article Inside the 4th Region (1/2/17)

1) Bowling Green (10-2) - 12/28 67-15 W Murray, 12/29 72-51 W Owensboro, 12/30 55-42 W #2 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 1/3 at #9 Barren County, 1/6 at #4 Greenwood, 1/7 vs. Dixie Heights (at Muhlenberg County)

 

Bowling Green rebounded nicely from their first two losses of the year by sweeping their holiday tournament in dominating fashion, with all three results coming by double digits. That included an early matchup of the region's top two teams, with the Purples knocking off Franklin-Simpson a few weeks ahead of their scheduled meeting. The Purples continue to get standout play from 8th grade phenom Zion Harmon, who led the team with 19 points against Franklin-Simpson, including going 10/10 from the line.

 

2) Franklin-Simpson (9-3) - 12/28 70-65 OT W Doss (at Bowling Green), 12/29 63-58 W Male (at Bowling Green), 12/30 42-55 L at #1 Bowling Green

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 1/3 at #3 Warren Central, 1/6 vs. #12 Todd County Central

 

The Wildcats ran a gauntlet to get to their matchup with Bowling Green, knocking off Doss in overtime (BluegrassPreps' #11 ranked team) and then pulling out another tight contest with Male. Tavin Lovan continues to average around 25 PPG, but got little help in the marquee matchup with the Purples. Lovan had 20 of the team's 22 points, and while he was 8/17 from the floor, the rest of the team combined to go 9/33.

 

3) Warren Central (9-3) - 12/27 58-60 L Covington Holy Cross (at Apollo), 12/28 78-53 W Louisville Holy Cross (at Apollo), 12/29 73-71 2OT W Butler (at Apollo)

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 1/3 vs. #2 Franklin-Simpson, 1/6 vs. #6 Warren East, 1/7 vs. #9 Barren County

 

The Dragons stumbled during the holiday season, and suffered an injury to three point sharpshooter Ziyan Milliken during a matchup with Henry Clay, which cut into the shallow depth of the team. After a brutal loss to a previously one-win Covington Holy Cross, the Dragons rebounded with two wins. In their win over Louisville Holy Cross, the team was boosted by Skyelar Potter's 45 points and 10 three pointers, both single-game records for the Dragons. They face a tough measuring stick game against Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, before a crucial district game against surging Warren East.

 

4) Greenwood (9-6) - 12/28 65-70 OT L Male (at Bowling Green), 12/29 51-56 L Doss (at Bowling Green), 12/30 61-50 W #15 South Warren (at Bowling Green)

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 1/3 vs. Daviess County, 1/6 vs. #1 Bowling Green

 

The Gators were the anti-Franklin-Simpson, not quite able to pull out tough contests against Male and Doss before a double digit win over South Warren. Still, the Gators continue to show that they are a legitimate threat to play spoiler as they have put a good scare into every good team they've played. The Gators have four players averaging over 9 PPG, giving them a balance that helps shift all the focus off of Dawson Crump and his 16 PPG.

 

5) Russellville (7-5) - 12/26 70-69 OT W Sheldon Clark (at Lexington Catholic), 12/27 67-76 L Dunbar (at Lexington Catholic), 12/28 68-53 W Breathitt County (at Lexington Catholic), 12/29 72-76 L South Laurel (at Lexington Catholic)

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 1/3 vs. Ohio County, 1/6 vs. #10 Logan County

 

The Panthers have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games, as they continue to go against a brutal schedule. They have been battle tested to be sure, but it is a bit difficult to place them exactly at this point. The team around Pedro Bradshaw is not giving him a lot of help, as his 21.8 PPG average is the only one on the team above single digits. For example, in a 49-44 win over Barren County, Bradshaw hit 50% of the team's made baskets and had almost 50% of their points. They have a high ceiling, but Bradshaw needs some support.

 

6) Warren East (8-3) - 12/28 72-57 W #11 Logan County, 12/29 69-61 W John Hardin

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 1/3 vs. #12 Todd County Central, 1/6 at #3 Warren Central

 

The Raiders continue to surge after the addition of transfer Trequon Patterson, who has averaged 24 PPG in 8 contests so far. Warren East has racked up a 7-1 record in those games, which includes impressive wins over Graves County and John Hardin. Now they will try to continue that momentum, to reverse a recent trend that has seen them go 35-14 in November and January over the last four seasons, but followed up with a 13-30 record in the following January and February campaigns. This week they'll try to get their first win against Warren Central under Coach Combs.

 

7) Clinton County (10-5) - 12/26 53-50 W #9 Barren County (at Edmonson County), 12/27 58-59 L at Edmonson County, 12/28 34-48 L Ohio County (at Edmonson County)

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 1/3 vs. Pickett County (TN), 1/6 at #17 Metcalfe County

 

The Bulldogs continued their up and down campaign with a close win over Barren County followed by a poor loss at Edmonson County and an abysmal scoring performance in a 14 point loss to Ohio County. Clinton County is attempting 17 three point shots a game, but have hit on only 31%, the likely culprit for failing to average 60 PPG so far.

