Best Class in State History? Breaking Down Kentucky’s Top 2024s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent pool in the Bluegrass State gets deeper every season, and the Class of 2024 may be the deepest and most talented group that the state has ever seen - here's a look at seven seniors to watch this season. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15067"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Towson is getting arguably the best defenseman in the Bluegrass State in St. Xavier's [player_tooltip player_id='15067' first='Ryder' last='John']. At 6'2 and 205 pounds, John has a great frame and he knows how to use it. A physical on-ball defender, John not only matches feet well with the opposition but he also knows how to throw timely checks and can put the ball on the ground regularly. With his speed and ability to grab ground balls, the senior can spark transition offense and is not afraid to shoot if needed. It is his ability to impact the game at multiple levels that stands out most about John's skillset.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b036dc0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15592"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Headed to Detroit Mercy in the fall, Lanham enters his senior season after asserting himself as one of the best face-off men in Kentucky last spring. A tenacious player at the dot, Lanham can grind it out against his opponents and knows how to come out of a ground ball battle with possession. When he's able to get fast and clean wins, Lanham is excellent at getting offensive exits that allow him to push the ball up the field and help jumpstart the offense. Having improved year over year, Lanham is due for a big senior spring.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b036e5c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20540"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bowling is perhaps the most impactful player for his team in the Commonwealth. He is the key cog for the Manual Crimson, being their primary faceoff man while also being one of their top offensive playmakers. He went 75% at the dot while also having 30 goals and 16 assists as a junior last spring. At the dot, he possesses quick hands and skillset that allows his to win draws in a wide range of ways. As an offensive player, his best attribute is his outside shooting as he can really stretch defenses with his range. Another big year is expected for him before he takes his talents an hour and a half south to play for the Centre Colonels.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b036f77"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20543"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Brooking has been an offensive contributor for the Blue Devils since his freshman season. He has continued to improve and has become one of the most consistent and pure shooters in the state, and another outstanding season is expected from him before he heads to the Heart of Dixie to play college ball at Montevallo. Brooking made his biggest jump last spring, as he poured in 97 goals and dished out 22 assists for 112 points. The 5'11 shooter has shown an ability to not only cash in on clean looks above the cage but also pull out some crafty finishes around the crease from time to time, and he's not afraid to bang it through the defense to get to the rack.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b037077"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20545"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"DeWitt was one of the more well-known talents coming into high school, and he has lived up to the billing as an impact player for the Eastern Eagles since the day he stepped foot on campus. Missing some time last season, he still put up 48 goals and 28 assists for 76 points while helping Eastern to a 12-4 record. Although he's not the biggest on the field, DeWitt possesses a level of quickness that allows him to beat his man and get his hands free. While a strong dodger from up top, DeWitt has shown the ability to make players all over the field. Due to his box background, he handles contact and tight spaces exceptionally well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b037180"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Heading to Lexington in the fall to play for the Transylvania Pioneers, DeGrandi has turned himself into one of the best and most reliable goalies in Kentucky as the Shamrocks' starter each of the past few seasons. At 6'0, he doesn't fill up all four corners of the cage but he does move very well in between the pipes. The senior has proven to track the ball extremely well and is always in position. DeGrandi is exceptionally hard to beat low and has a knack for making a few impressive saves in tight each time he's out there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e927b037269"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20549"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"McDowell always seems to be radiating a ton of energy in between the pipes with the style he plays. He is a versatile goalie who has shown the ability to stop shots from anywhere on the field. He is always ready to make a stop and is especially good at stopping those outside looks. McDowell is also not afraid to come out of the cage to scrap for a ground ball or make a play at the end line. He also has a strong ability to throw crisp outlet passes that can jumpstart the offense. Expect a stellar senior season from McDowell with the Dragons before he heads off to the Coast Guard Academy in the fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e92d7b04ef6"} /-->