Who are Kentucky’s top 25 boys’ high school basketball teams for 2022-23?

With some of its top players from last year’s state championship team still in the fold, Clark County is looking to run it back this season. And a lot of folks think they can do it.

The defending Boys’ Sweet 16 and 10th Region champs garnered 72 No. 1 votes among the 113 cast by coaches voting in this year’s @HLpreps preseason boys’ basketball survey. The poll asked every coach to rank their “top 10 teams in the state.”

“We want to compete at the highest level that our team possibly can,” Clark County Coach Josh Cook said. “ I’m hopeful that we can continue to have a championship mindset and chase the dream once again.”

Clark County needed a buzzer-beater to top Warren Central in the championship game and had to survive an overtime thriller against Lincoln County on the way. And there will be plenty of challengers between now and next March’s state tournament games at Rupp Arena.

Warren Central also returns a lot of talent and got the next most No. 1 nods with 19. There are many who believe Trinity is ready to make a run, too. The Shamrocks got 13 No. 1 votes.

Here’s a look at this year’s Herald-Leader High School Boys’ Basketball Preseason Top 25 as voted on by the state’s coaches with a brief summary of what we know about the top 10 teams and a note about each of the next 15.

The top 10

(Last season’s record in parenthesis)

1. Clark County (37-1): Start with leading scorer and Sweet 16 MVP Jerone Morton (18.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), a 6-4 senior who recently committed to Morehead State. With him are 5-11 combo guard Sam Parrish (13.1 ppg) and 6-8 senior forward Trent Edwards (12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg). Look for significant step-ups from 6-1 junior guard Reshaun Hampton (7.7 ppg) and 6-3 senior Tyleik Maxwell, who had a breakout football performance this fall as Clark’s quarterback. They will test themselves early with appearances in the Louisville King of the Bluegrass tournament, where they took their only loss last year, and the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Beach Ball Classic. “It’s an extremely tough schedule but should provide us with some great opportunities for our kids and program,” Coach Cook said.

2. Warren Central (29-4): Last year’s 4th Region champions and state runners-up have six of their top seven players ready for another run including 6-4 senior Chappelle Whitney (13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 6-3 senior Omari Glover (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 6-3 senior Damarion Walkup (9.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Coach Wes Unseld’s son, Kade Unseld (9.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a 6-5 junior. The Dragons also have 5-11 junior Izayaih Villafuerte (6 ppg) and expect a step up from 6-6 junior Tayvion Wells. “Our strengths will be our experience, length, and depth. We have a very talented group of young men who enjoy playing together,” Wes Unseld said.

3. Trinity (Louisville) (17-16): The Rocks picked up two big-time transfers who should help Trinity compete for the 7th Region title and beyond. Drae Vasser, a 6-1 junior, averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds for Jeffersontown’s 6th Region champs. Jayden Johnson, a 6-5 freshman, averaged 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds for 7th Region champion Male. Both have Division I offers. Combine with seniors Cam McClain (17.2 ppg), who led last year’s Rocks in scoring, CJ Walls (11.5 ppg) and 6-8 junior David Pfeiffer (4.5 rpg) and you can see why Trinity should be a major threat.

4. North Laurel (28-6): The Jaguars will be looking for their second straight trip to the Sweet 16 out of the 13th Region led by no-doubt Mr. Basketball candidate and Kentucky commit Reed Sheppard (25.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg), who really needs no introduction. He’s joined by underrated 6-4 senior Ryan Davidson (20.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and junior transfer Gavin Chadwell (13.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg), a 6-5, 230-pound forward who came over from rival Knox Central with a Kentucky football offer and a Thor-like physique. Chadwell transferred to North Laurel in the middle of the football season. Brody Brock (8.2 ppg), a 6-1 junior, ranks among the Jags’ three-point threats, making them at a 43.3 percent clip.

5. Covington Catholic (30-5): The Colonels reeled off 12 straight wins on their way to a 9th Region title and the state final four and return leading scorer Evan Ipsaro (21.7 ppg), a 5-11 senior signed with Miami (Ohio). Coach Scott Ruthsatz believes his guard play will be strong with 6-1 senior Kascyl McGillis (7.7 ppg) and 6-2 junior Brady Hussey (6.7 ppg) also back, but they’ll miss the rebounding of graduate Mitchell Rylee (now at Miami) and transfer Chandler Starks (Anderson Township, Ohio). Incoming 6-5 freshman Donovan Bradshaw could help with that.

6. Male (28-6): The Bulldogs return a strong backcourt, led by 6-foot senior point guard Jack Edelen (13.2 ppg), Male’s leading returning scorer. He’s joined by Demetrius White (9.2 ppg), a 6-2 senior, and younger brother Cole Edelen (6.4 ppg), a 6-1 freshman who coach Timothy Haworth says “has a chance to be one of the best guards I have ever coached.” Male will miss the inside presence of Kaleb Glenn and Jayden Johnson, who each transferred out, but Haworth likes the versatility of 6-5 sophomore Jason Gasaway and also has size with 6-7 sophomore Keyshawn Jordan.

7. Great Crossing (27-7): Malachi Moreno (11.9 ppg, 12 rpg), a 6-11 sophomore center, already has a slew of Division I offers (Iowa, Indiana, Ohio State, etc). He’s joined by fellow sophomores 6-3 guard Vince Dawson III (15.6 ppg), 5-9 guard Junius Burrell (10.9 ppg) and 6-4 guard Gage Richardson (8.3 ppg). Add 6-7 junior forward Jeremiah Godfrey and senior transfer DeJohn Blunt (11.7 ppg), a 6-3 guard from Bourbon County and you have a favorite for the 11th Region crown and a serious threat for even more glory.

