
After two straight appearances in the 2nd Region championship game, the Hopkinsville Tigers found themselves in the position of not playing in the 2nd Region tournament for the first time since 2020. That is something Coach Anthony Babb and the Tigers hope to rectify this season. Doing so will require filling some big shoes that are no longer in the black and orange.
Gone are Antonio Williams and DeReion Dudley, the top two scorers from last season, who accounted for more than 40 points per contest. However, there are several returning players with significant experience that will get the chance to make a significant impact in 2024-2025.
Deavery Ramey is the Tigers’ top returning scorer from last season. He averaged 7.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last season and is a high-energy player who can be the vocal leader for the team on the floor.
Jonathan Hart, James Bradley, Artavius Moses, and Jarae Leavell, all saw action in at least 25 games for Hopkinsville last season, giving the Tigers important experience as the season gets underway.
Coach Anthony Babb says Bradley is very explosive off the dribble and a good slasher/rebounder. He notes that Jarae Leavell is a floor general with good speed and great vision. He also likes the outside shooting abilities of Ramey and Hart.
Moses gives the Tigers some strength inside on the glass and some needed experience as he saw significant minutes last season.
A couple of newer names to watch will be Jason Bass and Curtis Dillard. Dillard gives Hopkinsville some additional outside shooting. Bass is a versatile freshman who could give the Tigers some important minutes this season.
A potential big boost for the Tigers comes from the off-season transfer of big man Layton Giltner, who left Heritage Christian to play for Hopkinsville this season. Giltner, at 6-5, gives the Tigers some size inside and is a player not afraid to get in the paint and go after the ball. He averaged 10.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Warriors last year and could be a key piece of the puzzle this season for Hopkinsville.
Giltner was not the only HCA transfer for the Tigers over the summer as Cash Bolinger also made the move after averaging 5.6 points per game. Bolinger figures to give Hopkinsville some additional depth.
Coach Babb states what he really likes about his team is the positive attitude, holding each other accountable, and being disciplined to work hard to achieve team success. He calls teamwork the key for his team this season and adds that every player must be willing to “D up.”
Player Under the Radar – Keep your eyes out for freshman Jonovan Leavell. Leavell is a 5’10” shooter. Coach Anthony Babb called him “a walking bucket.” Babb adds “this kid can play.” Leavell hit for 16 points in the Tigers’ preseason scrimmage against Owensboro.
Big Games – The Tigers will be tested early in the schedule. The opening week has a Friday night game at 7th District and 2nd Region contender Caldwell County. Mark December 13th as one to watch as the Tigers will square off against Henderson County. There are also December games against South Warren and Owensboro Catholic. But no games will be bigger than the four they play against Christian County and UHA.
Outlook – The 8th District appears to be a wide-open battle between the three ‘traditional powers’ of Hopkinsville, Christian County, and University Heights. All three have talent and all three have questions that will be answered as the season goes on. But as the season gets ready to get started, the Tigers appear to have that chance to be a team that no one will want to play when late February comes around.