By the end of the 2021-2022 basketball season, the Christian County Colonels were the team that nobody really wanted to face. They played solid defense, were athletic, and, if the shots were falling, were fully capable of knocking off anyone in the area.
To prove that point, the Colonels took eventual 2nd Region champion Lyon County deep into their regional quarterfinal game before the Lyons ended up pulling out late to a 63-51 win.
Looking at the Colonels’ 10-23 record from last year can be deceiving. Eight of the losses came by seven points or less, including a two-point double overtime loss to crosstown rival Hopkinsville in the 8th District championship game.
Christian County will be looking towards a very talented junior class to turn those near misses from last season into some defining wins in 2022-2023. And, if their shooting comes around, there is every reason to believe it could be a big season for Coach Toby Miles and the Colonels.
The Colonels return their top six scorers from last season. Derrell Bateman (12.6 ppg), Jordan Miles (12.5 ppg), Breland Morrison (8.7 ppg), KJ Vaughn (7.0 ppg), JaSean Riley (4.2 ppg), and Prince Northington (2.4 ppg), give Christian County a very talented core around which to build. Bateman, Riley, Morrison, and Vaughn were also the top four rebounders on last year’s team.
A couple of newer faces to keep you eyes on will be Trey Blanton and George Sanders, who Coach Miles believes will get the chance to showcase their skills over the course of the season.
Miles expects the Colonels to play in “attack” mode on offense, giving themselves the opportunity to score in a variety of ways. He notes that he will be looking for his team to “make better decisions on offense.”
Shots falling could very well determine the course of the season for Christian County. Last year, the Colonels connected on 39.4-percent from the field, 24.9-percent from behind the arc, and 58.8-percent from the free throw line. With their attacking play on offense, if those numbers can improve just a bit, the Colonels will be no fun for anyone to have to face.
Christian County was good defensively last season, and with all they have returning, the expectation is that they will be even better on that end of the court this season. Coach Miles states his team worked very hard on defense last year and is planning on building on that effort in the 2022-2023 season. Miles goes on to add that the Colonels will be looking to “grind it out, and play tough in the fullcourt and backcourt.”
Christian County will be thoroughly tested by the time the postseason arrives in February. The 8th District looks to be like last season, with three good teams and only two slots available for the 2nd Region tournament. The matchups between the Colonels, the Hopkinsville Tigers, and the UHA Blazers promise to be “must-see” basketball this season.
Outside of the district, the Colonels are set to face a loaded schedule that includes Muhlenberg County, the defending 3rd Region champs, Oldham County, Madisonville-North Hopkins, Paducah Tilghman, defending 2nd Region champs Lyon County, 4th Region runner-up Bowling Green, Henderson County, 1st Region runner-up McCracken County, state runner-up Warren Central, and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
The Colonels will also play in the Adidas Shootout in Murfreesboro, the Overton Christmas Tournament, and the Evansville Harrison 2nd Annual Warrior Showcase.
Christian County is set to open the season November 29 when they go on the road to take on Muhlenberg County.
