article Inside the 4th Region (12/12/16)

Fourth Region Rankings

 

1) Bowling Green (4-0) - 12/6 97-58 W Elizabethtown, 12/9 82-57 W at Hopkinsville, 12/10 85-51 W North Hardin (at Henderson County)

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 12/13 vs. #5 Greenwood, 12/17 vs. Doss (at Fairdale)

 

These results ought to be eye-popping to the entire state, to say nothing of the 4th Region. Bowling Green is the #1 team for a reason, and they flexed their might by averaging 88 PPG in their three wins last week, and have won by an average of 32.5 PPG in their four games this year. The Purples knocked off the #1 teams in the 2nd and 5th regions in less than 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. The Purples are possibly exceeding the hype.

 

2) Franklin-Simpson (5-0) - 12/6 72-52 W at #12 South Warren, 12/9 84-51 W at #9 Logan County

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 12/15 vs. #15 Allen County-Scottsville, 12/16 at Fairdale

 

The Wildcats didn't exactly square off with the best in the region, but they own by impressive 20 and 33 point margins this week, including getting off to a 1-0 start in the 13th District by knocking off Logan County. Lovan averaged merely 18 PPG in the two wins, dropping his season average to 24 PPG. The Wildcats will likely face their first significant test of the year when they visit host Fairdale in the King of the Bluegrass.

 

3) Warren Central (4-0) - 12/6 68-67 OT W at Owensboro, 12/9 71-68 W University Heights (at Hopkinsville)

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 12/12 at #10 Glasgow, 12/13 at #9 Logan County

 

The Dragons had a heartstopping week, knocking off Owensboro on the road via a Jaylen McFadden layup with 6 seconds remaining in overtime on Tuesday, and followed with an even stronger win over dangerous University Heights in the Toyota of Hopkinsville Classic. The Dragons did blow double digit leads in each game - they led Owensboro by as many as 15 - but gained continued experience in close results. Skyelar Potter continues to shine, having topped 20 points in every game this year.

 

4) Russellville (2-1) - 12/6 71-53 W #11 Warren East, 12/9 77-39 W #15 Todd County Central, 12/10 70-72 L University Heights (at Hopkinsville)

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 12/12 vs. Hopkinsville, 12/16 at #6 Barren County

 

Russellville got their feet wet for the first time after taking the first week of the season off. They came from behind to blowout Warren East in the fourth quarter before an easy district win over Todd County Central, where Pedro Bradshaw had a triple double. They dropped their first decision of the year against UHA in the Toyota of Hopkinsville Classic in an up and down affair. The Panthers rolled up huge deficits twice, and trailed by 10 to start the fourth, before rallying to a 72-70 defeat. Bradshaw had 32 points and 15 rebounds in the loss, per Chris Jung of the Kentucky New Era. They get another tough test against Hopkinsville on Monday night, before traveling to Barren County to end the week.

 

5) Greenwood (5-1) - 12/6 68-52 W at #13 Russell County, 12/9 68-58 W at Edmonson County, 12/10 70-48 W #7 Clinton County

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 12/13 at #1 Bowling Green, 12/16 vs. #12 South Warren, 12/17 at Hart County

 

The Gators continue their rapid ascent up our rankings, as they remain off to their best start since starting 6-1 in the 2011/12 season. After starting the week with their first win ever at Russell County, they won on back to back nights against Edmonson County and Clinton County. The win over Clinton County was especially impressive, with a 22 point blowout of a team expected to compete to be in the top 5. The Gators have been incredibly balanced, with four players averaging over 10 PPG, including leading scorer Dawson Crump (15.7) and returning big man Alex Fee (10.5 PPG). Fee had a quadruple double in the victory over Clinton County. They'll find out truly how close/far they are when they visit #1 Bowling Green on Tuesday.

