After averaging over 17 points as a freshman last season, Harlan guard Jordan Akal was in a league by himself among freshmen in the 13th Region. One state publication has ranked him among the best in Kentucky in his class.

Prep Hoops ranked Akal as the third best sophomore in the state going into the 2019-2020 school year after his breakout freshman campaign. Akal ranks behind two Louisville standouts — 6-8 Eastern forward James Jewell and 6-4 Butler guard Terrell Cleaves Jr. Tim Hall, a 6-6 forward from Dunbar, was ranked fourth, with Clark County’s Jerone Morton, a 6-3 guard, rounding out the top five.

North Oldham’s Justin Powell, a 6-6 guard, is the top-rated senior in the 2020 class, followed by Collins’ Dayvion McKnight, McCracken County’s Jackson Sivilis, Bardstown’s J.J. Trainer and Madisonville’s Kenny White. Three 13th Region players were ranked among the state’s top 50 seniors with South Laurel’s Matt Cromer coming in 12th, Middlesboro’s Jabari Kyle ranked 33rd and Corbin’s Matthew Taylor ranked 36th. Other 13th Region seniors listed included Middlesboro Trey Brock at 51, South Laurel’s Brett Norvell at 61, North Laurel’s Cole Kelley at 109 and Jackson County’s Logan Rose at 111.

Marshall County guard Zion Harmon is the top-rated junior in Kentucky and is followed by Lexington Catholic’s Ben Johnson, Fern Creek’s Jaden Rogers, Bowling Green’s Isaiah Mason and Fern Creek’s Zek Montgomery. Clay County’s Connor Robinson is the 13th Region representative on the list as the 31st ranked junior in Kentucky.

Akal, a starter the past two years at Harlan, had a strong summer for the Dragons, averaging over 30 points in Harlan’s 21 scrimmages. He scored 47 points in a win over Scott County, 35 in a win over Wolfe County and 33 in a victory over Jackson County. He also plays with Matt’s Mustangs, an AAU team based in Lexington, and had a strong summer on the AAU circuit.

“Akal is a scoring point guard who is capable of lighting up a scoreboard,” said Prep Hoops in a report on Akal. “Colleges have started taking notice of Akal’s abilities as well. Heading into his sophomore season, Jordan could be the highest rated scorer in the 13th Region.”