article Region 7 Rankings (2/1/16)

We have movement again at the top of the rankings, and I expect this type of shift to happen pretty much every week for the rest of the season. There’s a log jam at 2-5, and this was the toughest week to gauge by far in regards to last week’s results. Last week’s rankings are in parentheses ():

1. Male (18-3) (3)

The Bulldogs continue their great team play and go 4-0 since the last rankings. They blew out Madison Southern and Southern; and then had tough battles (but wins) with Moore, and Newport at the King of the Bluegrass Showcase. This week the Bulldogs have a solid Collins team, and a very scary match-up with St. X on Friday.

2. Ballard (15-7) (1)

Ballard started off the week with a solid win against Fern Creek. Then they blew out Seneca, but dropped a game on Friday to a good St. X team. They have a very tough schedule this week. The Bruins play Henry Clay, district dark horse KCD, and Bowling Green at the Wes Strader Schoolboy Shootout. Going to be tough staying at #2 with this schedule, but they’re going to be tested come tourney time, that’s for sure.

3. Eastern (12-6) (5)

The Eagles had a great week. They started the week with a big win against St. X, and then defeated a solid Collins team later in the week. The Eagles are 5-1 in the Region, and have no bad losses. They play a good Oldham County team, and a scary district match-up with Christian Academy as well.

4. St. Xavier (14-7) (4)

The Tigers started the week by dropping a game to #3 Eastern, and then knocking off #2 Ballard. They are now 6-4 in the Region, but show that they can beat anybody on any given day. They have a huge week coming up with Fern Creek on deck and at #1 Male on Friday.

5. Trinity (17-6) (2)

I know that some people aren’t going to like this placement of the Rocks, but they’ve played their way down to five for the week. They’re 1-3 in their last 4 games, and the one game they won was a close comeback OT win against Oldham County. They lost to Henry Clay and Madison Central this past week. They have a pretty manageable schedule going forward for the rest of the season, and have an athletic district opponent in Waggener, and Atherton this week.

6. Central (9-6) (6)

The Yellow Jackets went 2-0 this week against Western and Butler. They got Brandon Wells back in the line-up, and their offense flourished. They did lose a key forward for grades for the season, but should improve as a unit going forward. They have PRP this week, district foe Manual, and a rematch with Dunbar in the Jock Southerland classic on Saturday. Dunbar beat them by way of a made jumper in the final seconds in the KOB without Wells. Let’s see if they have more success with him this time around.

7. Waggener (10-8) (7)

Waggener beat regional opponent CAL, and then dropped a close one to the Fern Creek Tigers. I’m still waiting on their talent and size to get them a signature win. It’s kind of confusing. Even without Cooper I thought that they would beat top 3-5 in the region before the year started. They get their chance for a big win with district front-runner Trinity coming to Hubbards Lane this week. They also play Seneca, and Barbourville in the Don Marshall Ram/ “E” Classic on Saturday.

8. Christian Academy (13-9) (8)

The Centurions lost their rematch bid with Waggener, but then rebounded to blow out DeSales and Spencer County. They have a tough week ahead with district opponent Eastern, and a KY top 10 Bullitt East team on Saturday.

9. DuPont Manual (11-9) (10)

The Crimsons went 2-0 this past week with wins over Moore and Christian Academy (IN). They have a scrappy Butler team, and then play Central for the #1 seed in their district on Friday.

10. Kentucky Country Day (10-7) (9)

KCD almost had the upset of the week with a close loss to Owen Co. in the first round of the All “A” state tourney. They then followed that up with a big blowout loss to Oldham County. They have #2 Ballard, Collegiate, and Shawnee on the schedule for this week.

11. Seneca (6-14) (11)

Knocked off Iroquois, and lost to Ballard and J-Town.

12. Shawnee (5-12) (13)

Lost to Danville in first round of All “A” state tourney.

13. Atherton (5-18) (12)

Got manhandled by both Fairdale and Valley this week.

14. Collegiate (6-11) (14)

They were off this week.

15. Brown (7-11) (15)

Beat St. Francis, and lost handily to Carroll County and Beth Haven.

16. Portland Christian (7-11) (16)

Beat #18 Walden, and lost to Beth Haven, and a close OT loss to Hart County.

17. St. Francis (6-15) (17)

They lost to Brown in their only game last week.

18. Walden (4-12) (18)

Went 2-2 on the week. The Wolverines had losses against Portland Christian and Robertson County. They picked up 2 straight wins against Rose Hill Christian and Piarist School.

Central just can't seem to get a break. Who did they lose to bad grades?

Central just can't seem to get a break. Who did they lose to bad grades?

O'Neal Swint. He didn't lead them in any statistical category or anything. Just was a key rotational guy. Always hurts to lose a versatile 6'5" forward. I think they'll be fine moving forward though. The Wells injury had them really stagnant on offense.

The 7th is still wide open.