Mother Nature has always shown she is not a fan of high school sports, and weather cancellations in the first week of the basketball season further drives home this point.

 

Teams that opened play earlier in the week were able to get their opening games played, but later week contests went by the wayside in what was one of the earliest weather postponements in recent memory.

 

Hopping Along

 

Hopkinsville opened defense of their region title on a different date and against a different opponent. The Tigers were scheduled to open at Russellville Thursday and then play Evansville Bosse Saturday in the Marshall County Hoopfest.

 

Instead, the Tigers lost their Thursday opener and had to play Marshall County Saturday in the Hoopfest. Jaqualis Matlock had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Tigers to a 79-60. Dee Henry added 16 points for Hoptown, who hit nine 3-pointers.

 

Call Me A.J.

 

A.J. Tyler had 18 points as the new look Christian County Colonels opened with a 77-59 win over Hopkins County Central Tuesday.

 

The Colonels lost three starters to graduation and two more to transfer but looked quick on defense in this one.

 

The Storm, winners of nine games last year, lost the coaching opener for new coach Rex Booth.

 

Trigg County gets a ‘Crofty’ win

 

New coach Payton Croft’s debut as Trigg County head coach was a successful one as the Wildcats hammered Dawson Springs 80-22. It was Trigg’s 25^th win over Dawson Springs in their last 26 meetings.

 

Sophomore Detavion Day had 14 points and seven rebounds to pace three players in double figures.

 

The Wildcats did get some bad news when 6-5 senior Brian Dossett, expected to be a major cog in the offense, was lost for the season with an ACL injury in the first half.

 

Just Say Boo

 

Lamontas “Boo” Johnson hit an off-balance shot as time expired to give University Heights a 74-72 opening win over Union County.

 

The Blazers led by as many as 17 in the contest, but the Braves were able to chip away at the lead in the second half.

 

Johnson led the Blazers with 20 points, while freshman transfer Tray Hollowell added 13.

Jashaud Fleming led all scorers with 29 points for the Braves.

 

Nine is Not Enough

 

It’s not often nine players score points for a team in a loss. Even more odd, a loss where the team only scores 48 points.

 

Madisonville pulled off the rare feat in a 52-48 loss to Daviess County.

 

Sophomore Javeon Eaves was the only player in double figures for the Maroons with 10 points.

 

Double Double

 

Henderson County’s David Simmons scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Colonels opened with a 57-56 win over Evansville Harrison.

 

Bryce Crowley hit four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points and five rebounds for Henderson County.

 

Games to Watch

 

University Heights at Hopkinsville (Tuesday) – Both teams added new players in the off-season. Tuesday, we get to see whose new players are better in this key Eighth District match up.

 

Union County at Caldwell County (Friday) – This game features a couple of region dark horses. Union County has speed. Caldwell County has size.

 

Christian County at Madisonville (Tuesday) – Two of the historical region powerhouses hope to get some questions about their teams answered when they meet Tuesday in Hopkinsville.

 

Toyota of Hopkinsville Shootout (Friday and Saturday)

 

Friday at Christian County

 

5pm – Bowling Green vs. University Heights

7pm – Paducah Tilghman vs. Christian County

8:30pm – Warren Central vs. Hopkinsville

 

Saturday at Hopkinsville

 

4pm – Warren Central vs. University Heights

5:30pm – Ohio County vs. Christian County

7pm – Lavergne, Tenn. vs. Hopkinsville

 

Second Region Rankings

 

 

1. Hopkinsville
   
2. Henderson County
   
3. University Heights
   
4. Madisonville
   
5. Union County
   
6. Caldwell County
   
7. Trigg County
   
8. Christian County
   
9. Lyon County
   
10. Hopkins County Central
    
11. Webster County
    
12. Fort Campbell
    
13. Livingston Central
    
14. Crittenden County
    
15. Dawson Springs
    

As always, a great article by The Scribe!