3rd Region Hoops- The 2023-24 BOYS Basketball Season is over, officially capping the KHSAA basketball season with closure. In one of the more entertaining Sweet 16’s in a long time, Lyon County won its first ever State Championship, behind the 3 headed monster of Jack Reddick, Brady Shoulders & Mr. Basketball Travis Perry. Within the 3rd Region, it was an exciting season that ended with Butler County capturing their first ever regional title. Let’s dive into the region and do a recap of each team.

9th District

District Champ: O’Cath

District Player of the Year: Luke Beickman (O’Cath)

Team Recap:

Daviess County (24-8)

The 2023-24 season saw the Daviess County Men’s Basketball be completely rejuvenated. A program that had lacked postseason success in recent years, and had consistently found themselves a middle of the pack squad. There was pressure to win & flip the script. That’s exactly what HC Neil Hayden and that staff did. Sophomore standout & First Team ALL 3rd Region member Jonathan Moss (17ppg, 4apg) was stellar (Especially the 2nd half of the season), Senior Gage Phelps (16ppg, 4rpg) was steady all season lon, earning 2nd Team ALL 3RH. Junior Jaxon Brown was somewhat of a surprise, but showed the ability to take over a game in an instant. This team won the 9th District regular season title outright but feel like they let a district title slip away. Losing the district title proved to be the demise of the season, instead of drawing 12th district runner up Edmonson County, they drew 12th District Champ Butler County in the first round of the Regional Tournament. This team resolidified itself as a regional contender and that’s not changing anytime soon. A great year that, again, completely flipped the standard of that program.

Owensboro (13-13)

There is no such thing as a rebuild year for OHS. A program that has more talent roaming the halls than many have on their roster, this is a program that expects to contend for titles year in and year out. This season was a difficult one for the Red Devils. They struggled to find consistency from the start and essentially lost in the 1st Round of the district tournament. In spite of the finish, this team was capable of beating anyone on any given night. Junior Keaton Hughes (16ppg, 10rpg) put together a huge year for HC Rod Drake, earning 2nd Team ALL 3RH. Senior Dayshaun Sanders (17ppg, 5rpg) was the key that made everything go & made a strong case for the Most Improved player in the region. Freshman Legacy name, Michael Acton (10ppg, 4rpg) was named Newcomer of The Year and put together a very solid freshman year.

Apollo (16-14)

There is simply no better way to describe the Apollo Eagles season than to say this; There is LEGITIMATE optimism around the program for the first time in a long time. First year HC Ryne Tinsley took over a dumpster fire. A program that had simply forgot how to win. A program that at one time was the standard but had lost its way. They won 16 games. 16. That is exceeding the expectations of those of us outside the program. A talented group of young freshman highlighted by Tate Powers (10ppg), Eli Williams (8ppg) & Landon Henning (7ppg, 7rpg), this 2023-24 squad laid the foundation of a COMEBACK. You’ll never hang banners without learning how to win. That’s exactly what this staff did this year – TEACH THEM HOW TO WIN – Again, there’s reason for optimism on Tamarack Road for the first time in a long time!

Owensboro Catholic (23-10)

For the 6th time in 9 seasons, HC Tim Riley had his Aces playing for a regional title. This one however, could be argued as his best coaching job at O’Cath. Losing Brian Griffith & Parker Gray from last season’s squad left big shoes to fill for this year’s Aces team. Luke Beickman (21ppg, 6rpg) put together a blow up season, earning First Team ALL 3RH honors. Tutt Carrico (11ppg, 8rpg) put together a strong senior campaign. It took them a little bit of time to get going, but they were always going to be a top 4 team when the dust settled, which is exactly what happened. Waryn Ebelhar (11ppg) put together a solid season as well. You can never count out a Tim Riley led team and this year proved that. A team that was overlooked by many, ended the season just 1 win away from Rupp Arena and won the 9th District tournament, which was one of the toughest districts in Western Kentucky.

