2 2017-18PREPBASKETBALLPREVIEW "My focus is on getting to Rupp Arena. Not only that, but possibly play for a state title. Everything else, including individual accomplishments, will fall into place." Many considerBELIEVE Corbin senior Andrew Taylor as the front-runner for Mr. Basketball.THE | FILE PHOTO HYPE Mr. Basketball candidate Andrew Taylor will try to help lead Corbin to Rupp Arena BY JOHN STEPP Staff Writer CORBIN — Andrew Taylor burst onto the scene of high school basketball as an eighth grader for the Corbin Redhounds the night of Dec. 3, 2013 when he drove to the basket and put in a contested lay up for a 75-73 win over the then region’s top ranked team in Jackson County. Ever since that night, Taylor has written a history for himself that has put him among the best to ever wear the Redhound uni- form, and that is quite an accomplishment. Corbin Head Coach Tony Pietrowski had strong feelings toward Taylor. “Andrew has been a special player for our pro- gram. He put his name on the map with a game- winner in his first career game as an eighth grader,” Pietrowski said. “Since that point, his work ethic has become contagious. He leads by example and sets a high standard for the guys around him.” Taylor said that he feels he has continued to improve since that eighth grade season and that the biggest difference is his understanding of the game. “Each year I have added new skills and strengths to rise above the competition. Not only have I grown physically, but mentally and the way I look at things has changed,” said Taylor. “I have much more confidence and a better understanding of the game.” Taylor enters his senior season for Corbin and expectations have never been higher. With a strong four years of high school basketball under his belt, Taylor is gearing up for a year that he hopes culmi- nates in being handed the Kentucky Mr. Basketball trophy at the end of the season. The award is given to the top senior basketball Corbin senior Andrew Taylor averaged 29.5 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game last season. | FILE PHOTO player in the state each year. There have only been four players in the history of the 13th Region to win ing at just under 30 points per game and was the that, but possibly play for a state title. Everything the award — South Laurel’s Walt Allen in 2006, team’s leading rebounder with 12 boards per game. else, including individual accomplishments, will Harlan’s Charles Thomas in 1995, Clay County’s That effort was good enough to get his team to the fall into place,” said Taylor. “We just have to stay Richie Farmer in 1988, and Cawood’s Phil Cox in 13th Region finals where they lost to Harlan focused with the same goal in mind, which is to go 1981. County. to Rupp and compete.” Pietrowski was a Mr. Basketball candidate him- Taylor carried his team in the title game as the The latest milestone reached by Taylor was his self during his playing days, but Taylor would be the only Redhound player to score in double figures commitment and signing to Furman University. first Redhound to earn the prestigious award. with 31 points. While winning the Mr. Basketball With the season just a couple of weeks away, Pietrowski leaves no doubt about who he thinks the award would be a big honor, Taylor’s first priority Taylor said he wanted to get the signing out of the best player in the state is. this season is to help his team get to Rupp Arena and way in order to focus on the regular season and “Andrew is, in my opinion, the front-runner for represent the 13th Region as champions. Corbin’s road to Rupp Arena. Taylor will join the Mr. Basketball after the impressive season he had Corbin is a huge favorite heading into the 2017- Paladins next summer for Head Coach Rob Richey last year and the month of July he had with his AAU 2018 season. The Redhounds not only return Taylor, after turning down over 25 other Division I schools team,” said Pietrowski. “I’ve said it before and I but a team that is filled with experience and talent. that offered him a scholarship. Pietrowski said will say it again — he’s the best player in the state. Pietrowski will have his best team in a while, and Furman is the perfect fit for the point guard. There is a lot that goes into receiving the award; a return to the 13th Region title game seems almost “Furman is a perfect fit for Andrew. He had a however, we feel with increased strength in our inevitable at this point. Using last year’s loss as checklist as he progressed through his recruitment schedule, the exposure we will get as a team, and motivation, Taylor and company are looking to take and Furman was the perfect fit,” Pietrowski said. the numbers he is capable of producing, he has an the region by storm one last time. In doing that, “Furman is getting a kid with amazing ability, high outstanding chance.” Taylor hopes it will only increase his chances in basketball IQ, and an unparalleled work ethic. This Taylor was certainly outstanding in his junior winning the state’s top award. is a win-win for both parties. I’m excited to see him season for the Redhounds. He led the region in scor- “My focus is on getting to Rupp Arena. Not only play at that level.” 2017-18PREPBASKETBALLPREVIEW 3 As a freshman last season, South Laurel's Ally Collett established herself as one of the top guards in the 13th Region. Many publications have Collett rated as high as the third best player in the 13th Region this season. | FILE PHOTO HARD WORK PAYING OFF Ally Collett might be a sophomore, but she's already catching the eyes of many Division I schools BY JOHN STEPP Staff Writer SOUTH LAUREL — In a region filled with tons of young talent, you won’t find many better than South Laurel’s Ally Collett. The star point guard has made quite a name for herself entering her sophomore season, with four Division I offers on the table and many more to come. The likes of Western Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State and Northern Kentucky have already asked Collett to join their basketball programs in three years. They are just now figuring out what so many saw in the point guard two years ago when she was leading the South Laurel Lady Cardinals to wins as an eighth grader — they know that she is the type of player that changes a program. That’s also what Head Coach Jon Walker noticed when he first watched film of Collett. Walker took over the South Laurel program at the end of Collett’s eighth grade year, and said that her performances stood out on tape. From the very moment he saw her play, Walker knew that he had a special player on his squad. Not only does Collett have the talent and God-given abilities that it takes to be a game-changing player, but she has the work ethic to go along with it. That combination should put fear in the opposing team. “One of the first things I did when I got the job was watched a lot of film and it didn't take me long to realize Ally was a special player. First thing that caught my eye about Ally was her ability to read a defense and make plays for herself and her teammates,” said Walker. “Ally works extremely hard. She's one of those kids that you have to tell South Laurel's Ally Collett averaged close to 14 points per game last season while playing a big role in the Lady Cardinals' to rest. The best thing about Ally's work ethic is 26 wins. | FILE PHOTO the way she works with her teammates, she always invites younger players to work with her.” Since North Kentucky offered Collett her first I’ve been blessed with.” Last year as a freshman, Collett averaged just scholarship, she said that she has been forced to As recruiting continues to ramp up, Collett said under 14 points per game, helping her team to a improve her social and communication skills that her focus is on her sophomore season, improv- 26-7 record, a 50th District title, and a semifinals because of the number of times she has visited ing as a player, and helping her team win. She said appearance in the regional tournament. Collett said schools and had contact with college coaches. she wants to develop her leadership skills, and how she feels like she is a completely different player While Collett has four offers on the table, she to use those skills on and off the court. As for her now, heading into her sophomore season, than has visited many more schools and knows that game, she is focusing on becoming a better defend- when she first started playing varsity as an eighth there will be even more visits in her future. As she er. With South Laurel’s difficult schedule coming grader. Not only has her game improved, but she is progresses down the recruiting trail, Collett wants up, Collett said that she and her teammates are a much better leader and has more confidence in be fully prepared for the process and says she feels ready to weather the storm and work on beating herself and her role on the team.