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Here are the first-team selections for The Courier Journal's Kentucky All-State boys basketball team for the 2024-25 season.
Selections were made via a statewide vote of boys basketball coaches. A total of 105 votes were received.
Players are listed in order by the number of votes they received.
Great Crossing, 6-11, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds (No. 2 in the state), 3.5 blocks and 3.4 assists for a Warhawks team that finished 35-4 and won its first state championship. Shot 72.1% from the field, ranking No. 2 in the state. He averaged 21 points and 15.8 rebounds in four Sweet 16 games, earning MVP honors. Named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American. Earned third-team All-State honors as a sophomore and first-team recognition as a junior. Joined varsity team as an eighth-grader and finished career with 2,476 points, 1,960 rebounds and 627 blocks.
Future: Signed with Kentucky.
Quotable: “Malachi is a unicorn on the basketball court,” Great Crossing coach Steve Page said. “He was such a force on both sides of the ball. On defense, he changed the other team's offensive plan, while on offense if he wasn't scoring in the post he was dominating the glass. Outside of his basketball ability, he is just a great kid who focused on doing what our team needed to win games."
Ashland Blazer, 6-6, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shot 42.8% from 3-point range (65 of 152) while leading the Tomcats to a 24-8 record and trip to the Sweet 16 quarterfinals. Named 16th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Rare player to play in the Sweet 16 five times. Played seven seasons of varsity basketball, including two at Greenup County, and finished his career with 3,135 points. Earned third-team honors as a sophomore and second-team recognition as a junior.
Future: Signed with Liberty.
Quotable: “Zander is a player who is always going to make the next right play,” Ashland Blazer coach Ryan Bonner said. “That could mean bumping the ball up the floor to a guy who has hit two straight 3s or attacking a switch off of a ball screen. It could also mean getting a defensive stop while guarding the other team's best player. Zander is the most well-rounded basketball player I have ever coached and has very few flaws in his game.”
Butler County, 6-0, senior
Accomplishments: Ranked fifth in the state in scoring (28.3 ppg) and added 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for a Bears squad that finished 17-15. Shot 33% from 3-point range (136 of 412), tied for fourth in the state in makes. Named Third Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Played as a freshman at South Warren before transferring to Butler County and finished his career with 3,318 points and 505 3-pointers made. Second straight first-team selection after earning second-team honors as a sophomore.
Future: Signed with Tennessee-Martin.
Quotable: “Ty is an amazing shot maker, facilitator, the ultimate teammate,” Butler County coach Calvin Dockery said. “He works so hard to improve his complete game. He has become a solid two-way player. While he is an immensely talented player on the court, he is a high-character young man off the court. I can’t wait to see what he does at UT-Martin.”
Harlan County, 6-3, senior
Accomplishments: Ranked fourth in the state in scoring (29.4) while hitting a state-best 151 3-pointers, shooting 43.4% from behind the arc. Added 7.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for a Black Bears team that finished 25-9. Named 13th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Helped Harlan County reach the state championship game as a junior and finished his career with 2,688 points. Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with East Tennessee State.
Quotable: “Maddox Huff was one of the elite shooters and playmakers in the state this year,” Harlan County coach Kyle Jones said.
Cooper, 6-5, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists and shot 37.7% from 3-point range (66 of 175) for a Jaguars team that finished 24-6 and reached the Sweet 16 quarterfinals. Named Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Played just 10 games as a junior because of a wrist injury and finished his career with 1,106 points.
Future: Signed with Illinois-Chicago.
Quotable: “Andy is a two-way player who can put up 30 at any point but can also be a lockdown defender on the other end,” Cooper coach Tim Sullivan said. “His leadership and selflessness is what makes him so valuable to any team as he makes everyone around him better.”
Lloyd Memorial, 6-8, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 18.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists and shot 62% from the field for a Juggernauts team that finished 26-7 after falling in the Ninth Region final. Named Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Joined the varsity program as an eighth-grader and tallied 1,907 points and 1,186 rebounds for his career, ranking first in school history in both categories. Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with South Carolina.
Quotable: “E.J. Walker is a versatile forward who can dribble, pass, and shoot,” said Lloyd Memorial coach Michael Walker, who also is E.J.’s father. “E.J. has an extremely high IQ and the ability to guard multiple positions on the floor.”
Great Crossing, 6-6, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 18 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 36.4% from 3-point range (67 of 184) for a Warhawks team that finished 35-4 and won its first state championship. Played five seasons of varsity basketball and finished with school records for points (2,640) and assists (516) to go with 782 rebounds and 225 steals. Also earned first-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with Morehead State.
Quotable: “He can score at all three levels, defend at a high level and handled the ball when we needed him to,” Great Crossing coach Steve Page said. “His versatility and leadership were a huge part of our success not only this year but the last four years."
