article 3rd Region Notebook & Top 10

We are two weeks into this young high school basketball season and aside from Meade County, things are as clear as mud across the 3rd. Everyone is beating everyone. Some teams have had some nice wins but seem to follow it up with ugly losses. You can take a blanket and throw it over 2-12 in this region. I expect you're not going to get a real good idea on the middle of the pack teams in this region until late January, but Ill give it a shot...

1.Meade Co(6-0 SAME) - The Greenwaves are living up to their preseason #1 ranking as they are off to a hot 6-0 start, 3 of those coming inside the 3rd region. Meade has 3 guys averaging double figures....Josh Durbin(14ppg), Calvin Hackert(14ppg) & James Baker(13ppg). This week should tell us more as they go on the road vs tough district opponents Breck & Hancock Co.

2.Breck Co(4-1, UP 1) - Patrick Critchelow's bunch have bounced back nicely since losing the season opener to Edmonson County. The Tigers have won 4 straight, including two double digit wins over Hancock and Muhlenberg. Cody Mingus leads the Tigers in scoring with 18ppg, while big man Tyler Haycraft is averaging a double double(13ppg/16reb). They will get a shot at the Waves on Tuesday at home.

3.Daviess Co(4-1, DOWN 1) - Daviess County had an up and down week with two wins(Edmonson & Holmes) sandwiched between a tough district loss to Apollo. Coach Hayden is getting all state production out of Stewart Currie(24ppg & 13reb per game). If the Panthers have shown a weakness early, its ball handling. DC has struggled to find a true point guard to replace Marshall Griffith who graduated last season. The Panthers have two winnable games this week vs Whitesville Trinity and Butler Co.

4.Owensboro(1-3, UP 1) - At first glance you would assume this is to high for the young Devils, but strength of schedule and potential is the reasoning for placing them inside the top 5. Looking at them, you can see the potential is there but they are still learning roles and end of game situations(letting two games get away from them in the final minute vs DC and Warren Central). Jacoby Harris has been an absolute MAN at PG, not just with his scoring, but with his leadership. Harris is averaging 21ppg. The Devils have another tough task this week vs Christian County.

5.Apollo(2-3, UNRANKED) - Apollo is a team that is very tough to read. Obviously the Eagles were ravaged with departures this offseason, but Coach Barker is really managing what he has left very well. After a slow start, the Eagles have 2 impressive wins vs Trinity and Daviess County. Sophomore shooting guard Nathan Boyle has sparked the Eagles offense with his ability to shoot the long ball. Boyle is averaging 12ppg, 3 long balls per. While the Eagles are not AS talented as in years past, their effort is much much better this season. They have a 9th district matchup with Owensboro Catholic this Friday.

6.Edmonson County(3-2, SAME) - The Wildcats have been a very scrappy bunch early, pushing Daviess County and Greenwood to the limit, while upsetting one of the region favorites in Breck County. The Wildcats have 4 players averaging double figures, which will turn some heads....Austin Sowders(18ppg), Bailey Board(14ppg), Hunter Buttram(14ppg) & Caleb Skaggs(10ppg). If Edmonson can stay this balanced, they will have a shot vs anyone in the region. The Wildcats have 3 games this week(LaRue, Barren & @thomas Nelson).

7.Hancock Co (2-3, DOWN 3) - No one in the region had a tougher week than the Hornets. Hancock opened the season with big wins vs Apollo and Mclean but suffered losses this week to Breck, Butler Co & Heritage Hills, IN. Ty Ogle had 60 points in his first two games, but has only averaged 10 points per since. He will have a shot to break his slump at Cloverport and then at home vs #1 Meade.

8.Butler Co (3-1. UNRANKED) - The Bears are off to a bit of a surprising start. Butler is coming off an impressive overtime victory over Hancock County on the road. After suffering a big opening season loss to Breck, they have won 3 straight. Baylee Anderson is leading the way for the Bears with 22ppg and 7rpg. Butler has a chance to prove they belong with big games at Daviess County and at Ohio County.

9.Grayson Co (2-1, DOWN 2) - Grayson had a nice opening week to the season but suffered a tough setback to Central Hardin this past week. The Cougars are led by Trey Goff(20ppg). Grayson gets Warren East at home on Tuesday followed by a road game at Breck Co.

10.McLean Co (2-2, DOWN 1) - Its been a very difficult start to the season for the Cougars. Were the expectations to high or are they just off to a slow start?? They got a nice come from behind win at home vs Ohio County Friday that MAY spark them. Sam Miller leads the way for Mclean(16ppg) while Jake Logsdon is averaging a double double at (15ppg/13reb). The Cougars get Webster County at home before traveling to Henderson on Friday.

Teams to watch...(Any one of these teams could be ranked 7-10 to be honest)....

-Owensboro Catholic(0-4) - Coach Tim Riley is still putting things together but the Aces will not be outside the top 10 for long. They pushed OHS to overtime Friday night and will continue to improve as the season goes along.

-Muhlenberg Co(2-2) - Its been an inconsistent start for the Mustangs thus far. Thats to be expected when you replace a guy in Hunter Noffsinger who was everything to your offense. Coach Stovall will have this team competitive every time out.

-Trinity(3-2) - Whitesville has some kids that can flat shoot the ball. No one does more with less than the Raiders. With only 100 kids to pull from, Coach Kirkpatrick puts his team in position to succeed night in and night out. Daniel Morris and Dakota Wathen always give them a punchers chance.

-Ohio County(1-4) - The Hartford Eagles are a very interesting team. Aside from Conner Wilson, they have a whole new unit. Aside from a tough season opener vs Meade they have competed nicely every time out. Including very close losses to Mclean, N Harding and most impressive...Graves County. Keep your eye on the growth of this young team under coach Sparks. Hes one of the best in the business.

Games to watch..

Tue-Muhlenberg @ Ohio - Coach Sparks welcomes his old County into his new County...

Tue-Meade @ Breck - 11th district rivalry game in Harned! #1 vs #2, enough said

Tue-Owensboro @ Christian Co - Young Devils see how they stack up vs a West KY power

Thur-Meade @ Hancock - The Waves 2nd district road game in 2 days...

Fri-Catholic @ Apollo - Any 9th district battle is fun. Aces desperate for a win at 0-4.