2009 Republic Bank Holiday Classic Participating Teams

©2009 by Ron Harrison

Boone County – Coach Greg McQueary’s Rebels finished 26-5 last season and will be one of the best teams in the 9^th Region again this season.  The Rebels have an excellent guard combination in 6-0 Sr. Mikey Gabbard and 6-0 Sr. Ryan Popp.  6-3 Sr. Ronald Cotton is a shot rejector and athletic rebounder.  Boone County has strength in the paint in 6-4 Sr. Joey Lay and 6-4 Jr. Trevan Brown.  6-6 Sr. Andy Earls passes the ball well and has an excellent shooting touch.  6-4 Jr. Travis Montgomery is also another key returnee.

Clark County  – Coach Scott Humphrey’s Cardinals finished 25-7 last season and are expected to compete with Mason County for the 10^th Region title.  Coach Humphrey must compensate for the loss of his top three guards but has an impressive array of talent at his disposal.  6-4 Jr. swingman Robbie Stenzel is a versatile scorer and solid defender.  6-8 Jr. Vinny Zollo scores in the paint and rebounds.  6-5 Jr. Corey Rogers is extremely strong around the basket.  6-7 Jr. forward Travis Purvis missed last season with an injury and could be the missing part of the puzzle for Clark County this season.  6-6 Jr. guard Jaylen Daniel is extremely athletic.

Clinton County – Coach Todd Messer’s Bulldogs finished 17-11 last season competing in the 4^th Region.  Clinton County returns a good senior class including 6-3 guard Storm Burchett and 6-4 forward Brandon Durham.  Clinton County has some talented young players that will get a chance to log minutes this season.

Grayson County  – Coach Todd Johnston’s Cougars finished 26-7 last season and captured the 3^rd Region title last season.  The Cougars have the talent to repeat this season.  They will be led by 5-10 Sr. point guard Travis Johnston who directs the traffic and has range on his jump shot.  Grayson County has two solid Sr. forwards returning in 6-2 Aaron Deviney and 6-2 Tyler Saltsman.  6-0 Jr. guard Hunter Gary can shoot the ball and 6-0 Sr. Dustin Thomas is a strong, hard-nosed defender.  Although Grayson County is not particularly big, they crash the boards and play an aggressive defense.

Hazard – Coach Allen Holland’s Bulldogs finished 26-9 last season and captured the 14^th Region title.  They graduated most of their inside players and must find replacements to defend their regional crown.  6-0 Sr. point guard Josh Whitaker directs the offense and has good range on his jump shot.  5-11 Jr. Eric Back is a good perimeter shooter and 6-2 So. B. J. Combs should put up good numbers this season.  Other players expected to contribute include 6-1 Jr. Jon Combs, 6-1 Fr. Jordan Olinger, 6-2 So. Kyle Spencer, and 6-4 Sr. Allan Fugate.

Highlands – The Bluebirds finished 21-9 last season and Mike Flynn takes over as head coach this season.  Highlands has the talent returning to be one of the best teams in the 9^th Region this season.  6-1 Sr. guard Stephen Kowolonek averaged 15 ppg last season.  6-0 Sr. forward George Grote (10 ppg) came on strong last year.  5-9 Sr. Zach Lother returns to direct the offense.  6-0 Sr. guard Stephen Gordon is also a key returnee.  The front court is well manned and experienced with 6-4 Sr. Garrett Smith-Keller, 6-6 Sr. Tyler Grubbs, 6-4 Sr. Cory Dill, and 6-4 Sr. Ben Watson.

Hopkins County Central – Coach Matt Bell’s Storm finished 23-9 last season and should be very competitive in the 2^nd Region this season.  6-9 Sr. center Daniel Croft averaged 10 ppg and 8 rpg last season.  5-11 Sr. guard Je'Vonte Hughes is extremely quick to the basket.  6-3 Sr. Nikee Caldwell also started for the Storm last season.  Hopkins County Central also has experience returning in 6-4 Sr. center Shaquille Jernigan, 6-1 Sr. guard Josh Riley, and 6-4 Sr. forward Cameron Tabor. 

Lexington Catholic – Coach Brandon Salsman’s Knights finished 26-8 last season and captured the 11^th Region title.  The Knights suffered key graduation losses but have enough talent returning to challenge for the crown again this season.  6-1 So. guard Jaylen Beckham is ultra quick and gets to the basket with ease.  6-1 Jr. guard Seth Beckham sat out last year after transferring from Bryan Station.  Beckham is athletic and scores off his mid-range jump shot.  6-8 Sr. forward Tanner Peurach is a rapidly improving inside force.  6-4 Jr. Taylor Martin is a versatile swingman with good all-around skills.  6-3 Jr. Scott Schuette can fill it up from the perimeter.  5-10 Jr. William Talbott brings a lot of energy off the bench.  Several other players will log quality minutes as Coach Salsman utilizes a deep rotation.

Male – Coach Tom Crews’ Bulldogs finished 16-12 last season playing in the extremely competitive 7^th Region.  Male has an excellent guard duo returning in 5-11 Sr. D'Carlo Hayes (11.2 ppg), and 6-0 Sr. Kevin Glenn (10.5 ppg).  The Bulldogs have another double digit scorer returning in 6-3 Sr. forward Tony Horne (11 ppg).  6-2 Sr. James Pillischafske missed last season and is a deadly outside shooter.  Other players expected to contribute include 6-2 Jr. Chris Way, 6-6 Jr. Bryce Moore, and 6-0 Jr. Solomon Logan. 

