article 10th Region Rankings & Weekly Review (1-3-16)

[Randy Parker]

Our first set of rankings in 2016 contain some slight variations from the final 2015 rankings. After a couple of weeks worth of holiday tournaments, schedules return to a somewhat normal format from this point on.

 

#1 - Montgomery County (10-5)

 

Though they had a 1-2 finish last week, the boys from Mt. Sterling maintain the top spot. The Indians began the week with a 74-56 win over Worthington Kilbourne OH in their own Gateway Holiday Classic. Leading 58-50 after 3 quarters, the hosts outscored the visitors 16-6 in the 4th quarter to secure a comfortable W. Junior forward Jerryd Jones had 22 points and 8 rebounds on 11-14 FG shooting to lead the victors. Cody Parsley drained 5-7 3-pointers to finish with 15 points. Senior point guard Caswell Fuller added 13 points and 11 assists. In Tuesday's title game opposite Mercer County--Kentucky's only remaining undefeated team--Matt Daniel's club found itself down 46-43 entering the 4th quarter. But the final frame was a rough one, as the visiting Titans outscored the Indians 25-13 en route to a 71-56 win. Freshman Brennan Canada led with 15 points in defeat. MoCo finished the week with a 78-69 loss to North Hardin (game played at Central Hardin), another Top 20ish team in the state. Jones had a team-high 26 points in the loss.

#2 - Paris (9-2)

 

The Greyhounds went 3-0 last week, earning two wins on Monday and Tuesday in the consolation bracket of the Gateway Holiday Classic. Paris outscored Muhlenberg County 22-10 in the 4th quarter on Monday to come away with a 68-59 triumph. Koebe Garrard finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jekobi Wells also had a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards. On Tuesday the Hounds turned a 38-35 halftime advantage into an 84-72 win over Rockcastle County. Paris scored 27 points off 21 Rockets turnovers in the contest and placed four players in double figures. Garrard led with 16, Tayjin Cunningham had 14, James Clark 13, and Eric Johnson 11. Terence Brooks' club finished the week off with a 63-54 40th District victory over county rival Bourbon County on Saturday. Garrard was the high man with 26 points and Clark had 15 for the Greyhounds, who trailed by 1 at the half.

#3 - Campbell County (5-8)

 

The defending champs spent the week between Christmas and New Year's by going 1-2 in Seneca's Wes Unseld Classic. In the tourney opener the Camels lost 67-55 to Southwest DeKalb GA--the #10 team in Georgia's Class 5A. Matt Wilson was again the Camels' main man, scoring a team-high 23 points while grabbing 8 rebounds. Junior swingman Cole Hegyi chipped in with 19 points. Campbell went back and forth with Bardstown on Tuesday, but eventually fell 67-58, getting 17 points and 12 boards from Wilson and 11 points from point guard Trent McGovney. Aric Russell's team finished the tournament on a high note, though, scoring a 74-55 victory over Shawnee. Wilson's 21 points and 16 rebounds paced the victors, while sophomore Tanner Clos earned 13 points and junior Collin Teegarden tallied 12 points.

#4 - Mason County (10-3)

 

South Oldham's Randy Penner Cassic is where the Mason County Royals spent their post-Christmas days, earning 3rd place in the 3-day event. Buddy Biggs' squad led McCracken County in its opening game by as many as 16 points in the 2nd half, only to see the then-undefeated Mustangs rally to take a 67-66 lead with just over a minute to play. Senior guard Pig Williams would score the game's remaining points, finishing with a team-high 24, as they Royals held on for a 69-68 win. On Tuesday Mason County led Meade County by as many as 12 points in the first half and by 5 at intermission, but the Green Wave outscored the Royals 25-16 in the 3rd quarter, then finished the contest on a 17-7 run to win 74-64. Conner Sweeney's 20 points topped the team in defeat. In the 3rd place game, the Royals controlled DeSales most of the way, winning 79-67. Pig Williams had an outstanding game, finishing with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Isiah Garrison had 20 points, Sweeney 12, and Darren Williams earned a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

#5 - George Rogers Clark (5-6)

 

The Ashland Invitational Tournament was GRC's destination this past week, and the Cardinals also came home with the 3rd place trophy. Clark won its opener against Boyd County by a score of 58-50, with Jyles Anderson scoring 16 points, Jordan Menchen 14, and James Cornelius 12. In Tuesday's semifinals, the Cardinals lost for a second time to tourney host Ashland--this time falling 61-43. Cornelius led the way in defeat with 13 points. But Scott Humphrey's group finished the tourney out by coasting to a 73-53 win against Newport. on Wednesday. Menchen led with 18 points, Anderson had 17, while Cornelius and Ohmante Jenkins both ended with 14 points for the Cardinals, who outscored Newport 47-23 in the 2nd half.

