article Inside the 4th Region (2/6/17)

Fourth Region Rankings

 

1) Bowling Green (22-2) - 1/31 80-37 W #15 South Warren, 2/3 94-32 W #16 Glasgow

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 2/6 at #3 Greenwood, 2/7 vs. Owensboro, 2/10 at #7 Warren East, 2/11 vs. Male

 

After a few weeks in a row with at least one difficult opponent scheduled, this was basically a bye week for the Purples, who throttled two of the worst teams in the region by an average of 52.5 points. Their victory over Glasgow was their largest margin of victory over any opponent since 1999.

 

2) Franklin-Simpson (19-6) - 1/31 66-81 L at Christian County, 2/3 57-36 W #4 Russellville, 2/4 80-75 W University Heights (at Bowling Green)

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 2/9 vs. #14 South Warren, 2/10 at #11 Allen County-Scottsville

 

The Wildcats fell for just the third time in the last 13 games in a road loss to highly rated Christian County, but bounced back to complete an unbeaten district slate with their second blowout win over Russellville on the year, holding the Panthers to 36 points, the lowest allowed by Franklin on the season. They should have little trouble rolling through the rest of the regular season unbeaten, and clinch their second consecutive 20+ win season.

 

3) Greenwood (16-10) - 1/31 44-53 L at #8 Barren County, 2/3 55-50 W at #15 South Warren

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 2/6 vs. #1 Bowling Green, 2/7 vs. #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 2/10 vs. #6 Warren Central

 

The Gators took what on paper would appear to be a bad loss, but were without the services of Dawson Crump against Barren County, their best player and facilitator. With Crump back in the lineup, overcame an unexpected test by South Warren on Friday, in large part due to Crump's 16 points. Though they'll remain heavy underdogs against the Purples, the Gators can clinch at least a tie for first in the district if they can sweep their district games this week. A loss to Bowling Green would set up a Greenwood/Warren Central district tourney matchup.

 

4) Russellville (16-9) - 1/30 82-78 OT W at #13 Logan County, 2/3 36-57 L at #2 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 2/6 vs. #6 Warren Central, 2/10 at #10 Todd County Central

 

It wasn't Russellville's finest hour, needing overtime to knock off pesky Logan County before getting thwacked by Franklin-Simpson for the second time this season. Perhaps there was a little hangover from letting a game slip away in the All "A" Classic, but the loss to Franklin assured the Panthers of the 2 seed. They have yet to win more than three in a row this season.

 

5) Clinton County (18-7) - 2/3 53-73 L at Madison Southern, 2/4 75-54 W Holmes

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 2/6 vs. McCreary Central, 2/10 at #9 Monroe County

 

The Bulldogs saw their four game winning streak come to the end in a blowout loss to Madison Southern, but rebounded with a 21 point win over flagging Holmes. Clinton County still has won 8 of their last 10 games, and will have an old 16th District rivalry game against Monroe County on Friday. If they can sweep both games this week, they'll reach 20 wins for the first time since 2013/14.

 

6) Warren Central (14-10) - 1/30 63-55 W #6 Warren East, 2/3 62-47 W at #6 Warren East, 2/4 53-62 L Christian County (at Bowling Green)

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 2/6 at #4 Russellville, 2/7 vs. Owensboro Catholic, 2/10 at #3 Greenwood, 2/11 vs. Elizabethtown

 

Central couldn't complete the week unbeaten, but it was their two wins over Warren East that were the most crucial. Entering the week a split would have left things to chance, and losing both would have meant a spot in the 4/5 matchup of the district tourney. But it was Warren Central that swept the matchups, guaranteeing them at least the 3 seed, likely across from Friday's opponent, Greenwood. This week features three very difficult matchups, and Tuesday's game against Owensboro Catholic will see Aces' HC Tim Riley return to the court that is named for him.

 

7) Warren East (12-11) - 1/30 55-63 L at #7 Warren Central, 1/31 84-75 W #14 Cumberland County, 2/3 47-62 L #7 Warren Central

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 2/7 at #14 South Warren, 2/10 vs. #1 Bowling Green

 

The Raiders fell to 2-8 in their last ten games, dropping a pair of crucial games with Warren Central that will relegate them to facing South Warren in the 4/5 matchup of the district tournament. Coincidentally, they will complete the district slate against the teams that are likely both on their side of the bracket for that tournament, first facing South Warren before hosting Bowling Green, which the winner of that 4/5 matchup will likely see. Warren East has not defeated Bowling Green in 19 years, and hasn't advanced past the district semifinals in 20 years.

 

8) Barren County (12-14) - 1/31 53-44 W #3 Greenwood, 2/3 61-62 L at Hart County, 2/4 42-50 L at Adair County

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 2/7 at #12 Russell County, 2/10 vs. #15 Cumberland County

 

The Trojans were the beneficiaries of Dawson Crump's absence, giving them an unexpected win over Greenwood - their first win over a team in the region top ten other than Monroe County. That capped a 6-1 stretch for the Trojans, doubling their win total on the year. However, they stumbled in their last two matchups, including a dreadful loss to Hart County, which entered the week with just two wins. Barren County will finish the year with a 16th District challenge - playing every team in the district in the next three games. At minimum, that should give them a great chance to enter the postseason at .500.

