The Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches will announce regional players of the year and the 2024 Mr. Kentucky Basketball finalists Friday at 9 a.m. from Rupp Arena in Lexington. Mr. Kentucky Basketball recognizes the top high school male senior basketball player in the state. The winner will be announced at the Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Awards Ceremony March 17 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington.
Mr. Kentucky Basketball has been announced since 1954. There have been two local winners. Doug Schloemer from Holmes won in 1978. Highlands’ Ross Neltner won in 2003.
In anticipation of Friday’s announcement, here are this season’s top senior boys basketball players in Northern Kentucky. The list is broken down by region with players from the 8th, 9th and 10th Regions considered.
9TH REGION
Hudson Blank, Dixie Heights, Guard
Hudson Blank is leading the Colonels in scoring and rebounding for the second straight season with 16.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 54.2% from the field, second among regulars. He has scored nearly 1,100 career points at Dixie Heights.
Jabari Covington, Newport, Guard
Jabari Covington is second on the Wildcats in scoring (12.5 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (3.3 rpg) while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He hasn’t missed a game this season. He has scored nearly 800 points in his two years at Newport.
Mason Hall, Boone County, Guard
One of the most improved players in the area, Mason Hall has helped ignite the Rebels’ resurgence by upping his scoring average from 10.4 points per game as a junior to a team-leading 16.6. His field goal shooting and 3-point shooting percentages also have improved.
Brady Hussey, Covington Catholic, Guard
Brady Hussey has already won an award included with the Mr. Kentucky Basketball honors, the 11th annual Wah Wah Jones Award, going to the male high school senior multi-sport athlete who exemplifies the essence of a student-athlete. He is averaging 14.1 points per game. With 971 career points in three varsity seasons, he needs 29 to join the 1,000-point club. Hussey is the only athlete in school history to be named first-team all-state in basketball and tennis in the same year.
Deshaun Jackson, Newport, Forward
A critical player on one of the best squads in the state, Deshaun Jackson leads the Wildcats in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and is third in scoring (11.5 ppg) during his first season with the team. He’s shooting 54.6 percent from the field as one of just two seniors on the Wildcats.
Maddox Jones, Boone County, Forward
One of nine seniors on the roster, Maddox Jones is a key leader for the Rebels. He paces the team in rebounding (8.3 rpg) and field goal shooting (63.9%) and is third in scoring (14.6 ppg). With 892 career points in basically three seasons, he is approaching 1,000 in his career.
Caden Miller, Covington Catholic, Center
Caden Miller is in his first and only season with the Colonels and he’s made it a memorable one by giving the team a dominating inside presence that it otherwise would have lacked. Miller leads the team with 15.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game and he’s among state leaders in field goal shooting (67.9%).
Brayden Moeves, Highlands, Guard
Brayden Moeves is second on the Bluebirds in scoring (16.9 ppg) and ranks third in rebounding (4.7 rpg). He leads the team in 3-point shooting (45.6%). He has scored 844 career points in three seasons with the varsity.
Shaun Pouncy, Cooper, Forward
Shaun Pouncy’s bounce-back season has helped the Jaguars steer through an injury-plagued campaign that has caused Pouncy to miss some time. Even so, he leads Cooper in scoring (15.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg) and is among state leaders in field goal shooting (68.6%). Pouncy played in just three games last season due to injury.
Nathan Vinson, Highlands, Guard
Nathan Vinson leads the Bluebirds in scoring (18 ppg) and rebounding (5.7 rpg). He has scored more than 1,000 points over the past two seasons. He has scored nearly 1,100 points in his three-year career
Thomas Williams, Boone County, Forward
“Pop” Williams is second on the Rebels in scoring (15.4 ppg) for the second straight season and third in rebounding (4.4 rpg) with solid shooting percentages. He recently joined the 1,000-point club and has keyed a Boone County reversal. The Rebels won five games last season. They have won 18 so far this season.
8TH REGION
Julian Dixon, Walton-Verona, Forward
Julian Dixon leads the Bearcats in rebounding (7.6 rpg) for the third straight season and is second in scoring (15.3 ppg), free throw shooting (73.1%) and field goal shooting (50.3%). He has scored more than 1,300 points in his career.
Travis Krohman, Simon Kenton, Guard
Travis Krohman is leading the Pioneers in scoring for the third consecutive season with 16.2 points per game. He also leads the team in free throw shooting (88.7%) and 3-point shooting (42.1%). He has scored more than 1,300 points in his career. Krohman is committed to Thomas More University.
10TH REGION
Connor Weinel, Campbell County, Forward
A greatly improved player, Connor Weinel leads Campbell County in scoring (15.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.7 rpg). He’s shooting 57.2% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. He averaged 6.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a junior. He’s approaching 700 career points.
Dylan Giffen, Scott, Guard
Dylan Giffen ranks second on the Eagles in scoring with 12.4 points per game and he’s fourth in rebounding. He led the team last season with 14.4 points per game. He recently joined the 1,000-point club.
Xarek Sarakatsannis, Scott, Guard
Xarek Sarakatsannis leads the Eagles in scoring (13.5 ppg) and he’s third in rebounding (4.1 rpg) in his second season with the team. He leads all Scott regulars in 3-point shooting percentage (43.8%) and free throw shooting (82.1%).
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Caleb Eaglin, Newport Central Catholic, Guard: 12.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg.
Noah Frommeyer, Bellevue, Guard: 18.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
Mason Johnson, Dayton, Guard 20.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
Elijah Perrin, Ludlow, Guard: 17.3 ppg and 10 rpg.
Andrew Reis, St. Henry, Guard: 14.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg.
Henry Thole, Villa Madonna, Center, 18 ppg and 15.3 rpg.