article 16th Region Week 4 Review

Merry Christmas hoop fans. The holiday tournament season is off and running in the Bluegrass State. Teams in the 16th Region continue to fluctuate with the exception of the top top dogs right now Elliott County and Rowan County. The rankings from 3 to 12 continue to be as confusing as the weather in the Commonwealth.

1. ELLIOTT COUNTY (10-1) The Lions suffered their first defeat the hands of highly regarded Christ Presbyterian Academy from Nashville. Korbin Spencer led the Lions to three victories following the defeat in the tournament at Clinton County. The Lions are off until 2019 when they resume play in the 16th Region.

2. ROWAN COUNTY (11-0) Shawn Thacker's Vikings remain the region's only unbeaten squad. The Vikings notched wins over Iroquois and Powell County in the Kentucky Bank Challenge over the weekend. Mason Moore and Brady Madden anchor this team's balanced attack. This week the Vikings travel to Williamstown for tournament play.

3. MORGAN COUNTY (7-2) The Cougars had a solid week at The Derby Classic. Matt Perry's team sandwiched wins over Greenup County and Raceland around a heartbreaking loss to eventual champion Paintsville. Blake Evans and Jake Helton are fast becoming a dynamic duo for the Cougars. Morgan County will travel Belfry for the Mountain Schoolboy Classic this week.

4. LEWIS COUNTY (6-4) The Lions finished 2-1 in their run through the 10th Region last week. Two big wins over Nicholas County and Mason County were followed by a 66-62 loss to Montgomery County. Junior Sam O'Keefe scored over 90 points in the three games and Seth Wright was over 20 a game. The Lions will take part in the Dan Swartz Classic at Bath County this week.

5. BOYD COUNTY (7-3) The Lions split games in the Kentucky Bank Challenge at Rowan County. A solid win over Louisville Eastern was followed by a 14 point loss to Montgomery County. Blake Stewart and Talbot Taylor continue to carry the load for defending region champions. Boyd County will be a part of a loaded AIT field this week.

6. ASHLAND (3-6) It was another rough week for the Tomcats with losses to GRC, Woodford County, and Ironton (OH). The loss of big man Ryan Bryant with shin splints didn't help the Tomcats cause. Devaunte Robinson and Hunter Mays had nice games last week. The road does not get any easier this week in the AIT.

7. WEST CARTER (6-3) The Comets are at #7 with a bullet. They played Elliott County well into the fourth quarter before falling to the Lions. The Comets defeated 14th region squads Estill County and Breathitt County at Rowan County. Seniors Ethan Adkins and Rodney Evans lead a balanced Comet attack. The Comets will play in Mt Sterling this week.

8.GREENUP COUNTY (5-6) The Musketeers rebounded from a five-game losing streak with two wins at the Derby Classic. After falling to Morgan County, the Musketeers won two nail-biters over Anderson County and Fairview. Eli Raby and Zane Carter provided some much needed offense for the Musketeers. The Musketeers host the Stultz Classic this week.

9. FLEMING COUNTY (7-4) The Panthers lost two of three last week. After a close win over Rose Hill, the Panthers fell to East Jessamine and Iroquois. Cole Saunders has provided string help to Kaleb Flannery in the past few games. The Panthers travel to Gulf Breeze, Fla this week for some fun in the sun and some hoops.

10. RUSSELL (3-6) The Devils are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Playing tough competition the Devils faltered in the fourth quarter of three of the four games. Boyd County, North Oldham, Newport Catholic, and Dixie Heights provided the stiff tests for the Devils. Tristan Miller and Jared Goodman played well in the four-game stretch. The Dan Swartz Classic is up next for Russell.

11. RACELAND (4-5) The Rams lost two of three games in their own Derby Classic last week. The Rams defeated Rose Hill then lost to Allen County-Scottsville and Morgan County. Kyle Adkins was a bright spot for the Rams. The Stultz Classic at Greenup County is on tap for the Rams this week.

12. BATH COUNTY (3-6) Gatlinburg was not hospitable for the Wildcats last week as they lost three games to teams from three states. The Wildcats continue to struggle to find the right combination to win at this point in the season. They are hoping being home for the Dan Swartz Classic this week will provide the solution.

13. FAIRVIEW (4-7) The Eagles split four games last week with wins over Hannan (Wva) and Rose Hill and losses to Allen County-Scottsville and Greenup County. Noah King had a huge week including a 44-point outburst in the loss to Greenup County. The Eagles hit the road for games at Tolsia and St. Patrick this weekend.

14. EAST CARTER (0-7) The Raiders fell on the road at Lawrence County last week. Jordan Brooks and Josh Damron hope to help the Raiders get their first win of the season at the Dan Swartz Classic this week at Bath County.

15. MENIFEE COUNTY (4-8) The Wildcats notched a win over Owen County but lost games to Owsley County and Russellville at Berea. Tate Trimble continues to be a bright spot for the Wildcats. They will travel to Buckhorn this week for tournament play.

16. ROSE HILL (2-11) The Royals dropped a close game to Fleming County before taking three lopsided losses at the Derby Classic. Junior guard Stephen Barker has been a dependable option for the Royals all season. The Royals will be at Greenup County for the Stultz Classic this week.