Welcome back for another week folks. Plenty of big games as the district schedules for most teams in the 11th have started to play out and we've seen the Eagles of Lexington Christian punch their ticket for another run at the All A State Championship.

 

Let's get right to it.

 

 

Player of the Week – Isaiah “Pun” Tisdale – Henry Clay:

 

Pun might as well be short for Punisher, because that’s the best descriptor for this kid’s scoring ability. Hanging 30 on Ballard in their own gym is enough to get my attention.

 

 

Team of the Week – Dunbar:

 

This has been a rough year for my predictions. I know that I sometimes get caught up in hyperbole, but my saying that the 11th is as wide-open as I can ever remember it being isn’t something I feel as though I need to convince anyone else whose kept up for the past 15 or so years of.

 

Dunbar, my Pre-Season #1, are a talented team that’s had it’s moments this season. Now at full-strength, the Dawg Pound is rockin’. For the first time in school history, Dunbar beat Lexington Catholic at Catholic. With the conclusion of Thursday’s 51-48 victory, Dunbar stepped up and answered the bell. Doubt them if you want, but with the mix of young talent and solid senior leadership, this is a group that can beat anyone and might even be the most talent-laden group in the region.

 

A big reason for the Dawg’s surge is the emergence of PG Taveion Hollingsworth, who had to mature even more past last year’s experience of being a freshman guard at a LFCPS and in a region known for it’s guard play. While the rest of the roster was on the mend earlier this season, Taveion had to be the man, and often stole the show with spectacular efforts in points and rebounds, assists, steals, well... anything else really. Hollingsworth, who I’ve gotten lots of really good reports on from a variety of people whose opinions on the game I’ll swear by, has a game that’s best described as a bolt of lightning—quick and deadly.

 

If we’re talking about pure talent on the Bulldogs though, it’s a slight to omit mention of junior Darius Williams. He’s a kid whose gone from someone I’d had to look up when he first started appearing in reports of “top players” or “most likely to breakout” lists to someone that I can’t rave enough about. A smooth wing who can score the basketball, he’s already a potential target for schools like Western Kentucky University (who I hold in high regard).

 

Sophomore center Dontell Brown is now fully back in the mix, and brings a blue-collar toughness and willingness to attack the glass. Add in seniors PJ Corio & Jeremy Ward, plus juniors Jordan Lewis, Trey Penny (once healthy), & Justin Kelley, and you have the makings of what might be the trendiest “sleeper” pick to take the 11th.

 

 

 

Team Rankings:

 

Tier 1:

 

1. Lexington Catholic –

 

The Knights dropped a close one to Dunbar, but still remain the de-facto #1, though they have some teams they’ll have to share the slot with in the sense that I think that any of the teams who share this tier with them are just as good as they are, but at the same time, I didn't want to take the easy way out and list three #1's.

 

 

2. Bryan Station –

 

With Ronnie Carson and his ability to knock down shots added in the mix, the Defenders will take things to another level if they’re able to gel and keep everyone on the same page. With the leadership and toughness of Tequan Claitt and CJ Walker, I don’t think that will be a problem. Sophomore PG Andre Davis will need to continue to grow and develop, and if he’s able to do so, Team #StationNation could have lots of reasons to cheer in March by making a long awaited return to Rupp.

 

 

3. Lexington Christian Academy –

 

The Eagles will represent the 11th Region in the State’s All-A Classic next week, and will look to avenge last year’s semifinal drubbing at the hands of Newport Central Catholic. The Eagles will be one of the favorites to take the whole thing. Look out for the play of seniors Matt Rose and a now healthy Drew Trimble. Speaking of health, PG John Stein is back in the mix as well. You hate to say, “what if...”, but if not for an injury to wing Trevor Hill, this team could really be rolling.

