Euton commits to Akron

Scott County High School basketball standout Dakotah Euton has made a commitment, picking Akron over Eastern Kentucky University.





The 6-foot-8 Euton, who had originally committed to the University of Kentucky during the Billy Gillispie-era, told The Courier-Journal that he will sign with the Zips this coming week.





"I had pretty much decided, I had it in my mind the last couple of weeks that I wanted to go to Akron," Euton said. "It felt like the right time, so I went ahead and did it. It just felt right."





Euton said he felt comfortable with the coaching staff and likes the way head coach Keith Dambrot deals with his players. He said that was a huge reason for his decision.





"Both schools had great staffs and fit my style of play," Euton said. "But I really felt like coach Dambrot was one of those guys - kind of like Gillispie - who plays players for not just talent but also for how hard they play. Players that do the intangibles, people that work hard.





"I have just always liked coaches like that."





Euton said he was elated to have the process complete - for a second time.





"It feels great," he said. "Now, during this whole season I will be able to not worry about it at all and keep working. I want all my focus on this season."

Notes:

• This is a great fit for Euton, IMO. He will be able to utitlize his size both inside and out and become a complete player.
• Euton becomes the third player from the KY c/o 2010 to commit to a MAC school. Josh Sewell of Trinity committed to Miami, OH and Ricardo Johnson committed to Ohio U.
• I'd expect Euton to see time early as his freshman year.

Check back sometime next week for a Q&A with the Scott Co star.

Playoffs: Week 1 Picks/Predictions

The picks and predictions are back for the playoffs. Lee Witte and myself will pick the games every week from now until the state championship, as long as nky teams are involved. Here is what we think for this week.


Class 1A Playoffs

Trimble County at Beechwood

Lee- Beechwood wins this in a blowout. 62-7

Ryan- Rigdon and Co play sparingly in this blow out. Tigers win 56-7


Gallatin Cty at Bellevue

Lee- Bellevue issues payback for last year's loss. 49-14
Ryan- Ricky Buckler will carry the Tigers in to the second round of the playoffs. 35-7 Bellevue

Ludlow at Eminence

Lee- Ludlow wont be able to pull this out on the road. I like Eminence. 28-6

Ryan- Ludlow has the capability to pull the upset but I don't see it happening. Eminence 21-7


Brossart at Frankfort



Lee- Brossart will make a game of this but wont be able to contain the speedy Frankfort team. 34-20

Ryan- Frankfort's team speed will be too much for the Mustangs. Frankfort 35-14

Class 2A Playoffs



Carroll Cty at NewCath



Lee- New Cath will continue their winning ways in a route. 42-7

Ryan- It will be a long night for a Carroll Co team who lost to Dayton, yes Dayton, earlier in the year. Newcath 49-0


Owen Cty at Holy Cross



Lee- Holy Cross is too athletic and fast for the Rebels. HC wins this one by 3 scores. 28-7.

Ryan- Owen should keep it close early, but in the end, too much Markale Walker. HC wins 31-14


Lloyd at Christian Academy



Lee- I think the Juggs pull the upset on the road. Juggs by one score. 21-14

Ryan- I see the CAL rushing attack being too much for the Juggs. CAL wins 35-21


Newport at DeSales



Lee- The Wildcats have lost 6 in a row and this will be # 7. DeSales by as many as they want. 49-12

Ryan- DeSales is a legit threat in the 2A playoffs this year. Desales 42-7.

Class 4A Playoffs



East Jessamine at Holmes



Lee- I like the Bulldogs by 2 scores as they play their first home playoff game in a long time. 20-7

Ryan- Holmes will be hosting their first home playoff game since 2001 and I see the Dogs speed and athleticism being too much for the Jags. Holmes 35-13

Class 5A Playoffs



Montgomery Cty at Highlands



Lee- Child Please...... 52-7 Birds.

