article BluegrassPreps.com 4th Region Weekly Rankings (1/13/18)

Fourth Region Rankings

 

1) Warren Central (15-2) - 1/9 57-47 W Hopkinsville, 1/11 66-56 W at #3 Bowling Green

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 1/16 vs. #7 South Warren, 1/19 at #11 Greenwood

 

The Dragons faced a pair of 4th quarter challenges, and while it wasn't pretty in either case, they gutted out two wins to push their win streak to seven. The two games were eerily similar in their breakdown. Central held identical 48-32 leads in the third quarter before each opponent turned on the pressure, forcing miscues and climbing back into the game. The only difference is that Bowling Green made it all the way back before Central scored the final 10 to pull out the win. That was despite having four players with four or more fouls out of a seven man rotation, with two fouling out. The win was their first over Bowling Green in three years - eight straight losses. Skyelar Potter had 27 in the win.

 

2) Bowling Green (11-7) - 1/9 66-46 W #6 South Warren, 1/12 56-66 L #1 Warren Central

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 1/16 vs. Christian County, 1/19 at #5 Warren East

 

The Purples were dropped to three after the loss to Barren, but I should have known better. Bowling Green is the only team in the region that can truly go toe to toe with Warren Central, and they proved that on Friday, roaring back from a 16 point deficit before running out of gas. It ended a 31 game district winning streak, but proved that the Purples are still very much a threat in the district and region. Jarius Key had 17 for Bowling Green, but it was Trevor Dennis's 16 points thanks to 4/5 shooting from three that helped lift the Purples into contention in the game. They'll face a tough game against Christian County on Tuesday (weather permitting) before putting their 20 year win streak against Warren East on the line.

 

3) Monroe County (12-5) - 1/11 63-38 W #2 Barren County

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 1/15 vs. #17 Metcalfe County (at Clinton County)

 

Monroe County seized control of the 15th District by absolutely BATTERING a reeling Barren County team. The Falcons have been getting it done all year with their defense, holding seven of their last eight opponents to 52 points or less. The 1-2 combo of Clements and Dyer led the way again as Clements led all scorers with 23 and Dyer chipped in with 18. The two had enough points to win by themselves. All that stands between them and the top seed in the district is a trip to Glasgow in three weeks. They are the favorites in the region All A.

 

4) Glasgow (13-3) - 1/8 69-38 W Green County

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 1/15 vs. #14 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/18 vs. Adair County, 1/20 at #11 Greenwood

 

The Scotties had a quiet week thanks to the snow, notching only a blowout victory over Green County. Their game on Monday against Allen County was delayed from Friday, and may be delayed further. They've won four straight, not losing yet in this calendar year. If they get to play it, their matchup with Adair will be a big test of that.

 

5) Warren East (10-6) - 1/9 58-52 W #2 Barren County

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 1/19 vs. #2 Bowling Green

 

This frankly feels high for East, as they have suffered some truly head scratching losses this year against Logan County and Russellville (TWICE), but they battled well with top rated Warren Central the week before, and looked strong in a home win over Barren County. The Raiders are an intriguing team, with athleticism, multiple scorers, and a knock-down shooter in Tashawn Neal, who is shooting 47.4% from three (47.4%). What they need more than anything, is a win over Bowling Green. It's been 20 years and 46 straight losses to the Purples. If East is serious about making the region tourney, they are going to have to find a way past the Purples.

 

6) Barren County (8-9) - 1/9 52-58 L at #8 Warren East, 1/11 38-63 L at #4 Monroe County

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 1/16 at Ohio County, 1/19 vs. #14 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/20 at #13 Franklin-Simpson

 

It's almost as if the Trojans had their season made when they knocked off Bowling Green because they have looked fairly awful ever since. Losing by 30 to Warren Central was one thing. Losing by 25 to district rival Monroe County - who they took to overtime the first time they met - is quite another entirely. Coomer was just 3/10 against the Falcons, good for just 10 points. That's not going to get it done for a Trojan team that desperately needs him to lead the way. They'll try to recover this week with three winnable games.

 

7) South Warren (9-7) - 1/9 46-66 L at #3 Bowling Green

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 1/16 at #1 Warren Central, 1/19 at #15 Russell County, 1/20 vs. Kenwood (TN)

 

18 games, 18 losses in the series against Bowling Green. The Spartans have proven reliable enough to be able to compete against the middle of the region, but they appear no closer this year to making the leap into competing with the top. The latest lesson in that will likely come on Tuesday at Warren Central. South Warren hit as many shots from three as they did from inside the arc against Bowling Green, with six apiece.

