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Hoops Hotbed: Kentucky

Lexington, Ky- Elizabethtown’s Steffphon Pettigrew was no doubt the best high school player in Kentucky after leading the state both in scoring and rebounding for much of the season.  But Louisville Doss’s Jeff Brooks (Penn State-signee) claims the top ranking in our list of the top 20 seniors in the Bluegrass. 

Brooks gets the nod because he has a much higher ceiling at the next level than Pettigrew. 

Although Pettigrew dominated his Kentucky high school competition it is still uncertain if he is maxed out as an undersized power forward or if he can make the transition to the small forward spot in college.

Time will tell.

Brooks on the other hand has shown excellent skill away from the basket and the ability to play the three while having the size and length to play either forward spots.  He is a potential impact player in the Big 10 down the road.

Ballard’s Antiquan Beckham checks in at #3.  The 6’5 point guard proved to be a high major talent this season and he got a serious look at the top spot in these rankings.

Preston Knowles and Matt Walls round out the top five as each player stepped up big during their teams’ tournament runs.  Knowles led Clark County to an upset victory over Mason County in the 10th Region final to advance to the Sweet 16 while Walls led Scott County to the state championship.

TOP 20

1.  Jeff Brooks 6’8 SF Louisville (KY) Doss PENN STATE
2.  Steffphon Pettigrew 6’5 PF Elizabethtown (KY) High
3.  Antiquan Beckham 6’5 PG Louisville (KY) Ballard IUPUI (Prep School?)
4.  Preston Knowles 6’1 CG Winchester (KY) Clark County
5.  Matt Walls 6’3 CG Georgetown (KY) Scott County
6.  Ty Proffitt 6’4 SG London (KY) South Laurel
7.  Thomas Coleman 6’9 C Jeffersontown (KY) High
8.  Jeremy Anderson 6’4 SG Bowling Green (KY) Warren Central
9.  Matt Fraliex 6’5 Princeton (KY) Caldwell County
10. Austin Hill 6’1 SG Covington (KY) Holmes
11. Doug Beaumont 5’10 PG Louisville (KY) Male LOUISVILLE (Football)
12. Johonne Hamilton 6’1 SG Louisville (KY) Ballard
13. Trey Smith 6’9 PF London (KY) South Laurel
14. Jaron Jones  6’5 GF Lexington (KY) Brian Station
15. Kerry Benson 6’6 SF Louisville (KY) Pleasure Ridge Park
16. Jon Van Hoose 6’4 SG Russell (KY) High
17. Riley Benock 6’4 SF Meade County
18. Jonathon Gholson 6’3 SF Louisville (KY) Ballard
19. Reggie Smith 6’4 PF Fairdale (KY) High
20. Nick Britt 6’0 PG Bowling Green Warren Central