article 16th Region Bluegrasspreps.com Week 4 Ranking

16th Region Basketball Week 4

Ashland suffered their first defeat of the season this week to George Rogers Clark, while another top Region team, Boyd County, dropped a game to Estill County. The remainder of the region performed about as expected, with a couple of exceptions, including a 95-point night for Fairview over Menifee County. Greenup’s Hughes is playing well and putting up big points consistently. Unfortunately, what most are already aware of, the region isn’t competing very well against the rest of the state. The teams top to bottom in the 16th are mostly competitive with each other, although the top four seem to be a step above the remaining twelve teams. The next week brings a number of interesting classic/tournament’s that should provide for a lot of entertaining basketball.

1. Ashland (8-1) – Blazer suffered their first defeat this weak falling to George Rogers Clark by 6 at home. They rebounded with a 16 point defeat of Ironton (OH). Viller’s shots just wouldn’t fall against Clark County and the Tomcat’s couldn’t find much production elsewhere. By contrast the Tomcat’s had five players in double figures against Ironton, shooting 50% as a team. The Tomcat’s will host the annual AIT this week, which should prove to be several days of entertaining basketball.

2. Boyd County (6-3) — Boyd County split their games this week, collecting a disappointing loss from Estill County and bouncing back to defeat Paintsville by 18 in the KY Bank Challenge at Rowan County. Gunner Short continues to look like a promising addition to Stewart and Robinson this season. The Lions will participate in the AIT this year with a opening round matchup against Owensboro Catholic.

3. Morgan County (9-2) —The Cougars had a busy week this week and came out of it 2-1. Morgan County collected wins against East Ridge and Prestonsburg before falling to Pikeville in the Graphix Holiday tournament. The Cougars are looking strong as they go into the Pine Mountain Classic after Christmas. Based on the scheduled opponents for the Cougars, it looks like it could be another good week for Coach Perry and his kids.

4. Lewis County (8-4) —The Lions had another productive week with victories in the Swauger Classic over Ludlow and Bellevue before falling to a good Newport team. Lewis County is heading to the Straightedge Construction Tournament after Christmas in Bracken County. It appears to be a field of teams that could mean another winning week for the Lions.

5. Bath County (6-4) –The Wildcats travelled to Gatlinburg this week to play and defeat Johnson County, but lost big to Harvest, an Ohio based prep school. Williams and Pergrem are playing well, with good play also from Porter and Chandler. Following the trend of the season, hot shooting leads to good wins for the Lions. If they can find consistency they are a formidable opponent within the 16th. Bath will host the CSI Classic following Christmas.

6. Greenup County (4-6) —The Musketeers had a rough week in regards to W/L’s but saw impressive play from Gage Hughes who put up big numbers in each game on good shooting. He had 27 in a loss to Montgomery County and 40 in a win over Phelps. Watching the games, it doesn’t take long to notice the opposition is focusing on Mr. Hughes, but he continues to put up good numbers on controlled play. A loss to East Carter got the Derby Classic off to a disappointing start for the Musketeers. Without more productive play from somewhere other than Gammon and Hughes, the Musketeers are going to be inconsistent at best.

7. Rowan County (7-3) – The Vikings looked better this week, putting up three wins in their home court KY Bank Classic and a fourth to start the week against Buckhorn. Balanced scoring against Casey County and strong performances from Madden and Johnson against Rockcastle County led to wins. The Vikings are looking more fluid and organized as they head to Pigeon Forge to participate in the King of the Smokies.

8. Raceland (5-4) —The Rams looked pretty good in their homecourt tournament, dropping the championship game to Southwestern by 2, after defeating Phelps and West Carter. Potter and Weaver have been consistent and reliable, with good production also coming from Kirk Pence. The Rams will be idle till the first of the year.

9. Elliott County (2-4) – Elliott County had an off week this week, but are headed to Lex Catholic for what may prove to be a difficult Traditional Bank Classic for the Lions.

10. Menifee County (3-5) —Menifee County dropped a game to Fairview by an unexpected 33 this week. Barnett was able to put up 17, but the entire team struggled to stop an average at best Fairview team from scoring. Menifee County is riding a five-game losing streak after opening the season with three wins. Swartz and his boys travel to Bath County to attempt a turn around after Christmas.

11. Russell (2-7) — The Red Devils went to Simon Kenton this week and struggled, losing all three games. All three games against Dixie Heights, Conner and Holy Cross were competitive, but Russell is still struggling on the offensive and defensive end. Russell has an off week to try to get straightened out.

12. West Carter (5-5) —The Comets split 4 games this week, defeating Sheldon Clark and East Carter, while dropping games to Raceland and Madison Southern. Leadingham and Glancy are starting to put up more consistent scoring, and Coach Webb has them looking more organized. It appears that the 50/50 record is going to be the story of the season. The Comets are also off till the beginning of the year.

13. Fairview (5-5) —The Eagles looked much better this week with a 33-point win over Menifee County and a victory over Robertson County. Coach Cooksey is getting balanced scoring from his team as they go into an off week. It’ll be interesting to see if the Eagles can maintain their offensive gains.

14. East Carter (3-7) — The Raiders notched a surprising win against Greenup County in an ugly game before stopping two to Southwestern and county rival East Carter. The Raiders are struggling offensively and defensively, heading into the CSI Classic in Bath County after Christmas.

15. Fleming County (2-9) — Fleming County split two games this week defeating Williamstown and losing to South Laurel by 24. The Panthers are travelling to the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament after Christmas. Fleming County is still struggling to find their offense.

16. Rose Hill (5-5) —The Royals fared well in their Private School Invitational tournament, going 2-1.