Inez, Ky. — The 35th edition of the Zip Zone Classic will tip-off on Saturday morning at Martin Co. High School.
2023 Zip Zone Express Tip-Off Classic Preview with contributions from the D & D Sports Network
The 2023 version of Martin County’s Zip Zone Classic basketball showcase will feature some of the top teams, talent and names in Kentucky/West Virginia basketball. State champion, region champions, district champions and teams on the rise will be featured. Over 20 players with college offers will be competing on November 25th. Butler Co. Lyon Co. Evangel Christian, Great Crossing, Ashland, Pike Co. Central, Lawrence Co., Chapmanville, Tug Valley, Floyd Central, Boyd Co. Prestonsburg, and Magoffin Co. will all be at host Martin Co. for an exciting day of basketball with the regular season only a few days away.
2023 Zip-Zone schedule
(10:40) Prestonsburg vs Magoffin Co.
(12:00) Pike Co. Central vs Ashland Paul Blazer
(1:20) Lawrence Co. vs Butler County
(2:40) Evangel Christian vs Boyd Co.
(4:00) Lyon Co. vs Great Crossing
(5:20) Martin Co. vs Tug Valley (Girls)
(6:40) Tug Valley vs Floyd Central
(8:00) Martin Co. vs. Chapmonville
Martin Co. has brought in the top talent in the state and nationally as University of Kentucky signee Travis Perry the KHSAA’s all-time leading scorer will return this season with Lyon County.
Some players to watch for…
Travis Perry of Lyon Co.
Kentucky’s all-time scoring leader will return to the Zip Zone as one of the most decorated high school players of the modern era. The 6’2 guard is a four star recruit and is ranked top 75 nationally overall. Last season for Lyon County, Perry averaged 31.6 points per game and in the process broke a 50+ year old scoring record held by the legendary “King” Kelly Coleman. His game has elevated even more since last season as his playmaking ability really shined this summer for his AAU program Indiana Elite. Perry has signed with the University of Kentucky after being a high profile recruit for several major college programs recruiting him. Purdue, Indiana, Michigan, Cincinnati, Florida, Stanford, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, WKU, Missouri, Virginia, and UCLA were all in the mix.
Junior Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing
Moreno is a four-star recruit and is currently a top 10 players nationally in many rankings in his class at the post position. Last season for Great Crossing, Moreno averaged 14.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.8 blocks per game.
The 6’11 center had a tremendous showing during the summer and the likes of Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame are just a handful of the schools showing interest in the big man. Moreno is scheduled to take a visit to The University of Kentucky in late October.
Junior Ty Price of Butler Co.
ESPN 4 Star recruit Ty Price rewrote the record book in the state and nationally as a sophomore. 31.3 PPG 5.4 Assts 4.1 Rebs. 141 made 3s. According to Max Preps he’s one of only 10 players in the country to score 1000 in one season last year. He’s the 2nd youngest player in KHSAA History to score 1000 in season. Price holds several D1 offers with many more involved and with more sure to come. Price is a lethal three point shooter who has been compared to Steph Curry with his long distance accuracy. But his three ball is just a small part of his game. The electric guard can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. Price might be the most skilled player player coming to the Zip Zone this year. Butler County will be a favorite in their region this season and Ty Price will be a major reason why.
Vince Dawson a Junior at Great Crossing:
Dawson is 6’5 SG that can play multiple positions on the floor. An absolute matchup nightmare for opponents and is possibly the toughest matchup at the wing position in KHSAA. Very tough to guard and can knock down the mid-range jumper. Dawson has offers from EKU and Miami (OH) with other schools quickly jumping in the mix. A top 5 player in the state and is a player that should be on everyone’s watch list for Player of the Year as a senior.
Luke Hale a Senior from Martin Co.
One of the most explosive scorers in the Mountains, Luke Hale, has the ability to put his team on his back offensively. The senior guard has a ton of athleticism to go along with his knack for scoring the ball. Hale knows what it takes to win in big game scenarios and this will be another opportunity for the “Pre-Season Player of the Year Candidate” to showcase his skills on a big time stage. Last season, the Martin County guard was an All-Region and All-Region Tournament Selection. A next level talent that will no doubt be playing on the collegiate level.
Senior Andrew Bloomfield of Lawrence Co.
Bloomfield returns for his senior season after averaging 17.1 points per game last year for Lawrence County. Bloomfield is a perfect guard for Coach Thompson’s offensive style allows Andrew to excel. Whether it’s getting to the rim, converting in transition or knocking down the long ball Bloomfield is always a scoring threat when on the court.
Dray Duff a Senior from Martin Co.
If you’re looking for a Point Guard that will control the game’s pace, tempo, and flow then Duff is your guy. It’s not his stats that will blow you away, it’s the eye test watching him compete. The super quick PG is a master of game management. We encourage fans as a primer to the ZIp Zone Classic go back on the D&D Sports Network and watch Martin County’s game(s) in the 15th Region tournament. His spacing of the floor and controlling the game as a PG is a Master Class on how to control tempo and pace. Duff is Super quick and can get to his spots on the court to create for others. A next level PG how has multiple college programs recruiting him.
Senior Jacob Sturgell from Martin Co.
One of the key pieces to Martin County’s success last season. The forward knocks down shots 18 feet and in, rebounds, sets good screens and can score around the bucket. He’s the type of player you can plug into different spots and he will be effective. Last season Sturgell averaged 8.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Junior Lawson Rice of Butler Co.
Butler County is more than just the Ty Price show. They have weapons and one of those weapons is 6’6 Lawson Rice. Rice will be one of the more versatile players in the Zip Zone this year. His athleticism, length, and ability to finish at the rim will be a tough matchup for Lawrence County. Lawson averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds last season. A D1 talent that is getting better and better every day.
Junior Peyton Davis from Martin Co.
The “Glue Guy” for the Cardinals last season. Davis did whatever was needed to help his teammates and Coach James. If you need defense he’s your man, if you need someone to knock down shots he’s your guy. He can handle the basketball, facilitate, and play off the basketball. He is Mr. Versatility for Martin County. Davis plays AAU for D&D Mountain Elite. He has several next level programs interested in him.
Briar Griffin Junior of Butler Co.
Griffin is a transfer from Bowling Green. The 6’0 guard by many experts is considered a top 25 player in the state in his class and is one of the best on ball defenders in Western Kentucky. An elite level handler. Briar figures to be the missing piece Butler County was needing to make a run at the 3rd region championship.
Lawrence Co. Freshman Hayden Perry
Perry is a 6’3 wing/shooting guard that burst on to the scene last season starting for Lawrence County as an 8th grader. Hayden is one of the top ranked guards in his class in Kentucky depending on what rankings site he is a top 5th to 7th player at his position and was a top six scorer in the state last season in his class. Perry is one of the premier guards in the mountains and is known for his long distance shooting ability, Perry also does a good job of rebounding and finding shot opportunities in the paint. An All-58th District selection last season, Perry was a huge reason why Lawrence Co. won the 58th District title last season.