 

6) Barren County (4-0) - 12/6 57-46 W #14 Allen County-Scottsville, 12/9 70-67 4OT W at #5 Monroe County

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 12/13 at Caverna, 12/15 vs. Edmonson County, 12/16 vs. #4 Russellville

 

The undefeated Trojans were denied a move up the ranks due to the Gators, but they played the game of the week in the region in a hard-fought 70-67 quadruple-overtime victory over Monroe County. Branson London paced the Trojans with a career-high 29 points, and Jared Coomer had 27 as Barren County blew a 46-37 lead with less than four minutes left, but never allowed Monroe County a chance to take the game outside of a Mink shot that was blocked by Coomer in the second OT. The wins during the week put Barren County at 2-0 in the district already, and most crucially their win over Monroe was on the road. Barely two weeks into the season, Barren County already has a stranglehold on the #1 seed.

 

7) Clinton County (3-3) - 12/6 65-64 OT W #5 Monroe County, 12/9 73-29 W #17 Metcalfe County, 12/10 48-70 L at #8 Greenwood

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 12/13 at #14 Cumberland County, 12/16 vs. #13 Russell County

 

The Bulldogs had a strong start to the week with an OT win over rival Monroe County, overcoming some atrocious three point shooting (2/16) to do so. It's a common theme for Clinton County so far, as they are shooting just 26% from behind the arc thus far. After an easy district win over Metcalfe County, the Bulldogs were pasted on the road by Greenwood. They have yet to flash the potential that their experience suggested, and with Russell County's decline, this has the appearance of a dismal season for the 16th District.

 

8) Monroe County (1-4) - 12/6 64-65 OT L at #7 Clinton County, 12/9 67-70 4OT L #6 Barren County

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 12/13 at #13 Russell County, 12/16 at #10 Glasgow

 

The Falcons are probably one of the best 1-4 teams in the state, and would also probably like to stop seeing overtime games. Three overtime games have resulted in three overtime losses for Monroe, and they haven't won an overtime game in two seasons. Billy Michael Dyer did all he could to lift Monroe to a win in their loss to Barren County, scoring 29 points, including 10 in the third quarter, before fouling out in triple overtime. Monroe has two road games this week, but should be favored in each.

 

9) Logan County (2-4) - 12/6 50-63 L at Ohio County, 12/9 51-84 L #2 Franklin-Simpson, 12/10 65-60 W Hopkins County Central (at Webster County)

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 12/13 vs. #3 Warren Central, 12/16 vs. #16 Todd County Central, 12/17 at #12 South Warren

 

The Cougars have gone the wrong direction after a surprising opening win over Warren East, dropping two this week, including a shellacking at the hands of Franklin-Simpson. They did rebound nicely with a victory over previously unbeaten Hopkins County Central in Webster County. Sophomore Kelby Epley has paced the Cougars with 12.2 PPG and 35% three point shooting on the year.

 

10) Glasgow (1-3) - 12/6 58-92 L Somerset, 12/9 69-53 W #13 Russell County

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 12/12 vs. #3 Warren Central, 12/16 vs. #8 Monroe County, 12/17 vs. Shawnee

 

The Scotties got on the board with their first win of the season, bouncing back from a 34 point loss to defeat Russell County for the first time since 2010. Jasper Mundy keyed the Scotties with 22 points - making up for an uncharacteristic scoreless performance from Ben Hughes - and leads Glasgow with 12.6 PPG on the season. The Scotties get a measuring stick game against Warren Central before hosting Monroe County in a big district game on Friday.

 

11) Warren East (2-2) - 12/6 53-71 L at #4 Russellville, 12/9 62-39 W #12 South Warren

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 12/13 at #15 Allen County-Scottsville, 12/17 vs. Graves County (at Murray)

 

The Raiders continued their up and down ways with a blowout loss to Russellville before dominating South Warren in their district opener. Even within the single game against Russellville it was up and down, as the Raiders jumped out to a 34-28 lead at the half before being outscored 43-19 in the second frame. The Raiders continue to get standout play from Patrick Satterfield, who has topped double digits in every game as part of his 17.3 PPG average. They will be boosted by the eligibility of transfer Trequon Patterson this week.

