There has been a lot of action within the top 10 in the past week. There was a lot of movement in the rankings within the top 5.

 

#1 Madisonville-North Hopkins (18-2, 9-0) SAME

The only undefeated team left in region play means they are the unanimous #1, at least for right now. They did come very close to their first region loss on Friday night as Hopkins County Central lead most of the game before letting it slip away at the end. They also had what seemed to be an off night against Lyon County in a low-scoring affair where they narrowly escaped with a victory. They still have a tough test against what should be a healthy Henderson County team on February 11th.

 

#2 Hopkins County Central (13-11, 8-3) UP 3

This is more of a who's hot right now selection. I have only seen this team in person twice - at Christian County and at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Both times I saw a team capable of big things, especially the team that showed up to play in the 1st half against the Lady Maroons before self-inflicted wounds cost them the game. They avenged their only other region loss by blowing out #5 Webster County. Don't let the 11 losses fool you, 4 of which were to the top 4 teams in the 1st region - All-A State Champion Murray, Marshall County, Graves County, and McCracken County.

 

#3 Henderson County (9-8, 3-2) DOWN 1

Losing 2 region games means you must drop in the rankings, even though both losses were without Alisha Owens and Samantha Carter. They remain at #3 because they are still Henderson County - the reigning 2nd region champs that have yet to lose in region with a full, healthy roster. However, this is not the same Hendo as we are used to seeing. Everyone will get a better idea of what this Lady Colonels squad is capable of when they face #1 Madisonville-North Hopkins on February 11th.

 

#4 Hopkinsville (13-9, 8-2) DOWN 1

You might be asking, "how can you rank Hoptown below Hendo after they beat them?" The answer is no Alisha Owens or Samantha Carter. I also have trouble moving up a Hopkinsville team that has an asterisk beside every big region victory. Wins over both Webster County and Henderson County were smeared with questionable officiating and a ton of free throws for the Lady Tigers. There is also the two key players that Henderson County cannot do well without that missed either all of the game (Owens) or the majority of the game (Carter). Both games were still narrow victories for the Lady Tigers. They had another test outside of the region but lost to Marshall County even though they played without All-State candidate Hannah Langhi in the post. All that being said, this Hopkinsville team can be a scary one to matchup with now that Janiya Davis is eligibile.

 

#5 Webster County (15-7, 5-3) DOWN 1

I will still wonder what might have been for the Lady Trojans if point guard Kelsey Payne did not go down with a knee injury. The young Lady Trojans have been a surprise to everyone in the region, especially since they were supposed to be rebuilding this season. Before her injury, I was starting to believe that this team might be the best team in the 6th district and possibly 2nd region. The win over Henderson County doesn't really answer many questions since they were without Owens and Carter - both will return soon. The loss to Hopkins County Central showed us how big of a role Payne played when facing pressure defense teams. However the Lady Trojans will still be a tough matchup to have come region tournament time.

 

#6 Lyon County (15-4, 13-2) SAME

This is where I believe the contenders separate from the pretenders. Don't let the Lady Lyons record fool you. They have played a schedule that has not offered much competition. Apparently they did have a good game plan for Madisonville-North Hopkins, but the loss in the 2nd Region All-A Championship Game to #11 Livingston Central keeps this team from consideration as a region favorite.

 

#7 Christian County (9-11, 5-3) SAME

I have said all season that the Lady Colonels are a year away from being a contender for the region and I am going to stand by that statement again. They have shown flashes of their potential but that flash always fades fast because of their youth. Give them 2nd region tournament upset potential but nothing more than that this season. Next season, expect the Lady Colonels to take back the district and contend for the region.

 

#8 Crittenden County (10-13, 8-9) UP 1

The Lady Rockets move up because they took on less damage than the other teams ranked between #8 to #12. They got an convincing win over University Heights in the All-A but dropped a close game to Caldwell County recently. I still expect the Lady Rockets to hold off Livingston Central in the 5th District Tournament.

 

#9 Livingston Central (9-12, 6-8) UP 3

One of two big movers in this week's rankings are the Lady Cardinals of Livingston Central. The Lady Cardinals have a had a good stretch lately, beating #6 Lyon County and #12 Caldwell County in the All-A and getting a close win against #10 Union County. They took another loss to district rival #8 Crittenden County just 2 days after returning from All-A State. It should be a fun game to watch when they play again in the 5th District Tournament but I still give the edge to Crittenden County.

 

#10 Union County (9-13, 4-5) DOWN 2

The Bravettes are a struggling team that is still searching for a go-to scorer. Their style of play allows them to keep most games close and give them a chance to win, so they do possess upset potential. However, their rebuilding roster keeps them from being much of a threat.

 

#11 University Heights (6-14, 4-5) DOWN 1

The Lady Blazers have only recorded 1 win in the new year - Fort Campbell. Their 12 point win over #9 Livingston Central seems like a distant memory. I actually considered dropping them to #12, switching places with Caldwell County, but their win earlier in the season keeps them at #11. I would like to see if they could still beat Caldwell County now that their young kids have gained some experience.

 

#12 Caldwell County (4-18, 4-11) DOWN 1

The Lady Tigers move down in these rankings but that is more of a reflection of how well other teams have been playing. I do believe that the Lady Tigers are playing better basketball lately. They are the youngest team in the region and have shown those growing pains. However, they have also shown what they are capable of in their win over #8 Crittenden County.

 

#13 Dawson Springs (9-11, 3-10) SAME

The Lady Panthers got another region win over Fort Campbell that was more convincing than their last and placed more separation from the basement of the 2nd region.

