Players Scheduled to Appear High Potential Hooparama Showcase
Topic: Basketball

Some of the players scheduled to appear at The 7th Annual High Potential Hooparama Showcase on November 22nd at the Basketball Academy in Louisville KY are: Samantha Drake (Nelson County), Adia Mathies (Iroquois), Antonita Slaughter (CAL), Avery Jones (Manual), Tiarra Hopper (Butler), Asia Mathies (Iroquois), Rachel Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic), Kayla Thacker (Bullitt East), Katie Allen (Highlands), and Therese Montano (Mercy).

Other top players scheduled to appear include Shontel Bates (Butler), Victoria Brown (Iroquois), Clair Buchanan (CAL), Morgan Clemons (Sacred Heart), Hannah Gerteisen (Owensboro Catholic), Beth Gillis (Nelson County), Madison Hardy (Mercy), Kayla Hickman (Iroquois), Lindsey Highbaugh (Hart County), Emily Hinkson (Paris), Autumn Miller (Sacred Heart), Jessica Philpot (Bullitt East), Chelsey Smith (Bullitt East), and Bekah Towles (Highland).

The 7th Annual High Potential Hooparama Showcase
Topic: Basketball

The 7th Annual High Potential Hooparama Showcase will be held at the Basketball Academy in Louisville KY on November 22, 2008.  This is an excellent pre-season event with several excellent teams and players scheduled to appear.

10:00 AM  Bullitt East vs. Paris (JV-court 1)

10:00 AM  Iroquois vs. Highlands (JV-court 2)

10:30 AM  Bullitt East vs. Highlands (JV-court 1)

10:30 AM  Iroquois vs. Paris (JV-court 2)

11:00 AM  Bullitt East vs. Paris (Varsity-court 1)

11:00 AM  Iroquois vs. Highlands (Varsity-court 2)

Noon        Bullitt East vs. Highlands (Varsity-court 1)

Noon        Iroquois vs. Paris (Varsity-court 2)

Noon        Louisville CAL vs. Owensboro Catholic (JV-court 3)

1:00  PM  Louisville CAL vs. Owensboro Catholic (Varsity-court 1)

2:00  PM  Manual vs. Hart County (JV-court 2)

3:00  PM  Manual vs Hart County (Varsity-court 1) 

4:00  PM  Butler vs. Sacred Heart (JV-court 2)

5:00  PM  Butler vs. Sacred Heart (Varsity-Court 1)

6:00  PM  Louisville Mercy  vs. Nelson County (JV-court 2)

7:00  PM  Louisville Mercy vs. Nelson County (Varsity-court1) 

Another Mountain Basketball Legend?
Topic: Basketball

Kendall Noble is a 5-10 guard that has helped lead Breathitt County to the girls state basketball tournament at Bowling Green the last two years.  She averaged 11.3 ppg and 9.9rpg last year.  Kendall led the team in steals and assists, was second in rebounds and blocked shots and third on the team in scoring.  She has excellent court awareness and did I mention she will actually start high school this year.  Yes, that is correct all her acoomplishments so far have been in the 7th and 8th grade.

Noble shot 53% from the floor last year and just seems to genuinely enjoy the game.  I first saw her play at the KBA in Lexington a few years ago in an AAU game playing on a boys' team.  She led the team in scoring that day also.  How good can Noble be down the road?  Who knows but judging from her beginning she could be very special.  I have also been impressed with her team first attitude.  Her success to me has never been measured in just scoring or any one stat but the complete stat line at the end of the game and in team success.

 

 

2009 Miss Basketball Race
Topic: Basketball

When discussions turn to the Miss Basketball race for 2009 several names are mentioned  including Adia Mathies, Ashley Rainey, Alyse Poindexter, and Avery Jones.

Adia Mathies 5-9 Iroquois Mathies has started on the varsity since the 6th grade and is a very versatile performer.  Mathies averaged 17ppg and 11.1rpg last season.  She can score inside and has excellent range on her jump shot.  She is an excellent ballhandler and is extremely difficult to defend.

Ashley Rainey 6-3 Warren East averaged 27.5ppg and 11rpg last season.  Rainey is a deadly scorer in the paint.  Her strength and quickness also makes her an excellent rebounder.

Alyse Poindexter 6-1 Henderson County Poindexter averaged 16.3ppg and 10.3 rpg last season.  Poindexter powers the ball to the basket from down on the blocks, rebounds well, and is a good shot blocker.

Avery Jones 6-1 duPont Manual Jones averaged 13.3 ppg and 8.4 rpg last season but had to share the spotlight with graduated star Brittany Wilson.  Jones scores well inside but can step out and hit the mid-range jump shot.  She is also a good rebounder and can defend.

 

A lot goes into winning this honor such as individual performance, team success, exposure, and publicity.  There are also several other seniors in the state that are worthy of consideration for this honor.

 

 

2009 Mr. Basketball Race
Topic: Basketball

When discussions turn to the race for Mr. Basketball this season Jon Hood's name is always mentioned as one of the leading contenders.  However there are other worthy contenders including Richie Phares, Jacob Jenkins, Vee Sanford, and C.J. Penny.

Jon Hood 6-7 Madisonville North Hopkins  Hood has committed to play at the University of Kentucky.  He has the ability to score from mid-range as well as having tremendous range on his jump shot.  Hood is a versatile performer with a good work ethic.

