PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

 

Raekwon Long, Scott County:

The 7’0 big man couldn’t seem to stay out of his own way in the first two weeks, racking up fouls so quickly that he had no choice but to watch from the bench. This week, however, was a different story, as he had 11 points in 3 consecutive games in the Woodford County Invitational. It would appear that his 11 points against Eastern, Dunbar, and Bryan Station, are a sign that bigger and better things are still to come from this prodigy.

 

Tequan Claitt, Bryan Station:

Claitt is a 6’3 Junior who gives the Defenders some much needed size and length. This week, he emerged as one of their top performers after dropping 24 (J-town), 14 (Woodford County), and 12 (Scott County) in three games during the Woodford County Invitational. This pick is one not solely based on stats though, as his play will go in a long way in determining how well his team does given that he’s one of the tallest players that sees serious clock for Station.

 

 

 

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

Lafayette Generals:

A strong senior big-man in D1 commit Jackson Davis anchors this team, but there’s more than just that. There’s also a balanced scoring attack, as Davis is complimented by athletic guards Daquise Robinson, Lucky Jackson, and Lance Blakley, as well as sharpshooter Harrison Lane. If 6’7 sophomore Ross Jenkins can contribute more by the end of the year, this team has a very high ceiling. The Generals spent last week playing in Washington DC, and while they came out 1-2, played some of the top programs in the nation in doing so. The work Coach Mendenhall’s squad has put in showed though, as they went 2-1 this week, with a crushing district win over Tates Creek and a 2 point win over Elizabethtown in the King of the Bluegrass. Most impressive, however, may be the way they’ve legitimized themselves (and the talk I was putting in for them on our boards in earlier weeks) by losing a 47-43 decision to Trinity in Louisville during the opening round of play in the King of the Bluegrass tournament. If I had to pick a team to come out of the 11th today, my pick would be Lafayette.

 

 

 

RECAP OF THIS WEEK'S ACTION:

 

12/17:

Franklin County 67, Frankfort 47:

This cross-town battle for supremacy in Frankfort was won by the Flyers, despite their being short-handed while all-region type performer Lorenzo McCaskell recovers from an injury suffered during football season. Once the Flyers get everyone back to full speed and get things rolling, teams in the 11th shouldn’t sleep on them.

 

Lafayette 78, Tates Creek 39:

This cross-town battle between 42nd District foes was all Generals, as Jackson Davis had 16, Harrison Lane 14, Daquise Robinson had 13, and Lance Blakely 8 (a trend of balanced scoring that would only continue throughout the week). In total, 11 players scored for Lafayette. Jordan Fucci led the Creekers with 11.

 

Madison Central 59, Collins 46:

Madison Central continued to impress early in the week, knocking off a visiting Collins squad that’s having an impressive year so far. Kirk Humphrey had 15 and Coty Alexander 16 for the Indians. Given last week’s performances by Demarcus George, Cameron Thomas, and Sam Jones, it looks like the Indians have a cast of performers who are capable of putting up the kind of points needed to beat you.

 

Dunbar 67, Lexington Christian 63:

Dunbar gets their first win of the season by knocking off the Eagles on the road. LCA couldn’t overcome the 15-4 hole they found themselves in at the end of the first quarter. Sophomore sensation Darius Williams led the Bulldogs with 19. For LCA, Matt Rose had 19 as well.

 

 

 

12/19:

Bryan Station 73, Jeffersontown 66 (Woodford County Invitational):

Bryan Station is hard to peg, and their play has been somewhat scattered so far this season, but the Defenders earned a quality win behind 24 points from Tequan Claitt, 20 from Marcellous Washington, and 7 from Jordan Henry.

 

Woodford County 80, Tates Creek 78 (Woodford County Invitational):

Tates Creek couldn’t hold on despite leading by 14 points after 1 quarter. Eli Boggess dropped 38 for the Yellow Jackets. Desmond Duke had 20 and Jordan Fucci 19 for the Commodores.

 

Pleasure Ridge Park 80, Henry Clay 71:

Jordan Green had 27 and Jeremiah Tisdale 16, while Felix Wilson chipped in 12. Seven Blue Devils scored in this one, which is a good sign when evaluating the progress made in getting significant contributions in the points columns from someone other than Green, Tisdale, and occasionally Wilson. PRP was led by D1 prospect Antonio McDaniels’ 20.

 

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK:

 

Trinity 47, Lafayette 43:

 

In my opinion, this was the game of the week in the state (at least before we got to see the semi-finals of some of the bigger tournaments set, but even then, this one was the one I really wanted to see most). In this first round of the King of the Bluegrass, hosted by Fairdale, the Generals went into Louisville looking to legitimize themselves on a state-wide level, and judging by the outcome, I’d say they did a nice job of that.

 

Lafayette had a 14-12 advantage after 1, but Trinity took a 24-23 lead into the intermission. The margin would remain at that as both teams tied in the third quarter. Trinity added 3 to their one point halftime lead in the 4th, giving us the final margin. For Trinity, high-level D1 prospect Raymond Spalding had 19, Trey Ivory 11, Levitch 6, Knight-Goff 4, Theineman 3, and Owens 2. For Lafayette, Jackson Davis was held to only 6 points, but a balanced team effort kept the Generals close as Lance Blakley had 10, Daquise Robinson 8, Lucky Jackson 7, Harrison Lane 6, and Ross Jenkins 6.

 

Interestingly enough, these two will face off again later this year, with that game coming at Trinity on Valentine’s Day. Looking back at this game then should be a nice barometer on how far each unit has come heading into postseason play.