 

 

Tier 2:

 

4. Henry Clay –

 

Alright Henry Clay, I see you. Just when I’d started to write you off, you come up with a huge effort in taking Ballard to OT in Louisville. Thanks to the good folks at LiveSportscaster, you can see a replay of Isaiah “Pun” Tisdale’s 30 point effort here. Whatever I've usually said about Henry Clay, they've went and done the opposite the next week or so. Given that I've just ranked them 4th after the Ballard game, I guess you'd be safest to assume they'll end up anywhere but 4th the next time my rankings come out (or wait, now that I said that, they'll probably be 4th...Grrr....).

 

 

5. Dunbar –

 

Slowly but surely, the Dawgs are climbing back into the race. Don’t count out my team of the week, because there’s still lots of basketball left.

 

 

6. Scott County -

 

The Cards’ performance in hosting the Toyota Classic, where they knocked off Lafayette and Wayne County, has them getting some love. They'll need some time to recover from losing DJ Jenkins, but they should return to form soon enough.

 

 

7. Lafayette –

 

The Generals are still a mixed bag. They can beat anyone, as they’ve shown with wins over Lexington Catholic and Bryan Station. At the same time, they’ve also lost 3 of their last 4, those their 3 losses did come to Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian, and Scott County, who they had to take on in a short span.

 

 

8. Madison Central –

 

Rough week for the Indians, but I’ll give them a pass as Sam Jones works his way back from a tough injury. Still, they’ve lost 4 of their last 5, though the stretch was littered with tough games, as the L’s came to at Holmes, at Woodford County, at West Jessamine, and a triple OT thriller versus Lincoln County. Sandwiched in the middle of that was an impressive win over a very good Southwestern team.

 

 

Tier 3:

 

9. Woodford County –

 

The Jackets got a huge resume building win by beating Madison Central. They also narrowly lost to Bryan Station and a better than most realize Owen County team this past week, and while I’m sure Coach Hundley isn’t satisfied with moral victories, these results tell me that they are a team that’s still improving and cannot be taken lightly.

 

 

10. Tates Creek –

 

The Dores had lost 5 in a row, but were also playing with some kids out and/or banged up. With the losses coming to the likes of Dunbar, Lexington Catholic, Lafayette, and Henry Clay, with some of those coming by 6-8 points, you can see my rationale for putting a team that appears to be on such a slide here.

Upcoming Games:

 

 

1/27:

 

Dunbar @ Lafayette

Madison Central @ Tates Creek

 

 

1/28:

 

Trinity @ Henry Clay

 

 

1/30:

 

Bryan Station @ Dunbar

Madison Central @ Trinity

Lafayette @ Henry Clay

Tates Creek @ Lexington Catholic

 

 

1/31:

 

Frankfort @ Woodford County

1. Bryan Station

2. Lexington Catholic

3. Lexington Christian

4. Henry Clay

5. Scott County

6. Dunbar

7. Madison Central

8. Lafayette

9. Woodford County

10. Tates Creek

11. Sayre

12. Frankfort High

13. Franklin County

14. Madison Southern

15. Model

16. Berea

17. Western Hills

Upcoming Games:

 

 

1/27:

 

Dunbar @ Lafayette

Madison Central @ Tates Creek

 

 

1/28:

 

Trinity @ Henry Clay

 

 

1/30:

 

Bryan Station @ Dunbar

Madison Central @ Trinity

Lafayette @ Henry Clay

Tates Creek @ Lexington Catholic

 

 

1/31:

 

Frankfort @ Woodford County

 

 

Dunbar travels to Louisville on Saturday January 31st to face DuPont Manual at Fairdale High School as part of the King of the Bluegrass Showcase. Looking forward to the matchup having heard lots of great things about Manual this season.

Dunbar travels to Louisville on Saturday January 31st to face DuPont Manual at Fairdale High School as part of the King of the Bluegrass Showcase. Looking forward to the matchup having heard lots of great things about Manual this season.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Got to see the 2nd Half of Manual's game against Henderson County at the Traditional Bank Classic this season. Given what Henderson County has done since, I'm even more impressed with them. Sutton and Williams matching up should put on a show and is a game I wish I could see.