It wasn't a bad week around the 8th Region, as the 8th went 10-7 against the other regions.

 

Kudos to...

 

COLLINS for arguably the most impressive out-of-region win this past week, a victory over the powerful Eastern Eagles from the 7th Region. It was the Titans' second win over the Eagles this season...

 

OWEN COUNTY - The Rebels (21-3) represented the 8th region well in the state All-A tournament, defeating Augusta and Shelby Valley to reach the semi-finals, where they fell just short of the title game in a loss to Monroe County. It was the farthest an 8th Region team had progressed in the state All-A since Walton-Verona made the semi-finals in 2004.

 

EMINENCE - The Warriors' late-season surge continues; Eminence has won 7 of their last 8. Coming up: a tall order against 31st district favorite Owen County this Friday.

 

OLDHAM COUNTY The Colonels own the region's longest winning streak, having won 6 in a row. During that time, the Colonels have outscored the opposition on an average of 71.5 - 43.7, with only two opponents scoring over 43 points.

 

MICHAEL DUNAWAY, Trimble County In Trimble's 12 point loss to Nelson County on Saturday, Dunaway reached double figures for the 16th consecutive game, tallying 11 points and 7 rebounds.

 

CARSON WILLIAMS, Owen County Congrats to the Rebels' star junior, who averaged 20.3 ppg and 16.3 rebounds in three games in the state All-A tournament. Williams - who has been in double figures in every Rebel game this season - made the all-tournament team.

 

Welcome Back! Austin Johnson of Grant County and Malik Manica of Shelby County are back in their teams' respective lineups. Both will have a huge impact on their teams' chances to advance to, and maybe win, the region.

 

If the 8th Region tournament were played today...

 

This Week's TOP 10

 

1. Oldham County 19-4, 10-1 Region 8 We've often seen the fast team out of the gate fade late in the season. Whether due to complacency or simply because the other teams "catch up", it's a tale oft told. Last year seemed to be a case in point as Collins was the overwhelming favorite to win the region, only to fail to make the region finals as South Oldham defeated Simon Kenton in the title game in an overtime classic.

 

But if alarm bells started going off in the Colonels' camp on 1/16 when they were upset by county rival North Oldham by 3, it apparently served to re-invigorate Oldham. The Colonels have won a region-best 6 straight, strangling opponents with their aggressive "D" and displaying an impressive offense. Six different Colonels have led (or been co-leaders) in scoring during the streak, and Oldham has shot over 50% in five of those games - including 69.6% from the floor against Gallatin County. In two games, a substitute was the leading scorer. Against Henry County, nobody scored more than 8 points - but 15 players scored. Five of the six wins came on the road, and the sixth was an impressive 68-43 win over Collins at home.

 

Oldham County has its warts, and they may join the ranks of favorites who have failed to win the title, but right now, they have to wear the mantle of favorite.

 

2. Collins 16-7, 8-1 region 8 If Collins hadn't endured that ugly 25 point loss to Oldham County, it would be hard to argue against the Titans as the #1 team. The Titans have beaten Lexington Christian (17-7), Shelby County twice, Eastern twice, Bulitt East, Simon Kenton, Grant County, and Anderson Couny - quite a resume. Many of those wins have come lately; since that disastrous outing against Oldham, Collins has won 4 of 5, with the four wins over Bullitt East, Simon Kenton, Grant County, and Eastern. Collins doesn't score much; they average just 58.7 ppg. But they take defense personally, and are giving up just 55.4 ppg. Trivia Treat: Deion Cochran continues to burn the nets at the line; he's hit 101 of 111 free throws for a gaudy 91%!

 

3. Owen County 21-3, 13-0 region 8 The Rebels are poised to be the most successful Devin Duvall squad of all time. Owen, under Duvall, won 23 games in 2012. With 6 regular season games to play, plus one guaranteed tournament game, the 2014-15 Rebels seem certain to equal or pass that figure. It won't necessarily be easy; four of the final six regular season games are against Collins, North Oldham, Anderson County, and Oldham County. But I wouldn't bet against Owen. The run in the state all-A tournament was very impressive. Owen's current ranking is undoubtedly influenced in part by a weaker schedule than Oldham or Collins, but the Rebels will get their shot against both of the top 2 teams before the regular season is out....

