With the start of the season now well underway and lots of teams now starting to take form, we know a little more about the breakdown of the 11th than we did last week (which admittedly wasn't lots).

 

Player of the Week:

Taveion Hollingsworth - PG - Dunbar:

 

While most of his teammates were out, Hollingsworth put up a gritty performance in dropping 35 points and grabbing 17 rebounds against Lafayette. Though he missed the Dawgs game against Mason County due to injury, Taveion has shown lots of growth as a player over the beginning of the season, stepping up and carrying his team when it came gut-check time.

 

Team of the Week:

Lexington Catholic:

 

The biggest game of the week might have been Lexington Catholic's 62-54 home win over Scott County. The Cardinals have struggled out of the gate and really needed this game in wake of their loss to Lexington Christian earlier in the week. So far, the Cards have been unsuccessful in finding a consistent compliment to DJ Jenkins. DJ is definitely one of the top players in the State, but as we all know, sometimes it takes more than just that to navigate a brutal 11th Region. Scott County now sits at 2-3 on the season, and while it's still a long time until March, you get the impression that this might be an uncharacteristically down year in Georgetown.

 

Lexington Christian started to turn heads with a week that began with a 30 point win over Tates Creek and a 61-49 home win over Scott County where Matt Rose showed why he is a legitimate candidate for Mr. Basketball by dropping 33 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Most impressive about Rose's 33 is that only one field goal came from behind the arc, indicating that he showcased his ability to score in a variety of ways in the win. Some bad news for Lexington Christian would follow their hot start to the week, however, as I've been told that Drew Trimble, a kid who I felt was really underrated coming into the season, has been bitten by the injury bug. Really hate to hear that for the kid and here's to hoping for a quick return. Combine that with a loss to one of the hottest teams in the State in Paris, and I'd otherwise be jumping all over the Eagles' bandwagon already.

 

Dunbar is nearly back at full strength, as lots of players returned to action after missing time for a variety of reasons, but the Bulldogs were without Taveion Hollingsworth, who carried them through some tough times early this season, due to injury in their 66-62 loss to an always tough Mason County squad. Darius Williams wasted no time making his presence felt, as he dropped 31 in his first game back.

 

Bryan Station was a hugely tough omission from my team of the week. The Defenders now sit at 5-0 following a 10 point victory over Henry Clay and a 30 point romp over Bryan Station. Coach Tommy Johnson really seems to have the Defenders clicking. Should the Defenders have strong showings against PRP in the Wes Unseld Classic in Louisville and against Boyle County in the Republic Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic High School, it would be a bit of a surprise if they don't find themselves in some of the State Top 25 rankings. One of my "Breakout Player of the Year" candidates in this year's 11th Region Preview is already showing why I held him in such high regard, as cerebral guard Andre Davis dropped 24 on Henry Clay. Add DeAndre Dishman's 17, Tequan Claitt's 11, and CJ Walker's 12, and you can see how a balanced attack has members of the Station Nation excited.

 

I know that this week was short, especially compared to normal, but next week I'll be back into Kentucky and taking in games for myself, so look forward to a HUGE update next week as teams gear up for holiday action.

 

Injury Report:

 

Taveion Hollingsworth - Dunbar

Sam Jones - Madison Central

Drew Trimble - LCA

Hollingsworth not injured but suffering from bronchitis. Hopefully back by this weekend for Best in Hoops tournament in Oldham County.

My early season 11th region rankings. Take them with a grain of salt.

 

1. Bryan Station

2. Lexington Catholic

3. Lexington Christian

4. Henry Clay

5. Lafayette

6. Scott County

7. Madison Central

8. Woodford County

9. Paul Laurence Dunbar

10. Sayre

11. Tates Creek

12. Franklin County

13. Frankfort

14. Madison Southern

15. Model

16. Berea

17. Western Hills

My early season 11th region rankings. Take them with a grain of salt.

 

1. Bryan Station

2. Lexington Catholic

3. Lexington Christian

4. Henry Clay

5. Lafayette

6. Scott County

7. Madison Central

8. Woodford County

9. Paul Laurence Dunbar

10. Sayre

11. Tates Creek

12. Franklin County

13. Frankfort

14. Madison Southern

15. Model

16. Berea

17. Western Hills

No big deal, but I would put Scott County over Lafayette..

No big deal, but I would put Scott County over Lafayette..

 

I think they are very close. Would be a good game.

No big deal, but I would put Scott County over Lafayette..

 

In my opinion Scott County is definitely ahead of Lafayette. I also think Dunbar and even Madison Central will move up when all are full strength.

I think they are very close. Would be a good game.

 

Yeah,,I've seen them both,,still got to give the edge to SC,,Just my thoughts..

My early season 11th region rankings. Take them with a grain of salt.

 

1. Bryan Station

2. Lexington Catholic

3. Lexington Christian

4. Henry Clay

5. Lafayette

6. Scott County

7. Madison Central

8. Woodford County

9. Paul Laurence Dunbar

10. Sayre

11. Tates Creek

12. Franklin County

13. Frankfort

14. Madison Southern

15. Model

16. Berea

17. Western Hills

 

List looks pretty good, but will change a lot, and quickly.

 

May start tonight with a key 43rd district fight. The Bulldog pups are out of the doghouse now, and finally get to play in the Dawg Pound. I’m headed over to see how they do against LCA.

 

Interesting to see tiny Sayre ranked above the Creek. That won't happen many years.