Bryan Station, 6-0, junior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for a Defenders squad that finished 25-7. Names Lexington Player of the Year by the Herald-Leader. Has led Bryan Station in scoring each of his first three seasons and tallied 1,849 career points. Will be among the top candidates for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award in 2026. Earned honorable-mention All-State honors as a sophomore.
Future: Has scholarship offers from Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State.
Quotable: “I call Amari my ‘cheat code’ because he can do things with the basketball that nobody else can do,” Bryan Station coach Champ Ligon Jr. said. “At least once a day he will leave you shaking your head in amazement, asking the person next to you, ‘Did you see that?’”
Calloway County, 6-5, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.3 points and 10 rebounds and shot 56.3% from the field for a Lakers team that finished 31-4 and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. Named First Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Finished career with 1,935 points and 1,108 rebounds.
Future: Signed with Stony Brook.
Quotable: "Jonah Butler is a walking triple-double," Calloway County coach Brad Cleaver said. "His extreme athleticism combined with his high basketball IQ make him a matchup nightmare. Jonah's deep-range accuracy, super shifty handles and Jordan-esque mid-range fadeaways - combined with over 100 dunks in his career - make him one of the most electrifying players you will ever see."
Breathitt County, 6-4, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 23.4 points and 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists and shot 53.2% from the field for a Bobcats squad that finished 24-9 and won the 14th Region title. A four-time All-State selection, earning honorable-mention honors as a freshman and sophomore and second-team recognition as a junior. Led the Bobcats in scoring for five straight seasons and scored 2,853 points over his career.
Future:Signed with IU-Indianapolis.
Quotable: “Sperry plays above the rim on both ends of the floor, averaging around three dunks per game with varying degrees of difficulty - ranging from windmill, tomahawk or 360-degree varieties,” Breathitt County coach Jeff Honeycutt said. “On defense he seems to come out of nowhere to block shots or clean the glass, surprising his opponents with his leaping ability and quickness in elevating and his capacity to hover while up there."
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Follow on X @kyhighs.
More high school sports: Meet KHSAA baseball standout Brayden Bruner, PRP High School's top player
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky All-State boys basketball selections from The Courier Journal
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Selections were made via a statewide vote of boys basketball coaches. A total of 105 votes were received.
Players are listed in order by the number of votes they received.
Malachi Moreno
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Great Crossing, 6-11, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds (No. 2 in the state), 3.5 blocks and 3.4 assists for a Warhawks team that finished 35-4 and won its first state championship. Shot 72.1% from the field, ranking No. 2 in the state. He averaged 21 points and 15.8 rebounds in four Sweet 16 games, earning MVP honors. Named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American. Earned third-team All-State honors as a sophomore and first-team recognition as a junior. Joined varsity team as an eighth-grader and finished career with 2,476 points, 1,960 rebounds and 627 blocks.
Future: Signed with Kentucky.
Quotable: “Malachi is a unicorn on the basketball court,” Great Crossing coach Steve Page said. “He was such a force on both sides of the ball. On defense, he changed the other team's offensive plan, while on offense if he wasn't scoring in the post he was dominating the glass. Outside of his basketball ability, he is just a great kid who focused on doing what our team needed to win games."
Zander Carter
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Ashland Blazer, 6-6, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shot 42.8% from 3-point range (65 of 152) while leading the Tomcats to a 24-8 record and trip to the Sweet 16 quarterfinals. Named 16th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Rare player to play in the Sweet 16 five times. Played seven seasons of varsity basketball, including two at Greenup County, and finished his career with 3,135 points. Earned third-team honors as a sophomore and second-team recognition as a junior.
Future: Signed with Liberty.
Quotable: “Zander is a player who is always going to make the next right play,” Ashland Blazer coach Ryan Bonner said. “That could mean bumping the ball up the floor to a guy who has hit two straight 3s or attacking a switch off of a ball screen. It could also mean getting a defensive stop while guarding the other team's best player. Zander is the most well-rounded basketball player I have ever coached and has very few flaws in his game.”
Ty Price
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Butler County, 6-0, senior
Accomplishments: Ranked fifth in the state in scoring (28.3 ppg) and added 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for a Bears squad that finished 17-15. Shot 33% from 3-point range (136 of 412), tied for fourth in the state in makes. Named Third Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Played as a freshman at South Warren before transferring to Butler County and finished his career with 3,318 points and 505 3-pointers made. Second straight first-team selection after earning second-team honors as a sophomore.
Future: Signed with Tennessee-Martin.
