article 16th Region Week 1 Review

In our preseason preview we predicted this region would see teams beating each other from top to bottom in the rankings. Week 1 did nothing to disprove that theory. As upsets and surprises occurred across the region. Look for these rankings to be volatile all season long.

1. ELLIOTT COUNTY (3-0) The Lions proved they are worthy of their region favorite status. They won their season opener over 15th region contender Paintsville in a double overtime affair. Korbin Spencer and Tanner Dickerson led the Lions to two more easy victories over East Carter and Lyon County, the latter in the Marshall County HoopFest. The Lions will travel to Lloyd to take on upstart Greenup County on Tuesday.

2. LEWIS COUNTY (2-0) The Lions pulled the upset of the week by toppling Ashland 73-71 in their opener. Sam O'Keefe and Seth Wright are leading a balanced Lions attack that also posted a win over Fairview. This week the Lions try to defend their EKC tournament crown as they take on Rowan County Tuesday night in the semifinals.

3. ASHLAND (1-1) The Tomcats dropped their opener to Lewis County but bounced back to defeat Cordia in their home opener. Senior Devaunte Robinson registered two impressive games in Week 1. The Tomcats employed a deep bench in their win over Cordia which will bode well for them as the season wears on.

4. ROWAN COUNTY (3-0) An impressive initial week for the Vikings as they posted wins over Montgomery County, Greenup County, and Bath County. The duo of Mason Moore and Brady Madden have been the catalysts for the fast start. An good early season battle with Lewis County looms Tuesday in the semifinals of the EKC tourney.

5. BOYD COUNTY (2-0) The Lions are showing they won't relinquish the region crown without a fight. Blake Stewart and Talbott Taylor, two returning starters, have carried the load as expected in wins over Menifee County and Sheldon Clark. The Lions will see where they stand this weekend with home games vs Elliott County and Bath County.

6. WEST CARTER (2-0) The Comets are a year older and it is showing on the floor. Two easy wins over Fairview and East Carter featured an uptempo style of play with a deep bench. Trace Tackett has been very effective off the Comet bench. Russell is up next in the EKC tournament semifinals.

7. MORGAN COUNTY (2-1) The Cougars suffered a surprising home court loss to Russell in the EKC tournament Saturday. Jake Helton led the way for two wins over Lawrence County and Bath County earlier in the week. They hope to find their shooting touch in a consolation matchup with East Carter on Tuesday.

8. RACELAND (1-0) The Rams opened their season with a 30 point win over Rose Hill Saturday. This week gives them an opportunity to notch three wins as they play three winnable games against Coal Grove, Augusta, and Notre Dame. Two of those games will be at The Palace.

9. GREENUP COUNTY (3-1) New coach Robert Amis is making an early bid for Coach of the Year honors with three wins in the opening week. The Musketeers stunned rival Russell in overtime and came from behind to defeat Augusta on the road. Brady Nelson and Brady Burchett have been instrumental in the fast start. The road gets tougher this week with games vs Elliott County and Lewis County.

10. RUSSELL (1-1) Jekyll and Hyde week for the Red Devils. A tough loss to Greenup County was followed by an upset of Morgan County on the road Saturday. Tristan Miller is scoring the ball well and freshman Brady Bell had an impressive opening two games. The Devils take on West Carter Tuesday in the EKC semifinals.

11. BATH COUNTY (0-3) The Wildcats have played a brutal schedule to start the season. They absorbed lopsided losses to GRC and Morgan County. A tough loss to Rowan County on Saturday ended a tough week. A change to get their initial win comes Tuesday night at Fairview in the consolation bracket of the EKC tournament.

12. FLEMING COUNTY (1-1) The Panthers notched a solid out of region win over Floyd Central.In their opener they took a 21 point loss to a solid Robertson County squad. The Panthers can get on a roll with trio of winnable games this week including a district tilt with Menifee County.

13. FAIRVIEW (0-2) A rough first week for the Eagles with losses to West Carter and Lewis County. The Eales played short-handed without the services of Garrett Greene and Preston Ledford. Sharp shooter Tarrick Smith has been scoring at a high rate for the Eagles. Bath County visits Westwood Tuesday night.

14. EAST CARTER (0-2) The Raiders are getting a taste oi their own district so far this season. Elliott County and West Cater hung big losses on their district rival in those games. Now the Raiders will take on Morgan County Tuesday in EKC consolation bracket. One bright spot was Hunter Binion but he suffered a foot injury that will sideline him two weeks.

15. MENIFEE COUNTY (2-1) This Wildcat team could move up the rankings soon. With wins over Jackson City and Powell County the Wildcats are a mild surprise. A couple seed games this week with Fleming County and Bath County will be telling for the boys from Frenchburg.

16. ROSE HILL (0-3) The Royals absorbed three losses in Week 1 of the campaign. Kenny Wilburn has been a bright spot for the Royals with his scoring and athleticism.

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