 

12) South Warren (1-4) - 12/6 52-72 L #2 Franklin-Simpson, 12/9 39-62 L at #11 Warren East

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 12/13 vs. #16 Todd County Central, 12/16 at #5 Greenwood, 12/17 vs. #9 Logan County

 

The Spartans have yet to top 54 points in any game so far and have allowed 62 or more in three of their five games. Last year's squad was similarly scoring-challenged, posting seven games in December where they failed to top 54. It's not a good start for a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2012/13 and has never advanced to the region tournament.

 

13) Russell County (0-4) - 12/6 52-68 L #8 Greenwood, 12/9 53-69 L at #10 Glasgow, 12/10 62-69 L at Jackson County

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 12/12 vs. #17 Metcalfe County, 12/13 vs. #8 Monroe County, 12/16 at #7 Clinton County

 

The Lakers are mired in the longest losing streak they've had since the 2005/06 season, and are winless after four games for the first time since the 1998/99 season when they began 0-9. The good news is that they will almost certainly stop those streaks against Metcalfe County on Monday, but the bad news is that things aren't otherwise going to improve much.

 

14) Cumberland County (3-2) - 12/6 66-38 W at #17 Metcalfe County, 12/9 79-74 OT W #14 Allen County-Scottsville

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 12/13 vs. #7 Clinton County, 12/16 at Marion County

 

Break up the Panthers! Cumberland County just beat their first 13th, 14th, or 15th District opponent since 2011, extending their win streak to three games. After winning just a single game in the past two seasons, it is the longest winning streak for the Panthers since opening 2012/13 with four straight wins. They'll get a significant test of progress when they host Clinton County on Tuesday. They have not defeated the Bulldogs since the 2009 16th District tournament.

 

15) Allen County-Scottsville (1-3) - 12/6 46-57 L at #6 Barren County, 12/9 74-79 OT L at #16 Cumberland County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 12/13 vs. #11 Warren East, 12/15 at #2 Franklin-Simpson

 

It's been a struggling start for new HC Lex Lindsey and a Patriot program that has won just 14 times since January 1st, 2015. This week saw a strong effort against Barren County before the Trojans pushed the game out of reach by the middle of the fourth quarter. That result was followed by the first loss by AC/S to Cumberland County since 2003. It may be another week before the Patriots find a favorable matchup for a second win.

 

16) Todd County Central (1-4) - 12/9 39-77 L at #4 Russellville, 12/10 45-75 L at Henderson County

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 12/13 at #12 South Warren, 12/16 at #9 Logan County

 

The Rebels suffered through a week where they lost by an average of 34 PPG and dropped to 0-1 in their district. They'll visit South Warren, where they've won one game in their seven game series so far with the Spartans, before getting another crack at a 13th District win.

 

17) Metcalfe County (0-5) - 12/6 38-66 L #16 Cumberland County, 12/9 29-73 L at #7 Clinton County, 12/10 29-56 L Green County

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 12/12 at #13 Russell County, 12/13 at Hart County, 12/16 vs. Edmonson County

 

The Hornets have yet to score more than 41 points through five games, and haven't allowed less than 56. It's a lethal combination.

Great job, as usual, DF.

Aweson job, Dragon. Should be a fun year

Some interesting results so far this week. Greenwood hanging with Bowling Green, Russellville knocking off Hoptown, Barren County faceplanting against Caverna... Even on the low end you had some surprises like Todd County Central's upset of South Warren, and the (relatively) close contest between Russell County and Metcalfe County.

 

It's way off the radar, but I'm circling January 6th, 2017 with great interest. That's when Cumberland County hosts Russell County. It'll be our first, best indicator of whether or not the Lakers are in serious danger of missing the region tournament for the first time as members of the 4th Region. They are really struggling so far.

Edited December 20, 2016 by DragonFire