I know we just finished up regional tournament play, and the Boys Sweet 16 is underway at Rupp Arena, but is it ever really too early to look ahead at next season? Coming off a regional tournament championship, and returning 3 of their 5 starters, it seems pretty obvious that everyone will be chasing Madisonville next season. Who the other contenders are may not quite be so clear. However, we charge ahead with our “Way Too Early” Boys 2nd Region Super 7 for the 2019-2020 season.
1. Madisonville (29-5) – The Maroons knocked off UHA in the regional final for their 22nd consecutive win, and to earn the trip to Rupp Arena. The loss of Cade Cunningham and JD Gilbert will hurt, but Madisonville will return quite possibly the preseason 1-2 players in the region in Kenny White and Ksuan Casey. It will take a big effort to keep the Maroons from repeating.
2. Union County (19-9) – The Braves got hot down the stretch of the 2018-2019 season, winning 9 of 10 before falling to Caldwell County in a tight battle in the opening round of the regional tournament. A big question for the Braves will be whether or not Kale Gaither returns. If he does, the Braves return enough to be a dark horse in the region, and one that will give plenty of teams fits.
3. Henderson County (16-12) – The northern Colonels battled Madisonville through three quarters in the regional semifinals before running out of gas agains the much bigger Maroons. While the loss of Corey Stewart hurts, this was a very young team with seven sophomores that saw action in at least 20 games. In fact, there #2, #3, and #4 scorers were sophomores. This team figures to be even better in 2019-2020.
4. Lyon County (21-10) – The Lyons will still be young in 2019-2020, but that youth will have some significant experience from the 2018-2019 season. The Lyons lose the Gabes, Board and Defew, and Trace Adams, with the loss of Board’s leadership especially hard to replace. Travis Perry, who was the team’s leading scorer as a 7th grader and Jackson Shoulders, who was the #3 scorer as a freshman, will anchor the core of a young but talented group. Lyon may also be the preseason favorite in the 2nd Region All A Classic.
5. UHA (30-5) – The Blazers lose more than any team in the region, but the cupboard is far from bare for the 2019 regional runner-up. Most programs would be in full rebuild or full meltdown mode with the loss of KyKy Tandy, Taquan Hollowell, Drew McGowan, Jaylen Brown, and Zachary Naylor. But those teams would not have KJ Crump, Amani McGee, DJ Quarles, and Will Bryan waiting in the wings as the core of a new team.
6. Christian County (15-17) – There are losses for the southern Colonels, but this team looks scary good with potential for next season. Christan County loses its top two scorers from 2018-2019 in Eric Brody and Fred Tandy, but has some guys loaded with talent who will get their chance to shine next season. Stephon Bussell and Damikeon Mathis will be expected to lead for the team, and up and coming big man Olajuwon White could be a force down in the paint. And, they are coached by Kerry Stovall after all.
7. Webster County (16-14) – The 6th District has the chance to be a brutal one in 2019-2020. And, one of those teams will not get the chance to make the region tournament. The Trojans lose Malachi Douglas and Ryan Skinner, but return everyone else from a team that won the inaugural 2A regional tournament.