10th District

District Player of the Year:

Elijah Decker (Ohio County)

District Champion:

Ohio County

Team Recaps:

McLean County (16-12)

There were high expectations for The Cougars coming into the season. Some even had them ranked inside the top 5. This season could best be described as a “Tale of two halves” – They started out hot in the early half of the season, but things seemingly shifted down the stretch. They went winless in District play and went just 6-10 VS 3rd Region opponents. This was essentially a regroup year for Coach Darren Lynam, who’s without debate, a top 5 coach in the region. He had to replace one the programs all time great guards in Jaxon Floyd, which was nearly impossible to do. Gunnar Revelett (19ppg, 6rpg) put together a very good junior year and was a finalist for Most Improved Player of The Year as well as a fringe ALL Region member. Sophomore Camden Baird (6ppg, 42% from 3) stepped up and gained varsity experience to carry into the offseason. Brodie Cline (14ppg) provided a veteran presence in the locker room but missed 10 games. The expectations have shifted under Coach Lynam, so missing out on the Regional Tournament won’t sit well with the staff, but there were many things to build on in Calhoun.

Ohio County (19-13)

Coming into the season, The Eagles started preseason #1 & like most years in Hartford, it was expected that they compete for a championship. It didn’t take long for the realization to set in, that this season would be a struggle. The first half of the season was plagued with major injuries to key players, including Carson Kennedy, who would miss the entire season with a back injury. Unwilling to make excuses for his ball club, HC Paul Decker threw sophomore’s Ryan Durham & Tate Abney into a much larger role than originally anticipated. Sophomore sharpshooter Alex Quisenberry was also thrown into the mix. The 2nd half of the season saw Ohio County peak, go without blemish in the district and advance to the Regional Final Four. Senior Elijah Decker (20ppg, 6rpg) was as good as advertised, earning ALL 3RH FIRST TEAM honors. Senior Bo Morse (10ppg, 6rpg) was a man amongst boys & Senior Carter Young (15ppg, 6rpg) was steady all season long. Senior Brady Ward provided another veteran voice in the locker room & played a major role in the team sticking together through adversity.

Muhlenberg County (9-23)

The casual fan might not realize it, but the Mustangs were young. Madox Jernigan (16ppg, 4rpg) was great in his final season, earning ALL 3RH SECOND TEAM, but outside of him, they were young. Jace Sommers (13ppg, 41% from 3), Isaac Coats (10ppg) and Kason Morris (7ppg, 4rpg) were all major contributors for HC Aaron Morris. Junior Madix Brannon (6ppg, 6rpg) done a lot of things that didn’t show up in the box score. Muhlenberg County finished as the District runner up & advanced to the Regional Final Four. This is a team that no matter the record, when the calendar gets to March, The Mustangs always seem to peak & of course this season it was no different. One of the key pieces of this season was the ability for the staff to integrate young players into the varsity rotation, setting the future up to look really nice. No, the win total isn’t pretty, but patience is the key & brighter days are literally RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER in Greenville.

11th District

11th District Champion:

Meade County

District Player of The Year:

Mercer Rogers (Breckinridge County)

Team Recaps:

Hancock County (9-20)

This season was always going to be the beginning of a total rebuild for first year HC Joshua Roberts. The Hornets played wealth of players with little varsity experience, but Alex Madden (11ppg, 9rpg) put together an impressive Junior campaign. Junior Dylan Morris (10ppg, 4rpg) was another bright spot as well. Freshman Keegan Wilson (6ppg) proved to be one of the best freshman in the Region and gained pivotal varsity experience. There were highs & lows but one of the main goals for the season was accomplished, kids got varsity experience and the foundation of success was laid & much of their production returns. Coach Roberts has a good track record & knows what it takes to win. There weren’t many teams that played harder & competed harder the guys from Hawesville.

Meade County (16-16)

The Green Wave were without the services of Cade Scott who suffered a shoulder injury in the offseason & caused him to miss the season. There were other injuries throughout the season that hindered the roster. This was a team that expected to compete though, with Senior Garrett Hardesty (16ppg, 4rpg) & Peyton Johnston (12ppg, 43% from 3) were solid all season long for HC Jason Tripure. Sophomore Hayden Shouse (13ppg, 6rpg) had a breakout season and took massive steps forward. This was a season that was up & down for much of the year, but down the stretch they were playing their best ball of the year. Capturing the 11th District title by defeating Breckinridge County was sweet, especially when you consider the Wave were swept by their bitter rivals during the season. 2 weeks ago, it could’ve been considered an underachieving season, but the more you consider everything, it wasn’t.

