INTRODUCTION:

We’re now into February, and with the State Tournament draw looming, the season is getting ready to hit the stretch run. Still yet, this hasn’t been a week of much change in the 11th, as Scott County, Lafayette, and Lexington Catholic held serve.

 

What has been a recurring theme this week, however, has been the absence of some key players for various teams. This includes Henry Clay’s Jordan Green, Dunbar’s Darius Williams, and LCA’s Matt Rose.

 

With some big district contests on the horizon this week, seeing who is at full strength going in could be telling.

 

 

 

 

 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

 

Lorenzo McCaskell – Franklin County:

McCaskell has been out most of the season nursing an injury suffered during the Flyers’ run through the football playoffs, with less than a month of court time to his name so far this year. Nonetheless, as evidenced by the picture below, he had a shattering night last Tuesday, as his dunk in pregame warm-ups shattered a backboard. The game was then moved across town where McCaskell dropped 10 of the Flyer’s 41. On Friday night, he had 8 points in the Western Hills win. Most impressive, however, was likely his 18 points in an 86-74 road loss to Jeffersontown in Louisville.*

 

 

 

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

 

 

Scott County:

We’re now into February and the Cardinal’s last loss is but a distant memory. That blemish came on December 28 to Lafayette in overtime at the Republic Bank Classic. Since then, they’ve won 14 straight, with some of those wins coming over PRP, Manual, Henry Clay, Bryan Station, Male, Lafayette, and Henderson County. They pasted Franklin County earlier in the week, 72-41, before getting a big home win over Perry County Central.

 

No rest for the weary, however, as the Cards will visit Bryan Station before hosting Henry Clay and Louisville Trinity in a 5 day span.

 

 

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK:

 

Dunbar 52, Bryan Station 45 – Overtime (1/31/14):

For a few weeks, we’ve seen Paul Laurence Dunbar sneak up and nearly bite some teams. It appears as though one team who possibly didn’t heed those warnings as much as they should have was Bryan Station.

 

Who could blame them considering Dunbar’s leading scorer and all-everything sophomore Darius Williams (24.7 PPG) was a DNP???

 

Despite the absence, the Bulldogs went across town to North Lexington and knocked off the Defenders in an overtime thriller on Friday behind a 10-3 run in the extra period.

 

Donnie Lewis had 11, Troy Black 10, Jeremy Ward 10, PJ Corio 9, Jordan Hurst 6, Taevion Hollingsworth 4, and Justin Kelley 2 in the Bulldogs upset.

 

For Station, Jordan Henry had 14 to lead all scorers, while Taquan Claitt had 12 and Andre Davis 10. No other Defender would come anywhere close to double figures, as Marcellous Washington was held to an uncharacteristically low 3 points and Daquice Allen 2.

 

 

 

 

RECAP OF THIS WEEK’S ACTION:

 

Lafayette 62, Dunbar 55 (1/28/14):

Darius’ Williams 20 points weren’t enough to overcome a 18-9 hole that the Bulldogs dug for themselves after the first period. After that point, the game being fairly even the rest of the way, but the Generals are just too good for a team like Dunbar to fall behind on like that so early.

 

For the Generals, Jackson Davis led all scorers with 30, Daquice Robinson had 11, Jaelin Jenkins 8, and Lance Blakley 7, while Jajuante Carpenter and Lucky Jackson added 3 each. For Dunbar, Taevion Hollingsworth’s 15 gave the Bulldogs their only other double-digit scorer.

 

 

Scott County 72, Franklin County 41 (1/28/14):

As mentioned above, this one made an impromptu move to Western Hills after Lorenzo McCaskell shattered a backboard during warm-ups, but that did nothing to slow our team of the week. Scott County jumped out to a 25-5 lead after 1 and outscored the Flyers 28-12 in the 2nd to win going away and embarrass the Flyers.

 

Trent Gilbert has 20, Teddy Ware 13, Raekwon Long 10 and Tony Martini 8 for the victors. Franklin County got 10 from Lorenzo McCaskell, 9 from Demarcus Kennedy, and 7 from Rylan Rowe in the loss.

 

 

Tates Creek 66, Madison Central 62 - Overtime (1/28/14):

Things have been up and down for the boys on Centre Parkway so far this season, but the team picked up a signature-win in an early week visit to Richmond. Tates Creek opened up a 14-8 lead after 1, but led by only 3 going into intermission before Madison Central used a 17-12 3rd to take a two point advantage into the final frame.

 

With the game tied up and only seconds to play, Madison Central failed to get off the shot that they wanted, instead having to settle for a long, desperation attempt that gave fans a helping of “free basketball”.

 

Tates Creek quickly capitalized in the extra frame, scoring the first five points in the period before holding on for the W, capping off the low-scoring affair on an 8-4 run to give us our final margin.