#6 - Scott (5-8)

 

The Eagles drop a spot after finishing 1-3 last week. Brad Carr's bunch earned one win and a pair of losses in the City of Middletown Holiday Classic, losing 62-53 to North Oldham on Tuesday and 74-63 to Shelby County on Thursday. In between the losses, however, the Eagles defeated Elizabethtown 75-64 behind 28 points from junior guard Jake Ohmer and 10 points from fellow junior Tim Jolley. The Eagles trailed 39-34 at the half, but prevailed after a stronger 2nd half performance. Scott then finished the week with nailbiting 77-76 OT loss to Lawrence County in Russell's Marvin Meredith Classic.

#7 - Augusta (8-3)

 

The Panthere were idle last week and will be in action next on January 5th in a road game with Western Brown OH, and again the following night in a home game with Nicholas County.

 

#8 - Bracken County (7-5)

 

The Polar Bears went 2-2 last week, including a 6th place finish in the Ashland Invitational Tournament. The Bears dropped their first game of the touranment to defending 16th Region champion Elliott County by a score of 73-57. Both Austin Crawford and Jacob Hamilton scored 24 points in defeat. Bracken County found itself in a 34-34 3rd quarter tie with Harrison County in Tuesday's consolation bracket game, but Jason Hinson's club outscored the Breds 27-11 the rest of the way to earn a comfortable 61-45 victory. Crawford's 27 points and 10 rebounds were tops for the team. Boyd County then bested Bracken 63-55 in Wednesday's 5th place game. Senior guard Kolton Williams scored 19 to lead BC in a losing effort. The Polar Bears finished the week by cruising to a 75-55 road win over Pendleton County on Saturday. Hamilton led a balanced Bracken attack with 22 points. Cooper Engnes had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Crawford earned 16 points and 12 boards.

 

#9 - Bishop Brossart (10-3)

 

The Mustangs went a perfect 4-0 last week. Brossart traveled to Greenup County and claimed the Stultz Pharmacy Holiday Classic Championship by upending 3 consecutive 16th Region teams. First up came Fairview, whom Brossart defeated 65-52, led by Jackson Crawford's 23 points and Jacob Zai's 22. On Tuesday the Stangs outlasted Lewis County 49-45, led again by Crawford (19) and Zai (17). The senior duo carried the team to the title on Wednesday by beating the host Musketeers 61-51, with Crawford scoring 18 and Zai 17. Mike Code and company then rang in the New Year with a convincing 62-50 triumph over 9th Region foe Holy Cross. Once again, Crawford and Zai were the leading scorers with 21 and 19 points, respectively.

#10 - Pendleton County (5-9)

 

The Wildcats drop the most spots in our rankings after going 0-3 last week. Pendleton had the advantage of playing all 3 contests at home, but the club was at a distinct disadvantage of playing each game without leading scorer Dontaie Allen, who has been sidelined with health concerns. On Tuesday Keaton Belcher's team lost to Ryle 56-35, with senior guard Hunter Wood scoring 16 points. Another 9th Region opponent, Beechwood, came to Falmouth the next day and handed the Wildcats a 55-41 loss. Griffin Appleman led the way in a losing effort with 14 points. A Saturday night contest with Bracken County ended with PC shooting 32.8% from the floor in a 75-55 loss. Wood's 15 points paced Pendleton, who hopes to have Allen back in Tuesday night's home game with Robertson County.

#11 - Harrison County (7-6)

 

A third 10th Region squad took part in the Ashland Invitational Tournament last week. Larry Kendall and the Thorobreds went 1-2 to finish 7th in the AIT. Harrison battled Newport in their opening game, but the Wildcats proved too strong, winning 67-62. The Breds were led Jovon Williams' 18 points and 10 rebounds. Zack Pulliam added 13 in the loss. On Tuesday Kendall's club fell apart down the stretch in losing to Bracken County 61-45, with Pulliam scoring 12 and Williams 11. The Breds ended the tournament with a win, a 64-55 triumph over Paintsville on Wednesday. Freshman forward Spencer Free was the high man among four players who finished with double figures. Free had 19, Williams 14, Leon Commodore 13, and Pulliam 10.

#12 - Bourbon County (2-12)

 

Nick Sosby and the Colonels maintain the 12-spot despite an 0-4 finish last week. Bourbon joined Mason County in the Randy Penner Classic and lost 3 games by a combined 11 points. First up was a 54-51 loss to DeSales, which saw Billy Orcutt lead the team with 11 points. On Tuesday the Colonels were upended by Louisville Holy Cross 62-59, led by Austin Rankin's 14 points. McCracken County defeated Bourbon in the 7th place game 60-55. Ameryon Blackburn scored 17 points in the loss and sophomore Titus Ransom contributed 16. In Saturday's rivarly showdown at Paris, the Colonels led the Hounds 27-26 at intermission. But the defending 40th District champs were much stronger in the 2nd half and delivered a 63-54 win over Bourbon. Blackburn again topped all Colonels with 23 points.