Quotable: “Ty is an amazing shot maker, facilitator, the ultimate teammate,” Butler County coach Calvin Dockery said. “He works so hard to improve his complete game. He has become a solid two-way player. While he is an immensely talented player on the court, he is a high-character young man off the court. I can’t wait to see what he does at UT-Martin.”
Maddox Huff
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Harlan County, 6-3, senior
Accomplishments: Ranked fourth in the state in scoring (29.4) while hitting a state-best 151 3-pointers, shooting 43.4% from behind the arc. Added 7.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for a Black Bears team that finished 25-9. Named 13th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Helped Harlan County reach the state championship game as a junior and finished his career with 2,688 points. Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with East Tennessee State.
Quotable: “Maddox Huff was one of the elite shooters and playmakers in the state this year,” Harlan County coach Kyle Jones said.
Andy Johnson
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Cooper, 6-5, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists and shot 37.7% from 3-point range (66 of 175) for a Jaguars team that finished 24-6 and reached the Sweet 16 quarterfinals. Named Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Played just 10 games as a junior because of a wrist injury and finished his career with 1,106 points.
Future: Signed with Illinois-Chicago.
Quotable: “Andy is a two-way player who can put up 30 at any point but can also be a lockdown defender on the other end,” Cooper coach Tim Sullivan said. “His leadership and selflessness is what makes him so valuable to any team as he makes everyone around him better.”
E.J. Walker
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Lloyd Memorial, 6-8, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 18.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists and shot 62% from the field for a Juggernauts team that finished 26-7 after falling in the Ninth Region final. Named Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Joined the varsity program as an eighth-grader and tallied 1,907 points and 1,186 rebounds for his career, ranking first in school history in both categories. Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with South Carolina.
Quotable: “E.J. Walker is a versatile forward who can dribble, pass, and shoot,” said Lloyd Memorial coach Michael Walker, who also is E.J.’s father. “E.J. has an extremely high IQ and the ability to guard multiple positions on the floor.”
Vince Dawson
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Great Crossing, 6-6, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 18 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 36.4% from 3-point range (67 of 184) for a Warhawks team that finished 35-4 and won its first state championship. Played five seasons of varsity basketball and finished with school records for points (2,640) and assists (516) to go with 782 rebounds and 225 steals. Also earned first-team All-State honors as a junior.
Future: Signed with Morehead State.
Quotable: “He can score at all three levels, defend at a high level and handled the ball when we needed him to,” Great Crossing coach Steve Page said. “His versatility and leadership were a huge part of our success not only this year but the last four years."
Amari Owens
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Bryan Station, 6-0, junior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for a Defenders squad that finished 25-7. Names Lexington Player of the Year by the Herald-Leader. Has led Bryan Station in scoring each of his first three seasons and tallied 1,849 career points. Will be among the top candidates for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award in 2026. Earned honorable-mention All-State honors as a sophomore.
Future: Has scholarship offers from Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State.
Quotable: “I call Amari my ‘cheat code’ because he can do things with the basketball that nobody else can do,” Bryan Station coach Champ Ligon Jr. said. “At least once a day he will leave you shaking your head in amazement, asking the person next to you, ‘Did you see that?’”
Jonah Butler
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Calloway County, 6-5, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 22.3 points and 10 rebounds and shot 56.3% from the field for a Lakers team that finished 31-4 and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015. Named First Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Finished career with 1,935 points and 1,108 rebounds.
Future: Signed with Stony Brook.
Quotable: "Jonah Butler is a walking triple-double," Calloway County coach Brad Cleaver said. "His extreme athleticism combined with his high basketball IQ make him a matchup nightmare. Jonah's deep-range accuracy, super shifty handles and Jordan-esque mid-range fadeaways - combined with over 100 dunks in his career - make him one of the most electrifying players you will ever see."
Austin Sperry
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Breathitt County, 6-4, senior
Accomplishments: Averaged 23.4 points and 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists and shot 53.2% from the field for a Bobcats squad that finished 24-9 and won the 14th Region title. A four-time All-State selection, earning honorable-mention honors as a freshman and sophomore and second-team recognition as a junior. Led the Bobcats in scoring for five straight seasons and scored 2,853 points over his career.
Future:Signed with IU-Indianapolis.
Quotable: “Sperry plays above the rim on both ends of the floor, averaging around three dunks per game with varying degrees of difficulty - ranging from windmill, tomahawk or 360-degree varieties,” Breathitt County coach Jeff Honeycutt said. “On defense he seems to come out of nowhere to block shots or clean the glass, surprising his opponents with his leaping ability and quickness in elevating and his capacity to hover while up there."
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Follow on X @kyhighs.
More high school sports: Meet KHSAA baseball standout Brayden Bruner, PRP High School's top player
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky All-State boys basketball selections from The Courier Journal
Continue reading...
