article Bluegrasspreps.com 2nd Region Final Rankings & District Previews

Districts are here and everyone will be watching what takes place in District 8 between University Heights and Hopkinsville. The winner of this game advances to the District title game against likely winner Christian County. The loser will be out. UHA has won 2 games against Hopkinsville this season, but the Tigers are at full strength and are playing well. Look for Madisonville and Henderson County to pull an upset when region tournament starts.

 

1. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall

2017-18 record: 19-6

Preseason Rank:2

The Colonels finished their season defeating defending state champs Bowling Green. They ended the year on a 10 game winning streak and are the top seed in the loaded District 8. They will play Ft. Campbell which they will handle without problems. D. Ware will then lead his team against the winner of Hoptown/UHA game. Then its on to regions where the final may be the same game as the district final.

 

2. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

2017-18 record: 18-7

Preseason Rank: 3

 

The Blazers finished their season on a 4 game winning streak. KyKy Tandy will have to be on top of his game again in what is one of the 1st round district games in the State when they play Hopkinsville. The Blazers have defeated Hoptown twice this year, but 3 times will be very difficult. They will need all their guns blazing to bring down the tigers..

 

 

3. Hopkinsville – Coach Tim Haworth

2017-18 record: 13-13

Preseason Rank: 1

Hopkinsville has had a turbulent season to say the least. They avoided their first losing season since 2005 season by defeating Owensboro and McCracken County who were both ranked in the top 20 in the BGP poll. They have a tough task ahead of them in the elimination game against UHA. Winner moves on, loser goes home. Hopkinsville has played in the region tournament every year except Haworth’s first season.

 

4. Madisonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

2017-18 record: 19-9

Preseason Rank: 4

Madisonville showed they have the talent to compete with the top teams in Region 2 this year. They will only improve as they are a young team. They should have no problem making the region tournament where they can pull an upset against one of the district 8 teams. They ended the season with a win against Ohio County. They will play Dawson Springs in the first round of District 7 playoff.

 

 

 

5. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2017-18 record: 13-13

Preseason Rank: 5

Henderson County had a touch ending to a good season. After losing 3 starters before the beginning of the year, the Colonels have had their moments. However they lost their last 3 games and it shows how much growth they will still need to make to truly compete with the top 4 teams. However, don’t forget they took Christian County to double overtime before falling. .

 

 

6. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2017-18 record: 17-10

Preseason Rank: 6

 

Webster has been the up and down team in region 2 this year. This week was an up week with the Trojans winner 4 of their last 5 games. Their only loss was to University Heights in a pretty close game. They have a very tough game against Union County in the 6th District opening round. They should win, but its not a guarantee as they split the season series.

 

 

7. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2017-18 record: 15-12

Preseason Rank: 11

 

Hopkins County was one of the biggest movers this season in region 2. They finished the year winning their last two games against Lyon County and Crittenden County. They will play Caldwell County in the opening round of the 7th district. They lost to Caldwell two weeks ago, so it will be a tough matchup for the Storm.

8. Livingston Central – Coach Bill McNamara

2017-18 record: 17-13

Preseason Rank: 7

The Cardinals have looked really good at times this year, and then others they have looked lost. It has been the latter lately as LC lost 4 of their last 5 games including games to Caldwell County. They play Crittenden County in the first round of the 5th district.

 

9. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2017-18 record: 13-14

Preseason Rank: 12

 

Union was another team that rose in the standings throughout the year. Big man Logan Thomas was difficult to stop and was the mainstay for this team. They finished the year winning 4 of 5 including their first round matchup in the 6th district tournament, Webster County

 

10. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2017-18 record: 14-13

Preseason Rank: 10

 

Caldwell had a great run at the end of the year winning 5 of their last 6 games. They finished the year with a solid win against Livingston Central. Derrin Boyd has been a bright spot averaging almost 23.6 ppg. Caldwell will play Hopkins County Central in district play next.

 

11. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2017-18 record: 11-13

Preseason Rank: 8

 

Trigg County found themselves on a terrible losing streak to end the season. The Wildcats lost 6 games to end the season including to Ft. Campbell. They play Lyon County in districts.

 

 

12. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2017-18 record: 7-17

Preseason Rank: 13

 

Lyon lost to Hopkins County Central in a close game and defeated St. Mary. They will play Trigg County in the district.

 

13. Fort Campbell – Coach Stacey Harrell

2017-18 record: 6-18

Preseason Rank: 15

 

The Falcons won their final two games of the season. Bad News, they get to play Christian County in district opener.