#13 - Nicholas County (4-9)

 

The Bluejackets finished 7th place in Greenup County's Stultz Pharmacy Holiday Classic. Nicholas started the tourney with a 70-52 loss to Garrard County, despite getting 19 points from Trent Letcher, who drained 5-6 treys. Elijah Barnett scored 27 points and Spencer Morris 20 on Tuesday, but the Jackets again lost--this time to Allen Central by a score of 81-72. Matthew Botner's team earned a win to close the touranment, a 59-56 defeat of Leslie County. Letcher had a brilliant shooting performance, draining 8-9 3's en route to scoring a team-high 24. Barnett and Morris both tossed in 11 points. Letcher came up big again on Saturday, draining a 3 at the buzzer in Nicholas County's thrilling 82-79 win over Williamstown in Carlisle. Barnett led the victors with an impressive 26 points and 12 rebounds. Morris added 20 and Logan Stafford netted 14.

#14 - Calvary Christian (9-3)

 

The Cougars went 1-1 this past week, starting with a 57-37 loss at Bellevue on Wednesday. Aikem Riley paced the team with 21 points. Calvary started 2016 with a memorable win, however, beating visiting St. Patrick 59-58 on Saturday night. The Saints were in control for much of the 2nd half, leading by as many as 12 points (47-35) in the middle of the 3rd quarter. But Ryan Neisis' squad battled back to put itself in position to win, trailing 58-57 with 4.2 seconds remaining. Senior Derrick Camp took the inbounds pass the length of the floor, where he eventually hit an off-balance shot from the left corner to give Calvary a stunning 59-58 win. The game-winner was Camp's only field goal of the game. Riley again led Calvary with 28 points and Justin Wade punched in 19.

 

#15 - St. Patrick (5-8)

 

Matthew Taylor's Saints drop a couple of spots in the rankings after a 1-3 finish last week. Jakaar Frey tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds in Monday's home game with Beechwood, but the Saints lost 59-43. The next day St. Pat rolled to a 61-22 victory over visiting Rose Hill. Both Ben Swolsky (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Frey (13 points and 11 rebounds) earned double-doubles. Swolsky would score 17 points again on Wednesday, but the Saints dropped a hard fought 56-51 battle at Washington County. Taylor and company wrapped up the week by losing the aforementioned 59-58 heartbreaker at Calvary Christian. Swolsky, Frey, and Breenan Bauer each scored 12 for St. Pat, who left several points at the free throw line.

 

#16 - Robertson County (2-9)

 

The Black Devils were not in action last week. John Brown will lead his club next on Tuesday night when they visit 38th District foe Pendleton County.

 

#17 - Silver Grove (1-10)

 

The Big Trains remain at #17, but Howard Brownstein's boys earned their first win of the year last week. Senior guard Randy Kuntz scord 17 points as as the Trains beat Marist College Canberra, Australia at home on Tuesday by a score of 42-36. The Grove lost 24 hours later, however, falling at home to Whitesville Trinity 53-26. Junior forward Nathan Doyle had 10 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Big Trains in defeat. Saturday saw Silver Grove drop another home game, this time 60-22 to Whiteoak OH.

[BulldogPride]

Paris is GOOD!!! Very athletic.

[LCDAWGS19]

Rankings are spot-on. Great work by @Randy Parker and his cast of minions.

[Randy Parker]

Rankings are spot-on. Great work by @Randy Parker and his cast of minions.

 

Minion C. Papa

 

[TexasRanger]

Bourbon Is better than 12. I know they dont have a bunch of wins, but they have played well other than the first blowout tp paris.

 

They are the best #12 you've ever had randy.

[LCDAWGS19]

Bourbon Is better than 12. I know they dont have a bunch of wins, but they have played well other than the first blowout tp paris.

 

They are the best #12 you've ever had randy.

 

where should they be?

[TexasRanger]

They have 12 loses, 10 of those have been to teams with above .500 records the other 2 loses were from Louisville based teams.

 

I think there better than harrison and if they beat bracken tuesday you would have place them higher than them.

 

I know Harrison beat them earlier but BC has improved playing a solid schedule to this point.

 

The bottom half of the 10th region is as average as the top. Each team could beat the other team on any given night.

[Randy Parker]

Minion C. Papa

 

 

:lol2::lol2:

 

Too young

[RaginRoyal21]

Seems like the top 3-4 teams are separating from the pack, with MOCO and Paris being the top 2 teams as of right now.

[mcpapa]

^ Perhaps so, but when Allen gets back at full strength for PC, I think that any of the top ten can get hot in March and win the region.

[RaginRoyal21]

^ Perhaps so, but when Allen gets back at full strength for PC, I think that any of the top ten can get hot in March and win the region.

Completely agree, just think that at this point in the season the top 4 have separated themselves from the rest for now.

[TRUTH22]

Completely agree, just think that at this point in the season the top 4 have separated themselves from the rest for now.

 

Allen is BACK !!

 

Look for PC to make a run....

[nkyhs44]

Brossart beat Holy Cross...who destroyed Campbell. Just keep that in mind. Nothing is set in the tenth right now

[Can'tcoach]

Allen is BACK !!

 

Look for PC to make a run....

 

What great news!! I'll continue to pray that his medical issue is in the past. I know that he missed being on the floor with his teammates.