article BluegrassPreps.com 2nd Region Week 4 Review & Rankings

Not a whole lot of movement this week in the rankings. There was a big upset in Livingston Central defeating Webster County, but it didn’t affect the rankings. There is some improvement in teams near the bottom of the region and could see some movement in the coming weeks. Unless Hopkinsville gets their players back, don’t expect anything from them this year. This currently is a two horse race between UHA and Christian County and the top two scorers in the state.

1. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall *BGP #19

2017-18 record: 8-1

Week’s Record: 3-0

Last Weeks Rank: 1

Christian County flexed its muscles in the Baptist Health & Sports Rehab Holiday Classic. The Colonels were not really tested in their first 2 games as Detorrian Ware went off for 47 points in winning 90-70 against Louisville Western. The game against Webster was going well until Ware was injured in the 2nd half after scoring 24 points. The Colonels leader didn’t play in the championship game against Todd County Central, and although the game was closer, CCHS pulled out the win 66-60 behind a balanced effort from Brody (16), Long (15), Mathis (14), and Tandy (10).

The injury to Ware doesn’t seem to be serious, but its better he stay off of it during games that don’t matter as much. Better to be fully healed than mostly healed come February. The Colonels will travel to Poplar Bluff, Missouri to play in the Poplar Bluff Showdown.

2. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

2017-18 record: 5-3

Week’s Record: 1-2

Last Weeks Rank: 2

The Blazers had a rough go of it in the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Tournament. UHA defeated a decent Seneca team behind 34 points from KyKy Tandy and 21 from Heekwun Dorsey. Tandy then turned around and scored 50 points against a surging Paducah Tilghman team, but it wasn’t enough as UHA lost 88-80. They then had to play the other Region 1 powerhouse Mayfield who are starting to hit their stride, the result was the same, a 78-69 loss. Tandy only scored 36 points in that one. That could be a preview of what to come in the All “A” Classic state tournament.

While Tandy really needs a better support cast, UHA is much improved and Tandy very well may be the best player in the state of Kentucky….yes he is that good. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see him play, make it a priority before he graduates next year. The Blazers with play at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington this week. Go watch him.

3. Hopkinsville – Coach Tim Haworth

2017-18 record: 4-5

Week’s Record: 1-2

Last Weeks Rank: 3

It has been 10 years since Hopkinsville has had this poor a start to a basketball season. Yes, this is because the Tigers are without their best players, but you still gotta play the games.

The Tigers did get some pieces back for the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Tournament, but not the pieces they need. They returned Toliver, who is considered their 4th best player, but their top 3 are still out. Meanwhile they lost to Louisville Valley and Mayfield before winning against Seneca. They hung with both Valley and Mayfield until the 4th quarter when both pulled away.

Things don’t look much brighter as Hopkinsville travels to Nashville to play in the Next Level Hoops Fest. This tournament has some very stiff competition and Coach Hayworth fully expected to be at full strength and highly competitive entering the tournament. Now, they may come away with 3 more losses.

4. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2017-18 record: 8-3

Week’s Record: 2-2

Last Weeks Rank: 4

Webster started off the week with a surprising loss at home to Livingston Central. They got the scoring from Camplin, Ellis, and Douglas, but little from anywhere else. They recovered nicely to defeat Todd County Central before losing to Christian County. They finished off the week with a thrashing of Louisville Western.

If Webster hadn’t already defeated Madisonville, they would have lost a spot in the standings with the loss to LC. They could have some good success in the upcoming Henry County Invitational.

5. Madinsonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

2017-18 record: 9-3

Week’s Record: 2-1

Last Weeks Rank: 5

The Maroons bit more off than they could chew against Jeffersonville, In in the Aleris Christmas Tournament. However, they recovered nicely with convincing wins against Cannelton, In and Providence, In. Again the leaders for Madisonville were Ksuan Casey and Cade Cunningham. They are both showing their consistence scoring and play every night for the Maroons. They really need one more piece to really compete with the D8 teams.

They head to Lexington next to play in the Central Bank Classic.

6. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2017-18 record: 4-4

Week’s Record: 0-1

Last Weeks Rank: 6

Paducah Tilghman has been feasting on Region 2 teams this season, and Henderson was no different. The Colonels took a loss 70-56. Even though Henderson has balanced scoring, they really had no answer for PT on defense.

Henderson will now play in the 5 day Traditional Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington.

7. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2017-18 record: 5-5

Week’s Record: 3-0

Last Weeks Rank: 7

The Storm snapped their 5 game losing streak in impressive fashion scoring their 3 highest outputs of the year in winning the Union County Holiday Tournament. They defeated Union Co 85-69, Caverna 87-79, and Dawson Springs 98-64. Tyler Mann led the Storm by scoring 20+ points in each of those games.

Things will get much tougher in the Meijer Holiday Classic as they will open play against Bowling Green.

8. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2017-18 record: 6-4

Week’s Record: 2-1

Last Weeks Rank: 8

Union has been playing well lately, but they laid a big egg against Hopkins County. They recovered nicely to defeat Dawson Springs and Caverna in close, but high scoring games. Logan Thomas continues to shine for the Braves. The big guys continues his second double/double average on the season.

