article Inside the 1st Region - Week 10

Some movement taking place within the region this week. Graves solidified its position as the top team in region 1, even with the loss of Ryan Mathis. Paducah Tilghman has come on strong and really making a push for title considerations. McCracken County and Marshall are both still in the mix and Mayfield will round out the top tier of the region. Should be interesting final couple weeks and the region tournament should be filled with great games.

This week pits Graves against Mayfield and Tilghman vs McCracken.

 

1. Graves County Eagles

Overall record: 19-7

Record this week: 3-0

Key Contributors: Chris Vogt (14.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg) Ryan Mathis (13.5 ppg), Jordyn Noranjo (11.0 ppg)

 

The Eagles rebounded very nicely from the losing two games to Paducah Tilghman and Hopkinsville. This defeated McCracken County, Marshall County, Fulton City, and avenged their loss to Tilghman. They came into this past week with something to prove and they proved that they are the team to beat in the Region. Unfortunately they lost their second leading scorer in Ryan Mathis. He is out for the season with a broken hand.

They will need Jordyn Naronjo and others to pick up the slack like they did again the Tornado. Grant and Young both scored in double digits in that win.

Graves will play Ballard, University Heights, and Mayfield this week. The last two games should be very good.

 

2. McCracken County Mustangs

Overall record: 19-6

Record this week: 2-0

Key Contributors: Cameron Cartwright (10.4 ppg), Nathan Stonecipher (10 ppg), William Sivills (12.6 ppg)

 

McCracken County lost a big region game to Graves at the end of January but recovered nicely to defeat both Hickman County and Madisonville convincingly. They have now won 6 of their last 7 games and should win the next 2 leading up to a rematch with crosstown rival Paducah Tighlman on Feb 10. The Mustangs won the game by 6 at McCracken, will they be able to hold on to the district lead by defeating them on their own floor? It is the biggest game of the week in Region 1.

 

3. Paducah Tilghman – Blue Tornado

Overall record: 15-9

Weekly Record: 2-1

Key Contributors: Jerome Reed (14.7 ppg/6.3 rpg), Rodriguez Thomas (14.3 ppg/), Joe Workman (11.6 ppg)

 

The Blue Tornado have won 6 of their last 7 since losing to McCracken County on Jan 13. In that time period they have taken down two Region 1 contenders in Marshall County and Graves County. Those wins vaulted them back into consideration for the Region 1 title, even though they also lost to Graves County as well. They also played great against St. Mary and defeated a very good Apollo team. They are definitely playing better and have a chance to avenge their loss to McCracken County. They only have one game this week, and that is it.

 

4. Marshall County Marshalls

Overall record: 17-8

Record this week: 2-1

Key Contributors: Dylan Walters (13 ppg), Aaron Reed (11.2 ppg)

 

The Marshalls have had a tough go of things against the upper teams in Region 1. They have lost to McCracken County, Paducah Tilghman, and this week, Graves County. Each of those games were close, so the Marshalls know they can hang with them, in fact they already defeated both McCracken and PT earlier in the year. But while the other programs have improved, Marshall County seems to have plateaued.

They have a good chance of winning out for the season, with the only tough matchup being home against Mayfield on Valentines Day. The Murray game this week maybe close, but Marshall should win that region game.

 

5. Mayfield – Cardinals

Overall record: 17-7

Weekly Record: 1-1

Key Contributors: Carson Guthrie (15 ppg), Conner Guthrie (15 ppg), Anton Lumson (13.6 ppg),

 

Mayfield represented well at the All “A” State Tournament making it to the Elite Eight before falling to Russellville. Prior to that loss, the Cardinals had won 7 straight. However, they took a loss at Calloway County in a very close game. The Lakers had a great game plan and held 2 of Mayfield’s top 3 scorers significantly under their average.

They will have a chance to prove themselves and where they stand in the region over the last two weeks. This week they will travel to Graves County and then 4 days later they will travel to Marshall County. The Cardinals will not be favored in either of those games, but they are good enough to pull out a win in at least one of those games.

6. Calloway County Lakers

Overall record: 16-8

Weekly Record: 1-2

Key Contributors: Kamden Price (16.9 ppg), Payton Johnson (12.1 ppg)

 

Calloway had a great wins against Mayfield and Murray to increase their win streak to 4. They have rebounded nicely this year from the terrible year they had in 2015-16. This team is much more disciplined and much more experienced after the struggles from last year. They will hope to continue that win streak against region 1 top teams Marshall County and Paducah Tilghman in the coming days.

7. Murray Tigers

Overall record: 13-10

Weekly Record: 1-2

Key Contributors: Preston English (23.8 ppg/ 10 rpg), Zach Flener (11.9 ppg)

 

Murray defeated St Mary for the second time this season, but then dropped games to both Calloway County and Todd County Central. This has been a tough season for the Tigers after going so far last year. Preston English has been a bright spot for the Tigers this year. They still can do a lot this year as their last 5 games are all against region 1 opponents, and at least three of them are winnable.

 

8. Carlisle County Comets

Overall record: 12-12

Weekly record: 3-0

Key Contributors: Trey Wilson (18.5 ppg), Michael Thomason (11 ppg)

 

The Comets have had a great week in building their win streak to 4 games. They have taken control in district 1 and will look to pull some upsets in the regional tournament. They will finish they year off against Calloway, Graves, Ballard Memorial, and Murray.

 

9. St. Mary Vikings

Overall record: 12-12

Weekly record: 0-3

Key Contributors: John MacCauley (19.9 ppg), Aaron Higgins (10.6 ppg)

 

The Vikings had a three win week in the middle of January, that was the last time they won a game. They have lost six straight games and have struggled to score during those games. They have four games remaining, and they will only be favored in one of those games, against Crittenden County.

10. Hickman County Falcons

Overall record: 9-11

Weekly record: 1-1

Key Returners: Dalton Jewel (18.7 ppg)

 

11. Fulton City Bulldogs

Overall record: 9-14

Weekly Record: 1-2

Key Contributors: Brenden Walker (17 ppg)

 

12. Fulton County – Pilots

Overall record: 9-13

Weekly Record: 0-2

Key Contributors: Davis Major (16.1 ppg), Andreous Smith (13.6 ppg), Kahari Miller (11 ppg)

 

13. Ballard Memorial Bombers

Overall record: 4-18

Weekly record: 0-3

Key Contributors: Jamarrion Williams (12.2 ppg)

 

14. Christian Fellowship Eagles

Overall record: 7-12

Weekly record: 1-1

Key Contributors: Jordan Choate (12.7 ppg), Brice Etheridge (13.1 ppg)

 

15. Community Christian Warriors

Overall record: 0-24

Weekly record: 0-2

Key Contributors: Logan Browning (14.7 ppg), Jonathan Rogers (10 ppg)

Solid rankings. At this point in the season I think they're spot on. This week will be a great one. I predict Tilghman and Graves to win their big rivalry games this week and be atop the region rankings next week.

I keep thinking Tilghman should be better than they are, but they have a lot of first year players. But then again, if Reed and Thomas are in the top ten of their classes, maybe they should be better. What does everyone else think?