Scott County Wrap-Up

Through my first year of covering Scott County boys basketball, I found one thing to stand-out above anything else; they are every bit as hated as my alma mater, Highlands.

The one thing about my job is that I obviously get to know people inside the program instead of being an onlooker from the outside. That is usually where the haters preside. And programs that have success, like the Cardinals or beloved Bluebirds, are usually the ones that people dislike the most.

So I thought I would give you my impressions of, in my 29 years on this Earth, the best high school basketball team I have ever seen.

Head coach Billy Hicks

An absolute gentlemen. A very soft-spoken, unassuming man who at no point refused access. I have been covering high school sports for a while now and most coaches treat their team like classified FBI files. Not the case here. While others in his profession feel they are involved in espionage, Billy was a class act all year and is easy to see why he has the respect of every coach and media person in the state. In an "oh sh*t" moment I had, Billy accidentally slipped the s-word in our post-game talk when describing Chad Jackson's dunk on Madison Central's Keshawn Simpson. I acted like nothing happened, hope the FCC wasn't tuning in.

Junior Forward Dakotah Euton

The big story coming into the year. Being a commit to the holiest of holies in the state, the Kentucky Wildcats, Dakotah stepped onto a huge stage after transferring from Rose Hill. No question the vocal leader of the Cards on and off the floor. A good kid, well-spoken and doesn't let pressure get to him. As a player, I'd have to say average athleticism and a hard worker. Hardest working player on the floor. He's a European-type big man who doesn't play under the basket offensively. Great outside shooter and fair ball-handler. He needs to be more polished to get time on the floor at Rupp. He's got a steep hill to climb.

Junior Guard Ge-Lawn Guyn

Another transfer from a year earlier. A ferocious competitor. Towards the end of the year his physical style became a story and officials kept a close eye on him. When he gets the ball on a rebound, he takes his swings. Likes to use his strength and quickness, and he will take you out if you press him after a rebound, ask Madison Southern. Ge-lawn's rap was one of a difficult kid with an attitude problem. His style of play doesn't do him any favors in the popularity category but in the few moments I spent with him, he seemed to be a great kid and misunderstood. As congenial as anyone else. He stepped up big-time in the regional championship with Richie out. His last shot was scrutinized but he was the reason they were in a position to win. He also added maybe the best defensive play of the year by fouling Lex Cath with 1 to give with 9 seconds left. Not sure if he's gonna take the free-ride to Western Kentucky, but if he does, the Hilltoppers got a steal. A great scorer and defender. Chris Lofton anybody?

Freshmen Tamron Manning and Isiah Ivey

Probably the best frosh duo in Kentucky. Many thought coming into this year they would be and Manning certainly showed he's up to the challenge. Billy called him the toughest player on the team. High marks for a tough group. Isiah was hampered with a broken finger on his shooting hand that kept him out virtually the entire first half of the season but played huge in the regional tournament. He gave huge minutes in the win over Lafayette following Richie's injury. These two are outstanding and will be big keys next year with no big presence down low.

Senior Center Richie Phares

The story coming into this year for SC was the transfers of Chad Jackson and UK commit Dakotah Euton from Rose Hill Academy. What it should've been is "will Richie win Mr. Basketball?" I talked with Georgetown College head coach, as I frequently do, after the season opener against Ballard and said with all the talk of the transfers "Richie is probably the best player on the team."

He replied "there's no doubt he is."

Of the "super team" that came together this year, Richie was one of the two players that the team could ill afford to lose. And tragically they did, as Richie blew out his knee in the regional semi-final win over Lafayette. To all of us on 'press row,' we thought he hyper-extended it. It didn't look very bad on the outset, but stranger things have happened. Throughout the year I joked that Soapy Joe's Carwash "player-of-the-game" segment in the post-game show was Richie's bi-weekly segment. The kid is a class act coming from a class family and will never need a ring to authenticate being a champion. He personifies it. Best of luck in Louisville Richie

Junior point guard Chad Jackson

Again with Happy, "I think if he develops a little better jump shot, he's the best PG in the state."

Reply from Hap: "He's the best now. That jump shot is better than you think."

Promptly and appropriately, Chad nailed a couple of three's in the first quarter that night in the regional final loss to Lexington Catholic.

From friends who have asked about this team all year and who I would want to don the blue and white, my answer has never wavered. Chad Jackson. Incredibly explosive and shot is getting better. Terrific defender at 6'4'' to boot. As above mentioned, the play of the year was from the right wing just in front of the SC bench in the high school gym in Georgetown. I heard his teammates had been on his case about dunking off the dribble, because he had only dunked on alley-oops. He must have taken it to heart because he crossed over all-state fullback and WKU football commit Keshawn Simpson of Madison Central, Simpson falls straight backwards on his rump and CJ takes two dribbles on the baseline and tomahawked it like MJ. I thought the roof was gonna start falling like the Georgia Dome during the SEC Tourney last year. A pro move. The only player I feel is a legit pro prospect.

Chad we would love you in Lexington.

Notes:

• Although most would feel that Gary Ball, Leland Conway and I are rivals, nothing could be further from the truth. We all get along great. Gary and I in particular help each other in any way we can, and although I wish I was the only one there covering these events, I enjoy seeing both of them at each venue.


• High School basketball coaches need to get over themselves for the most part. Excluding Billy and a few others, this is not a top-secret operation. Your stats will not influence the outcome of any game you play. Quit being ridiculous.


• Congratulations to Holmes. Dave Henley did a great job this year and they are deserved champs. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, this year will be remembered all over the state as they year SC had the best team and their star center went down as well as a team from a school with just a 312-person enrollment being a top team in the state.