PREVIEW – Caldwell Could Be Darkhorse on Region Scene (w/VIDEO)

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Despite saying goodbye to one of the top scorers in the 2nd Region last season, Caldwell County is positioning itself as a darkhorse in the region again this season.

The Tigers went 19-11 a year ago and reached the semifinals of the regional tournament behind Derrin Boyd’s 24.1 points a game.

With Boyd now at defending NAIA national champion Georgetown College — and John Davis, who averaged 12.4 points last season playing baseball at Midway University — Caldwell County head coach Daniel Kukahiko, who begins his eighth season at his alma mater, will look to a more-balanced offensive approach this season.

A deep senior class will be counted on to carry much of the load.

Cayden Fraliex, a guard/forward, shot 43.7 percent from 3-point range a year ago and is the top returning scorer after netting 11.5 points a contest last season.

Like many of the Tigers, Fraliex is a solid shooter. He was 48.7 percent from the field overall and 83.8 percent from the free-throw line lats year.

As a team in 2018-19, Caldwell shot 50.2 percent from the floor, 39.4 percent from long range and 78.6 percent at the charity stripe.

That will need to continue for the Tigers to challenge the top teams on their schedule this season.

That includes defending 2nd Region champion Madisonville-North Hopkins, which has also won the 7th District title the last 10 years running.

Junior Tripp Branch scored 8.1 points a game as a sophomore and is another sharpshooter, connecting on 43.0 percent of his attempts from behind the arc last year and shooting 82.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Senior Jamarius Blaine will run the point this season while Adarius Riley, another senior, also provides another speedy scoring option off the dribble.

Inside, 6-foot-4 senior Cole Smiley and 6-3 senior Jude East will be counted on to clear the glass and provide defense. Both could also develop as viable scoring options for the Tigers.

Senior T.J. Ray provides depth at the guard spots along with sophomore Jabrion Spikes.

Eighth grader JaSean Riley could be a player to keep an eye on, especially after the middle school team finishes its season in December.

With a deep and experienced roster, Caldwell is hoping to make a run at its first district championship since 2007.

The Tigers also figure to be among the challengers in the regional All ‘A’ Classic in January.

The Tigers’ 2019-20 journey begins on Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a home date against longtime rival Lyon County.

Caldwell’s schedule is highlighted by the annual West Kentucky Hoops Classic Dec. 27-28 at the CAB gym in Princeton. That event brings some of the top teams and players from several states each year for two solid days of basketball action.


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