article Bluegrasspreps.com 2nd Region Week 1 in Review

Region 2 may have some very talented players on rosters, but this is probably the weakest the region has been overall in quite some time. Christian County is ranked number 13 in the latest BGP poll, however the season will need to progress to determine whether that ranking is warranted or not. Here are the updates for this week.

1. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall

2017-18 record: 1-0

Week’s Record: 1-0

*BGP #13

The Colonels have earned the top spot in the region with their win over Paducah Tilghman even though it posed some questions. Christian County won 84-70 in game that Tighlman looked lost and unmotivated. One of the big questions for County is their offense. Ware dropped 38 points, almost half of what County scored. Paducah Tilghman is not known as a great defensive team, so what happens if a team can contain Ware, who will step up. That is a question that will be answered as the season moves along. For now, they are the top team in the region.

2. Hopkinsville – Coach Tim Haworth

2017-18 record: 1-1

Week’s Record: 1-1

The Tigers had a strong showing against Caldwell County. Jalen Johnson had 28 points. James Nicholas and Don Victor added 13 and 12 respectively. Hopkinsville then turned around and had a terrible performance against Bowling Green and lost 72-55. Johnson had 16 while only playing in the first half. Score was 30-25 at halftime. But without Johnson or Cager, Hopkinsville was overwhelmed. Good news was freshman Alijah Watts had 16 points.

No team had more ups and downs in the region than Hopkinsville has. The Tigers were poised to be a top 5 team in the state and had a real chance to get a state title. Then Jalen Johnson transferred, then he didn’t, then he did. Then he came back and can play. Now, it seems he has a significant knee injury that will limit him. Shorty Cager was suspended before the season started until Feb 23. However reports are now that he will be rejoining the team by week’s end. We will not be able to get a good read on how this Tiger team will be until the new year. If Cager and Johnson are healthy and play, they are no doubt the number 1 team in Region 2, but that is not a guarantee right now. So, they lose the top spot.

3. Madinsonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

2017-18 record: 2-0

Week’s Record: 2-0

The Maroons came out guns ablazing to start the year. They soundly defeated Davies County 78-50. Cade Cunningham led Madisonville with 22 points and Kenny White add 17. Davies then turned around and beat Bowling Green, who ended up defeating Hopkinsville soundly. They also defeated Muhlenberg County 61-50 this time led by Ksuan Casey who had 19 and White who had 13.

The Maroons seem to have multiple players who can score. There is a big test on Tuesday as Madisonville will host BGP#13 Christian County. This will give an early litmus test if the Maroons are for real this year and whether they have a chance to break District 8’s Region 2 title streak. For now they are at least keeping D8 from taking the top 3 spots in the rankings.

4. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

2017-18 record: 1-1

Week’s Record: 1-1

The Blazers were down 19 points in the first half to a good Graves County team. They came roaring back to tie the game only to have Graves pull it out 69-65 in the end. Good news, UHA play significantly better defense in the second half which shows they can. Defense has been UHA’s Achilles heel in the past. They have always had talent. Kyky Tandy scored 34 points to lead the Blazers. They are going to need some others to step up and score if they are going to compete for the Region 2 title.

In their other game they blew out Ft. Campbell 96-47. Drew McGowan led UHA with 25 points. Tandy got in trouble early but still had 20 points including this amazing windmill dunk on the break.

Twitter (credit to @chrisjung).

5. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2017-18 record: 2-1

Week’s Record: 2-1

Webster County had a strong start to this season with 2 wins at home versus Crittenden County and Hopkins County Central. Crittenden was a blowout and Hopkins County Central was a convincing win 84-66. The Trojans then lost at Apollo 71-53. Ellis Chapman has paced the Trojans with 21 ppg and 7 rpg so far this year. Malachi Douglas has also contributed 14.7 ppg. Webster only has one game this week, but it is an interesting game against Madisonville North Hopkins on Saturday. It will decide who gets that 4th spot in the region rankings.

6. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2017-18 record: 1-2

Week’s Record: 1-2

Henderson County’s season has not started they way they hoped. They took a big loss to Warren Central 64-87, and then lost to a decent McCracken County team 73-64. They did pick up a win against Barren County, but barely 58-57 in double overtime. But a win is a win.

