article Bluegrasspreps.com 16th Region Week 7 in Review

16th Region Basketball in Review

Winter weather in the 16th Region disrupted the All A tournament and a number of regular season matchups, but still left plenty of time for a number of entertaining games. Following the theme of the year, every game played beyond the top 3 teams was a toss-up, with no clear leader emerging outside Boyd County and Ashland, with Morgan proving very consistent with it’s schedule. Outside that the transient property of wins can be used to make any team clearly superior or inferior depending on the path taken.

1. Ashland (15-1) – Ashland won the only game it played this week, with an overwhelming defeat of Fairview. This week brings the third installment of Boyd County vs Ashland, this time at home. After a barn burner in the AIT, Ashland was able to handle the Lions easily in the second, we’ll see how the third one shakes out.

2. Boyd County (9-5) — The Lions also only played once this week, with a 50-point beating of Rose Hill at home. The upcoming week brings a rematch with Lewis County along with in-district games against Ashland and a Russell team on a heater. Boyd County needs to step up their performances to stay ahead of Morgan County.

3. Morgan County (15-2) —The Cougars managed to get two of their games in this week, with a good win over Greenup County, while squeaking by Magoffin County. As the week starts, Morgan County faces rival Elliott County in a game that is now going to be played in Elliott as a first round All A matchup. Morgan has been up and down in their performances this season, but the Cougars have been getting double digit scoring from all five starters. Their performance in the progression of the All A should offer a better way to judge the team.

4. Elliott County (7-7) – Elliott County had one of their better weeks of the season this week, with wins over East Carter and Rowan County. Even though the Lions were able to pickup both wins, they had to do so with comebacks in each game, with the Rowan Contest ending in double OT. Kole Whitley has been much more effective in running the Lions floor game, with Tanner Dickerson and Gage Evans putting up points, although they are still not shooting as well as they need to in order to reach the top of the region. The Lions will face a test with an opening round All A matchup against Morgan County.

5. Bath County (9-6) –The Wildcats ended up with an off week, but will face Fairview in the opening round of the All A. With the teams that are entered into the All A, the games should serve as a barometer for where the middle of the 16th Region is in respect to each other.

6. Russell (7-10) — The Red Devils picked up two more wins this week, stretching a hot streak that still leaves them below .500 but noticeably improved. Russell picked up animpressive victory at Lewis County, defeating the Lions handily in a team effort. Bobby Hale has been reliable since day one but in their recent uptick, he is getting able assistance from Jachimczuk and Whitt. The schedule doesn’t get any easier to round out this season for the Devils who face Rowan, Lawrence and Boyd County’s this week.

7. Raceland (7-5) —Coming off their best week of the year the Rams took a step back with a loss against in county rival Russell. The Rams had no answer for Bobby Hale, but Potter and Weaver still played solid games. Raceland joins a good deal of the region in the All A this week, facing off against Menifee County in the opening round.

8. Rowan County (9-7) – The Vikings, went 1-2 this week with a win against Menifee and loses to Fleming and Elliott County. The Elliott game proved to be a heart breaker with the Vikings losing a late game lead, only to collect the loss in double OT. Tate Johnson is starting to come on as the season progresses, but the Vikings ae still inconsistent at best. The Vikings have another busy week ahead with games against Russell and George Rogers Clark.

9. East Carter (6-10) — The Raiders dropped their only game this week against Elliott County. The Raiders dropped a big lead in disappointing fashion after leading the majority of the game. Turnovers and bad decisions doomed the Raiders down the stretch. Brooks and Dyer are contributing, and Green looks to be their most consistent player. East has a busy week with games against Fleming, Greenup, and Bath County’s.

10. Lewis County (9-8) —The Lions had a rough week. Following last week’s loss to Ashland, Lewis County faced an identical 49-70 loss to Russell. While Russell is looking better, the Lions looked lethargic at best in defeat. After a hot start to the season, the Lions have dropped 6 of their last 7 games. With a game against Boyd County to start off this week, Lewis County needs to find some energy and consistency quickly.

11. Greenup County (6-9) —The Musketeers only game of the week was a Morgan County defeat. Gage Hughes is still putting up big points, dropping 36 points, but the Musketeers are having a hard time collecting wins. Greenup faces Mason County this week along with both East and West Carter.

12. Menifee County (6-9)— Menifee County split their two games this week, defeating Lee County and losing to Rowan County. Barnett and Trimble have been consistent performers all season and were again this week. Menifee is now 2-3 in the district, but it is wide open, with the teams all trading wins and losses. Menifee plays Raceland in the opening round of the All A.

13. West Carter (5-8) —West didn’t play this week. They’ll enter into the All A Tournament this week, with an opening round Rose Hill matchup.

14. Fairview (5-9) —The Eagles lost big to the Tomcats this week rounding out a tough stretch of games. They’ll face another tough game this week, against Bath County in their opening round All A matchup.

15. Fleming County (3-12) — Fleming County picked up just its third win of the season, but looked decent in the victory of the Rowan Vikings. They also suffered a loss against Mason. The Panthers have had a rough season, but are capable of winning games on their district. Fleming County has a full week with East Carter, Menifee and Augusta on tap.

16. Rose Hill (6-8) —The Royals lost their only game this week to in district foe Boyd County. The Royals will square off against other small schools as they host the All A.