article Inside the 4th Region (1/30/17)

Fourth Region Rankings

 

1) Bowling Green (20-2) - 1/24 86-59 W Muhlenberg County, 1/27 70-43 W #5 Warren Central

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 1/31 vs. #15 South Warren, 2/3 vs. #16 Glasgow

 

The Purples continued their winning ways, running their win streak to 13 in a row. For the second straight year, they look like they will run the table in the regular season after a pair of losses in the King of the Bluegrass. Bowling Green has won 48 of their last 51 games played in January, February, and March, with all three losses coming to the eventual state champions, and two of those in the Sweet 16. Their win over rival Warren Central was a statement, the largest margin of victory for the Purples over WC in 18 years. The Purples hit five straight threes in running out to a 17-2 lead, and never looked back. They'll breathe very easy against their schedule this week.

 

2) Franklin-Simpson (17-5) - 1/27 66-55 W at #10 Todd County Central

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 1/31 at Christian County, 2/3 vs. #4 Russellville, 2/4 vs. University Heights (at Bowling Green)

 

You might not know it from the final score, but Franklin had to battle against Todd Central. Despite winning their opening matchup by 30, they fell behind to the Rebels by a 26-21 margin at halftime, in large part due to atrocious 8/25 shooting in the half. They rectified that with 30 points in the third quarter, but still led by only 6 with two minutes remaining before pulling it out. The Wildcats were 14/19 from the field in the second half, and were as always led by Tavin Lovan and his 27 points. A stud schedule awaits them this week, taking on BGP-ranked Christian County and second region power UHA with a big district game with Russellville in between.

 

3) Greenwood (15-9) - 1/27 69-66 W at #6 Warren East, 1/28 61-51 W at #13 Cumberland County

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 1/31 at #8 Barren County, 2/3 at #15 South Warren

 

The Gators pushed their win streak to 4 in a row, equaling their longest streak of the year. It wasn't easy, as they had to go on the road to Warren East and overcome an eight point halftime deficit and some shaky free throw shooting to gain the district win. With that win, Greenwood assured themselves of at least the 3rd seed in the district tournament, which will keep them away from Bowling Green in the semifinal round. It's a big turnaround from a year ago when they were bounced in the 4/5 game of the district tourney.

 

4) Russellville (15-8) - 1/24 83-97 L at Christian County, 1/26 63-52 W East Ridge (at Frankfort), 1/27 81-59 W Mayfield (at Frankfort), 1/28 51-61 OT L Newport Central Catholic (at Frankfort)

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 1/30 at #13 Logan County, 2/3 at #2 Franklin-Simpson

 

The Panthers continue to show that they can compete with anyone, even if they come up on the wrong side in their marquee games more often than not. Russellville was part of a show at Christian County that saw 180 points combined, but in a game they scored 83 points in they still lost by double digits. They followed that with a very strong showing at the All "A" State Tournament, but could not hold a double digit lead against Newport Central Catholic, ultimately bowing out in overtime. The Panthers can wrap up at least the 2 seed with a win over Logan County on Monday, and then will take aim at redemption when they visit Franklin on Friday.

 

5) Clinton County (17-6) - 1/24 60-37 W at #17 Metcalfe County, 1/27 55-54 OT W #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/28 86-54 W at Jackson County

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 2/3 at Madison Southern, 2/4 vs. Holmes

 

The Bulldogs finally get bumped up in the rankings by sheer amount of wins as the two 14th District schools ahead of them continue to struggle for Ws. Clinton County has quietly reeled off wins in 7 of 8 games, with their only loss to a strong Russellville team in OT over their All "A" region meeting. Their mere single digit win over AC/S is a reminder that this rank is fragile. With their win over Metcalfe County, Clinton County completed an unbeaten district 16 slate, and should face few tests before the 4th Region tournament in March.

 

6) Warren East (11-9) - 1/27 66-69 L #3 Greenwood, 1/28 75-63 W #16 Glasgow

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 1/30 at #7 Warren Central, 1/31 vs. #14 Cumberland County, 2/3 vs. #7 Warren Central

 

The Raiders' losing streak eventually reached six in a row before they broke the seal with a home win over Glasgow on Saturday. It wasn't the win they wanted, as they hoped to knock off Greenwood on Friday night. An eight point halftime lead evaporated quickly, but East continued to stay hot on Greenwood's heels, and only after a Satterfield half court heave rimmed out at the buzzer was the loss taken. This week marks the two biggest games they have left on the schedule. If the Raiders can sweep Warren Central, they will clinch a spot in the 2/3 game. If they get swept, they're relegated to the 4/5 contest. Split, and then we'll see. A lot on the line for a team that continues to seek their first region tourney appearance in 20 years.

 

7) Warren Central (12-9) - 1/24 52-33 W #14 South Warren, 1/27 43-70 L at #1 Bowling Green

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 1/30 vs. #6 Warren East, 2/3 at #6 Warren East, 2/4 vs. Christian County (at Bowling Green)

 

The Dragons have only wins over hapless South Warren to break up a losing spell in the last three weeks, taking a pair of losses each to Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, as well as the devastating home loss to Greenwood. The loss to Bowling Green was a low point, as the Purples swiftly dismantled Warren Central early, jumping out to an 11-0 lead in the first three and a half minutes, a total that would equal the Dragons' first half score (11). Like East, everything is riding on these games this week for Warren Central. The Dragons still feel they can make a run if they can regain their footing, but if they can't regain it in time to avoid a loss (or two) to East, they may find themselves in the 4/5 game - a death sentence that would run them into Bowling Green.