8. Ashland Blazer (26-6): Zander Carter (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), a 6-5 sophomore, and Tucker Conway (8.2 ppg), a 6-3 senior, will lead a team that lost more than 4,700 points from a year ago and had longtime head coach Jason Mays dismissed amid recruiting allegations just a few weeks before the season starts. Interim coach Ryan Bonner takes over and will try to keep the Tomcats’ four-year streak of 16th Region championships alive. He’ll have newcomer Rheyce Deboard (16 ppg), a 6-1 senior transfer from Boyd County. James Mayor, a 6-10 junior, could be ready for a breakout season.

9. Western (23-5): The Warriors return their leading scorer and leading rebounder from a year ago in 5-11 senior Trent Hinkle (15.1 ppg) and 6-8 sophomore Jayden Miles (8.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg). They also have tremendous length for a high school team with 6-6 sophomore Julius Edmonds, 6-8 junior Jaylen Ellis and 6-6 sophomore Elijah Clinton. “Our biggest strength will be our defense,” Coach Brandon Britt said. “A concern is our youth, but we have a shot at making a run in our loaded district and region.”

10. Lyon County (29-7): Travis Perry (27.5 ppg), a 6-2 junior on pace to set Kentucky’s all-time scoring record, delivered on the tremendous hype surrounding him as he and the Lyons reached the Sweet 16 quarterfinals. Fellow juniors Brady Shoulders (8.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg), a 6-6 forward, and Jack Reddick (10.5 ppg), a 6-3 guard, also return to a team that will probably be a 2nd Region and All “A” Classic threat this year and next. “We hope to go even further than we did last season and believe that we can,” Coach Ryan Perry said. “We certainly want to be playing at Rupp again this year. Anything short of that will be disappointing.”

The next 15

(With last year’s record and a brief note)

11. Lexington Catholic (26-6): The defending 43rd District champs have suffered stunning 11th Region exits each of the last two years. Reece Potter, their 7-foot center, just signed with Miami (Ohio).

12. Evangel Christian (22-11): Cyr Malonga (10.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg), a 6-10 East Carolina commit, returns for another run at the 6th Region and All “A” Classic titles.

13. Woodford County (27-6): The Yellow Jackets are loaded with talent, including highly recruited sophomore point guard Jasper Johnson (13.8 ppg), Murray State commit John McCrear (7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and two-sport standouts Aden Nelson and Makhi Smith.

14. Madison Central (20-12): The Indians have transfer Hagan Harrison (24.4 ppg at Montgomery County in 2021-22) to go with the lights-out shooting of Jaylen Davis (17.6 ppg).

15. North Oldham (19-13): The team that stormed last year’s 8th Region Tournament and Sweet 16 returns virtually intact and led by 6-1 senior Dallas Roberts (16.8 ppg).

16. Frederick Douglass (19-15): Interim coach Wes Scarberry has 6-1 senior Kai Simpson (12.9 ppg) back to lead the three-time defending 42nd District champions. With three-fourths of the roster still playing football, it might take time to gel.

17. Ballard (28-7): First-year coach Greg Willis has a practically fresh slate to rebuild the Bruins, who lost their top eight scorers. Seniors Miles Franklin and Tim Fuller top a roster filled with opportunity.

18. DeSales (14-14): The maturing of Will Gibson (15.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), a 6-6 junior committed to Liberty, and brother Crew Gibson (10.7 ppg, 8 rpg), a 6-7 senior, have expectations raised.

19. Pikeville (32-3): The defending 15th Region and All “A” Classic champions return senior Rylee Samons (15.4 ppg), a 6-7 Tennessee Tech commit.

20. Lincoln County (31-8): Leading scorers Tremane Alcorn (13.8 ppg) and Colton Ralston (12.8 ppg) are back for the 12th Region champs who pushed Clark County to two overtimes in the state semis.

21. Bowling Green (26-7): Juniors MJ Warlow (11.6 ppg), the top returning scorer, and Elijah Starks (7.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg), the team’s leading rebounder, return for the Purples.

22. Murray (26-7): Bellarmine commit Grant Whitaker (17.5 ppg), a 6-4 senior on pace to become the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer, returns to lead the 1st Region champs.

23. Manual (21-7): Damone King (15.1 ppg), a 6-2 guard, ranks among the state’s top sophomores for the 22nd District champs.

24. Breathitt County (26-8): The Bobcats return the bulk of the team that reached last year’s All “A” Classic finals, including leading scorers Austin Sperry (15.7 ppg) and Christian Collins (13.5 ppg).

25. Jeffersontown (24-9): The defending 6th Region champions return starters Brandon Gatewood and Lukus McDaniels, but lost standout Drae Vasser to transfer.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

(In points order)

Central, Collins, Holy Cross (Covington), McCracken County, Pleasure Ridge Park, Harlan County, Campbell County, Henry Clay, Conner, Owensboro, Hopkinsville, St. Xavier, Central Hardin, Mason County, Pike County Central, Cooper, Owen County, Washington County, Bardstown and Pulaski County.

Methodology

Our annual survey was emailed to all 276 boys’ basketball head coaches using their email registered with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Multiple attempts were made to encourage every school to participate. Coaches were asked to select their top 10 teams and points were assigned based on a team’s position on the ballot (10 points for No. 1, nine points for No. 2, eight points for No. 3, etc.) and tabulated across all ballots received. Some schools participated in the survey but declined to vote due to unfamiliarity with players and teams outside of their own area. A total of 113 coaches (40.9 percent) voted in our top-10 teams poll of the 164 coaches (59.4 percent) who responded to the survey and supplied information about their teams. Thanks to all.

2022-23 SEASON PREVIEW

This is the first of eight stories the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com is publishing in the coming days previewing the 2022-23 high school boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons, which are scheduled to tip off Nov. 28.