12th Region December in Review

 

We have now completed one month in the 2015-16 basketball season and it has not been one to disappoint. The holiday tournaments have come to an end and we have learned the 12th Region has a solid group of teams that can compete with any region across the state. Mercer County has staked their claim as the number one team in not only the 12th Region but as one of the best team in the state after completing an undefeated month of basketball. Southwestern wins the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic against some good competition. Plus, the 45th District looks to be the most competitive district in the 12th Region with Boyle County, Danville, Garrard County, and Lincoln County all looking to claim the crown. We are only one third of the way through the season, but this year is shaping into a memorable one.

 

 

 

1) Mercer County (14-0) – The Titans are undefeated and have won both the Clash of the Titans Tournament and Gateway Holiday Classic. They have been rolling through the competition with an average margin of victory of 26 points. Not to say they haven’t had a scare or two. The Titans beat South Laurel 52-51 in the second game of the season and this week they beat Madison Central 67-65 even though Madison Cent. was lights out shooting. But, like every great team, they have found a way to win in these close games. So what has been the key to the Titans early success? Answer: They are a very balanced, unselfish team with multiple options of scoring. Trevon Faulkner has led the way for the Titans averaging 19.4 points and Dylan James is adding 15.1 per game. Malik Dowe is averaging a double-double and Will Hager is controlling the tempo and averaging 13.2 points per game. To stop this Mercer County team an opponent will need to bring a strong defensive game plan or they will find it extremely difficult to be victorious. This new year the Titans will be the target as 12th Region teams look to find their weakness.

 

2) Southwestern (9-2) – The Warriors are rolling into the new year with a lot of momentum. They are the recent winners of the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic with good wins over Male and Lafayette. Peyton Gover was named MVP of the tournament and Steven Fitzgerald was most outstanding offensive player. The Warriors also took the first game in the 48th District against arch rival Wayne County in a double overtime thriller. Plus, they have a win over St. Xavier in the Panther Classic. The Warriors are definitely a contender in the 12th Region. Although they are small, they make it up with good defense and stellar outside shooting. Look for the Warriors to continue to improve as they take on 12th Region competition in January and definitely circle January 29th as that is the rematch with Wayne County.

 

3) Wayne County (8-4) – The Cardinals have spent most of December without Corey Stearns due to injury in the Southwestern game earlier this month. But he returned Tuesday night and helped the Cardinals roll past Pulaski County 67-53 in the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic. Even when Stearns was absent the Cardinals had been playing good basketball winning 6 of their last 7 over mainly out of state competition. Trey Blevins has been carrying the Cardinals in Stearns absence averaging 23 points per game and Daniel Coldiron has added 10.2 per game. Now that the Cardinals are back at full strength look for them to continue to gel and be a contender come March.

 

4) West Jessamine (8-7) – The Colts have played a very difficult schedule in December which will help them out in the new year versus 12thRegion teams. They competed in the Woodford County Invitational and the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic. The Colts are being led by senior Siah Holifield who averages 19.1 points per game and Isaiah Okesson is adding 13.2 per game. West Jessamine will get the opportunity to see how they compare to other top 12th Region teams when they travel to Southwestern on January 5th.

 

5) Pulaski County (8-4) – For most of December the Maroons have had to rely on strong guard play from junior Landon Powell and Senior Riley Hall. That is because their star inside player junior Treyvon Sylvester has been out with an injury. Powell has averaged close to 20 points per game while Hall has added 15. Sylvester returned to the lineup for the last couple of games in the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic and by mid-January should be back to full strength. Speaking of mid-January, the Maroons could look a little different with the addition of 2 brothers that have transferred from New Mexico. Joe and Jarell Saterfield played last year for New Mexico’s 5A state champions Centennial High School. Junior Joe Saterfield was named MVP of that state championship game. They have not been ruled eligible yet but from what I am hearing should be in the next few weeks. If this team can gel, there is a chance they could be a contender in the 12th Region.

 

6) Boyle County (9-1) – The Rebels had a lot of questions coming into the season since they lost a lot to graduation. Well December has proven to be a good month of basketball for Boyle County. The schedule has not been too difficult but it has given the team the opportunity to build confidence and gel with one another going into January. The Rebels have been led by Senior Colton Elkins. He averages a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. Sophomores Bryce Slone and Jason Alexander are adding 11 points per game apiece. This team will be a tough out come March but their focus in January will be the very challenging 45th District.

 

7) Garrard County (9-5) – The Golden Lions have proven through December that they are a threat to anyone overlooking them in the 12th Region. This is the best team Garrard County has had in quite a few years and is being led by seniors Nick McCullum with 20 points per game and Slade Crutchfield with 14. Garrard County last played in the 12th Region tournament in 2005 when they were a part of the 46th District. They hope to change that this year.

 

8) Lincoln County (7-6) –The Patriots are a young team that is starting to make strides at the right time. They have won 4 of their last 6 games and open district play against Danville Friday night. They are led in scoring by junior Noah Young who is averaging 18 points per game. Senior wade Goode is adding 14 points and leads the team in rebounding.

 

9) Danville (7-5) – The Admirals are proving they are a team not to be overlooked. They shoot the ball really well and are led by Seniors Spencer McKinney and Jakobi Turner. They have a good win over Lexington Christian but lost to an average Collins. They need to find that consistency because the schedule is challenging over the next 2 weeks. Friday night they play Lincoln County and follow that with Mercer County, Southwestern, and Boyle County. This stretch will be a good test for the Admirals to see where they stand in the 12th Region.

 

10) Rockcastle County (9-7) – The Rockets played in the Berea Invitational Tournament and the Gateway Holiday Classic over the holidays. They are led in scoring by junior Lucas Gentry who averages 21 points and 8 rebounds per game. The Rockets are 1-0 in district play but will play all three of their district rivals next week.

 

11) Somerset (8-5) – The Briar Jumpers are doing quite well despite their youth and inexperience. They have beaten Casey County twice this season and made it to the finals in the Elleman Contracting Garrard Holiday Classic. They are led in scoring by sophomores Kross Grundy with 17 points, Jake Cothron with 15.4 points, and Trae Harmon with 14.1 points per game. The Jumpers play all three of their district rivals this week.

 

12) Casey County (5-9) – The Rebels started the season with high expectations but have struggled to live up to the hype. With an 0-6 record versus 12th Region teams and an 0-3 record in the 47th District they have not found the right chemistry to put them on the side of winning. But, they will get their chance to right the ship in the next week with three games versus 47th District opponents.

 

13) East Jessamine (6-10) – The Jaguars are doing better than most people expected of them this year. They played in the Kentucky Bank Challenge, the Berea Invitational, and the Henry County Invitational over the holiday.

 

14) McCreary Central (3-8) – The Raiders have been on break since before Christmas when they played in the Arby’s/KFC Holiday Classic. They have been competitive in a lot of games but have struggled to get the win. They are led by Sophomore Hunter Jones who averages 16 points per game.

 

15) Burgin (5-4) – The Bulldogs have had a good December with four wins over Kentucky teams. They have been led by senior Tommy Lopresto who averages 15 points per game.

 

16) Kentucky School f/t Deaf (3-6) - The Colonels have been off for the Christmas break but return to action January 7th at home versus St. Francis.

Boyle County faces Clay County on Saturday January 2nd and Pulaski County on Tuesday January 5th. Both games on the road.

Boyle County faces Clay County on Saturday January 2nd and Pulaski County on Tuesday January 5th. Both games on the road.

I'm really interested in how they do against Pulaski. Both games will be a good challenge for Boyle.

Only game on 1/1/16:

 

Lincoln Co. 42 at Danville 39