article BluegrassPreps.com 2nd Region Week 6 Review & Rankings

This is the weakest overall region 2 has been in quite some time. Usually at least 2 teams are either in the state top 20 rankings, or close to. Most of the top they are in the top 10. This year only Christian County has been ranked and they will most likely drop out after this week. While District 8 is still a top the region, other Western Kentucky regions have shown they are better. Nothing has changed much within the region, but a number 1 vs number 2 is this week as Christian County goes to UHA. This matchup pits two of the state’s top players in Ware and Tandy. Should be a great show!

 

1. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall *BGP #20

2017-18 record: 10-5

Week’s Record: 2-4

Last Weeks Rank: 1

 

Christian County has hit its first bump in the road and it’s a pretty big one. The Colonels went to the Poplar Bluff Showdown and struggled to play consistently in their first two games losing both. They took out their frustrations on a team from Bradley Tech, WI. Then coming back to Kentucky things got worse. They were shockingly dominated by McCracken County losing 61-44. The next day they played much better, but still lost at home to an excellent Paducah Tilghman team they defeated earlier this year.

Ware is no doubt still the leader of this team, and if he isn’t getting 30+ points in a game, there is a high probability Christian County loses. We will really find out what Christian County is made of the next few weeks as their in state schedule gets pretty tough. Huge game Tuesday, Jan 9 against University Heights for the top of Region 2. They also play John Hardin, Bowling Green, and Hopkinsville down the line.

 

2. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

2017-18 record: 9-4

Week’s Record: 4-1

Last Weeks Rank: 2

 

The Blazers had a rough go of it in the Paducah Tilghman Christmas Tournament. But had a better Traditional Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington. They did lose the opener to Bryan Station, but then defeated Floyd Central and Franklin County. They then flexed their muscles in a showdown versus Madisonville and then traveled to Southwestern to win there as well.

KyKy Tandy is arguably the best junior in the state of Ky and he shows why every game. He is averaging 33 ppg and is a pleasure to watch. Teammates Taquan Hollowell and Drew McGowan have been good contributers, but they really need 1 more (KJ Crump maybe) to really pour in some points to help if they have a chance to win the All “A” Classic.

Again the big game for UHA is Tuesday, Jan 9 at home against Christian County.

 

3. Madinsonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

2017-18 record: 12-5

Week’s Record: 3-2

Last Weeks Rank: 5

 

The Maroons are a young team who are having great games and then some learning games. That was evident in their past few games. They looked great against Louisville Central winning 60-53, but then not so good against LCA. They then played one of their best games of the year in whooping Hopkinsville, winning for the first time in years, but then were whooped by University Heights.

The win against Hopkinsville moves them up to third in the region, but they will have to continue to improve to stay there. They will play Caldwell Co, Dawson Springs, and Henderson Co this week. They should win all of those. Madisonville has been led by the surprising improvement of Ksuan Casey (15.4) and Cade Cunningham (13.6). They didn’t average 14 points combined last year. That improvement is great news for the Maroons hopefully will continue moving forward.

 

 

4. Hopkinsville – Coach Tim Haworth

2017-18 record: 69

Week’s Record: 2-4

Last Weeks Rank: 3

 

What has happened to Hopkinsville? That is the question all over the state. While injuries have been a big part of their downfall, missing Steven Cager has been bigger than even Coach Haworth thought it would be. Jalen Johnson is only about 50% and still has limited minutes, and Nicholas is still on the mend. The Tigers struggles have dropped them to number 4 in the rankings, the worse they have been since 2010.

The Tigers took some big hits in Nashville’s Next Level Hoops Fest. They then came back and played maybe their worst game of the year to Madisonville. Fort Campbell game couldn’t come quick enough as they destroyed them 101-44, and then had a quality win against Marshall County. They will play against an excellent Warren Central team before a few tournaments.

 

 

5. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2017-18 record: 12-5

Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Weeks Rank: 4

 

It looks like Webster County had a good week when you look at the win column, but they were supposed to win the games against Atherton and Lyon. They barely escaped at Union County winning 67-66 in overtime. And then it caught up with them losing at Caldwell County 62-58 again in overtime. These are two teams, while improving, Webster should have handled well. At this point in the season, the Trojans are struggling and need to figure out why, and fix it. For that reason they have dropped in the rankings.

They should be favored in all their upcoming games the rest of January, we will see if they can come away with wins in those games, or will the struggle continue. They will need Chatman Ellis (21 ppg), Tyler Camplin (13.8), and Malachi Douglas (13.1) to step up their games for Webster to make noise in the 2nd.

 

 

6. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2017-18 record: 6-7

Week’s Record: 2-3

Last Weeks Rank: 6

 

Henderson County’s games were much like Madisonville, feast or famine. They won good games against Knott County Central and Muhlenberg County, but struggled mightily against Madison Central, Walton-Verona, and Dunbar. They struggled to score in all of those games, only 30 against Dunbar.

