OK, I will start the week of rankings off with a solid class in Kentucky – 2013.
It’s a deep class and a very solid group of athletes and at this point I think it’s one of the easiest to make a call on the top-ranked player.
Darryl Hicks, who attended Shelby County and was a star as a freshman last season, received a ton of national attention last summer on the AAU circuit. He already has a ton of college interest, including an offer from Indiana.
Hicks (photo), who is slated to attend Collins – the new school in Shelby County this fall, is one of the top five prospects in the entire state – regardless of class.
The intriguing one here is No. 2 James Quick of Trinity. He’s also the state’s top football prospect in the ’13 class and won a state title in track. The kid would be a major, major Division I basketball prospect if he only focused on basketball.
Here’s the top 20 – remember this is not just based on how they rank in high school but I also talked to college coaches and experts and tried to project a little further down the road:
- Darryl Hicks, Collins, 6-4 – Not many prospects have the entire package but at this point Hicks has it all. He can stroke it from outside, is a solid slasher to the basket and just has a swagger about him on the court.
- James Quick, Trinity, 6-1 – The name is appropriate – he’s quick. Quick is a sensational ballhandler, can score several ways and is just an all-around big-time athlete.
- Larry Morton, Bryan Station, 6-2 – Sat out last year after enrolling at Lexington Catholic and just left there to go to Bryan Station. Kid is a player when he gets on the court.
- Dominique Hawkins, Madison Central, 5-11 – Did more than just play on the varsity level as a freshman, he was often the best player on the court.
- Mike Smith, Sayre, 5-9 – Averaged more than 20 points a game – leading all of Fayette County in scoring – as a freshman.
- Lavonne Holland, Ballard, 5-9 – Will be a major contributor for the Bruins next season; quick as can be and can fill it up.
- Omar Prewitt, Montgomery County, 6-3 – The son of former Kentucky women’s great Lea Wise-Prewitt and the youngster can fill it up just like his mom.
- Braxton McFarland, Tates Creek, 6-3 – An athletic forward, McFarland has a ton of upside and might be higher on the list. Have to see more of his game.
- Cameron Lewis, Eastern, 6-2 – Another in the long line of All-State caliber players that will see plenty of playing time this season for the Eagles.
- Derek Willis, Bullitt East, 6-8 – Was just inside my top 20 until watching him in two recent events when his stock started to soar. Kid has a tremendous skill-set for a youngster and he’s only going to get bigger.
- Nate McGovney, Campbell County
- Blake Sanders, South Laurel
- Christian McClendon, Holmes
- Quin Richardson, Scott County
- Mason Monroe, Pendleton County
- Trevor Tilley, Paintsville
- Jason Hatcher, Trinity
- Rusty Troutman, Bullitt East
- Eric Trigg, Lexington Catholic
- Kyle Brown, West Carter
Others to remember: Kyle Skaggs, Russell; Dalton Cornett, Perry Central; Miles Rice, Trinity; Tony Goral, St. Xavier; Marcus Cosby, Bardstown; Ryan Timmons, Franklin County; Justin Moody, St. Xavier; Boo Crabtree, Fairdale; Dontez Byrd, Ballard; DeMarcus Page, Trinity; Taylor Gover, Pulaski County; Luke Hill, Lincoln County; David Levitch, North Oldham.