 

For Madison Central, it was an uncharacteristically cold shooting night, as they hit only 3 of the 20 three point field goals they attempted. The fact that they turned the ball over 10 times in the 1st half (13 total) didn’t help their cause either.

 

Jordan Fucci poured in a game high 27 while Ian Davis added 14 and Desmond Duke 11 in the Commodores’ triumph. For Central, Cameron Thomas led the way with 20 while Sam Jones’ 11, Coty Alexander’s 10, Isaiah Johnson’s 9, and Demarcus George’s 8 led the Indians.

 

Complete Recap:

H.S. BASKETBALL: Tates Creek tops Madison Central, 66-62 in overtime » Sports » The Richmond Register

 

 

Woodford County 54, Harrison County 52 (1/29/14):

The host Yellow Jackets used a 20-8 opening frame and withstood a 24-14 run by the Thoroughbreds in the 3rd en route to the victory. Eli Boggess and Samuel Souers had 13 each, while Grayson Graf added 12 for the winners.

 

 

Lexington Christian Academy 62, Elliott County 47 – All “A” Classic, First Round (1/30/14):

LCA opened up play in the All “A” Classic on Thursday with an impressive win over a scrappy Elliott County team. The Eagles jumped out to a 19-8 advantage at the end of the first before using a 21-7 third quarter to dispatch the Lions.

 

Even more impressive was the fact that LCA did this without star Matt Rose, who was still nursing a recent injury. Center Michael Young led all scorers with 13 while Drew Trimble’s 12, Trevor Hill and Benton Nighbert’s 9, and Drew Schact’s 8 paced the Eagles in a solid all-around effort.

 

 

Lexington Catholic 67, Tates Creek 52 (1/30/14):

Tanner Johnson dropped 32 as the Knights went on the road and used a 19-5 run in the 2nd quarter to pull away from an improving Tates Creek squad. The Knights appeared to settle for playing at the ‘Dores pace in this one, as Michael Talbott and Jarrod Griffin only had 7, while Reese Ryan and Robert Dence had uncharacteristically low scoring games with 4 and 2, respectively. For Tates Creek, Jordan Fucci and Ian Davis had 15 apiece, and Desmond Duke added 13.

 

 

Franklin County 80, Western Hills 51 (1/31/14):

While Western Hills is improving and is a team that I look for as being on their way up so long as Geoff Cody is on the sidelines, this game is an illustration of just how frustrating Franklin County must be to their fans given expectations coming into the season. Western Hills actually led this one 36-28 with around 4 minutes to play in the 3rd. From there, it was all Flyers, however, as a barrage of triples started to connect for Franklin County, primarily Rylan Rowe, who hit a career high 8.

 

For the Flyers, Rowe led all scorers with 34. Ryan Scneider had 15, Chris Roberts 12, and Lorenzo McCaskell 8. For the Wolverines, Keaton Anderson and Kory Waller had impressive games as each dropped 17 on the night.

 

Complete Recap:

Boys Basketball: Flyers rain 3s on Wolverines - Frankfort & Franklin County, Kentucky

 

 

Lafayette 71, Henry Clay 51 (1/31/14):

Lafayette used a 17-8 advantage after 1 en route to a 20 point shellacking of the visiting Blue Devils, further showing why they are widely considered the top team in Lexington. The Generals would lose the 2nd frame 18-17, but won the 2nd half by a 37-25 margin. It wasn’t necessarily a bad showing for Henry Clay, however, as they were without Jordan Green.

 

Jackson Davis led the way with 26. Lance Blakley added 15, Daquise Robinson 11, Jalin Jackson 8, Jajuante Carpenter 5, and senior Taylor Hall had 2. Notably, Generals’ sharpshooter Harrison Lane was held scoreless and Ross Jenkins had 3.

 

For the Blue Devils, Jeremiah Tisdale had 15, Isaiah Barnes 11, Isaiah Tisdale and Campbell Setzer had 8 each, while Jordan Houston and Felix Wilson each had 4.

 

 

Lexington Christian Academy 59, Louisville Holy Cross 58 – All “A” Classic (1/31/14):

Matt Rose returned to action for the Eagles, and without a moment to spare, as LCA edged Holy Cross after a 19-14 rally to close the final frame.

 

Rose led all scorers while Drew Trimble added 16, Trevor Hill had 11, and the duo of Michael Young and Benton Nighbert chipped in 5 each.

 

 

Louisville Trinity 57, Madison Central 50 (1/31/14):

This scrappy Madison Central squad just continues to surprise, as they hung with a short-handed Trinity squad who were absent the services of star Raymond Spalding. Trinity took a 2-point lead into intermission, 26-24, until reeling off a 20-8 run in the 3rd. From there, some controversy would occur as observers stated that Trinity simply took the air out of the ball and sat on their lead in the last half of the final frame as the Indians’ rallied. On the night, Demarcus George had 12, Coty Alexander 10,

Sam Jones and Cameron Thomas 9, and Isaiah Johnson 6. For Trinity, Craig Owens led all scorers with 14.