Union will now travel to Eldorado, IL to play in the Eldorado Holiday Classic.

9. Livingston Central – Coach Bill McNamara

2017-18 record: 7-5

Week’s Record: 2-1

Last Weeks Rank: 9

The Cardinals pulled the first big upset in Region 2 in defeating Webster County. Cameron Head led LC with 16 points. Ten different players scored for the Cardinals in the win. That is teamwork! Livingston loss their next game in overtime to Dyer County in Tennessee before pulling out a nail biter against Calloway County 53-52.

They will play in the Magnolia Bank Holiday Classic before heading back to school in January.

10. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2017-18 record: 5-5

Week’s Record: 3-1

Last Weeks Rank: 11

Caldwell County is showing some real improvement after having a rough start to the season. The Tigers defeated Carlisle Co 71-58, Glasgow 73-71, and Murray 66-60. They did take a loss to Bullitt Central 64-51. Derrin Boyd is pacing the Tigers in their current rise. If they keep this up, they will shoot back up the standings.

They will play in the West Ky Hoops Classic next.

11. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2017-18 record: 2-8

Week’s Record: 0-3

Last Weeks Rank: 10

Dawson Springs is heading in the wrong direction. They lost 3 more games bringing their losing streak to 5 games and 8 of their last 9. They lost to Caverna, Union Co, and Hopkins County Central in the Union County Holiday Tournament.

They will take some rest and regroup before re-engaging competition in early January.

12. Fort Campbell – Coach Stacey Harrell

2017-18 record: 2-4

Week’s Record: 2-1

Last Weeks Rank: 12

Falcons did not play this week, nor will they play again until January 5th against Hopkinsville.

13. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2017-18 record: 5-5

Week’s Record: 2-1

Last Weeks Rank: 13

Trigg County looked much better this week in the KME classic. After losing to St. Mary 46-42, the Wildcats defeated Houston County, TN and then blasted Clarksburg, TN.

Trigg will play in the Stewart County Christmas Classic in TN next.

14. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2017-18 record: 2-6

Week’s Record: 1-0

Last Weeks Rank: 15

The Rockets got a nice win against Ballard Memorial 71-63. Crittenden got 21 points from Logan Belt and 17 from Gabe Mott. They will play a couple teams from Tennessee before school starts.

15. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2017-18 record: 1-9

Week’s Record: 0-2

Last Weeks Rank: 14

Lyon lost big to McCracken County and then to Ballard Memorial at the very end 53-55. Gabe Board and Max Wadlington are the leading scorers for the Lyons.

Player of the Week

KyKy Tandy, University Heights, scored a whopping 50 points on 18 of 27 (66.7%) shooting including 7 three pointers against Paducah Tilghman.

We will find out how good the Christian County Colonels are this week. I'm excited and am trying to get over to see them in MO this week. Hopefully we have a good showing. I'm a bit disappointed that we played in the Webster event as the competition was not very good. I'm not sure what we got out of that event.

With University Heights, their second best player was out for the Paducah tourney. Mississippi State Baseball commit, Drew McGowan. With UHA's lack of depth, missing him was a killer. He is their second best shooter (Tandy is their best) and their best rebounder.

The Blazers and Colonels play a key district game on January 9th. It's almost a must win for the Colonels as Hoptown "could" have Johnson and Nicholas back for their first matchup.

In terms of what is going on with Shorty Cager. Some folks very close to the Hoptown program do not anticipate getting him back this season. Quite a sad story. With Jalen Johnson, there is a worry that he won't be 100% at any point this season.

We will find out how good the Christian County Colonels are this week. I'm excited and am trying to get over to see them in MO this week. Hopefully we have a good showing. I'm a bit disappointed that we played in the Webster event as the competition was not very good. I'm not sure what we got out of that event.

 

With University Heights, their second best player was out for the Paducah tourney. Mississippi State Baseball commit, Drew McGowan. With UHA's lack of depth, missing him was a killer. He is their second best shooter (Tandy is their best) and their best rebounder.

 

The Blazers and Colonels play a key district game on January 9th. It's almost a must win for the Colonels as Hoptown "could" have Johnson and Nicholas back for their first matchup.

 

In terms of what is going on with Shorty Cager. Some folks very close to the Hoptown program do not anticipate getting him back this season. Quite a sad story. With Jalen Johnson, there is a worry that he won't be 100% at any point this season.

I hate to hear that update for Hopkinsville, especially Cager. Whatever is going on and it is not important what that is....he is just a young man that you want to see get heading in a right direction. Basketball can be a path for that to happen and I hope he is able at some time in the future to get back on that path. As for Jalen my hope is they do not rush him back. If playing less than 100% risks further injury or not healing fully then I feel that his future interests should prevail. Get healthy and prepare for a post grad year that is always an option. He is too good of a player and young man to risk his future despite this being his senior year.

Johnson is playing tonight in the Next Level Tournament.