article Inside the 14th Region - Week 4

1.Knott County Central (8-3):

The Patriots remain at 1 this week despite dropping 2 straight games in the Farmers National Bank Classic @ Mercer County. The losses came to Muhlenberg County 75-71 and Louisville Eastern 76-46. The Patriots loss to Louisville Eastern is their 2^nd big loss on the season, in front of the 82-59 defeat at the hands of Scott County.

2.Perry County Central (6-3):

The Commodores took a 3 game win streak into the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee for the annual Smokey Mountain Classic @ Gatlinburg TN. The Commodores opened up with Unitah UT and didn’t really have any problems out of the team from Unitah, the Commodores, however, got blasted their next two games, losing 69-41 to Corbin and 72-55 to South Laurel. It doesn’t get any easier for Perry Central as they travel to Lexington Catholic after the holiday break to participate in the annual Republic Bank Holiday Classic, now known as Traditional Bank Classic.

3.Cordia (3-4):

The Lions have hit a rough stride lately, losing 2 straight and 4 of their last 5 games. Their latest two losses coming at the hands of Madison Central 59-46 and Knott County central 82-70. It appears that the Lions don’t have any games until the WYMT Classic @ Knott Central that takes place in the new year.

4.Letcher County Central (7-3):

Letcher Central would make the long trip all the way down to a little town known as Berea, at the beginning of the week, to participate in the annual, Berea Holiday Classic and the Cougars showed why they are a team that can win the 14^th region, as they won all 3 games, making it to the championship game of the tournament. The Cougars opened up by defeating Eminence 91-77, then defeating region rival, Powell County 72-61 and host school Berea 68-41. The Cougars wouldn’t have an easy task in the championship game as they went head to head with Louisville Christian Academy in what would be one of the most exciting games in the tournament that seen CAL pull out the 60-57 victory, claiming the Berea Invitational crown.

5.Estill County (8-2):

The Engineers made their way to Lancaster this past week to participate in the 2^nd annual Ellemen Contracting Garrard Holiday Classic. Estill County opened up with Danville and it would be a tight close game until the 4^th mid-way when Danville blew it open and never looked back on their way to a 67-49 victory. Estill County would move into the losers bracket playing Bell County (for the second time this season)…This game would be much closer than the first meeting but the same result, 43-39 win for the Engineers which sent them into the 5^th place game against Model. Engineers blew that game open on their way to a 69-54 victory. Estill County then picked up a game with East Carter for Thursday. Engineers led 30-19 at halftime but managed to hang on to an 8 point win 62-54.

6.Powell County (9-3):

Despite losing to Letcher Central in the first round of the Berea Invitational, the Pirates rallied for 2 straight wins over Grace Baptist MS and Casey County then Powell County would return home for Thursday to host Menifee County which a game that they wouldn’t have much of a problem out of as they rolled past the Wildcats 80-37. Through 12 games, just 12 games, the Pirates have closed in on 1,000 points, currently sitting at 928, that’s right at 80 points a game.

7.Hazard (5-4):

After suffering a 70-64 loss to cross-town rival, Perry Central, the Hazard Bulldogs rallied and have put together a 3 game win streak. An impressive streak, that’s seen them win all 3 of their games by 10+ points. The Bulldogs got things started by defeating Jackson City 75-51, then hosting Breathitt County and defeating the Bobcats 70-60, and Owsley County 64-39, what makes this so cool? The Bulldogs won all 3 games in 3 days. They keep this up and they will have something to say about the region, come tourney time.

8.Breathitt County (6-4):

Breathitt County was hit hard this past week, losing both games they played, 80-70 to Hazard and a 30 point blowout loss @ Scott county 85-55. The Bobcats return to action on Monday playing Marina CA in the Traditional Bank Classic @ Lexington Catholic.

9.Leslie County (7-1):

After suffering a 100-79 loss to Knott County Central, the Eagles have gone on a 3 game win streak, picking up wins over; Portland Christian 85-54, Williamsburg 75-55 and Jenkins 86-41. The Eagles have yet to have a game where they have NOT scored 70 or more points, wins or losses.

10.Wolfe County (3-6):

The Wolves, once was a preseason top 5 team in the region, according to several observers, has dropped off, going 3-6 and all of their losses but 1, have been by 10+ points. The Wolves ended their 2 game losing streak, picking up a 80-47 victory over June Buchanan.

11.Buckhorn (5-7):

The Wildcats have seem to have finally gotten things turned around, going on a 3 game win streak, winning all 3 of their games over in the Butler County Pre-Christmas tournament.

12.Jackson City (3-7):

Jackson City picked up 2 wins last week, crushing Lee County by 30 and squeaking past OBI 58-55.

13.Lee County (1-8):

The Bobcats skid streak has reached 8 straight games.

14.Owsley County (1-7):

The Owls continue to struggle and it doesn’t look like it gets any easier.

15.June Buchanan (0-9):

After winning 20 games last season, the Crusaders have yet to win game #1 this season.

16.Jenkins (0-9):

Jenkins continues to struggle, in fact, have lost every game by more than 10 points per game.

17.Riverside Christian (1-12):

Since their 59-41 victory over Piarist School, the Rams have lost 7 straight including a 54-40 loss to the same team they beat earlier in the season.

Good job All State, as usual.

One thing that might change things up a bit in the 14th is Perry Central has finally got the two big kids eligible who transferred from June Buchanan.

In my opinion the region is very weak this year, especially when compared to other regions. There's probably 4 or 5 regions that could send their 6th ranked team and easily win the 14th. Perry Central has already lost to three 13th region teams. But that being said, someone has to win it and play at Rupp. My guess is when the trophy is handed out in early March it will be handed to the PCC Commodores, who are on a 6 year Sweet 16 drought.