2021 KBC Champions Classic: Coach Thompson's Notes

Coach Thompson's Notes:

6th Grade

Elijah Faulkner, Elliott County- Elijah has great court vision and can create shots for himself and his teammates. Elijah is a knock down shooter and a floor general. If he continues to progress and and sticks with the grind He has a chance to be a good player on the high school level.

Joe Smith, North Laurel- Joe Smith is a very talented kid. Joe has great size and can finish around the rim. He also showed a soft touch & is a good distributor of the ball for his size & interior presence. Joe has a bright future!

Eli Green, North Oldham- Eli is a sharp shooting point guard with great leadership skills. Eli plays hard and has a high basketball IQ. Eli is another very good North Oldham product who will turn heads around the the state.

Caden Sloan, Elliott County- Caden is a good shooter with a smooth stroke. Caden makes good things happen with ball in his hands.

Deegan Jones, Boyd County- Deegan played with a lot of poise to be a young talent. He makes the game look easy. His is very crafty on the offensive side of the ball. With continued hard work Deegan should be a good high school player in a few years.

Trey Person, Corbin- Trey played very well in the KBC Champions Classic. His smooth and aggressive style of play makes him stick out on the court.

Kingston Brockett, Beechwood- Kingston is the man in the middle for Beechwood. He stood out with his tenacious work ethic and ability to have a knack for the basketball. He can rebound, finish at the rim and alter shots in the paint. If Kingston continues to develop his skill set, he has a very bright future.

Adrian Miles, South Oldham- Adrian is a combo guard for South Oldham. Adrian plays with passion on the offensive and defensive end. His playmaking ability on both ends of the court lead to easy baskets and open opportunities for his teammates.

7th Grade

Chase Varney- Chase made big shots in several of close games in the KBC Champions Classic. Chase is a forward with handle, a nice mid-range game and strong inside presence. Chase’s has a very high upside.

Brody Little, Belfry- Brody is a combo guard with a nice handle and shooting stroke. Brody is not afraid of the big play. His lock down defense and late game heroics are his strongest attributes. Brody’s last name may be little but he played BIG and has a bright future.

Tremblay Austin, Caudill- Tremblay has a nice skill set. He can dribble, pass, shoot, defend and rebound. Tremblay is a difference maker between the lines and is very fun to watch. He showed an ability to always be in the right place at the right time.

Lucas Brittian, Corbin- Lucas has a skill set that allows him to control pace and tempo of a game. Lucas has rare ability to make plays within the lines when they matter most. He has the make up to be a pretty good point guard.

Eli Pietrowski, Corbin- Eli was one of the best players in the KBC Champions Classic regardless of class. He is a dominant force inside while showing he has a nice stroke it from deep. Eli has a cool, calm demeanor, with an ability to positively change the game. If Eli continues to grind & improve he will be a very good player on the high school level.

Kanon Dunn, North Marshall- Kanon is smooth, and crafty. His ability to make plays makes him a standout. He is a leader and playmaker. He understands time and score. His IQ makes him special.

Gus Soule, North Oldham- Gus is strong and will accept any challenge. He spent most of the weekend checking the oppositions better players. Not only was he defending he was also making waves on the offensive end hitting big shots and dishing out key assist.

Josh Lewis, Meece- Josh Lewis brings swag, toughness and a play making ability to table which made him a solid performer in the KBC Champions Classic. Lewis helped Meece squeak out a couple of close victories with his stellar play.

Tayden Richardson, Meece- Tayden show ability to take & make big shots.He hit clutch shot after clutch shot in the mist of Meeces’ transition from pool play to bracket play. Tayden plays with passion & personality which helped fuel his teams tournament run.

8th Grade

Cam Davis, Ashland-Cam is an all around good player with an upside that might have been as good as any we saw all weekend. Ashland has a great class and Cam is a big part of what makes them go.

LaBryant Strader, Ashland- Mr. Strader was a dual threat all weekend. He showed a soft touch in the paint with his ability to knock down open jump shots from the perimeter. He is a strong kid with a high basketball IQ. His play helped Ashland make a deep run in the KBC Champions Classic.

Clay Robertson, Boyd Co.- “Clay Day” was one of the better shooters in the KBC Champions Classic. Clay showed his deep range and displayed his abilities at the KBC Champions Classic. He also showed that he can beat defenders off the dribble as well as displaying a smooth mid range game. Clay is a good player with a high ceiling.

Griffin Taylor, Boyd Co.- Griffin is a smooth guard who can play both Guard spots. Griffin showed toughness, discipline and big shot making ability. Griffin was also one of the tourneys better defenders. Boyd Co.

Jacob Spurlock, Boyd Co.- Jacob had a good tournament. His inside out game was on display during the KBC Champions Classic. During the final four game against Northern Pulaski he made the shot to send it to overtime and also made a huge shot to tie the game late.

Ethan Jackson, Clay Co.- Ethan plays with nice pace and made a lot of plays for his teammates. Ethan is poised and can get to where he is comfortable on the court. Ethan and Clay co had a good weekend.