 

9) Monroe County (12-11) - 1/31 68-63 W #16 Glasgow, 2/3 60-63 L at #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/4 60-77 L Pulaski County (at Clinton County)

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 2/7 at #15 Cumberland County, 2/10 vs. #5 Clinton County

 

The Falcons continue to struggle with inconsistent play, and had a rough week that saw them struggle to put away Glasgow and fall to district tournament opponent Allen County-Scottsville on a buzzer beater three. Monroe County is now just 3-5 in their last eight games, and other than in their matchup with Cumberland County will be underdogs in their last four games.

 

10) Todd County Central (8-13) - 2/3 69-43 W Crittenden County, 2/4 64-60 W Murray

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 2/7 vs. Trigg County, 2/10 vs. #4 Russellville

 

The Rebels' win over Murray is likely their most impressive victory on the year, as Todd continues to improve as the year draws to a close. Their two wins this week came after a strong effort against Franklin-Simpson last Friday. This week they get the chance to choose their tournament opponent. A win over Russellville would guarantee the Panthers as their opponent in the district tournament. A loss will leave them to a coin flip with Logan County for the 3/4 seed.

 

11) Allen County-Scottsville (9-14) - 1/30 42-55 L Edmonson County, 1/31 54-67 L at Hart County, 2/3 63-60 W #9 Monroe County

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 2/7 at #3 Greenwood, 2/9 at #17 Metcalfe County, 2/10 vs. #2 Franklin-Simpson

 

It hasn't always translated to wins, but the Patriots have shown marked improvement as the year rolled on under first year HC Lex Lindsey. The win over Monroe County was the latest sign, and should give confidence as they approach the postseason, where they will again face the Falcons.

 

12) Russell County (5-19) - 1/31 63-28 W at #17 Metcalfe County, 2/4 41-56 L Western Hills (at Franklin County)

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 2/6 at #15 Cumberland County, 2/7 vs. #8 Barren County, 2/10 at Adair County

 

The Lakers blew out Metcalfe County on Tuesday, but four of their five wins on the season have come against Cumberland County and Metcalfe County, who are a combined 5-39. Add in 2-20 Thomas Nelson, and Russell County's five wins are over teams that are a combined 7-59. It remains a difficult season.

 

13) Logan County (6-18) - 1/30 78-82 OT L #4 Russellville, 2/3 38-77 L Hopkinsville, 2/4 85-57 W at #16 Glasgow

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: No Games

 

Signs of life from the Cougars! Logan County had lost 11 in a row before knocking off McLean County on January 27th, but followed that effort with a near victory over rival Russellville - falling in OT, and capped the week with a blowout win over Glasgow. They'll take an impromptu bye week before gearing up for the last week of the season.

 

14) South Warren (5-19) - 1/31 37-80 L at #1 Bowling Green, 2/3 50-55 L #3 Greenwood

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 2/7 vs. #7 Warren East, 2/9 at #2 Franklin-Simpson

 

The results for the week scarcely matter for South Warren, with the biggest development being the return of Dylan Beckham, who has been out with injury since early December. The team's leading scorer when he went down, he remains the only player with a double digit scoring average, albeit in the first four games of the year. Beckham did not make a huge impact in the surprisingly close 55-50 loss to Greenwood, but could perhaps be a shot of adrenaline for the postseason.

 

15) Cumberland County (5-16) - 1/31 75-84 L at #6 Warren East, 2/2 73-82 L at Caverna, 2/3 65-87 L at Washington County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 2/6 vs. #12 Russell County, 2/7 vs. #9 Monroe County, 2/10 at #8 Barren County

 

The promise of the early season 5-6 start has given way to a disappointing 10 game losing streak for the Panthers. They've often played their opponents relatively closely, but the wins have not come. Their schedule softens moving forward, so there is still a chance for momentum.

 

16) Glasgow (2-20) - 1/31 63-68 L at #9 Monroe County, 2/3 32-94 L at #1 Bowling Green, 2/4 57-85 L #13 Logan County

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 2/7 vs. #17 Metcalfe County, 2/10 vs. Caverna

 

Glasgow just can't buy a victory, and the wheels have come completely off the wagon as they have now lost 15 in a row, and haven't won since December 17th. The low point was a blowout loss to Logan County, who entered with just five wins. They should get a win on Tuesday when they host Metcalfe County, but nothing else is guaranteed for the rest of the games.

 

17) Metcalfe County (0-23) - 1/31 28-63 L #12 Russell County, 2/3 74-94 L at Caverna, 2/4 45-84 L at Campbellsville

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 2/6 vs. Marion County, 2/7 at #16 Glasgow, 2/9 vs. #11 Allen County-Scottsville

 

It's probably not a strong opportunity for a win, but the Hornets' visit to Glasgow likely represents the best hope the rest of the way. Metcalfe County is one of two winless teams in the state.