article 3rd Region Week 11 Review - Final Week

With one week left in the regular season, Owensboro is the clear cut #1 in the region. Their 3rd win of the season over Owensboro Catholic moved them to 7-0 vs 9th district teams and 12-0 against 3rd region competition. Breckenridge County has bounced back from their 2 point home loss to the Devils and have since won 4 straight. Once you get out of the top 3 teams in this region, you can really throw a blanket over the rest of the region. Everyone is beating everyone and there is to much inconsistency to nail down an exact rankings. This week, I just threw records out the window and went on what i have season from this programs this season....

1. Owensboro Red Devils (17-7) SAME

With only one week left in the regular season, the Devlis have separated themselves from the 3rd region pack. On Tuesday, they went on the road to defeat Bowling Green by 12. Darrion and Gavin Wimsatt had 17 each, while Gavin added 8 boards. The win over the Purples was one of the better wins of the season for Owensboro. They closed the week with their 3rd win over Owensboro Catholic this year. Darion Wimsatt again led the Devils with 24. The win gives them the top district seed and pits them against Apollo in tournament play. They continue their tough schedule, with home games against Hoptown and Henderson to close out the season.

2. Breckenridge County Tigers (22-3) SAME

Since losing to the Owensboro last Tuesday, the Tigers have started a new winning streak that they have now ran to 4 straight. Their 3 wins this week over Muhlenberg, Hancock and Mclean all came by an average margin of 28 points per game. Poole continues to lead the way, scoring right at 20 in 3 wins, while Tanner Whitworth remains one of the best 3 point shooters in the region. Hes shooting nearly 50% beyond the arc. The final week of the season has 2 tough tests at home against Central Hardin and Whitesville Trinity.

3. Owensboro Catholic Aces (15-9) SAME

The Aces split a pair of games this week, starting with a win against Webster County. John Parker scored 22 in the victory. On Friday, they came up short against #1 Owensboro. Ty Vincent led the way with 15 points. The loss sets up a first round district matchup against Daviess County. Before that however, they have tough road games at Evansville Castle and Muhlenberg County.

4. Ohio County Eagles (15-12) UP 1

The Eagles ended their skid and got back on track with region wins over Trinity and Edmonson County this week. In the win over Edmonson, Colby Vanover scored 21, while Trey Lewis finished with 18. The Eagles are the one team outside the top 3 that are talented and deep enough to make a run at a regional title. They best news for Ohio County is, they have already punched their ticket to the regional tournament with a bye in the 10th district. They finish up regular season play at Logan County and vs Madisonville.

5. Grayson County Cougars (13-14) UP 2

The Cougars have been charging to the finish line of the regular season. Over the last 2 weeks they have won 6 of 7, including a big district win over Whitesville Trinity that gives them the #1 seed inside the 12th district. That will setup an elimination game against the Raiders, who they have beaten twice this season. They did drop a tough game to Mclean County to open the week but bounced back with an overtime win against Meade County. Nolan Shartzer stayed hot, scoring 24, while double double machine Q McHenry scored 13 points and pulled 11 boards. They close the season on the road at Daviess County and Hancock County this week.

6. Daviess County Panthers (10-12) SAME

Daviess County continues to show they can be a dangerous team with Dakota Walden leading the way. There are times this season where he has looked unstoppable and when he puts the Panthers on his back, anything is possible. While they opened the week with an upset loss to Mclean County, Walden helped them bounce back against district rival Apollo, by scoring 43! The win sets up an interesting first round matchup against Owensboro Catholic. DC closes the season at home against Grayson and Union County.

7. Muhlenberg County Mustangs (12-10) DOWN 3

In the first half of the season, Muhlenberg County looked to be a lock as a top 5 team in the region. The second half however, it has been difficult to figure this team out. Since returning from a 3-0 run in the Magnolia Bank tournament, the Mustangs have only been able to post a 3-8 record. If they can find some of that magic from the first half of the season, they could be a surprise team come tournament time. After going 0-2 last week, they'll look for some momentum to close the season, as they finish with home games against Todd County and Owensboro Catholic.

8. Mclean County Cougars (10-13) UP 5

Its easy to see that Mclean County is playing their best basketball of the season. The Cougars had reeled off 4 straight wins before falling to #2 Breckenridge County on Saturday. They started the week with a 4 point win over Grayson County. Logan Patterson went for 20 points and 10 boards. They used that momentum to upset Daviess County on Tuesday. Hunter Patrick led the Cougars with 18 and Patterson again put up a double double with 16 and 11. On Friday, they defeated Butler County by double digits. Clark led the way with 25. Mclean closes the regular season this week with games against Union County, Edmonson County and Apollo.

9. Edmonson County Wildcats (11-14) DOWN 1

The Cats started their week off on the right step with a win over Caverna. Chaz Wilson continues to be one of the best all around players in the region, scoring 24 points and pulling 13 boards. His season average is 15 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. Edmonson had a tough end to the week, with losses to Allen County and Ohio County. They will face Butler County in the 12th district tournament. Edmonson hosts the tourney and are 2-0 against the Bears this season. The season comes to an end on the road this week at Mclean and Greenwood.

10. Butler County Bears (13-10) DOWN 1

Butler County went 0-2 this past week, losing games to Franklin Simpson and Mclean County. They have now lost 4 of their last 5 games. They will have to go to Edmonson County and play the Cats in a 12th district elimination game next week. The Cats have had their number this year winning both district games. Before the district action starts, the Bears close the regular season against Cloverport and South Warren.

11. Whitesville Trinity Raiders (13-13) DOWN 1

Trinity falls out of the top 10 for the first time all season, this week. The Raiders have battled injuries and illness in the 2nd half of the season and have now lost 4 of their last 6. They did open the week with a win over Cloverport before dropping the next 2 game to Ohio County and Grayson County. The loss to Grayson forces a rematch in the 12th district tournament. Before then, they will head to the road to close the season against Webster County, Breckenridge County and Russellville.

12. Meade County Greenwave (11-14) DOWN 1

Meade County looks to be somewhat healthy for the stretch run. It will be interesting to see what they can string together as they prepare for another run to the Sportscenter in a few weeks. They sandwiched a win over Shawnee between 2 losses against Grayson County and North Oldham. There will be a coin flip to decide the 1 seed between the Waves and Breckenridge County. Both teams should be heavy favorites to advance to the regional tournament, no matter how the flip plays out. Meade closes out the season at North Bullitt and Central Hardin.

13. Apollo Eagles (3-23) DOWN 1

Apollo battled in a couple of tough losses this past week to Henderson County and Daviess County. While its been a tough season for the defending regional champions, you can easily see the improvement as the year as worn on. They finish the regular season this week with games against Madisonville and Mclean County.

14. Hancock County Hornets (5-20) SAME

The Hornets tough season continued this week, dropping a pair of games to Breckenridge County and St Francis. They close the season with a winnable game against Cannelton before heading to Grayson County.

15. Cloverport Aces (1-24) SAME

The Aces got their first win of the season by defeating Cannelton Indiana. Sophomore Noah Pate had a big double double in the win, scoring 19 and pulling 10 boards. Cloverport has 3 games to close their regular season against Ft Knox, Butler County and St Francis.

3RD REGION PLAYER OF THE WEEK - LOGAN PATTERSON - Mclean County - 17 ppg / 10 rpg in the Cougars 4 game win streak - 22 ppg / 10 rpg on the season

GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK

TUE - Owensboro Catholic at Castle, IN, Central Hardin at Breckenridge County, Hopkinsville at Owensboro

FRI - Henderson at Owensboro, Owensboro Catholic at Muhlenberg