Kade Elam, Corbin- Kade played hard and with a lot of passion. He dives on every loose ball, hits big shots and defends the other teams best players. Kade is a competitor that loves to compete. That energy rubs off on his teammates and makes Corbin a rough team to beat.

Noah Cima, Corbin- Noah is a very fundamentally sound player & showed he can both ends of the floor. His ability to keep guards in front him made it tough for opposing teams. Noah is a high IQ guard that will help give Corbin an advantage on most nights.

Justus Wertlzer, Lexington Catholic- Justus had a good tournament. He plays with a high motor and good strong and finishes at the rim.

Jakobi McRoberts, North Oldham- Jakobi’s game is built around his motor and competitive spirit. During North Oldhams championship run Jakobi made big plays down the stretch of each game to give North Oldham chances to win. He has great leadership qualities and is very unselfish. Jakobi has a high ceiling and the potential to be a really good high school player.

Graham Krezmien, North Oldham- Graham is big, long, athletic, skilled and dangerous between the lines. Graham plays with a passion and aggression that made North Oldham hard to compete with in the paint. Graham’s 6’5 frame to go along with his level skill makes him a nice future prospect.

Carson Fraley, Northern Pulaksi- Carson is a big guard with a high skill level. He showed all weekend why he was one of the best future prospects in KY 2025 class. He hit a dagger that proved to be a game winner against Boyd Co. He had great number all weekend hitting close to 20ppg as well as grabbing close to double digit rebounds, proving to be a complete player.

Ethan Idlewine, Northern Pulaski- Ethan is a flatout scorer. He can score from anywhere on the floor and can also make easy opportunities for his teammates to score with his ability to pass.

Vince Carrico, Owensboro Catholic- Vince has a big body with a high skill set and high motor who plays hard on every possession. Once has a bright future . Vince has a high basketball IQ and a lot of potential to be a successful high school player.

Braiden Hall. Pikeville- Braiden is a competitor with a nice handle and will to win. Braiden is crafty and plays with a toughness & a motor that can’t be taught. Has the ability to become another good player to represent Pikeville.

Isaiah Cochran, Shelby West- Isaiah was one of the weekend's most athletic players, and controlled the pace of games with his high octane presence between the lines. Isaiah is not flashy, yet very effective. As Isaiah learns more about the game he will be even harder to handle.

Jake Fithian, South Oldham- Jake is smooth, and can single handedly change the outcome of the game with his big shot making ability. Jake is also a good passer as well & showed an ability to play both guard spots.

Julian Miles, South Oldham- Julian has a swagger not to many kids his age hold. Hobbled by an ankle injury all weekend, he showed he could score off the bounce or beat you from deep in a spot up situation. He plays at his pace and whatever his pace is, is usually the games pace. This kid is fun to watch!

2020 KBC Middle School Showcase: Recap

This past weekend, KBC Hoops hosted their first event since March of this year in Erlanger, KY. The 2020 KBC Middle School Showcase featured 50 of the top middle school players from Kentucky and Ohio. The 2025 class was loaded from top to bottom and proved that it could be a class with several future division one student-athletes! All-in-all, each middle school class showed a variety of talented players. Here is a breakdown of the top performers from the showcase.

Most Outstanding Player - Overall

Jayden Johnson - 6’3” F 2026 - Barret Traditional Middle School (KY)

Only a seventh grader, Louisville’s Jayden Johnson proved that he was head and shoulders above the rest of the competition all day-- and he played like he knew it. The 6’3” forward showed his full arsenal of skills on both sides of the floor. He displayed his offensive skills by scoring at all three levels with efficiency. His biggest strength proved to be his ability to do whatever his team needed. He has great vision and handles in the open court to go along with a high arching jump shot that seemed to find the bottom of the net all day. However, his best offense was his defense. Blocking shots and corralling defensive rebounds proved to be one of his biggest strengths to convert them to easy baskets on the other end.

Most Outstanding Player - 8th Grade

Saxton Howard - 5’6” PG 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy (KY)

The scrappy point guard from Lexington played with a chip on his shoulder most of the day. Dohn Prep Head Coach, Sammy Villegas, coached Howard throughout the showcase and challenged him with the task of running a pro-style offense. Howard met the challenge head on and thrived in every ball screen scenario. Whether getting to the basket or stepping back for the 3-pointer, he did an excellent job of getting downhill and creating space to finish. His passing ability was also on full display once he got out in transition.

Most Outstanding Player - 7th Grade

Anthony Thompson - 5’8” SG 2026 - Lebanon Junior High School (OH)

One of the purest shooters on the day, the lefty from Lebanon, OH showed off his quick release all camp. Thompson won the 3pt shootout before lunch and carried the hot streak all day. Although he’s only 5’8”, Thompson was able to use his long frame to be disruptive on the defensive end with multiple deflections. He also showed his finishing ability by getting to the paint and finishing with floaters and reverse layups.

