Week 1 is in the books in a wide-open 8th Region. Oldham County was clearly the team of the week; the pre-season region favorites roared through three games, averaging 85 ppg and shooting lights out (58% beyond the arc). Only six games were played in Week 1 between 8th region opponents, but that will change dramatically this week, as the 17 schools will combine for 11 games which will quickly begin to sort out the contenders from the pretenders.

 

After Week 1, the top teams (ranked based upon their current performance):

 

Oldham County - The Colonels are 3-0 after an impressive week that saw them hit 58% of their three point shots and average 85 ppg while winning the three contests by an average of 19 points. The wins came over 6th Region power DeSales, Butler, and University Heights. Senior guard Hayden Hawes and junior Jacob Bates were each week 1 workhorses, averaging over 15 ppg each. Along the way, the Colonels are getting balanced scoring, with junior Brandon Johnson averaging 13+ ppg and Conner Hicks, Darrius Taylor, and Clayton Worth all averaging over 8. Five different players are averaging at least one three a game, and Hawes has hit 10. Taylor (8.7 ppg) has hit 10 of his 13 shots.... The Colonels will begin to find out how well they match up with the region this week, though, with two road games against undefeated region rivals: Tuesday at Anderson Co (3-0) and Friday at Trimble County (3-0) in a district seeding game.

 

Grant County - The Braves (2-1) opened with a loss to Louisville Male, but have won two games convincingly since. The Braves should beat Williamstown to start this week, but then they'll start a strenuous stretch of four games - three on the road - against Lexington Lafayette, Owen County, Oldham County, and Covington Holy Cross. We'll learn very quickly whether the Braves are contenders during that 8-day stretch.

 

Shelby County - Shelby may ultimately win the 8th this year, but they are in a bit of disarray right now, with 40% of their starting lineup on the sidelines. The absence of guard Malik Manica is forcing coach Jason Couch to find a new primary ballhandler, and the Rockets have struggled at times with turnovers. Then big man James Gordon tweaked his back in the opener vs. Mercer County, and the Rockets just seem "out of sorts". Still, they have a significant amount of talent on the court, and they're 3-0 after adding wins over defending region champ South Oldham on the road and an 18 point win over Raceland. Keenan Cochran leads the way with 16 ppg.

 

Collins- The Titans struggled to defeat Gallatin County in their opening game, and narrowly defeated Lexington Christian in their second game, but they appear to have the veterans to go all the way. Senior guards Brent Kidwell and Deion Cochran provide stability.

 

Owen County - Carson Williams is averaging 26 ppg / 17 rebounds. Rebels are showing other scorers, too: Chad McDonald (19 ppg) and Vince Toftness (10 ppg) are giving Williams support early.

 

Simon Kenton - Pioneers struggling early against above average competition.

 

Anderson County - The Bearcats are 3-0 against a weak early schedule, but they are off to the races, offensively, averaging 75 ppg behind the sharpshooting of Austin Cummins, who had 26 against Garrard County and a school single-game record 45 points against East Jessamine.

 

South Oldham - The Dragons have just one returning player with experience and it shows right now. Jacob Bray has been a pleasant surprise, averaging 12.5 ppg off the bench.

 

North Oldham The Mustangs have size on their roster and some remarkable speed. Jalen Henry is one of the region's best sophomores and a possible all-region candidate along with his brother, senior Jon Jon Henry.

 

Trimble County - Trimble is off to a fast start behind a veteran team featuring Michael Dunaway (16.7 ppg / 14.7 rebounds) and Evan Long (16.7 ppg). Long has already buried 14 threes on the season and is hitting 60.9% beyond the arc. And despite a weak early schedule, it should be noted that the Raiders have beaten their three opponents by nearly 20 points a game and giving up just 47 ppg. This week's matchups with Owen Co and Oldham Co will tell much about the Raiders chances in the tough 29th District.

 

Other Team Notes:

 

Gallatin County will have to play the 2014-15 season without Kobe Carlton. If there was a silver lining, it's that the injury occurred in game one; Head Coach Jon Jones will now have the entire season to shore up his roster.

 

Region 8 Games of the week

 

Tue 12/9/14 - Oldham (3-0) at Anderson County (3-0)

Trimble County (3-0) at Owen County (3-0)

Henry County (2-1) vs. Eminence (1-2) The battle for Henry Co may tell us who the #2 team in District 31 is.

 

Wed 12/10/14 - Gallatin Co (1-1) at Simon Kenton (1-2)

 

Fri 12/12/14 - Trimble Co (3-0) vs. Oldham County (3-0)

Sheby County (3-0) at Collins (2-0) - battle for Shelby County

Henry County (2-1) at Gallatin County (2-1)

 

 

Saturday 12/13/14 - Owen County (3-0) vs. Grant Co. (2-1)

17 rebounds per game? I know it's a small sample, but that is crazy impressive!

17 rebounds per game? I know it's a small sample, but that is crazy impressive!

 

Bottom-line is Williams is the best player in the region. Period. If Duvall can build consistent contributors around him, and Williams can avoid foul trouble, Owen's potential upside is spelled R-U-P-P. Barring injury, Williams will graduate next year with 2,000+ career points and an obscene number of rebounds....

Here's how the district look right now...

 

District 29:

1 - Oldham County - simply the best in what is probably the deepest district in the region

2 - South Oldham - not many teams could lose 9 seniors and be in the conversation the next year. Defending champs' system is keeping them in the conversation right now.

3 - North Oldham - May move up. North has an awful lot of talent, but is a bit behind right now due to a new head coach, new system, new players, and lots of football players who just got through with football after NOHS advanced to Class 4A semi-finals. Tremendous upside.

4 - Trimble County - Fourth until they prove otherwise, but that may be this week. Trimble is loaded with talented seniors. Waiting to see how they do against the meat of their schedule.

 

District 30

1 - Shelby County - shaky vote for the Rockets, who have enough talented depth to be 3-0 right now despite two injured starters. Big game vs. Collins this week.

2 - Collins - should I say "1.a."? Veteran guards mean Collins will be a threat all year.

3 - Anderson Co - Bearcats have a tough road to make the region through the Shelby schools.

4 - Spencer County - Improved, but that probably isn't enough to secure a region berth this year.

 

District 31

1 - Owen County - clear number one in a district that's historically been difficult to call.

2 - Gallatin County - Jon Jones' coaching is worth 10 points. How will he replace Carlton, though?

3 - Eminence - Lost to Gallatin by just 8. May be surprise team in district.

4 - Henry County - awfully young; lost tons of seniors. Big game with Eminence this week.

5 - Carroll County - right now, the only team in the district that doesn't look like a region contender - today.

 

District 32

1 - Grant County - the torch may have been passed with last year's GC district title win over SK....

2 - Simon Kenton - Pioneers not used to being the second choice....awful lot of size and talent. Could lose district and win the region...

3 - Walton-Verona - should easily double or triple last year's win total, but still a big gap between the Bearcats and the top tier of district 32.

4 - Williamstown - Rebuilding. Lots of offense to replace.