article Inside the 2nd Region (12/8/14)

[The Scribe]

Hopkinsville is still the popular pick by many to win the Second Region title for the fourth straight year, but I still say they are just a click behind Henderson County at this point. However, if the Tigers continue to build their young depth, they just may wrestle the top spot away from Henderson County.

 

SECOND REGION RANKINGS FOR 12/8/2014

 

1.) Henderson County (1-1) – The Colonels lost to Evansville Harrison 86-80 in their opener – a game they led by double-digits in the third quarter before Vermont commitment Everett Duncan took the game over and finished with 41 points. The Colonels rebounded with an impressive 68-51 win over Warren Central Saturday. Henderson hosts another Fourth Region toughie Friday in Bowling Green before heading out Saturday to play Collins in the Shelby County Legends Classic

 

2.) Hopkinsville (3-0) – The Tigers are off to a fast 3-0 start, punctuated by a 10-point win over Lausanne, Tennessee Saturday at the Marshall County Hoop Fest. Senior forward Jaqualis Matlock has been his usual double-double self in the early going, but the Tigers have gotten a boost from freshman Stephen Cager and junior Kourtney Ware. The Tigers have won 51 straight games against region schools and will host University Heights Tuesday in an attempt to add to the streak. The Christian County schools will host a two-day shootout over the weekend where Hoptown will play Caldwell County and Fern Creek.

 

3.) University Heights (0-1) – The Blazers were waxed by Oldham County 98-69 Saturday in their season opener despite 36 points and five assists from sophomore Tray Hollowell. UHA plays at Hoptown Tuesday, which could be another blowout loss, and then plays both Clarksville Northwest and Warren Central next weekend.

 

4.) Webster County (2-0) – Mason Roland had 20 points and five assists in the Trojans’ 44-42 win over Hopkins Central Friday. Webster’s frontline was boosted by the offseason transfer of Cayce Edmonson from Indiana. The 6-7 junior had 11 points and six rebounds in the win over Hopkins County Central. Webster had a couple of breathers this week in Livingston Central and Fort Campbell before playing Carlisle County next Saturday.

 

5.) Madisonville (0-1) – Not much went right for Madisonville in their 92-63 season-opening loss to Daviess County. The young Maroons will get their mettle tested Tuesday at Christian County.

 

6.) Lyon County (3-0) – Lyon’s three wins have come against teams that are just 1-6, but the win over Union County was a good one for a Lyon County team that is giving up just 44 points a game. Guard Jericho Wilkerson is averaging 23.3 points and 10 rebounds in three games, while Josh Mincey is scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 boards a game.

 

7.) Hopkins County Central (2-1) – The Storm opened with wins over Christian County and Todd County and suffered a close loss to Webster County. Shelby Myers is one of three Storm players averaging in double figures early. Hopkins Central travels to Trigg County Tuesday.

 

8.) Christian County (1-1) – The Colonels were surprised by Hopkins County Central 70-56 in their opener, but rebounded with a blowout win over Fort Campbell. Tyrik Edwards (17.5 ppg.) and freshman Detorrion Ware (16.0 ppg.) lead the Colonels in scoring.

 

9.) Crittenden County (1-0) – The Rockets overcame a 9-point halftime deficit to beat Trigg County 45-35 in their season opener. Crittenden plays Caldwell County Tuesday and hosts district rival Lyon County Friday to see if their opening win was fact or fluke.

 

10.) Trigg County (1-1) – The Wildcats played their first two games without junior Detaveon Day, who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds last year. If he returns as expected this week, the Wildcats should move up the region rankings in the coming weeks. If he does not, Trigg County doesn’t expect to be any better than third place in the Fifth District.

 

11.) Caldwell County (0-0) – Caldwell County delayed the start of their basketball season due to an expected long playoff run from their football team. Um, yeah. About that. The Tigers take to the floor Tuesday at home against Crittenden County and will play Hopkinsville Friday. The early football loss means the Tigers should be in good shape to start their season this week.

 

12.) Union County (0-2) – Mark Starns doesn’t have the Braves where he wants them yet, but you can expect his team will move up the rankings as the season progresses. Junior Kyler Floyd is averaging 29 points and 13 rebounds in their losses to Lyon County and Campbellsville.

 

13.) Livingston Central (1-1) – The Cardinals are better than they showed in a 30-point loss to Lyon County Friday, but they will have to improve on their 4-of-23 shooting from 3-point range in their first two games.

 

14.) Fort Campbell (0-2) – The Falcons were blitzed in their first two games by district opponents Hopkinsville and Christian County. Michael Tatum averages 13.0 ppg. for the Falcons.

 

15.) Dawson Springs (0-3) – The Panthers don’t have a junior or senior on their roster. They play hard but are just overmatched early in the season.

 

 

Game of the Week

 

Tuesday – University Heights at Hopkinsville – You need a program to keep up with the player swaps these teams have underwent in the last three years. Two of UHA’s starters last year – Ledonald Gray and Jordan Gary – are now at Hopkinsville. Two players from Christian County and one from Trigg County, who would start at those schools this year, came to UHA last year. Factor in these teams just don’t like each other and it should be an interesting district game.

 

Good Luck Goes to….

 

Anyone trying to scout Crittenden County on film this year. The Rockets debuted their charcoal gray uniforms with dark blue numbers (below) Friday. People in the gym struggled to read them. There is no way the numbers appear on film. Good luck with that.

[stepscalled]

Good report. I agree with you in that Henderson County should get the nod. It only got harder for Hopkinsville when for the first time that I can remember; the second region tournament will not be played in Madisonville or Hopkinsville. Lyon County did get an impressive win over Union County. My question is why isn't Lyon County and Caldwell County playing each other this year?