The Christian County Colonels nearly pulled off a stunner during the 2020 Boys 2nd Region Tournament. The Colonels had the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons on the ropes in the final minute of the game, only to fall 64-61 to the eventual champions.
The Colonels of that night looked much like the team many had expected to see going into the beginning of the season. However, injuries and illnesses took a toll on the Colonel roster over the course of the season.
Christian County ended the season at 13-19, but note that 11 of the losses came by seven points or less. Additionally, due to the roster situation, several younger players, who will be counted on in 2020-2021, saw significant time on the floor this season.
The biggest challenges ahead for the Colonels will be to replace Stephen Bussell, Mikeon Mathis, and Kobe Dillard. That trio combined to score 34.2 points per game and pull down 10.4 rebounds per contest.
While the loss of those three is big, the Colonels will return a truck load of experience and talenf for the 2020-2021 season.
When you look at next year’s Colonels, you start in the middle, where big man Olajuwon White has the potential to become the best big man in the region. White averaged 10 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest, and had stretches of games where he dominated play down in the paint. If White continues to make those kinds of strides, the Colonels could have a strong shot of making a trip to Rupp.
On the outside, Qua Chambers missed significant time for the Colonels this season, but still managed to average 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest.
DeRtarius Leavell and Herb Forte both shot better than 37-percent from behind the three point line, and figure to give the Colonels an outside threat that could help open the lane up for White and other players down in the lane for Christian County.
Other names for the Colonels that you will need to become familiar with are Jalil Farrow and Kevarius Vaughn. Farrow, who will be a junior next season, was the only Colonel to see action in all 32 games during the 2019-2020 season.
Overall, Christian County will return 15 players, who at some point in the season, were on the varsity roster.
With Madisonville losings all five starters off their regional championship team, their appears to be a wide opening for another team in the region to ascend to the throne in 2021. The Christian County Colonels may well be one of those in position to make a strong bid for that crown.