Henderson really looks to be struggling early this season. The good news is they have balanced scoring among 4 players. Jadal Fletcher, Corey Stewart, Cartel Gilbert, and Kale Gaither are all averaging over 10 points a game. The bad news, that is not enough offense to win. Coach Smithhart is an excellent coach and you should expect this team to come together and be a tough out by the end of the year.

7. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2017-18 record: 1-1

Week’s Record: 1-1

The Storm quickly put up two good wins against McLean County and Dawson Springs before falling to Webster County 84-66. HCC has been led by Blasin Moore who is averaging a double/double at 16.3 ppg and 12.3 rpg, and Tylan Mann who is adding another 15.7 ppg/7 rpg.

The Storm has some tough games this week at Muhlenberg County before hosting defending region 1 champions Graves County. Should help determine how far their ceiling is.

8. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2017-18 record: 2-0

Week’s Record: 2-0

Last year Trigg County lost 6 of their first 7 games. This year they have already won 2 games, but they were supposed to win those games. A concern maybe how close the Crittenden game was, but Trigg still has lots of room for improvement. The Wildcats should win at least 1 of their 2 games this week. They should have no problems with Ft. Campbell, but a date at Livingston Central will prove their toughest game so far this year.

9. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2017-18 record: 1-1

Week’s Record: 1-1

The Panthers started the season with a good win at home against Christian Fellowship 67-48 led by 25 points from Austin Clark and 18 from Justin Putman. They fell in the their second game to Hopkins County Central 79-64. Dawson Springs had 4 players in double figures in the loss.

This week the Panthers have 3 games at home. They play Union County, Madisonville, and Lyon County.

10. Livingston Central – Coach Bill McNamara

2017-18 record: 0-4

Week’s Record: 0-4

The Cardinals have gotten off to a dismal start this year. They probably were not favored in any of the games they played so far this year, but it is always tough to lose your first 4 games. LC is led by Seth Hosick who is averaging almost 18 ppg . Kobe T-Roy Ringstaff and Cameron Dean both are averaging 12 points a game.

This week should give Livingston the chance to right the ship. They will be favored in at least 2 of those games and the 3rd would be a toss up. Those games will be a factor in where they rank next week.

11. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2017-18 record: 1-1

Week’s Record: 1-1

Caldwell County may have been the surprise team in the first week of school. They defeated Lyon County 64-50 in their opener, but it was their game against Hopkinsville that stood out. They were just a few point down in the middle of the 3rd quarter before Hopkinsville’s athleticism just became too much. It was a very good game for the Tigers and they should be able to find good things to take away. They will play at Crittenden County before hosting a really tough Mayfield team.

12. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2017-18 record: 2-0

Week’s Record: 2-0

Union County is another Region 2 team who has started the season 2-0. Blowout wins against Christian Fellowship and Fort Campbell do not really tell much of where this team stands this year. There isn’t a game on their schedule in 2017 that would have them being blown out, so games should be close for a while. Right now, the Braves are being paced by Elex Dunford at 28 ppg/7rpg and Logan Thomas at 19.5 ppg and 13.5 ppg.

This week they will play Dawson Springs, Trinity (Whitesville) and Murray. All winnable, but tougher games at this point.

13. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2017-18 record: 0-2

Week’s Record: 0-2

Lyon County experienced two close games this season, but came out on the short side. Losses to Caldwell County and McLean County were not how the Lyons hoped to start the season. Max Wadlington is leading the Lyons in scoring with 21.5 ppg/8.5 rpg and Gabe Board is helping with 12 ppg/7rpg.

They will play Livingston Central, Crittenden County, and Dawson Springs. All should be close.

14. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2017-18 record: 0-2

Week’s Record: 0-2

Tough start to the season for the Rockets. They were blown out by Webster County and then loss a close one to Trigg County. Logan Belt and Sawyer Towery both are averaging 11 ppg to lead Crittenden. The Rockets will play Caldwell County, Lyon County, and Hardin County, IL this week.