Upcoming games can really help the Colonels. If they can win games again Webster, Union Co, and Madisonville, it will boost their rankings and their confidence. Coach Smithhart is a great coach, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this team turn it around quickly. They will need Issac Aglin (12.7) and Kale Gaither (12.9) to continue to improve and hope to get some offense from other contributors as well.

 

7. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2017-18 record: 8-7

Week’s Record: 3-2

Last Weeks Rank: 7

 

The Storm season looked like it had turned around after a 5 game losing straight when they won 3 straight. Then they ran in to the Purples of Bowling Green and got beat by 50 points, only scoring 29 for the game. Good News? They came back the next night and scored 88 in beating Murray. In fact they scored 70+ points in the next 4 games winning 3 of them.

HCC will play Fort Campbell and Frederick Fraize next. They should win both of those, then they will play a surging Caldwell County, which will be a good litmus test for both teams. The Storm is led by Tyler Mann (16.4) and Keyairreon Hobgood (10.4)

8. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2017-18 record: 7-8

Week’s Record: 1-4

Last Weeks Rank: 8

 

Union is trending in the wrong direction right now. After a rough Holiday tournament where they went 1-2, the Braves dropped 2 in region games to Webster (in OT) and to Hopkins County Central. Union really needed to win one of those to show they are on their way up and can compete with the midlevel teams in the region. They still can, but competing and winning are two different things.

Union still boasts two really good players in double/double machine Logan Thomas (21/13) and Elex Dunford (16.6). Marqualio King helps out as well, but then there is a big drop in play after those 3. If Union can find one more significant contributor, they can pull out some of these wins. They will play a big game against Caldwell County, Henderson, and Livingston Central this week.

 

9. Livingston Central – Coach Bill McNamara

2017-18 record: 10-7

Week’s Record: 3-2

Last Weeks Rank: 9

 

The Cardinals got wins against Cumberland County, Grayson County, and Carlisle County, while dropping games to LaRue County and surprisingly to Trigg County. The big upset Livingston had over Webster County earlier in the year seems negated by the loss to Trigg County in double overtime 59-55. Livingston can really make a good run over the next few weeks. They are favorites in the majority of those games and really don’t play an opponent they can’t beat until the regional tournament. A 20 win season is definitely obtainable.

 

10. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2017-18 record: 7-7

Week’s Record: 2-2

Last Weeks Rank: 11

 

Caldwell County is showing nice grit as they continue to improve this season. After a couple losses in a holiday classic, the Tigers won big at Dawson Springs and then upset Webster Couny 62-58 in double overtime. Caldwell is led by Derrin Boyd is averaging 22.2 ppg, which is impressive. The Tigers can really move up in the standings if they win their games against Madisonville, Hopkins County Central, and Union.

11. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2017-18 record: 3-9

Week’s Record: 1-1

Last Weeks Rank: 10

 

After losing to Caldwell County, Dawson Springs finally snapped their losing streak at 6 in defeating Hickman County 81-75. Justin Putman had 22 and Braxton Cotton had 24 in the win. The Panthers will play Crittenden, Madisonville, and Livingston Central this week.

 

12. Fort Campbell – Coach Stacey Harrell

2017-18 record: 2-6

Week’s Record: 0-2

Last Weeks Rank: 12

 

The Falcons hadn’t played a game since December 11. That long layoff didn’t bode well for Ft. Campbell as they got thrashed by Hopkinsville and Christian County. They will have more competitive games against Hopkins Central, and Lyon County, but expect the game against UHA to be another long night.

 

 

13. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2017-18 record: 8-5

Week’s Record: 3-1

Last Weeks Rank: 13

 

Trigg County has looked like a much different team lately winning 5 of their last 6. The only loss coming against Creek Wood, TN. The Wildcats gave a beatdown to Community Christian and then came up with a nice upset at home against Livingston Central in double overtime. The game against Hopkins Central will tell us more about if this Trigg team had truly turned the corner. If they win that game, watch out midlevel teams. Devron Triplet (20 ppg) is the leader for this Wildcats team.

 

 

14. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2017-18 record: 3-9

Week’s Record: 1-3

Last Weeks Rank: 15

 

The Rockets had a tough week, losing all their games except to winless Community Christian. Expect more of the same as they play Dawson Springs and Trigg County this week.

 

15. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2017-18 record: 2-10

Week’s Record: 1-1

Last Weeks Rank: 14

 

Lyon lost big to Webster County before winning big at Crittenden County to get out of the last spot in the rankings. They will play Fort Campbell (Contest Game) and Livingston Central next.

 

 

 

 

Player of the Week

 

Seth Hosick, Livingston Central, scored 30 points and pulled down 7 rebounds in a win versus Carlisle County.