With five 8th-District and 2nd-Region titles in a six-year span from 2011-2017, the Hopkinsville boys’ basketball team enjoyed unprecedented postseason success that included four combined wins at the state tournament. However, the Tigers have recently found things more difficult, bowing out in the first round of the district tournament each of the last three seasons. With four starters back and many of the players coming off the heels of a state-semifinal run with the Tiger football team, the team is on a mission to return to the top of the district and region.
Four seniors are gone off last season’s 14-17 team, with Don Victor the toughest to replace after doing everything for the Tigers in his final campaign. Victor earned All-District and All-Region honors after leading the team in scoring with just over 19 points per game and knocking down a team-high 68 3-pointers at an almost 40% clip, while his 5.9 rebounds were second on the squad. The Tigers will also miss the outside shooting of Javon Smith-Rudd, who was second on the team with 25 made 3s while averaging 5.5 points per game.
Six players transition back to the basketball court after taking part in the football team’s season that ended a step short of the 4A state title game, led by senior Alijah Watts. Watts appeared in only seven games last season but was second on the team with 13.4 points and third with 4.4 rebounds per game. Fellow senior Reece Jesse earned 2nd team All-State recognition on the gridiron and will look to build on a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game last season, along with 8.2 points per outing. Another senior, Jamarcus Burks, averaged just under 6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a junior.
Sophomore Daisjaun Mercer also earned All-State football honors, and Coach Larry Miller says Mercer has made a big jump after averaging 4.5 points last season. Junior Kensington (K.C.) Cabiness and sophomore Isaiah Manning round out the football contingent, with Burks posting 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds last season and Manning set to provide some strength in the paint after appearing in three games a year ago.
Senior point guard Authur McKnight returns to pull the strings for the Tigers after a junior season that saw averages of 8.4 points and just short of 2 rebounds per game. Sophomore lefty guard KeiMarion Smith can provide shooting off the bench, with sophomore forward Jacob Gavin and freshman forward Antonio Williams also touted by Coach Miller for their shooting ability. Junior forward Xavier Dowlen is another option to provide toughness down low for the Tigers.
The Tigers will find out quickly where they stand with games at home against University Heights Academy and Christian County in the first week of the season. Hoptown has dropped seven-straight to the Blazers, with the last victory coming during the 2016-17 regular season. The Colonels have had the Tigers’ number lately as well, taking the last four meetings since Hoptown won both regular-season matchups in 2018-19. Hopkinsville opens the season against defending 2nd-Region champions Madisonville-North Hopkins on January 5th at Tiger Gym.
Listen as Coach Miller previews the upcoming season.