Breckinridge County (16-13)

The start of the season could best be described as a total disaster. The struggles were extremely loud & in a place like Breck County, the pride in Tiger Athletics is extremely high & something wasn’t right. Kudos though, to HC Jeff Lagrange for righting the ship The Tigers turned things around, slowly but surely. The regular season was highlighted by a sweep of Meade County and going undefeated in District play. Junior Mercer Rogers (15ppg, 5rpg) put together a great season, earning ALL 3RH SECOND TEAM honors. Lance Poole (11ppg) put together an impressive season as well. Breck lost in the District final to Meade County but found themselves in the Regional Tournament. It went from thinking the worst, to a lot of optimism within the program. There’s a strong junior class in Hardinsburg that produced at a high level this season. There’s no way to look at the season other than a success when you think about how far they evolved from the start of the season to the end.

Cloverport (4-22)

Cloverport faces an uphill battle year in & year out. Cole Weatherholt (17ppg, 6rpg) doesn’t get enough recognition for the production he brings. Dorcey Emery (10ppg, 6rpg) was solid for The Aces as well. Weatherholt finishes his career in Cloverport but put together a solid career. There was a ton of youth on the roster (two 8th graders & four freshman) and the situation with the program is to just do your best and never stop learning & trying to improve.

12th District

District Champions:

Butler County

District Player of the Year:

Ty Price (Butler County)

Team Recaps:

Butler County (23-9)

The Bears made history, winning their first ever Regional Championship & brought Morgantown to life. A loaded 25′ class has raised the expectations to heights unfamiliar to Butler County. Ty Price (29ppg, 4apg) won Player of The Year and put together a historical run in the Regional Tournament. Lawson Rice (18ppg, 11rpg) earned ALL 3RH FIRST TEAM honors and had himself a huge showing during the State Tournament matchup with Evangel Christian. The offseason addition of Briar Griffin (11ppg, 4rpg) who won 3RH Defensive Player of The Year, was arguably the most impactful thing to happen to this roster. Griffin provided The Bears with another ball handler and a lock down defender. Justin Castlen (10ppg, 5rpg) & Trevor Deweese (7ppg, 8rpg) continued to be 2 of the most underappreciated players in the region. Though the run ended with a one and done trip to the State Tournament, this team was the kings of the 3rd Region all season long and there’s simply NOTHING you can say to change that. A magical season in MOTOWN.

Whitesville Trinity (2-28)

A rebuild is always tough, but it seems to be magnified at a place like Trinity. With a small enrollment, losing a class like the class of 23′ is impossible to replace in a year. Head Coach Nathan West is one of the best coaches in the Region. Juniors’ Hayden Aull (13ppg) and Connor Hatfield (10ppg, 5rpg) led the Raiders and gained a ton of experience that’ll carry over into the offseason and in to next season. Freshman Cale Boarman burst on to the season at the point guard spot and gave them an anchor for the future. Though a long season, with Nathan West at the helm and the majority of this season’s production all returning, there’s brighter days ahead.

Grayson County (17-12)

This Cougar team could beat anyone & in turn, could lose to anyone as well. People forget this group is the youngest team in the region. Freshman Jack Logsdon (19ppg, 7rpg) is a solidified star and will be around for a while. The improvement of Spencer Langdon (17ppg, 40% from 3) was MASSIVE, earning him 3RH Most Improved Player of The Year. Brody Armstrong (12ppg, 5rpg) proved to be SO important to this teams success. Obviously, the Region was shocked when the Cougars were bounced in the first round of the District Tournament, but again, THESE KIDS ARE JUST FRESHMAN. HC Travis Johnston opened his offense up and gave the fanbase an exciting brand of basketball. Does the way the season ended make the season a disappointment? Yes & No. With such a talented crop of young talent, the expectations high, but at the same time, unfair. The best is yet to come.

Edmonson County (14-16)

This season was a positive. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re delusional. The program had to replace a very good 23′ class and also replaced one of the best coaches in the state, Brad Johnson. First Year HC Trey Tinsley had an impossible task of pleasing a fan base all while following Coach Johnson. They had Senior Will Alexander (12ppg, 37% from 3) to hold the fort down during the transition and there is nobody in the region, as underrated as Alexander. The Wildcats pulled off the biggest upset in the Region by beating Grayson County in the first round of the 12th District Tournament. They made the Regional Tournament for the 2nd consecutive season. Juniors’ Joshua Decker (11pg, 9rpg) and Wyatt Gravil (9ppg, 5rpg, 63% field goal percentage) were HUGE this season. Senior Layne Ashley (8ppg, 6rpg) went under the radar this season but was a really solid piece to alongside Alexander, help make the transition from coaching staffs as smooth as possible. Yes, the season had many ups and downs, but again, it was a positive.