Mercer County – Coach Nelson Cundiff’s Titans finished 15-14 last season and could suprise in the 12^th Region wars this season.  6-6 Sr. Jamel Taylor and 6-2 Jr. Clay Cinnamon led the Titans in scoring last year and have a good supporting cast.  Other key returnees include 5-9 Jr. guard Austin Sagraves, 6-1 Sr. guard Kasey McRay, 6-2 Jr. forward Matthew Honchel, and 6-4 Sr. forward Jake Mayes.

McCreary Central – Coach Robert Jones’ Raiders finished 21-12 last season and are one of the favorites to capture the 12^th Region title this season.  6-2 Sr. Aaron Watts is very athletic and can either score off penetration or with his long-range jumper.  6-0 Sr. Zack Roark has all-around skills and is one of the best in the region.  5-8 Sr. Ben Wright is a solid point guard and 6-5 Jr. Jacob Dixon shoots the ball and can record double digits anytime.  6-4 Sr. Tyler Perry, 6-4 Sr. Sean Privett, and promising 6-3 Fr. Tyson Williams can score inside. 

Muhlenberg County – Coach Reggie Warford takes over at this new school formed by the consolidation of North Muhlenberg and South Muhlenberg.  The Mustangs have enough talent to compete for the 3^rd Region championship.  6-0 Jr. Michael Civils is a good floor leader who can score.  6-4 Sr. Joe Gabbard averaged 13 ppg last season.  Coach Warford's sons 6-4 Sr. Grant Warford and 6-0 So. Tyler Warford are talented and moved in from Pittsburgh.  Other players expected to contribute include 5-11 Jr. Kraig Farley and 5-8 Sr. Josh Hawkins.  The Mustangs have the talent and if they gel as a team could be a tough opponent this season.

Perry County Central  – The Commodores finished 25-6 last season and Coach Allen Hatcher has them poised to make a serious run for the 14^th Region title this season.  5-10 Sr. point guard Jordan Amis does a good job directing the offense and 6-3 Sr. guard Chris Noble is a good perimeter shooter.  6-5 Sr. forward Tyler Mullins can score off the dribble or with his jump shot.  6-3 Sr. forward Josh Salyers and 6-4 Jr. Axl Sizemore are also key returnees.  6-3 Sr. forward Cory Martin transferred from Hazard and will be a valuable addition to the team,

Prestonsburg – Coach Jack Pack’s Blackcats finished 18-13 last season but graduated several key performers.  The Blackcats will have to rapidly rebuild to compete in the 15^th Region battles this season.  6-2 Sr. guard Michael Burchett averaged 14 ppg last season and should improve that number this season.  Other players expected to contribute include 6-0 Sr. forward Cameron Tincher and 5-9 Jr. guard Warren Blackburn.  Several of the Blackcats play football and will rapidly improve once they get their basketball "legs".

Scott – Coach Brad Carr’s Eagles finished 23-9 last season and will be very competitive in the 10^th Region this season.  6-1 Jr. Kellen Smith is an excellent point guard and can score off penetration or with his long-range jumper.  6-8 Sr. center Daniel O'Conner gives the Eagles an inside presence.  6-4 Sr. Keylo Jones is very athletic and is a good scorer and rebounder.  6-4 Sr. Jake Niederegger is also capable of putting up good numbers on offense. 

Seneca – Coach Steve Sergeant’s Redhawks finished 16-12 last season and return most of their firepower to compete in the 7^th Region battles.  6-4 Sr. forward Aaron Neace is very athletic and averaged 15 ppg last season.  6-2 Sr. guard Zach McElwain (12.0 ppg) is an excellent shooter who can also pass the ball.  Other players expected to contribute include 6-2 Jr. Martez Harris, 6-3 Sr. Jordan Jacobs, 6-2 Jr. Kevin Shaw and 6-4 Sr. Andre Hearn.

St. Xavier  – Coach Kevin Klein’s Tigers finished 13-13 last season and return a lot of experienced players to compete in the 7^th Region this season.  6-0 Sr. guard Patrick Butcher and 6-4 Sr. forward Nick Spalding both averaged over 8 ppg last season.  6-4 Sr. Matt Lohr, 6-0 Sr. Bryan Just, and 6-4 Sr. Justin Raque should log significant minutes.  The Tigers have experience (eight seniors), and size (seven players 6-4 or taller).  St. Xavier lost several games by a narrow margin and hopefully the added experience will help add to the win total.

Trinity – Coach Mike Szabo’s Shamrocks finished 22-8 last season and have a blend of experience and youth that could make them very competitive in the 7^th Region this season.  6-4 Sr. guard Josh Sewell (15 ppg) is very athletic and scores off penetration or with his pull-up jumper.  6-5 Sr. swingman Taylor Epley averaged 10 ppg last season.  6-5 Jr. Chancellor Armstrong can score inside and 6-0 So. Charles Foster is an excellent defensive guard.  6-0 Fr. James Quick is a football star who is equally adept on the hardwood and the Shamrocks have a very talented sophomore class including Foster, 6-1 Troy Saxton, 6-3 Eric Zipperle, 6-2 Andrew Perito, 6-5 Nathan Dieudonne.

West Jessamine  – The Colts finished 28-9 last season and captured the 12^th Region title.  Damon Kelley takes over as head coach this season and is one of the top contenders in the region.  The Colts will be led by 6-2 Sr. Jarrod Polson who distributes the ball and is a versatile scorer who can beat you in a variety of ways.  6-4 Jr. forward Dylan Pohl and 5-11 Sr. guard Keston Bartholomew provide offensive punch.  Other key players include 5-11 Sr. guard Kyle Mefford, 6-2 Sr. forward David Elliott, 6-4 Sr. forward Gus Sherrow, and 6-2 Jr. Bradley Strait. 

Please send your comments and questions to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.