Ryan- The halftime show should be better than this game. Highlands 63-7


Woodford Cty at CovCath



Lee- Cov Cath is going to get the W at home on Sat afternoon. 27-14

Ryan- Colonels beat the Jackets last year with relative ease. Covcath 35-14


Dixie at Ashland Blazer



Lee- This is a tossup and I am going with Ashland Blazer as they play at home. 24-21

Ryan- Dixie returns 20 starters from last year's team that lost to the Tomcats. I like Dixie's experience. Dixie 35-31


Scott at Johnson Central



Lee- The Eagles may keep it close for a quarter but JC rolls after that. 34-12

Ryan- JC rushing attack will really cause the Eagles a lot of problems. JC 42-20

Class 6A Playoffs



Butler at Simon Kenton



Lee- SK will roll in this one and make a statement. 63-7
Ryan- Game won't be close. Miles Simpson leads the Neers to a 56-7 win.



Pleasure Ridge Park at Ryle



Lee- The Raiders should handle PRP easily at home. 33-12
Ryan- In the nkysports.com game of the week, I like the Raiders at home. Ryle 38-7



Conner at Dupont Manual



Lee- This is going to be a great game and I think the Cougars will eek out the road win thanks to Nick West's wheels. 27-26 Cougars.

Ryan- As much as I want to pick the Cougars, I think Manual's D will be too much for Trosper's squad. Manual 28-21


Boone Cty at Louisville St. Xavier



Lee- St. X names the score. 43-8

Ryan- Boone's season ends as the Tigers of X put a hurtin' on the Rebels. St.X 51-7

Holmes in preseason rankings

Coming off a 36-2 record and state championship last year, the Bulldogs have garnered some pre season attention from several different sites. Here is where the Bulldogs rank in the pre season rankings:

ESPN Rise Fab 50:

26. Holmes (Covington, Ky.)Last Season's Record: 36-2, all-class state championKey Players: G Ricardo Johnson (6-4, Sr.); F Elijah Pittman (6-7, Sr.); G Jeremiah Johnson (6-3, Sr.)
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Outlook: It's a challenging task to repeat as the one-class Kentucky state champion, but the athletic and experienced Bulldogs should give it a good shot. They were led to the 2009 title by a group of underclassmen that included all-state selections Johnson and Pittman. Johnson, the MVP of the state tournament, was second on the team in scoring (10.7 per game) and rebounds (5.6 per game). Pittman led in both categories with 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Prepnation.com:

14. Holmes (Covington, Ky.)
Last year: 36-2, Sweet 16 state champion
Coach: David Henley
Top players: G Ricardo Johnson (6-4, Sr.); F Elijah Pittman (6-7, Sr.); G Jeremiah Johnson (6-3, Sr.); G Demetrius Avery (6-3, Sr.)
Top games: Dec. 12 vs. Memphis Central; Jan. 6 vs. Princeton (Ohio)
Notable: An athletic team with good size and shooting ability returns for a run at back-to-back state championships. There are three returning starters including Johnson (Ohio University) and Pittman, who each averaged double-figure points and were all-state selections last season. Transfer Avery scored 12 points per game at Conner HS.



Notes:

• Holmes opens the season Dec. 5th at Marshall County Hoopfest against Bowman Academy out of Gary, IND.


• With the schedule that Holmes plays this year, don't be surprised to see them end up somewhere in the top 10 in some polls if they can come close to running the table.
• Speaking of Holmes schedule, their Dec. 12th match up with Memphis Central has me extremely excited. Memphis Central has the #3 prospect nationally in the c/o 2012 in 6'7 230 lb Jarnell Stokes as well as 4 star prospect, 6'4 Tim Peete. Peete is already committed to Tulsa while Stokes has offers from Missouri and Memphis. 6'4 Andre Applewhite is also a D1 prospect in Central's soph class.
• If you want to see some good pre season scrimmages, head out to Simon Kenton Nov. 21st. George Rogers Clark and Holmes headline the day full of games at 9:00 pm.