 

8) Barren County (11-12) - 1/24 52-50 OT W #15 Logan County, 1/27 66-40 W at #16 Glasgow

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 1/31 vs. #3 Greenwood, 2/3 at Hart County, 2/4 at Adair County

 

It's now five wins in their last six games for the yo-yo Trojans. Even within the wins there are ups and downs, as Barren County raced out to a huge lead over Logan County, only to have to hold on when taken to overtime. But in the process they have completed a perfect 6-0 record in District 15 play, securing the top seed in the district for a second consecutive year and pushing their district win streak to 14 in a row. They'll get a measuring stick game against Greenwood on Tuesday, which should show just how much progress has been made.

 

9) Monroe County (11-9) - 1/27 85-71 W #13 Cumberland County

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 1/31 vs. #16 Glasgow, 2/3 at #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 2/4 vs. Pulaski County (at Clinton County)

 

It was a quiet week for the Falcons, who notched a season high 85 points in their home win over Cumberland County. Monroe County is likely still a more dangerous team than the Barren County team that swept them this year, but the Falcons just couldn't get it done when they needed to in those games. Billy Michael Dyer remains over the 20 PPG threshold, averaging a healthy 22.5. Monroe County is locked into a postseason meeting with Allen County-Scottsville, meaning their meeting on Friday will be a good preview of their meeting a couple of weeks later.

 

10) Todd County Central (6-13) - 1/24 65-74 L at Webster County, 1/27 55-66 L #2 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 2/3 vs. Crittenden County

 

The Rebels hopefully proved to themselves that they can compete when they took a halftime lead on the Wildcats in their meeting this past Friday. The Rebels have not won a district tournament game in 14 years, and they will meet either Russellville or Franklin-Simpson in the postseason. They need the confidence that they have a shot.

 

11) Allen County-Scottsville (8-12) - 1/27 54-55 OT L at #7 Clinton County, 1/28 58-49 W at Caverna

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 1/30 vs. Edmonson County, 1/31 at Hart County, 2/3 vs. #9 Monroe County

 

The Patriots are 6-5 in their last 11 games, with strong efforts against the likes of Greenwood, Barren County, and Clinton County in their losses. They'll get a feel for how much they've improved when they meet Monroe County on Friday, who knocked them off in Tompkinsville by a 68-51 score back on January 7th.

 

12) Russell County (4-18) - 1/24 42-77 L Pulaski County, 1/27 52-65 L Casey County

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 1/31 at #17 Metcalfe County, 2/4 vs. Western Hills (at Franklin County)

 

The nightmare has continued for the Lakers, who have lost 9 of 10. Win #5 should come on Tuesday against Metcalfe County, but all bets are off for the remainder of their schedule.

 

13) Logan County (5-16) - 1/24 50-52 OT L at #8 Barren County, 1/27 65-42 W McLean County

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 1/30 vs. #4 Russellville, 2/3 vs. Hopkinsville, 2/4 at #16 Glasgow

 

Signs of life for the Cougars, who snapped an 11 game losing streak three days after nearly overcoming a huge deficit on the road at Barren County. The home game in the Clash of the Cats looms on Monday, and in a scheduling quirk, only one game is left on their schedule after this week.

 

14) Cumberland County (5-13) - 1/26 66-96 L at Clay County (TN), 1/27 71-85 L at #9 Monroe County, 1/28 51-61 L #3 Greenwood

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 1/31 at #6 Warren East, 2/2 at Caverna, 2/3 at Washington County

 

The Panthers have gone the other direction, losing seven in a row despite being fairly competitive in their losses. They'll visit their former coach Brandon Combs when they play Warren East on Tuesday.

 

15) South Warren (5-17) - 1/24 33-52 L at #5 Warren Central, 1/27 44-61 L at Ohio County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 1/31 at #1 Bowling Green, 2/3 vs. #3 Greenwood

 

South has lost 10 of their last 11 games, and fell to 0-6 in district play, assuring themselves of a spot in the 4/5 game, which will almost certainly extend their drought of having never made it out of the district tournament.

 

16) Glasgow (2-17) - 1/24 28-68 L at LaRue County, 1/27 40-66 L #8 Barren County, 1/28 63-75 L at #6 Warren East

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 1/31 at #9 Monroe County, 2/3 at #1 Bowling Green, 2/4 vs. #13 Logan County

 

Glasgow has now suffered 12 losses in a row, and their 28 points posted against LaRue County were their lowest since managing only 26 points in a region tournament loss to Bowling Green last season.

 

17) Metcalfe County (0-20) - 1/24 37-60 L #7 Clinton County, 1/28 52-80 L at Green County

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 1/31 vs. #12 Russell County, 2/3 at Caverna, 2/4 at Campbellsville

 

It's 21 losses in a row for winless Metcalfe County, with only their double overtime loss to Betsy Layne in December coming by less than double digits.