 

 

Scott County 86, Perry County Central 78 (1/31/14):

Following today’s Sweet 16 draw, we know that these teams won’t meet in post season play unless the State Championship is on the line, but quality wins against tournament level competition are still hard to come by on any night.

 

In a battle of Mr. Basketball candidates, Trent Gilbert’s 33 points was barely outshone by Justin Johnson’s 36. Gilbert’s Cardinals, however, would have the last laugh. The Cards showed some resolve by gritting out a game that was tied at halftime behind a 27-14 advantage in the 3rd, then held on the rest of the way to get the W.

 

For the Cards, Teddy Ware added 19, Tony Martini 13, Raekwon Long 10, Matt Murray 7, and Hines Jones 4. For the ‘Dores, Braxton Beverley dropped 23, Damon Tobler 8, and John Toomer 1 in the losing effort.

 

 

Madison Central 65, Russell County 58 (2/1/14):

Last year, brother Willie was one of the few coaches who could say he bested Allen Feldhaus. This year, the tables were turned, as the Indians used a 25-18 advantage in the final frame to pull away at home. Super sophomore Cameron Thomas led the effort with 22 points, adding 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists to his stat-stuffing night.

 

Complete Recap:

H.S. BASKETBALL: Central fights off Russell County » Sports » The Richmond Register

 

 

Newport Central Catholic 76, Lexington Christian Academy 49 – All “A” Classic, Semi-Finals (2/1/14):

LCA’s hopes for an All-A crown were quickly dashed by eventual champion Newport Central Catholic, as the Thoroughbreds opened up the game with a 22-9 advantage after 1 and didn’t look back after a crushing 30-9 2nd period.

 

Zach Pangallo led all scorers with 29 points while Drew McDonald added 17 for the ‘Breds. For LCA, Matt Rose led the way with 16 while Benton Nighbert added 9 and Michael Young 6.

 

 

Sayre 58, Paris 53(2/1/14):

Justin Sanders continued to carry Sayre, scoring 20 to lead all scorers in the Spartans’ victory.

 

 

 

 

11th REGION TEAM RANKINGS:

 

 

Tier 1:

 

1.) Scott County:

The Cardinals just keep rolling and I think people are taking their strength of schedule a bit too lightly.

 

2.) Lafayette:

A solid #2 for now, but I wonder if the Generals hit their peak too soon.

 

 

Tier 2:

 

3.) Lexington Catholic:

Things seem to be back on track for the Knights.

 

 

Tier 2:

 

4.) Bryan Station:

A loss to Dunbar wouldn’t have been so bad had it not came on a night when Darius Williams was out.

 

5.) Dunbar:

An impressive week gets the Bulldogs the nod in the 4-slot.

 

 

Tier 3:

 

6.) Madison Central:

Somewhat of an up-and-down week for the Indians considering the loss to Tates Creek, but I still like them, and think that one was just “one of those nights”.

 

7.) Henry Clay:

Watch them go beat someone good now that I’ve not given them the same respect everyone else is, but I think that they probably are what they are at this point in the year.

 

8.) Lexington Christian Acadmey:

This week’s performance in the All A could be a sign they aren’t ready to run with the best just yet. I’d be really interested to know just how healthy Rose was though.

 

9.) Franklin County:

Not giving up on the Flyers quite yet, but time is slipping away quickly at this point.

 

10.) Tates Creek:

The Commodores are improving, but they still had quite a way to go as well. How far can Breeden and Fucci carry them?

 

11.)Woodford County:

Probably here by default, but maybe being underestimated is when this bunch will be at their most dangerous as well.

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING GAMES:

 

 

2/3/14:

 

#1 Scott County @ #4 Bryan Station

 

 

2/4/14:

 

#6 Madison Central @ #7 Henry Clay

#3 Lexington Catholic @ #5 Dunbar

 

 

2/7/14:

 

#7 Henry Clay @ #1 Scott County

 

 

2/8/14:

 

#3 Lexington Catholic @ #2 Lafayette

Louisville Trinity @ #1 Scott County

Holmes @ #6 Madison Central

Edited February 4, 201412 yr by JokersWild24

Enjoyed the review. Nice work.

Always enjoy reading your views on the 11th region. Should be a good week of basketball in the central ky area!

Thanks guys. A lot of big game coming up this week.

Woodford has beaten Dunbar and Tates Creek. They have played a very difficult schedule and they have shown growth in the last week or so. They will be handful.

Woodford has beaten Dunbar and Tates Creek. They have played a very difficult schedule and they have shown growth in the last week or so. They will be handful.

 

Welcome to BGP. I was much higher on Woodford County in some of my earlier rankings, but they've fell some lately. I can see them getting hot and upsetting someone on a given night though, especially given all the firepower they have at the guard spots.