 

4. Shelby County 14-7, 3-4 region 8 With Malik Manica back in the lineup, the Rockets hope to start to make their move. Shelby has split their last four games, with an 11 point win over North Oldham and losses to Oldham County (by 15) and Bullitt East (by 20). The Rockets could really use a signature win, but will face a relatively weaker schedule the rest of the season. An 18 win DeSales team appears to be the toughest opposition remaining. Still, the Rockets can probably beat just about anyone in the region, especially if they figure out their free throw shooting roles.

 

5. Simon Kenton 12-11, 5-2 region 8 The Pioneers, like the rest of this top 10, have issues that must be addressed if they wish to make a run. SK has played perhaps the region's toughest schedule of late, losing 4 straight to Collins (16-7), Boone County (15-7), Dixie Heights (17-5), and Holmes (18-5). Still, the Pioneers are undefeated against District 32 competition, making them a solid favorite to make the 8th Region tournament again.

 

6. North Oldham 14-10, 5-1 region 8 The Mustangs are living by the skin of their teeth. The Mustangs' last 5 wins came by a total of just 12 points...two of those came on buzzer-beaters. Overall, nine of the Mustangs' 14 wins have come by less than 10 points. North is scoring points; to go deep , North must shore up an somewhat porous defense that has given up over 70 points in 6 of their last 10 games.

 

7. Grant County 10-12, 2-6 region 8 Austin Johnson has returned and he will make a big difference in this Grant lineup. The Braves have been right in several big games, such as vs. SK, Owen County, and GRC, losing those games by 8, 3, and 7. Johnson has come back with a vengeance; he had 14 points vs. Simon Kenton and 26 in his second game back against Owen County, when he hit 8 of 10 field goal attempts.

 

8. Anderson County 12-7, 3-3 region 8 Glenn Drury's team has won four straight and is making progress. Could be very dangerous by the end of the year with two freshmen and a sophomore starting.

 

9. Walton-Verona 12-10, 6-4 region 8 Grant Brannen is making a strong case to be 8th region coach of the year. Last year's Bearcats won 4 games; this year's squad has already won three times that total.

 

10. Spencer County 10-12, 2-3 region 8 The Bears are starting to come alive. Despite shooting difficulties - the Bears hit 38% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc, and just 59.6% at the line - they still challenged Anderson County last week, losing by just one in OT on the road.

 

 

Games of the Week

 

Tuesday, 2/3/15 Henry County vs. Grant County - Wildcats on a two-game winning streak after dropping seven straight. Grant trying to end a six game skid.

 

Oldham County vs. Eastern - Colonels try to avenge one of their four losses.

 

Collins at Male - the Titans take on another solid Louisville team.

 

North Oldham at South Oldham - The two-time defending 8th region champion Dragons are down, but not out - and this is, after all, their big rivals. Game broadcast live at 7 pm on The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

Anderson County vs. George Rogers Clark - the Bearcats try to get a quality out of region win.

 

Thursday 2/5/15

 

Owen County vs. Collins - #2 vs. #3!

 

Friday 2/6/15

 

Oldham County at Simon Kenton - The Pioneers get a second crack at OC.

 

Grant County at Walton-Verona

 

South Oldham vs. Gallatin County - The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN live video broadcast

 

Eminence at Owen County - Eminence has won 7 of 8 and has established themselves as a contender in the 31st.

 

Saturday, 2/7/15

 

North Oldham at North Hardin - North vs. North Hardin

Nice round up Colonel Mike. I appreciate the in depth analysis of the teams.

Thank Colonel Mike. You do an excellent job. Anderson County seems to have found some others to contribute besides Austin Cummins but they are probably a year or two away with their youth movement. Have two other current freshmen, not playing varsity now, who may start to contribute in bigger ways next year.

I heard on Saturday that Matt Mullins from SK was down with an ankle. He didn't play in the Pioneers game with Dixie and was hoping to be back this week.

I think the Collins @ Owen Co game Thursday is the first ever meeting between the two.