Each season, the culmination of the Outside the Huddle Top 50 player countdown is the naming of our annual First Five, the highest preseason honor for OTH basketball coverage.
The First Five traces its lineage back to The News-Sentinel’s years of presenting “Fabulous Five” teams of the area’s best five players in both boys and girls basketball. This player is part of our sixth season of naming First Five players.
No. 3 – Kellen Pickett, Blackhawk Christian
The next in line of high level Braves players with Division 1 futures, Pickett was a crucial part in Blackhawk Christian’s state title run a season ago and has only grown and seemingly gotten longer in his 6-foot-9 frame since. Pickett was an IBCA Underclass Supreme 15 pick a season ago after averaging 13.9 points and a team high eight rebounds per game as a sophomore. Pickett, of course, is really good around the rim but he is tough in the midrange, which makes his ability to take other post players off the dribble more successful. He scored in single digits just five times last season while having 12 double doubles and 11 games with three or more blocked shots.
COACH’S QUOTE ON PICKETT
“Kellen is poised to have a great Junior season for the program, he has continued to work his tail off in the weight room and gym quickly becoming a dynamic player and leader. He finished last year playing his best basketball of the season and I think he will pick up right where he left off this season. He has worked hard scoring the ball on all three levels and has developed great chemistry with his teammates utilizing his passing skills!” – Blackhawk Christian Matt Roth
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