Travis Perry says, even with a UK offer, he's still in the early stages of his recruitment.
A full day of action featuring many of the top teams from the first four regions awaits basketball fans this Saturday, Feb. 12, at Lyon County.
The Akridge Farm Supply Ace Jam — christened “the West vs. the Rest” — includes six games at Jason White Gymnasium.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with the lone girls’ game between the host Lady Lyons and Daviess County. Lyon is 12-11 while the 3rd Region school is 13-10. The Lady Panthers own a 62-40 win over Lyon in the West Kentucky Hoops Classic at Caldwell County earlier this season. Daviess is rated fifth in its region, according to the KHSAA RPI.
The opening boys’ game at noon has 2nd Region contender Hopkinsville taking on Evansville Christian. Hoptown is 15-4 and has won 11 straight. The Tigers are rated No. 2 in the 2nd Region, behind only Lyon County. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 11-7 and have won four of their last five games. Evansville Christian is led by sophomore point guard Josiah Dunham, who is pouring in 25.7 points a game while also averaging 6.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.2 steals. Dunham already owns an offer from the University of Evansville.
The 2 p.m. game matches up top-rated teams from Regions 3 and 10. Muhlenberg County is 12-7 and is on a seven-game winning streak. The Mustangs are No. 3 in their region, according to the RPI. They will face Harrison County, which is rated fourth in the 10th Region and is 15-6. The Thorobreds have won five in a row and eight of their last nine.
At 4 p.m., Calloway County takes on Greenwood. The Lakers are No. 6 in the 1st Region and are 13-11. The Gators are 21-3 and are the No. 2 team in the 4th Region, but hot on the heels of No. 1 Bowling Green. Senior guard Cade Stinnett leads the Gators at 19.7 points a game and has a handful of college offers, including Campbellsville.
The premier matchup of the day comes at 6 p.m. when host Lyon, the No. 1-rated team in the 2nd Region, takes on that Bowling Green squad. The Lyons have won 11 of their last 12 games — including three straight — and are 16-5. Bowling Green is 20-4. The Purples, defending champs in the 4th Region, have a six-game winning streak and have won 10 of 11. Sophomore Travis Perry leads Lyon at 27.2 points a contest while senior guard Turner Buttry tops Bowling Green with 22.5 points a game. Buttry, an Eastern Kentucky signee, is a Mr. Basketball contender this season. The Purples are coached by Caldwell County grad and former Hopkinsville girls’ head coach D.G. Sherrill.
The day finishes with the top-rated team in the 1st Region, McCracken County, taking on defending 2nd Region champion University Heights Academy at 8 p.m. The Mustangs are 19-2 and have won 15 of their last 16 games. McCracken has won the last two 1st Region titles. UHA is 8-11 with a youthful team this season. The Blazers are rated ninth in the 2nd Region.
