article BluegrassPreps.com 16th Region Rankings/Review

16th Region Basketball Week 3

Things in the 16th Region still aren’t becoming any clearer. Ashland is looking strong in the region going into a match up with George Roger’s Clark. Boyd County suffered a lose against Louisville Ballard but played a decent game and bounced back the next day with a win. Lewis and Morgan are playing well within the region, but the remainder of the region is a toss-up. Any given night could mean a win or a loss to any other team. The upcoming week brings holiday showcases, with mostly local matchups.

1. Ashland (7-0) – Ashland went 3-0, again for the week including a 17-point victory over Greenup County and a win over Perry County Central in Pikeville. Ashland was led again by Robinson and the brothers Villers, but benefited from balanced scoring from Bradley, Conway and Mays. The undefeated Tomcats will play George Rogers Clark this week, along with out of state rival Ironton. Ashland has looked strong thus far, and shows no sign of slowing if they continue with consistent play.

2. Boyd County (5-2) — The Lions split two games at the Pikeville Invitational this weekend, losing to a talented Louisville Ballard team while racking up a win against a down Paul Lawrence Dunbar with a big fourth quarter. Trailing by 11 going into the fourth, Robinson had a big half to lead the comeback along with another big performance by Gunner Short and Blake Stewart. Short has proven to big a spark for the Lions. Boyd County will play in the Kentucky Bank Challenge at Rowan County this week, facing Estill County and Paintsville.

3. Morgan County (6-1) —The Cougars lone game this week was a rout of Jackson City at home. Prater is still leading the Cougars but they are getting balanced play from the entire starting five. With Perry at the helm the Cougars are looking more formidable with every game.

4. Lewis County (5-3) —The Lions had another good week with victories over East Carter and an impressive 17 point defeat of Lawrence County at their place. The Lions continue to get good production from Wallingford, Ruckel, and Offut. Coach Hampton has his team playing well as look to take on Bracken County and Ludlow this week.

5. Greenup County (3-3) —The Musketeers split their games this week, losing to the Tomcats and defeating Fairview. Gage Hughes put up an impressive 51 on 25 field goal attempts, while also collecting 10 rebounds. Kyle Gammon has offered significant contributions, but in order for the Musketeers to improve they may need consistent contributions from others. Greenup goes into the Derby Classic this week starting off with a game against East Carter.

6. Bath County (4-3) –The Wildcats pulled out two victories this week, with more balanced play. The Wildcats placed 5 players in double figures against Fleming County and four against Fairview. I expected both wins to be by a greater margin, but they were both wins. Bath County is headed to Gatlinburg to play this week.

7. Elliott County (2-4) – Elliott County dropped two more games this week with a disappointing loss to Raceland. The Lions still look disorganized and unsure of their selves. The Lions have an off week to get situated, but head to Lex Catholic for the Traditional Bank Classic after Christmas.

8. Menifee County (3-3) —Menifee County had a rough week after defeating Rowan County at home, they lost to West Carter, Berea and Paintsville on the road. Barnett continues to play well, along with Trimble, but it’s still not enough. Menifee plays Fairview away this week.

9. Rowan County (3-3) – The Vikings struggled this week with losses to Menifee County and Powell County. Rowan County is still struggling to put up points but are getting consistent contributions from Sizemore, Madden and Gardner. The Vikings host the Kentucky Bank Challenge this week.

10. Raceland (3-3) —The Rams split their games this week losing by to Russell but defeating Elliott. Potter and Weaver are pacing the Rams putting up double digit scoring and grabbing a lions share of the rebounds. The Rams will host their Derby Classic this week.

11. Russell (2-4) — The Red Devils split the week with a loss to Morgan County and a win at Raceland. Bobby Hale has been leading the Red Devils ably putting up big points while leading the team on the floor.

12. West Carter (3-3) —The Comets had a good week with big wins over Menifee County and Fleming County. West Carter is playing a very composed game plan behind the experience of Coach Webb. He is getting the most out of his team.

13. East Carter (2-5) — The Raiders dropped two more this week, both in OT. Bush is doing an adequate job of leading the team, but the Raiders don’t seem to be able to put together the fire power to overcome. If the Raiders continue to play the oppositions game plan, it’s going to be a long season.

14. Fleming County (1-8) — Fleming County’s season isn’t looking any better after dropping three games this week. Crump and Flannery are putting up good scoring totals but a struggling to find help and to stop the opposition defensively.

15. Fairview (2-3) —The Eagles split games this week with a loss to Bath County and a win against his dad’s Ironton St Joe’s team. Fairview played Bath County close away. The Eagles play Menifee County before going to Rowan to play in the KY Bank Challenge.

16. Rose Hill (3-4) —The Royals split games this week, losing to Ashland but putting up a big win against Riverside Christian.