 

#14 Trigg County (8-11, 0-8) SAME

I separated the Lady Cats from Fort Campbell as part of my prediction for their first region win of the season when they face each other on February 18th.

 

#15 Fort Campbell (2-16, 0-9) DOWN 1

A struggling team whose last win came nearly 2 months ago. Expect them to lose out including their game against #14 Trigg County.

This rankings are as good as they get. I will see Henderson tonight ownes should get some action. Carter is still in rehab but was walking around at boys game Friday night. so if all goes will both should be playing next week.

Owens looked good, played about 15 mins had 18pts 8 Rebs. Henderson won 72-44 over a bad Mulhenburgh county team. Got the running clock early in 3rd where up 32 at half. Carter expected to play as early as Saturday.

After tonight, I need to adjust these rankings. Henderson County moves back up to #2, Hopkinsville back up to #3, and Hopkins County Central falls to #4. Hopkins County Central at Hopkinsville was 1 of only 2 region matchups tonight so I was able to catch the game. The Lady Storm did not look like the team I saw against Madisonville-North Hopkins and Christian County. Their press that makes them go was mediocre at best tonight. The Lady Tigers were able to work the ball down the court with ease because they were never really pressured to make any mistakes. #23 Lyric Campbell seemed more concerned about showboating and trying to get the Hopkinsville boys team to cheer on her moves than playing to win the game. She was a liability for them on defense too, which is actually where I thought she was the best but maybe I was wrong. After their coach finally benched her I thought they played a lot better and made a nice run to make it a game in the 4th quarter. I used to think she might be the best player in the region after seeing her play the last 2 seasons and during AAU ball but after her selfish play tonight and her outburst at Madisonville-North Hopkins I'm not so sure. After tonight the blowouts Hopkins County Central took from Madisonville-North Hopkins and Webster County at the beginning of the year make a lot of sense. This was not the defensive juggernaunt that I had seen in previous games. Hopkinsville is A LOT better with Janiya Davis. She figured out early that no one would stop her from going to the basket and took full advantage. I'm not sure how many she had but I know it was a lot. She was clearly the best player on the court tonight. I still don't think that Hopkinsville can beat a full strength Henderson County or Madisonville-North Hopkins but they could be the team that those 2 have to beat to win the region if Webster County doesn't figure out their point guard situation and Hopkins County Central doesn't get back to playing tough defense.

I agree WKY, except I think you have to put Webster County ahead of Hopkins Central and Henderson ahead of Madisonville. Webster was without Gibson, who is the only senior, and she is a very good ball handler. Hopkins Central played out of their mind. Also I still think the region belongs to Henderson and I would give them the edge over Madisonville. Feb 11th will show us who #1 in the region .

So Henderson, Madisonville, Hoptown, Webster then Hopkins Central.

Going to be a fun game on feb 11th Henderson at Madisonville but Henderson gaurd could be out one more week. For sure not playing vs Calloway tomorrow.

Going to be a fun game on feb 11th Henderson at Madisonville but Henderson gaurd could be out one more week. For sure not playing vs Calloway tomorrow.

 

I was really hoping to see that region championship preview. I just hope Henderson County can get back to full health by tournament time. I wouldn't mind seeing someone else win the region this year but not against a partial roster for the Lady Colonels.

I agree WKY, except I think you have to put Webster County ahead of Hopkins Central and Henderson ahead of Madisonville. Webster was without Gibson, who is the only senior, and she is a very good ball handler. Hopkins Central played out of their mind. Also I still think the region belongs to Henderson and I would give them the edge over Madisonville. Feb 11th will show us who #1 in the region .

So Henderson, Madisonville, Hoptown, Webster then Hopkins Central.

 

I can get on board with Webster County above Hopkins County Central if the Lady Storm continue to play like they did against Hopkinsville. I wasn't at the game but I have a hard time getting on board with Webster County's 3rd best player making a 22 point difference in a game.

Wow Hopkins Central got beat by Union County I think you gave the storm bad luck. Lol

Wow Hopkins Central got beat by Union County I think you gave the storm bad luck. Lol

 

They're not who we thought they were!

Lyon beats Webster good luck making new rankings.

Lyon beats Webster good luck making new rankings.

 

I think I'm just going to wait until the regular season ends before I do another one.

Better yet wait until tournment is over. Lol. You need to do one after the big show down Thursday with Henderson and Madisonville. Carter didn't play Saturday so I don't think she plays. Owens has looked really good last time, so her and Gilbert should be a good match for stone down low. Should be a great game.

I plan on making the trip up to Madisonville to watch it.

Henderson County over Madisonville-North Hopkins tonight in Madisonville. No Samantha Carter for the Lady Colonels and they really miss her. It was a wild game to say the least. Both team dealt with foul trouble the whole game and 3 technical fouls were called - 1 on Alisha Owens, 1 on a Madisonville player but don't remember who and 1 on the Lady Maroon coach. The game was poorly officiated both ways. There were way too many touch fouls called but I did agree with the last call that decided the game. Officials should never decide the outcome of a game but that one had to be called. A tie game with almost 4 seconds left with a full court ahead of the Lady Colonels and a Madisonville player #15 reaches on the dribbler to send her to the line and win the game with a little more than 2 seconds left. Henderson County would have won by 10 or more if they had a proven ballhandler like Samantha Carter tonight. I've seen Madisonville 3 times now - Christian County, Hopkins County Central and Henderson County. They have looked sloppy offensively in every game. They have to drop in the next rankings which I may put out tonight if I have time.