I don't understand the on paper comment. Wouldn't you place Shelby Co and SK at the top based on actual results?

Understand that the 2 best on paper are SK and Shelby in my opinion. There are about 6 others that are a notch below them. But, like I said, the game is not played on paper.

Since I posed the question, I should probably respond to my own question.... I like what a couple of posters have replied about "on paper". I've covered the 8th region (radio, cable TV, internet, etc.) since 1979....and can't even begin to list the number of times the "hand-them-the-trophy" favorites lost.

 

Shoot, last year, the Collins boys were all but handed the trophy in January. They had a very good team, but they lost in the region SEMIs, not the finals.

 

I do believe that SK and Shelby are alone on the top shelf at this time, but there's still half a season to play. Some teams will "find themselves" during that time and get a run going. Gallatin County is one such team right now, it seems. South Oldham is another. Bad luck will enter in - an uncharacteristically bad shooting night. Or, heaven forbid, a key injury.

 

Good coaches will have their teams ready to take advantage if a crack in the armor appears - so I wouldn't be all that surprised at all to see someone besides SK or Shelby hoisting trophy.....

 

Regardless, best of luck to all - and here's to a really competitive Region 8 tournament!

Anderson 36 Shelby 33. Final.

Anderson 36 Shelby 33. Final.

Wow! Is this score really considered to be an upset or not? This season seems to lack real dominance the by higher-ranked teams. Somebody has to be listed #1, #2, #3, etc., but that doesn't always translate into being prohibitive favorite, which means that this year's rankings may be misleading, while not being totally inaccurate. (If that makes sense.)