 

8) Clinton County (12-7) - 1/9 79-47 W at #16 Cumberland County, 1/11 61-59 W #15 Russell County

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 1/18 vs. TBA

 

The Bulldogs continued their 16th District dominance, albeit in less dominating fashion in the latter half of the week. Jackson Harlan remains one of the top scorers in the satte, averaging 27.6 PPG. They can perhaps climb up the ranks with a good showing in the All A tournament, which they are hosting.

 

9) Logan County (9-10) - 1/9 50-48 W #14 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/11 64-62 W at #12 Todd County Central

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 1/16 vs. Muhlenberg County, 1/19 vs. #13 Franklin-Simpson

 

The Cougars gutted out a close win over Allen County-Scottsville before picking up a crucial road win at Todd Central. Combined with Franklin's loss to Russellville, it put Logan County back in the driver's seat in the district. Though Logan County has lost twice to the Wildcats, only one of those counts towards their district record. That means if the third time is the charm for Logan, they'll only have to beat Russellville the following week to take the #1 seed.

 

10) Russellville (6-9) - 1/11 64-49 W at #13 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 1/18 vs. TBA (at Clinton County)

 

Speaking of Russellville, they outscored Franklin by 16 points in the fourth quarter to flip a one point deficit into a 15 point victory. The Panthers, like much of the region, have been maddeningly inconsistent. They hold two wins over Warren East and a close loss to Glasgow, but also the blowout loss to Glasgow and a loss to Allen County-Scottsville. Still, their win over Franklin flips the narrative. They went from serious danger of the #4 seed to being possibly the only other team that could unseat Logan County for #1.

 

11) Greenwood (8-8) - 1/9 61-70 L Adair County

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 1/16 vs. #13 Franklin-Simpson, 1/19 vs. #1 Warren Central, 1/20 vs. #4 Glasgow

 

The Gators were spared from having to experience the torment of Zion Harmon after he left Bowling Green last year for Adair County, but it still wasn't enough for the Gators to grab a win over the Indians. Ben Carroll was 9/18 from the field to lead Greenwood with 24 points. Jack Roberts and Luke Littrell had 17 and 15 respectively, continuing to be the cornerstones of the team. They have a winnable game against Franklin before a pair of tough home games to close the week.

 

12) Todd County Central (9-7) - 1/11 62-64 L #9 Logan County

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 1/15 vs. #16 Cumberland County

 

The Rebels saw their two game win streak halted in a tough district loss to Logan County, dropping them to 2-2 in district play. Both losses were to Logan County, meaning the Rebels would need a lot of help to climb back into the top seed. Still, if they can maintain their dominance over Franklin-Simpson and Russellville (winning by 19 and 36 points over the pair this year), a region berth is in the offing.

 

13) Franklin-Simpson (5-11) - 1/11 49-64 L #10 Russellville

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 1/16 at #11 Greenwood, 1/19 at #9 Logan County, 1/20 vs. #6 Barren County

 

It's four losses in their last five games now for Franklin, who have bookended a 4-3 stretch with a combined 1-8 run. Scoring continues to be a struggle - three of the four losses in this run they failed to hit 50 points.

 

14) Allen County-Scottsville (6-11) - 1/9 48-50 L at #9 Logan County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 1/15 at #4 Glasgow, 1/16 at Butler County, 1/19 at #6 Barren County

 

The Patriots are also having scoring issues. While they have the top scoring defense in the region - allowing just under 52 PPG - they also have the worst scoring offense in the region. AC/S is putting up an average of 49 per game. Brett Rippy is doing his part, averaging 16.4 PPG. So far the top three in the district have iced them out of a win, but the Patriots get two more shots this week.

 

15) Russell County (6-12) - 1/9 64-59 W McCreary Central, 1/11 59-61 L at #7 Clinton County

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 1/16 at Southwestern, 1/19 vs. #7 South Warren

 

The Lakers quietly put up three straight wins in a row to double their season total before dropping a close decision against Clinton County. Tate Richardson had 24 in the upset effort with Brayton Scales adding 16. The good news is that the Lakers really won't have to focus much on Clinton County in terms of postseason aspirations.

 

16) Cumberland County (4-13) - 1/9 47-79 L #7 Clinton County

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 1/15 at #12 Todd County Central

 

Cumberland County fared significantly worse against Clinton County, getting smashed by 32 points. They're now 1-12 in their last 13, and a promising 3-1 start is a distant memory.

 

17) Metcalfe County (3-12) - 1/11 55-95 L Adair County

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 1/15 vs. #3 Monroe County (at Clinton County), 1/20 vs. Red Boiling Springs (TN)

 

Unlike Greenwood, Metcalfe County took a direct hit from Zion Harmon, who posted 38 on them.