Most Outstanding Player - 6th Grade

Kameron Mercer - 5’7” SG 2027 - Princeton Middle School (OH)

The youngster from Cincinnati did not back down competing with the older kids. Another lefty shooter, Kameron Mercer, proved to be teammate, Saxton Howard’s, favorite target. Mercer’s shooting ability allowed Howard to have space to operate on the pick and roll and knocked down big shot after big shot from the wings and corners. Kam showed toughness and resilience and even came away with some huge rebounds over much bigger and stronger opponents.

2025 Top Performers (No order)

58 Kieren Britten - 6’7” C 2025 - Hughes

Although Britten is just scratching the surface, the 6’7” big man is going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come! He showed his shot blocking ability and soft hands with a nice touch around the rim.

21 Myles Baker - G 2025 - Kings Middle School

The silky smooth lefty showed his craftiness with a variety of finishes around the basket. Baker also displayed his shot making ability and is very shifty with the ball in the open court.

36 Christian Wilkins - F 2025 - Plains Junior High School

One of the most skilled players in all of camp, Wilkins showed his full offensive ability with a versatile mid-post game. He also showed his range on the perimeter attacking closeouts from bigger, slower defenders and knocked down shots consistently.

8 Nate Wilson - PG 2025 - Eastside Middle School

The crafty guard displayed his leadership skills at camp from the point guard position. Wilson proved that he has a high basketball IQ and was excellent in ball screen situations.

44 Andersen Green - F 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy

With a game beyond his years, Green showed his offensive skill set with a variety of tough buckets at every level. He did an excellent job of playing at his own pace and getting to his spots to make the right basketball play.

39 Trace Jallick - F 2025 - Turpin Middle School

The wiry lefty showed to be one of the most disruptive players on the defensive end of the floor. Jallick did an excellent job of using his length to get steals and off in transition where he finishes well.

47 Jerome White - F 2025 - Springboro Middle School

Willis is a long forward with a high motor and a lot of athleticism. He did an excellent job of finishing in transition and scoring in the mid post area.

18 Anderson Johnson - PG 2025 - Camp Ernst Middle School

One of the most dynamic point guards in the camp, Johnson played with a lot of speed and showed his control by stopping on a dime with a series of dribble snatches. He flourished against defensive pressure and always played at his own pace.

19 Carter Bresser - G/F 2025 - Twenhofel Middle School

With making over four 3-pointers in two of the three games on the day, Bresser proved to be the most pure shooter in the camp. Bresser repeatedly spaced the floor and made the defense pay every time the ball left his hands.

27 Caden Reed - G 2025 - Bracken County Middle School

One of the top guards at camp, Reed showed his unselfishness and amazing passing ability all day. Reed showed and proved that he is capable of being one of the top point guards in all of Kentucky and Ohio for years to come.

30 Broedy Dunaway - F 2025 - South Laurel Middle School

Boxing out, grabbing loose balls and knocking down shots, Dunaway put in the dirty work all day! He proved that he can make big shots.

43 Cam Jackson - F 2025 - Lincoln County Middle School

One of the strongest players at camp, Jackson used his strength and athleticism to score around the basket repeatedly.

17 Chase Archibald - G 2025 - Augusta Middle School

Archibald is one of the best scorers in all of Kentucky and Ohio from the wing. He showed his full arsenal of skills by scoring in the mid range and knocking down tough shots all day.

25 Dorian Brew - F 2025 - Middletown Middle School

By far the best athlete in all of camp! Brew showed off his hops with a few dunks and fantastic finishes in transition. He’s raw right now but has a lot of potential as he adds more skills to his tool belt.

23 Hagen Preston - G/F 2025 - Lexington Christian Academy

Preston proved to be a glue guy all of camp making the right plays on both sides of the floor. His best ability is being able to do a little bit of everything on the court.

35 Jaunte Jenkins - G 2025 - Leestown Middle School

Jenkins proved to be one of the best rebounders from the guard position all day. Along with his rebounding ability, he showed his ability to knock down shots with efficiency. When his feet are set, he’s a sniper!

24 Jalin Morris - G 2025 - Hamilton Middle School

The strong and quick guard used his energy and instincts to create his offensive game. Morris did an excellent job playing the passing lanes on the defensive side and knocked down shots consistently.

2026 Top Performers (No order)

11 Malachi Ashford - PG 2026 - Paris Middle School

One of the most creative point guards in camp, Ashford is a true artist when the ball is in his hands. He showed great vision and passing ability as well as a natural ability to finish over bigger defenders with either hand.

2027 Top Performers (No order)

28 Kai Russell - G 2027 - North Avondale Middle School

Russell competed well with the eight graders. He showed great ability to make open shots and finished around the basket well against bigger opponents.

6 James Hughes - G 2027 - Dillsboro Middle School

Hughes showed an incredible understanding of the game all day! His ability to always be in the right spot on both sides of the floor allowed him to contribute at a high level against older competition.

1 Donald Chandis - G 2028 - School for Creative & Performing Arts

Although he’s only a fifth grader and was the smallest player out there, the young guard showed resilience and battled all day. Chandis never backed down and made some big shots throughout the day. His attitude and willingness to compete will make him a tough PG in a few years.