15. Fort Campbell – Coach Stacey Harrell

2017-18 record: 0-3

Week’s Record: 0-3

Falcons only have 6 players currently listed on their roster on KHSAA. That is tough for any team to play with, but the Falcons are trying to compete with just that. While the UHA game was truly a blowout, games against Northwest in Clarksville, TN and Union County proved they could somewhat hang around. They play Trigg County before hosting Hopkinsville on Friday.

Players of the Week

Double/Double season average by

Logan Thomas, Union County (19.5 ppg/ 13.5 rpg)

Blasin Moore, Hopkins County Central (16.3 ppg/ 12.3 rpg)

Detorrion Ware, Christian County – 38 point effort vs Paducah Tilghman

Great stuff. Thanks.

Where are these rumors about Cager being back by the end the week coming from? Everything that is going around hoptown is that it's a tough rode to hoe for him to get back?

Madisonville is the interesting team. Blow out Davies and then struggle a bit with a very average Muhlenberg team...

I'd put Madisonville at #2 right now and have hoptown and UHA tied for 3rd.

IF we get Trice back I think County can be the clear cut #1 team in region 2. Reports are that he "could" be back by the end of this month.

Thanks again for the write up

Great stuff. Thanks.

 

Where are these rumors about Cager being back by the end the week coming from? Everything that is going around hoptown is that it's a tough rode to hoe for him to get back?

My sources have told me that he will be back with the team by the end of the week.

How do you get suspended until Feb 23 and then able to be unsuspended by the end of the week?

How do you get suspended until Feb 23 and then able to be unsuspended by the end of the week?

For that discussion there is a thread here:

http://bluegrasspreps.com/controversial-issues/steven-cager-suspended-357714.html

For that discussion there is a thread here:

http://bluegrasspreps.com/controversial-issues/steven-cager-suspended-357714.html

Thanks silo11...no comment, some things are better left unsaid. Good luck to Shorty and Hoptown

Union County is grossly underranked. They are a top 7 team in the region with the players they have back. And I think UHA is the second best team in the region. Tandy's supporting cast at UHA is better than Ware's at Christian County.

Union County is grossly underranked. They are a top 7 team in the region with the players they have back. And I think UHA is the second best team in the region. Tandy's supporting cast at UHA is better than Ware's at Christian County.

Who do you think is the best team? I certainly don't think it's hoptown if Johnson is going to be battling a knee injury all year.

I think there is a "chance" uha might be the best but I think it's county right now based on their body of work. However, don't discount graves. They stuck with one of the best teams in tennessee in Blackman. They are a GREAT program and team. Average something like 25 wins a year the last 5 seasons with a state title 3 years ago.

Hoptown is now, even with Cager out.

I think UHA is number two. However, if Trice comes back that may give Christian County a slight edge over UHA.

Madisonville is slightly ahead of all three Sixth District teams. There is a good chance that Henderson County and either Hoptown/UHA/Christian County get left at home come region tourney time

I think after last night Christian County is the clear #1 team. They beat the pre-season region 1 favorite soundly on the road and just beat madisonville on the road last night. Easily.

I just think Hoptown has too much turmoil right now to put them in the top 3. Lots of rumors flying about the severity of Johnson's injury. To me, he's more important for Hoptown because of his leadership and "calming" effect. Even if they were to get cager back this week I think Johnson's issues are even more important.

In terms of other games in region 2. Fort Campbell with an impressive win vs. Trigg. I think Ft. Campbell could be the best small school (besides UHA) in the region this year. They are pretty athletic and have several guys. (THeir KHSAA roster is not accurate)

and just beat madisonville on the road last night. Easily.

I would not call that an easy win at all. That was a 5 point game half way through the 4th quarter and could have gone either way. Ware just couldn't miss that last few minutes.

I would not call that an easy win at all. That was a 5 point game half way through the 4th quarter and could have gone either way. Ware just couldn't miss that last few minutes.

True, it was a 5 point game. But at no point did Christian County lose control. They did cut it to a 5 point lead but county built leads into double figures throughout the entire game. it as the classic "it might have been close a few times but was never in doubt" game.

Madisonville has some good young talent. but I like the Colonels as the early season #1 team in region 2.