Kentucky Poised to Produce
It seems like it has been quite sometime since the state of Kentucky has been among the top in the nation in producing talent. The 80's and early 90's saw a boom of players from the bluegrass state making a huge impact on division 1 games around the country. There were those Kentucky teams that were loaded with homegrown players. Then there were the Louisville teams that hosted names like Griffith, Morton, Wheat and Osborne. For the last 10 years the state has been seemingly in a slump. Sure there were solid players like Carrier, Stockton and Lofton and Rondo but not like before?
Now the state looks poised to solidify itself as a top 15 producer of talent again. There are the names we have all heard of: Darius Miller, Scotty Hopson, Jon Hood, Jacob Jenkins, Aaron Cosby, Dakotah Euton and Chad Jackson. However the state has talent that goes deeper than the household names for the first time in a long time.
Some of the top players in the state are also young. D'carlo Hayes (left) helped to lead his Male Bulldogs to a 23-7 record last season. Hayes was also named the MVP of the Derrick Smith shootout at Hoops. Thomas Blakmore (center) averaged 15 points a game last and helped to lead Butler to a respectable 19-12 record. Ian Chiles (right) is possibly better than his older brother Adam. Ian's Ballard squad finished 21-10 last season.
Darnell Davis plays out one of the top producers of talent per capita in the nation, Hopkinsville. Davis is a solid prospect. Davis is 6'5 has a wide frame and is a solid post player.
Shaquille Wilson has been on Xavier's radar for sometime and is a long smooth athlete also out of Hopkinsville. Wilson is a terrific shooter and should flourish during the remainder of his high school career.
The state is also host Clint Stepp who attends June Buchannan. Stepp burst onto the national scene at the Adidas Super 64 in Vegas. Stepp had games with 26 and 33 points respectively. His family is associated with high scoring production so this doesn't come as a shock locally, however nationally Stepp is now on the radar.
Richie Phares out of Scott County is a 6'7 power forward that can shoot as well. Phares has been contacted by all of the local mid majors and will be a solid player at that level.
In the end the best way to sum things up in this agricultural state is that the drought just may be over.
