2013 Republic Bank Holiday Classic (Boys) Participating Teams

©2013 by Ron Harrison

Apollo (Region 3) – Coach Steve Sergeant’s Eagles finished 17-11 last season and are young but talented.  They will be led by 6-6 So. Eric Wright who is considered one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2016.  Veteran PG 6-0 Sr. Sam Sergeant is a steady performer with a knack for finding the open man.  6-5 Jr. Caleb Coomes is a good inside player and an excellent defender and rebounder.  6-1 So. Chase Survant is also a key returnee for the Eagles.

Augusta (Region 10) – Coach Jason Hinson’s Panthers finished 21-11 last season and return a talented team but is lacking in size.  6-2 Sr. Brent Bach averaged 28.6 ppg last season and is one of the top scorers in the state.  The Panthers also have three other returning starters in 6-3 So. Cameron Snapp, 5-11 So. Connor Maddox, and 6-2 So. Owens Crawford.  6-1 Sr. Dustin Freeman is returning from a broken ankle and will be counted on this season.

Bardstown (Region 5) – Coach James Brewer’s Tigers finished 23-10 this season but suffered heavy graduation losses.  However the cupboard is not bare as the tigers return an inside presence in 6-7 Sr. Sevion Schooling and veteran 5-9 Jr. guard LJ Cowherd.  Other key returnees include 5-6 Jr. defensive demon Keanu Young.

Bryan Station (Region 11) – Coach Mike Allen’s Defenders finished 18-11 last season and returns a small but quick and athletic squad.  The Defenders will be led by the veteran guard trio of 6-2 Sr. Marcellous Washington, 6-0 Sr. Jordan Henry, and 6-0 Sr. Daquice Allen.  Other key players include 5-11 Jr. CJ Walker, 6-3 Jr. Quant Claitt, and 6-1 Jr. Josh Owsley.

Butler (Region 6) – The Bears finished 24-8 last season and Rick Gibson takes over as coach this season.  The Bears graduated three starters but returns a lot of talent.  6-2 Jr. Will Johnson is a versatile scorer who uses his strength to get to the rim.  6-1 Jr. Jeremiah Bell is excellent in the open court and can get to the rim.  Other key players include 6-1 Sr. Kermit Malone, 5-10 Sr. Joshua Whetstone, and 5-9 Jr. Demondre Blanks.

Clinton County (Region 4) – Coach Todd Messer’s Bulldogs finished 18-12 last season and returns a veteran group of players.  6-0 Jr. Keifer Dalton is an established PG with an excellent basketball IQ and is a versatile scorer.  6-2 Sr. Colby Langford can score both inside and out.  6-1 Jr. Lance Claywell can score off the dribble as well as with his jump shot.

Cordia (Region 14) – Coach Rodrick Rhodes’ Lions finished 19-10 and has been the talk of the state in pre-season.  The Lions will have a very good team and could be even better if transfer 6-9 Sr. Malik Hines is ruled eligible.  6-2 Sr. PG Christen Cunningham transferred from Henry Clay and is one of the top point guards in the state.  6-2 Sr. AJ Tagaloa is a versatile scorer capable of putting up big numbers.  5-10 Sr. guard Felix Frimpong, 6-11 8^th grader Oumar Keita, and 6-2 Sr. Jaemon Catchings are also expected to be key performers this season.

Dixie Height (Region 9) – Coach Ken Chevalier’s Colonels finished 17-14 last season and returns scoring machine 6-3 Sr. Brandon Hatton.  5-10 Sr. Adam Daria is a tenacious defender who brings toughness on both ends of the court.  6-3 Jr. Nick Niehaus, 6-7 Jr. Mitchell Bolin, and 6-5 Jr. Andrew Hedger are expected to contribute in the paint.  5-11 Jr. Liam Rabe and 6-2 Jr. Austin Schreck are also expected to provide help in the backcourt.

DuPont Manual (Region 7) – Coach Jimmy Just’s Crimsons finished 15-16 last season but are expected to rebound this season.  6-2 Sr. Trey Boyd is quick and athletic with the ability to play above the rim.  6-4 Jr. Dwayne Sutton is active on both ends of the court and is capable of recording a double-double (points and rebounds) in any game.  6-0 So. Nick Reed is a promising up-and-comer at the point guard position.  This team is deep with several players expected to contribute.

Harrison County (Region 10) – Coach Larry Kendall’s Thorobreds finished 20-13 and returns a solid group of players.  6-2 Sr. Dillon Pulliam, 6-2 Sr. Mason Ritchie, and 6-4 Jr. Trenton Thompson are good perimeter shooters and 6-2 Jr. DJ Jenkins will take over the point guard position.  6-1 Sr. Grant Carr is also a solid backcourt player.  The Thorobreds also have good size in 6-9 Sr. Landon Palmer.

Hazard (Region 14) – Coach Allan Holland’s Bulldogs finished 23-6 last season and returns an excellent array of talent.  6-7 Sr. Nick Hudson is very athletic and led the team in scoring and rebounding last season.  6-2 Sr. Collier Mobelini has good range on his jump shot and 6-2 Sr. Josh Holland is a three year starter and an excellent floor leader.

