3rd Region Hoops — With many of our 3rd Region Hoops Student Athletes playing softball, baseball & travel basketball starting to really pick up, we decided to think way ahead to next season. Yes that’s right, the 22/23 Hoops season JUST ended, but we are already excited and anticipating next season. There was a lot of really talented kids throughout the region this season but next season could provide even more talent. The 22/23 season saw Owensboro Catholic Senior Point Guard Brian Griffith win the 3rd Region Player of the Year award by the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer, 3rd Region Hoops Media Outlet & more. Butler County’s super sophomore Ty Price was ESPN Owensboro’s 3rd Region Player of the Year. On the Girls side, Meade County Sophomore Combo Guard Peyton Bradley was unanimous 3rd Region Player of The Year. Each player was VERY deserving of the awards & have spectacular seasons. Now, let’s get a little ahead of ourselves and maybe even a bit “ridiculous” and make some predictions for both GIRLS & BOYS favorites to win the 3rd Region Player of The Year next season, shall we? Yesterday we released our favorites for the 3rd Region POY on the girls side in part 1. Today we shift to the boys side. Let’s dive in!

• Ty Price (Butler County) 31ppg 5apg “Ty Price is simply sensational from an individual talent standpoint. Listed as a 4 star recruit in many recruiting services, Price has the skill set offensively that very few have had in the 3rd Region. In his sophomore season, he amassed 1,000 points & joined the company of legends, Patrick Sparks of Muhlenberg County & Breckinridge County’s Butch Beard, as the only players in HISTORY to accomplish that feat. Price has elite shot making ability, and see’s the floor at a high level as well. D1 offers have already arrived in Morgantown & more are sure to come. Perhaps, the POY award is his to lose? We must appreciate the caliber of talent that Price is and you should make plans NOW, to travel to Morgantown to watch him play.
• Elijah Decker (Ohio County) 17ppg 8rpg “Decker, the son of Ohio County Head Coach Paul Decker, was a consensus Player of the Year candidate from start to finish last season & next season will be no different. Decker has a 6’6 frame, Great Handles and shot making ability at every level of the floor. His rebounding ability & athleticism may be the most underrated aspect of Elijah’s game. He proved on several different occasions, he is capable of putting a team on his back & packing them to the finish line. None more evident then when the Eagles traveled to Butler County & struggled from the opening tip. Decker scored 29 second half points to overtake the upset minded Bears. Decker will look to lead Ohio County to RUPP Arena next season.
• Gage Phelps (Daviess County) 18ppg 5rpg “Phelps stepped up big for the Panthers last season as the injury bug made a loud appearance for coach Neil Hayden. Phelps is a quietly bouncy 6’2 combo guard that scores the ball at ease at all 3 levels of the floor. The most impressive aspect of his game is the efficiency that he scores with. Gage will be a name you will hear a bunch about from us & everyone else covering the region next season. He might be the best guard at getting to the basket in the region. Look for him & others to make a strong push to get The Panthers back to the Regional Tournament next season.
• Lawson Rice (Butler County) 18ppg 11rpg “there is so much attention on fellow POY Candidate & Teammate Ty Price, but Lawson Rice is a dandy. Not only was Rice a big time scorer but was top 10 in the state in rebounding as well. Rice became the Robbin in Morgantown to Batman and next season will without question be a top 5 player in the 3rd Region.
• Madox Jernigan (Muhlenberg County) 14ppg 4rpg “Jernigan is a smooth lefty with deep range and a quick first step. The Mustangs in unfamiliar fashion, struggled throughout the regular season but found postseason success & Madox was a huge piece of the puzzle. Jernigan is also a sneaky good defender and possesses an above average ability of getting to the basket. Muhlenberg County will not be at the bottom of the standings next season & it will be in large part, because of the talent that Jernigan brings to the floor. When the lights were the brightest last season, Madox was front and center.