Richie Phares 6-7 Scott County  Phares is a versatile frontcourt performer with the ability to score inside as well as step out and hit the jumper.  He plays for one of the top programs in the state and will be difficult to double-team because of the overall talent on the team.

Jacob Jenkins 6-3 duPont Manual  Jenkins has the ability to fill it up from beyond the arc.  He also has the ability to score off the dribble.

Vee Sanford 6-3 Lexington Catholic  Sanford has an excellent overall game and is a defensive stopper.  He is a good shooter during crunch time and will put up big numbers this season with the graduation of an experienced group of scorers.

C.J. Penny 6-5 Anderson County  Penny is an athletic performer with good quickness.  Penny is a smart player who scores well inside and has an improving jump shot.

A lot of factors go into this award ranging from publicity, exposure, and individual and team success.  There are several other seniors in the state worthy of consideration for this award.

 

 

Ebony Rowe Paul Dunbar
Topic: Basketball
Ebony Rowe is a 6-0 Jr multi-skilled player who will be called on to do even more this season as Dunbar graduated five of their top six players from last year's team that went 30-3. Ebony is very  athletic possessing the ability to leap and run the floor. Ebony can score and is a strong rebounder.  She is an absolute lock-down defender who has frustrated some of the top stars in the state over the last two seasons.  Miss Rowe will top the 1,000 mark in both scoring and rebounding before she takes her game to the college level.

"The Pride of Sandy Hook"
Topic: Basketball

I have been fortunate the last few seasons to have watched three Elliott County stars Ethan Faulkner, Evan Faulkner, and Jonathan Ferguson play the game they love so much.  They have led the Lions to two consecutive 16th Region titles and are favorites to win again this season.  The trio and Chris and Timmy Knipp are also expected to be one of the top contenders for a state championship.

6-2 Sr. Ethan Faulkner is a true point guard who is a coach on the floor.  Ethan has a wide variety of skills as he can shoot, handle, pass, and defend.  He works extremely hard and is a natural leader.  6-2 Sr. Evan Faulkner posseses excellent court vision and is a tenacious defender.  Evan always gives 110%, passes the ball and is a versatile scorer.  6-2 Sr. Jonathan Ferguson has excellent shooting range and can get into a zone where he scores points in bunches.  Jonathan can also handle, pass, works hard, and is a good rebounder.

I don't attempt to rank or rate players and have no idea where they will play in college but make no mistake they have game.  One veteran AAU coach said it best when he stated "If you could bottle their qualities you could make a fortune."  They remind me of days gone by, just lace up the sneakers and leave it all on the floor.  Players come and go but they will long be remembered in Sandy Hook and the rest of the state.  Thanks for the memories.

 

 

 

Lexington Christian Basketball Classic
Topic: Basketball

January 2nd, 2009

5PM       Lexington Christian Academy (girls)  vs. North Canton (OH)

6:30PM  Findlay Prep (NV)  vs. New Creations Christian (IN)

8PM        Lexington Christian Academy (boys) vs. Montgomery County

 

January 3rd, 2009

5PM        Lexington Christian Academy (girls) vs. Bearden (TN)

6:30PM   Findlay Prep (NV) vs. Mt. Zion Christian Academy (NC)

8PM        Lexington Christian Academy (boys) vs. Scott County

 

I will add more details and info on top players appearing in this event as more info becomes available.

 

 

October 15th First Official Day of BB Practice
Topic: Basketball

Finally the anticipated first official day of basketball practice is here.  While basketball is a 365 day a year endeavor in the state of Kentucky finally all the talking is over and the action has begun.  We have all discussed transfers,  argued over the rankings of both individual players and teams and generally discussed and dissected every possible game our respective teams will play thiis year.

I agreed to do the 11th Region Preview for Bluegrasspreps website for both the girls and boys team.  It usually takes about three weeks and I request input from every coach in the region.  Normally the response is good and I value the input equally from the regional contenders to the teams that are in a rebuilding stage.  What frustrates me that is no matter how thorough I may be I still question the preview once I complete it.  However that is what makes basketball such a great sport in Kentucky,  every preview is merely an opinion and thankfully the season is decided and played out on the floor.

What makes it extremely enjoyable for me is the enthusiasm the coaches and players bring to the table each season.  I spent 45 minutes talking to one of the coaches tonight and it was obvious he loves his job and is very excited about the upcoming season and about the future and potential of his individual players.  Each season  heralds the return of established stars and the emergence of new player who will be making the headlines this season.

I have been watching basketball for more years than I care to admit but one thing remains constant over all the years.  I still get as excited about the new season as I did as a young boy many years ago.  While I realize we did not invent the game in Kentucky there is something special in the love we have for the game where it be in the cities or in the mountains.

 

 

Introduction
Topic: Ron Harrison
My name is Ron Harrison and I have been attending and enjoying high school basketball since the late 50's.  I have had a website kyprephoops for the last ten years.  My website is devoted to the coverage of boys and girls high school basketball in the state of Kentucky.  I also cover both boys and girls AAU events in the state of Kentucky and display Rick Bolus' player rankings.  I do not personally rank players but spend most of my time on game and event coverage.  Do I consider myself an expert or guru?  No, but I have seen a lot of games and players over my career and I have been advised and helped by people I do consider expert.  You are never too old to learn and I firmly believe you cannot listen with your mouth open so I try to listen a lot and learn.  I intend to start a blog and link it to my website and hopefully starting in October 2008 post some random thoughts and observations several times a week.