 

14. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2017-18 record: 5-18

Preseason Rank: 14

 

The Rockets ended the year on a 7 game losing streak including a 59-45 defeat to Fort Campbell. This has dropped them to 14th for the season. They have a daunting task of playing Livingston Central in the first round of district.

 

15. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2017-18 record: 10-19

Preseason Rank: 9

 

The Panthers dropped farther than anyone else from the preseason rankings. They just had problems competing on a regular basis this year.

 

Players to Watch

De’Torrion Ware, Christian County, (Guard), Senior

Ware won the 2018 Region 2 Player of the Year. He is one of the most exciting players to watch in all of Kentucky. He averages 31.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg. His season high was 51 points against Hopkinsville. He is a real candidate for Mr. Basketball in Kentucky and has multiple offers from D1 schools.

 

Dekeyvan (Kyky) Tandy, University Heights, (Guard), Junior.

KyKy Tandy is without a doubt one of the best offensive players in the state. He already has offers from many major D1 programs (Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma) although he has not committed. He averaged 30.2 ppg this year and hit 58 threes. He also pulled down 4.2 rebounds per game. He is one of the front runners for Mr. Basketball next year.

 

Jalen Johnson, Hopkinsville (Guard), Senior

Jalen had a tough year this year after suffering a knee injury prior to the season starting. Initially Johnson transferred to the prep school, but came back before the season started. He still is not healthy, but even at 70%, he is one of the best guards in the region. He is averaging 17.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg this season.

 

Stephen (Shorty) Cager, Hopkinsville, (Guard), Senior

Cager is one of the smallest (5’8”), but quickest guards in Kentucky. After serving a suspension for much of the year, Cager played in the last 10 games. He is averaging 22.4 ppg and has been the leader and spark for the Tigers. He is a fun player to watch.

 

Ksuan, Casey, Madinsonville North-Hopkins, (Forward), Sophomore

Casey has provided a much needed lift for the Maroons. Many thought they were a year away from competing, but because he stepped up, they were very competitive this season. He averaged 16.3 ppg and 9.1 rpg over the season. He may be the best 10th grader in region 2.

 

Derrin Boyd, Caldwell County, (Guard), Junior

Boyd turned into one of the best scorers in Region 2 averaging almost 24 ppg and 8.5 rpg. Unfortunately he has to go up against Ware, Tandy, Johnson, and Cager to get noticed. So he doesn’t get much.

 

Elex Dunford, Union County (Guard), Junior,

Dunford became a great complement to Union’s big man Thomas. Dunford averaged 16.2 ppg and could hit from the outside at anytime (43 threes). He also contributed 4.5 rpg for the Braves

 

Chatman Ellis, Webster County, (Guard), Senior

Chatman has quick feet and loves to drive in the lane. He is very confident and has a good first step. He is averaging 20.7 ppg this year and whatever he goes, so goes Webster County.

 

Logan Thomas, Union County, (Center), Senior

Thomas averaged a double/double again his senior year. He is a very underrated player who is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg. He is a fun player to watch, especially when he dominates down low.

 

Cody Cunningham, Madisonville North-Hopkins (Guard), Junior

Cody has blossomed into the player the Maroons were hoping. He averaged 13 points per game while hitting 48 threes this season. He has developed into a true leader for MNH.

 

District Previews:

 

District 5: Played at Crittenden County

 

Livingston Central vs Crittenden County

Lyon County vs Trigg County

 

District 6: Played at Henderson County

Union County vs Webster County

Henderson County – Bye

District 7: played at Caldwell County

Madisonville vs Dawson Springs

Caldwell County vs Hopkins County Central

 

District 8: played at Christian County

Christian County vs Fort Campbell

UHA vs Hopkinsville (Feb 20 @ 7:30)

I was shocked that Livingston lost to Crittenden last night.

I was shocked that Livingston lost to Crittenden last night.

 

That makes 2 of us. Who would have predicted a Lyon vs Crittenden final in district 5.

I thought livingston had a shot to beat a 2nd place non district 8 team in the regional first round.

 

Shocking loss. But it was played in Marion...

That makes 2 of us. Who would have predicted a Lyon vs Crittenden final in district 5.

 

Probably no one.

I thought livingston had a shot to beat a 2nd place non district 8 team in the regional first round.

 

Shocking loss. But it was played in Marion...

 

Yea but LC beat Crittenden by 25 at Marion earlier this year.

A mini upset tonight in the 6th, I like Union over Webster in a tight game.

A mini upset tonight in the 6th, I like Union over Webster in a tight game.

 

They split during the season

Union wins 43-40