne (6-3, Jr.); G-F Billy Klinglesmith (6-1, Jr.); F-C Crew Harper (6-5, Jr.); F Trenton Bain (6-0, Sr.); F Cameron Bain 6-1, Jr.); G Jason Alatraca (5-8, Sr.)
Outlook: Four of the top six players from last season return in Smith, Kays, Donlon and Klinglesmith, giving Evangel good experience as well as some size. “Our 14 wins last year were the most for us since 2005 so I’m excited about this group,” Washington said.
MOORE
Coach: Roy Sutton (first year).
Last season: 8-18, lost to Fern Creek 75-41 in regional first round.
Player to watch: G Ramon Collins (6-5, Jr.,4.4 ppg., 4.6 rpg., at Doss last season). “Ramon was not the go-to guy at Doss, but he will be for us at Moore,” Sutton said. “He has had a taste of state tournament play so he’ll be a leader for us. He does it all. He’s a left-hander, who is athletic and shoots it well. Anytime he’s around the basket he’ll try to dunk it. He’s offensive minded, but he has to improve his defense.”
Other top players: G Keonte Smith (5-11, Sr., 20 ppg.); C Justin Weaver, (6-5. Fr., 6 ppg., 8 rpg.); F Robbie Hagman (6-1, Sr., 11 ppg.); F Pablo Garcia (6-4, Sr.); G Orand Collins (5-9, Jr.); G Brandon Simpson (5-9, Sr.).F Jarin Thomas (6-2, Sr.); F Russell Vaden (6-3, Jr.).
Outlook: “Our strength is our size,” Sutton said. “We’ll be very defensive and athletic around the basket. Smith can get to the basket. Hagman is a pure shooter and Weaver started as an eighth-grader We’ll play 10-12 guys a game.”
NORTH BULLITT
Coach: Korey Craddock (second year).
Last season: 16-12, lost to Bullitt East 75-54 regional first round.
Player to watch: G Jared Free (5-9 Sr, 12.7 ppg., 1.7 rpg.). “Jared is a little small and probably under the radar, but he’s one of the best point guards in the region,” Craddock said. “He’s really fast with the ball and his shooting has improved each year. This is his third year to start.”
Other top players: F Ryan Henson (6-1 Sr., 13.2 ppg., 1.7 rpg.); F Trent Napier (5-11 Sr., 2 ppg.); G Travis Dunnavan (6-0 Jr., 2.1 ppg.); C Zach June (6-3 Sr., 1.6 ppg.); C-F Brendan Holt (6-4 Jr., 3 ppg., 1.6 rpg.); F Koty Johnson (6-5 Sr.); G Jared Higgs (5-10 Sr., 2.5 ppg.); G Corey Girton (6-1 Fr.).
Outlook: “We’ll be guard-heavy again so we want to play in transition,” Craddock said. “Henson and Dunnavan can fill it up and ranked high in three-point shooting last season. We’ll shoot threes again, but we will have more of an inside presence this year.”
SOUTHERN
Coach: Shedrick Jones Jr., fourth year.
Last season: 11-16, lost to North Bullitt 91-72 in district semifinal.
Player to watch: G Donquel Andrews (6-2 Sr., 13.3 ppg., 4 rpg.). “Donquel has been our leading scorer the past two years,” Jones said. “His vertical jump is up there with the best of them. He’s left-handed, but he worked on his right hand during the summer. He’s gotten stronger with his play around the basket.”
Other top players: G Michael Durbin (5-10, Sr., 8.7 ppg.); G Charles Wilson (6-1 Jr., 6. 8 ppg., 6 apg.); F Glenn Hill (6-4, Sr., 9.8 ppg.); F Kendall Jones (6-5, Jr.); G Marquon Smith (5-10, Sr.); G Isiah Jackson (5-10, Fr.); F Jonluk Cancel (6-2, So.); Matthew Jones (6-1, So.).
Outlook: Andrews will be the Trojans’ go-to man, but Jones calls Durbin “probably the best outside shooter in Jefferson County. He hit 42 threes last season.” Wilson, the point guard, has been on the varsity since the eighth grade. “We’re not big, but I’m happy we will be better defensively this year. This the fourth year I’ve been with these seniors.”