 

8) Monroe County (7-6) - 12/28 78-65 W Marion County (at Campbellsville), 12/29 49-74 L Adair County (at Campbellsville), 12/30 63-57 W at Campbellsville

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 1/3 at #10 Logan County, 1/6 vs. #16 Allen County-Scottsville

 

The Falcons had dual third place finishes in the Warren East Holiday Hoops Classic and Campbellsville High School Holiday Classic, falling to the champions of each (Collins and Adair County, respectively). They've rebounded with a healthy 6-2 stretch after falling in three overtime games earlier in the year. Billy Michael Dyer continues to carry the team with 23.5 PPG. No one else on the squad averages more than 7.9 PPG.

 

9) Barren County (6-8) - 12/26 50-53 L #6 Clinton County (at Edmonson County), 12/27 49-60 L Ohio County (at Edmonson County), 12/28 55-57 L at Edmonson County, 12/30 61-51 W #10 Glasgow

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 1/3 vs. #1 Bowling Green, 1/6 at Adair County, 1/7 at #3 Warren Central

 

The Trojans are just 2-8 since opening the year 4-0, which includes two losses to Edmonson County, but also close contests against Russellville, Calloway County, and Clinton County. The Trojans have found it very difficult to put up points, with their 70 points against Monroe County serving as a season high, which required quadruple overtime to reach. Their 61 point effort against Glasgow last week is their only other contest where they reached even 60 points.

 

10) Logan County (4-9) - 12/28 62-83 L John Hardin (at Warren East), 12/28 57-72 L at #7 Warren East

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 1/3 vs. #8 Monroe County, 1/6 at #5 Russellville

 

Frankly, Logan County is getting this ranking by default. The Cougars have lost four in a row after a December 17th win over South Warren, and lost each by double digits. But the teams below them have been far worse. The week upcoming provides some opportunity to advance, with a home game against #8 Monroe County and a district game against the Panthers. Logan County lost their three games against Russellville last year by an average of 12 PPG.

 

11) Glasgow (2-8) - 12/30 51-61 L at #9 Barren County

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 1/3 vs. #16 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/6 at #15 South Warren

 

The Scotties had a light holiday break, with a double digit loss to Barren County the only result. Their two wins on the year come against teams that are a combined 2-22.

 

12) Todd County Central (3-8) - 12/30 75-78 L Hopkins County Central

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 1/3 at #6 Warren East, 1/6 at #2 Franklin-Simpson, 1/7 vs. Calloway County

 

The Rebels have lost three in a row, albeit in competitive fashion. Most recently they posted a season high of 75 points in their loss to Hopkins County Central, and continue to get strong performances from Nolan Barrow (15 PPG) and John Calvery (13.7 PPG). Barrow has hit on nearly 44% of all three point attempts (17/39).

 

13) Russell County (2-10) - 12/28 55-65 L at LaRue County, 12/30 53-70 L Highlands (at LaRue County)

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 1/3 at Marion County, 1/5 at Whitley County, 1/6 at #14 Cumberland County

 

The Lakers continue to suffer through their rebuilding year, but did pick up a 61-58 win over Cumberland County during the Warren East Holiday Hoops Classic. It was a preview of their must-win road game at the Panthers on the 6th. This postseason remains the most likely risk to their region appearance streak yet.

 

14) Cumberland County (4-6) - No Games

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 1/3 vs. #17 Metcalfe County, 1/6 vs. #13 Russell County

 

At four wins, the Panthers have already equaled their season high for wins in the last four seasons. Before taking the week off between Christmas and New Years', they followed disappointing losses to Todd Central and Russell County with a 66-64 decision over Caverna, who have a win over Barren County on their record.

 

15) South Warren (4-11) - 12/28 49-63 L Owensboro (at Bowling Green), 12/29 44-53 L Murray (at Bowling Green), 12/30 50-61 L #5 Greenwood (at Bowling Green)

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 1/6 vs. #11 Glasgow, 1/7 at Henderson County

 

After a 3-1 run through the Twin Lakes Classic, the Spartans came back to earth with a trio of losses at Bowling Green in the Meijer Holiday Classic, including a second loss on the year to Greenwood. South is averaging just under 46 PPG, and continue to struggle in the absence of Dylan Beckham, who still leads the team in per game scoring despite having not played since the fourth game of the year.

 

16) Allen County-Scottsville (3-8) - 12/28 57-63 L Rockcastle County, 12/28 63-59 W Elizabethtown, 12/29 62-68 L Webster County

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 1/3 at #11 Glasgow, 1/6 at #8 Monroe County, 1/7 vs. Adair County

 

Lex Lindsey's squad enjoyed a 2-3 run in the last two weeks, notching wins over Metcalfe County and Elizabethtown. They have two district road games this week, which likely fall in the must-win category if they want to avoid the district's 4 seed.

 

17) Metcalfe County (0-13) - 12/28 39-71 L Green County (at Campbellsville), 12/29 83-84 2OT L Betsy Layne (at Campbellsville), 12/30 47-81 L Marion County (at Campbellsville)

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 1/3 at #14 Cumberland County, 1/6 vs. #7 Clinton County

 

The Hornets' losing streak has reached 14, and they may have missed their best chance for a victory after falling in double overtime against previously winless Betsy Layne. Metcalfe County has been held under 40 points in five of their games, and under 50 in all but three games. The 83 points they scored in their double overtime loss were a season high by 22 points.