Caldwell County is not the first school that comes to mind when you start talking about basketball factories in the 2nd Region.
But the Tigers have pumped out some college-level talent in recent years.
Caldwell grad Derrin Boyd is currently second in scoring in the ASUN Conference at 20 points a game for Lipscomb University in Nashville. Boyd is playing as a junior this season.
Another former Tiger, Eli Pepper, left Lipscomb in 2019 as one of the top rebounders in conference history. A four-year starter, Pepper grabbed 1,016 rebounds and scored 925 points with the Bisons.
Yet another CCHS grad is seeing action as a sophomore at Georgetown College. Jabrion Spikes, who once hit for a Caldwell school record 59 points in a game at Hopkinsville, is averaging 7.5 points for a Georgetown team that is off to a 7-1 start.
Caldwell may have another emerging prospect in 6-foot-5 junior JayDarius Wilson.
New head coach Chuck Mitchell, who moved over from the girls’ team at Caldwell, will make Wilson the focal point of his Tiger offense.
After being out of organized basketball, the athletic big man joined the team at Caldwell last season and, despite being raw, finished averaging team highs with 14.0 points and 7.6 rebounds a contest.
With a full season under his belt, along with a solid offseason, the smooth-shooting Wilson could be poised for big things this year with a seasoned cast around him.
Three other starters also return for Caldwell, which hopes to challenge for the 7th District championship.
Brothers Carter Whittington and Collin Whittington have been staples in the Tiger lineup.
Collin Whittington, a 5-10 junior, just missed scoring in double figures last year, netting 9.8 points a game.
Carter Whittington, a 5-7 senior, runs the point and added 8.5 points a night last season.
Demaurius Thompson, a 6-foot senior, can score inside or out. He emerged as a threat on the perimeter last season and shot 45.8 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 7.2 points a contest. Thompson’s 4.3 rebounds a game last year were second behind Wilson.
Senior 5-10 guard Ryan Hammett figures to occupy the other spot in the starting lineup and is another potential 3-point option.
Caldwell does not have a ton of experience off the bench, but 6-foot junior Luke Parker can help up front. Look for junior guards Cade Rowland and Luke Maddox to see playing time along with sophomores Jack Roach and Ethan Ramage.
The district appears wide open this season. Madisonville-North Hopkins has won 14 straight titles, but the Maroons are facing a rebuilding year with a new head coach. Meanwhile, Hopkins County Central and Dawson Springs look to be improved this season, which means the 7th District matchups will all be important.
Two-time defending champion Lyon County leads the 2nd Region chase with several schools looking to line up behind the Lyons as challengers.
Caldwell is hoping it can move up the list and work its way into the conversation in both the district and the region this season.
The Tigers tip off the new season Tuesday, at home, against Webster County.