Henderson County (Region 2) – Coach Tyler Smithhart’s Colonels finished 26-6 last season and returns four starters from last year’s squad.  6-2 Jr. David Simmons led the team in scoring last year.  6-3 Sr. Kaleb Duckworth led the team in rebounding last season and is a very effective scorer in the paint.  6-5 Sr. Cain Cooper is an excellent athlete who shot 58% from the field last season.  6-2 Jr. Brady Norman is expected to be a key performer this season.

Henry Clay (Region 11) – Coach Daniel Brown’s Blue Devils finished 23-10 last season but suffered key losses via the transfer route.  6-6 Sr. Trey Grundy ( to Hargrave Military), 6-2 Sr. Christen Cunningham (to Cordia), and 6-1 Sr. Teddy Ware (to Scott County) are no longer with the program.  6-6 Sr. Jordan Green is a versatile player who should put up big numbers this season.  6-3 Jr. Jeremiah Tisdale is a versatile scorer and excellent defender.  6-0 Jr. Felix Wilson and 6-3 Jr. Colby Barnes are also expected to be key contributors.

Knott County Central (Region 14) – Coach BB King’s Patriots finished 30-6 last season and returns four starters.  6-2 Jr. Camron Justice is a combo guard capable of lighting up the scoreboard.  6-7 Jr. Evan Hall averaged 12 ppg last season and 6-3 Jr. Simon Christon is an athletic power forward.  6-2 Jr. Chance Cornett and Sr. Keegan Sammons (transferred from Bath County) are also expected to be key contributors.

Lafayette (Region 11) – Coach Mike Mendenhall III’s Generals finished 16-11 last season and has the talent to challenge for the regional crown this season.  6-8 Sr. Jackson Davis averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) last season and is poised for another great year.  6-4 Sr. Lance Blakely is a versatile player who will move to a wing position this year.  5-11 Sr. Dequise Robinson is a lightning quick point guard and 5-11 So. Hunter Lane will be the 2-guard.  6-6 So. Ross Jenkins is an imposing force on the boards and 6-1 So. Lucky Jackson will provide athleticism and depth.

Lexington Catholic (Region 11) – Coach Brandon Salsman’s Knights finished 22-11 last season and while they suffered key graduation losses have talent returning this season.  6-5 Jr. Tanner Johnson has a scorer’s mentality and great range on his shot.  6-2 Jr. Jarod Griffin is a steady guard with a good shooting touch.  5-10 Jr. Michael Talbott is a veteran guard with the ability to get to the rim.  6-3 Jr. Reese Ryan is a valuable asset who does a little bit of everything on the court.  6-7 Sr. Robert Dence will be expected to provide points in the paint.

Male (Region 7) – Coach Larry Miller’s Bulldogs finished 25-9 last season and have good talent returning but must replace two good guards who graduated.  6-7 Jr. Will Parker, 6-5 Sr. Steven Julian, and 6-4 Sr. Jalen Brasher should provide the bulldogs with a formidable frontcourt.

Newport Central Catholic (Region 9) – The thoroughbreds finished 30-3 last season and Ron Dawn takes over as head coach.  Newport Central Catholic has an excellent frontcourt capably manned by 6-8 Sr. Jake Schulte, 6-7 Jr. Drew McDonald (14.7 ppg, 7.2rpg), and 6-6 So. Ben Weyer.  6-2 Sr. Tanner Moeves and 6-3 Jr. Grant Moeves transferred in from Walton-Verona and will provide scoring in the backcourt.  6-0 Jr. Zach Pangallo is a versatile player who can play either guard position and is an excellent defender.

Pleasure Ridge Park (Region 6) – Coach Dale Mabrey’s Panthers finished 25-8 last season and should be one of the elite teams in the state this season.  6-7 Sr. Lamontray Harris (13.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg), 6-7 Sr. D’Angelo Hunter (7.3 ppg), and 6-5 Jr. Richard Gaines  are athletic frontcourt players.  5-10 Sr. Antonio McDaniels adds quickness and is an excellent perimeter shooter.  5-10 Jr. Khalid Rasheem is another ultra quick guard.

Scott County (Region 11) – Coach Billy Hick’s Cardinals finished 24-8 last season and buoyed by two transfers 7-1 So Raekwon Long (North Carolina) and 6-1 Sr. Teddy Ware (Scott County) will be one of the elite teams in the state this season.  6-2 Sr. Trent Gilbert is a versatile scorer and one of the top long range shooters in the state.  6-1 Sr. Teddy Ware is another deadly long range bomber.  7-1 So. Raekwon Long is expected to be a force in the paint on both ends of the court.  6-3 Sr. Tony Martini is a rebounding machine who has developed a mid-range jump shot.

Warren Central (Region 4) – Coach William Unseld’s dragons finished 28-7 last season and have enough firepower returning to challenge for another region title.  The Dragons will be led by 6-3 Sr. Byron Carver (13 ppg, 7 rpg), 6-1 Sr. Rondell Green, and 6-4 Sr. Chris Porter-Bunton (11 ppg, 7rpg).  Other key contributors include 6-4 Jr. Jared Savage and 5-10 Sr. Wayne Baird.