 

 

 

12/20:

 

Lexington Catholic 77, Doss 75:

Tanner Johnson dropped a cool 39 to lead the Knights in a mild-upset over the Doss Dragons. While some of you may not be as familiar, Doss is a quality team who already knocked off PRP this year. This was also Doss’ first loss this season. The Knights were struggling on the heels of losses to Cordia and Knott County Central in an 8 day window, and really needed this one to get back on track and establish themselves.

 

Scott County 70, Eastern 58 (Woodford County Invitational):

In a match-up of two coaches who sport State Championship resumes, the Cardinals’ talent was too much for Henley’s Eagles in this one. This would end up being tied for the closest final margin Scott County would see in the entire Woodford County Invitational. It may also be the day Coach Hicks looks back and sees that Raekwon Long began turning a corner, as this might have been a break-out game of sorts for him, as he had 11.

 

 

12/21:

Lexington Catholic 60, Boyle County 53 (Farmers National Bank Showcase @ Mercer County):

Bryan Station 69, Woodford County 55 (Woodford County Invitational):

Bryan Station was led by Macellous Washington’s 18 points, with CJ Walker adding 15 and Tequan Claitt adding 14. It would appear that Station was able to take the ball out of Boggess’ hands somewhat (a trend that would continue throughout the week), as Sam Souers had 27 and Eli Boggess 15 in the losing effort for the hosts.

 

Scott County 80, Dunbar 60 (Woodford County Invitational):

Trent Gilbert’s scoring average is finally coming back to Earth—and by that, I mean he dropped a measly 30 in this one. Darius Williams had 23 for the Bulldogs.

 

Henry Clay 73, Thomas Nelson 60 (King of the Bluegrass):

Lots of talent on the floor in this one. Jordan Green led Henry Clay with 23 while Jeremiah Tisdale had 19. For Thomas Nelson, Dikemebe Dixson had 24, while Kevin Ndahiro had 18. AJ Youngman sat out this one, with speculation being that he could miss some time for an injury.

 

Lafayette 71, Elizabethtown 68 (King of the Bluegrass):

The Generals earned a tough win in this one, holding off E-town’s comeback bid late to secure the win. It was a balanced effort for Lafayette, as Jackson Davis had 16, Harrison Lane 14, Dequise Robinson 14, and Lance Blakley 9.

 

 

12/22:

Lexington Catholic 68, Mercer County 61 (Farmers National Bank Showcase @ Mercer County):

Lexington Catholic had a nice performance on the weekend, knocking off Doss, Boyle County, and then the host-Titans en-route to the tournament championship. It would appear that things on Clay’s Mill Road are returning to normal, as Tanner Johnson had a big weekend and the Knights now have 3 quality wins under their belt.

 

Dunbar 80, Woodford County 73 (Woodford County Invitational):

This was the second time this season the two teams had met. Dunbar did a nice job limiting Boggess in this one, but Graf and Souers stepped up to make the Bulldogs pay, dropping 20 and 21 respectively. However, it wouldn’t be enough to overcome Darius Williams’ 31, as Dunbar downed the hosts in their own tournament.

 

Scott County 73, Bryan Station 62 (Woodford County Invitational):

This one was the Finals of the Woodford County Invitational. Gilbert had 26, Ware 19, and Long 11 for Scott County. Marcellous Washington and Daquise Allen had 13 each for the Defenders, with Tequan Claitt adding 12.

 

 

 

 

Berea Invitational Scores:

12/19:

Madison Central 79, Bourbon County 65 (Berea Invitational):

 

12/20:

Franklin County 72, Owsley County 47 (Berea Invitational):

Madison Southern 70, Harlan County 54 (Berea Invitational):

 

12/21:

Harlan County 67, Berea 54 (Berea Invitational):

Madison Central 79, Somerset 72 (Berea Invitational):

Model 54, Owsley County 40 (Berea Invitational):

Model 76, Bourbon County 56 (Berea Invitational):

Montgomery County 65, Madison Southern 52 (Berea Invitational):

Jackson County 84, Franklin County 55 (Berea Invitational):

In what would be considered a mild upset, the Generals knocked off the Flyers.

 

12/22:

Berea 57, Owsley County 41 (Berea Invitational):

Model 74, Webster County 59 (Berea Invitational):

Montgomery County 67, Madison Central 47 (Berea Invitational – Championship):

In a re-match of the game that had everyone taking notice in Madison Central earlier this year, Montgomery County wasn’t surprised.

There are still games to be played in the Farmer's National Bank Ft. Harrod Classic at Mercer County. I think LexCath may be playing in the championship game today.

There are still games to be played in the Farmer's National Bank Ft. Harrod Classic at Mercer County. I think LexCath may be playing in the championship game today.

 

Gotcha. I didn't see anymore games listed when I looked last night and just assumed it was the championship.

Lexington Catholic knocked off Lincoln County to win Mercer County's tournament. Looks like the Knights are back on track. Lafayette was beaten by Hopkinsville, but it'll be interesting to hear more about that game as reports come in.

LexCath playing some good ball and I'm looking forward to seeing Lafayette on Friday.

11th Region Rankings

 

These are as of Christmas Day. The spacing in between teams represents tiers, the more spacing between the tiers, the more separation I see in the teams.

 

 

1. Lafayette

2. Scott County

 

 

 

3. Henry Clay

4. Lexington Catholic

 

 

5. Madison Central

6. Franklin County

 

7. Bryan Station

 

8. Dunbar

9. Woodford County

 

10. Lexington Christian Academy

11. Tates Creek

 

12. Model

13. Sayre