Kentucky Mr. Basketball watch: Who are this season’s leading contenders?
With the high school basketball season entering its final weeks, there’s the question: Who are the top players who could earn the title of Mr. Basketball for 2020?
The official list of candidates will be announced this month by the Kentucky Lion’s Eye Foundation. Coaches and media members submitted nominees this week.
Below are 10 seniors, listed in alphabetical order by last name, who boast prime profiles for Mr. Basketball candidacy. This is not an official list, merely an estimate of who could have the best shot at claiming the award once voting occurs in March. Each of the state’s 16 regions will have at least one nominee on the ballot. Last year, there were 18 boys’ nominees. All team rankings are from the latest Cantrall Ratings.
Ksuan Casey
Team (record): No. 21 Madisonville (21-3)
Height, position: 6-9 power forward
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 11
Region: 2nd
College: Undecided
Season averages: 16.7 points, 9.9 rebounds
The latest: Scored 17 with 12 rebounds in win over Owensboro Catholic; 26 points, 18 rebounds in win over Union County; 18 points, 15 rebounds in win over Owensboro.
Matt Cromer
Team (record): South Laurel (19-4)
Height, position: 6-2 guard
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 23
Region: 13th
College: Undecided
Season averages: 25 points, 8 rebounds
The latest: Scored 35 points with 3 rebounds in win over Harlan County; 30 points, 14 boards in win over Williamsburg; 22 points, 7 rebounds in win over Corbin.
Alex Matthews
Team (record): No. 2 John Hardin (24-1)
Height, position: 6-5 guard/forward
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 10
Region: 5th
College: Undecided
Season averages: 23.9 points, 10.6 rebounds
The latest: Scored 30 points with 16 rebounds in win over Elizabethtown. 36 points, 15 rebounds in win over Fort Knox. 23 points, 12 rebounds in win over Tates Creek; Has surpassed 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds in his career.
Dayvion McKnight
Team (record): No. 12 Collins (18-6)
Height, position: 6-1 point guard
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 1
Region: 8th
College: Western Kentucky
Season averages: 21 points, 7.7 rebounds
The latest: Scored 29 points in loss to DeSales; 22 points, 6 rebounds in win over Woodford County; 35 points, 8 rebounds in loss to Male.
Tyren Moore
Team (record): No. 4 Male (20-4)
Height, position: 6-0 guard
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 9
Region: 7th
College: Lincoln Memorial
Season averages: 18 points, 4.3 rebounds
The latest: Scored 14 points with 2 rebounds in win over Collegiate; 18 points, 3 rebounds in win over Ballard, 25 points, 6 rebounds in win over Collins.
Cody Potter
Team (record): Shelby Valley (18-5)
Height, position: 6-6 guard
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 14
Region: 15th
College: Rollins College
Season averages: 25.2 points, 9.7 rebounds
The latest: Scored 28 points with 13 rebounds in win over Pike County Central; 30 points, 14 rebounds in win over East Ridge. 30 points, 10 rebounds in win over Belfry.
Jackson Sivills
Team (record): No. 15 McCracken County (20-4)
Height, position: 6-6 small forward
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 7
Region: 1st
College: Murray State
Season averages: 22.1 points, 8.3 rebounds
The latest: Missed Massac County (Ill.) game with the flu. 20 points with 8 rebounds in win over Graves County; 16 points, 4 boards in win over St. Mary.
JJ Traynor
Team (record): No. 3 Bardstown (17-6)
Height, position: 6-8 small forward
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 4
Region: 5th
College: Louisville
Season averages: 19.9 points, 11.7 rebounds
The latest: Scored 38 points with 20 rebounds in win over Bethlehem; 23 points, 12 rebounds in win over Christian Academy of Louisville; 22 points, 9 rebounds in win over Hart County.
Marques Warrick
Team (record): No. 18 Henry Clay (17-5)
Height, position: 6-3 guard
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 6
Region: 11th
College: Northern Kentucky
Season averages: 21.2 points, 4.6 rebounds
The latest: Scored 23 points with 5 rebounds in win over Madison Central; 25 points, 3 rebounds in win over Clay County; 19 points 4 rebounds in win over Lafayette.
Kenny White
Team (record): No. 21 Madisonville (21-3)
Height, position: 6-7 small forward
Preseason H-L player rank (coaches vote): No. 5
Region: 2nd
College: Tennessee Tech
Season averages: 19.3 points, 7.4 rebounds
The latest: Scored 15 points with 5 rebounds in win over Owensboro Catholic; 19 points, 8 rebounds in win over Union County; 31 points, 10 rebounds in win over Owensboro.
What happened to?
Unfortunately, each season some hopefuls suffer injuries that could hurt their Mr. Basketball status. But given that, last year, Pendleton County’s Dontaie Allen won the honor despite being injured for nearly the entire season, anything’s possible.
Illinois State commit Howard Fleming of Male, a 6-5 point guard, has missed the first half of the season after shoulder surgery. He’s back, averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in two games.
Auburn commit Justin Powell of North Oldham, a 6-5 guard, aggravated a nagging groin injury during the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic last month. He hasn’t played since and has been ruled out indefinitely.
Who else?
Don’t forget: DAndre Boyd, Warren Central; Mark Goode, LaRue County; Luke Morrison, South Oldham; Wyatt Supplee, Carroll County; and Marcellus Vail, Collins.
Do you think someone’s been overlooked? Email jpeck@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 6:28 PM.
