The 8th region gets more congested as the year goes on with potential teams that could win this region. It is hard to win (3) games in a row at Roy Winchester gymnasium, but a lot of teams are making the case that they can. Only 3 weeks in the regular season and jockeying for position in some of the districts is still taking place.

 

1. Owen County-Represented the 8th region well at the All A State tournament. Coach Duvall and his Rebels showed a lot of class all week. Keeping them at the #1 spot this week, but teams are closing the gap on the Rebels. I think we saw some fatigue out of the Rebels this week, and winning the 8th region on back to back playing nights against stiff competition will be really challenging. Wins over KCD and Morgan County, with that heart breaking loss to Murray at the buzzer.

 

2. Oldham County- Back in the #2 spot, had a tough loss at home to Central Hardin, and Coach Zerhusen made some changes in his line up and boy did it pay off. Brandon Johnson averaged around 30ppg in the 2 wins against Shelby and KCD, as the Colonels had easy wins Friday and Saturday against quality opponents. The Colonels play around 7-9 guys pretty comfortably, and that could be a huge factor in a post season push. The Colonels had a rough schedule coming back from Arizona and I don't think had quite recovered, they seem re-energized and ready to make a run.

 

3. South Oldham-It appears that they Dragons have hit the January slump, as all teams do. How the Dragons respond this week will tell us a lot about the Dragons. Losses to North Bullitt, and a thrashing at the hands of Anderson County this week, leaves me scratching my head with my rankings. Dragons got a huge week ahead of them as they can wrap up the #1 seed at North Oldham, that is the game of the week in the 8th region, as Goshen will be rocking.

 

4. Anderson County-The young Bearcats show why they are so dangerous this week. Districts are at Anderson County, they are the #1 seed, and have a legendary coach, accompany that with some younger players that are maturing and you have a dangerous team. Gunner Gills lead the way with 25 points against the Dragons in the win.

 

5. North Oldham-Big win over North Bullitt on the road the day after North Bullitt beat South Oldham, makes you think we are in for a great game Friday as they host the South Oldham Dragons. The Mustangs only have 2 seniors, the younger Mustangs are starting to find their stride. They went on the road and lost to John Hardin in the Nathan Murray Classic, so being consistent is one of their main goals.

 

6. Henry County-3 wins this week over Gallatin, Trimble and Williamstown have moved the Wildcats up my list this week. I think they have secured the #2 seed in the district which keeps them away from the Rebels in that first round as they hope to get to the regional tournament for the first time under Coach Welch.

 

7. Collins Titans-The Titans welcomed back Grant Clarkson and all he did was score 18 against Eastern in a loss, and it makes the Titans real dangerous come tourney time. They got a road win at Grant Co, and lost another game to Woodford this week. The Titans are looking to get some much need playing in with their starters back in the rotation.

 

8. Shelby County- Got a win at home over a scrappy Western Hills team, lost at Oldham County and it was never close. The Rockets have a lot of games this week as they try to get ready for the post season. The Rockets are playing 7-9 guys and that can only help them as the season gets closer to tournament time. Rockets have a chance to move up in my rankings this week.

 

9. Simon Kenton-Hard to believe that the 32nd district doesn't have a top 5 team in my ranking, but it definitely has a lot of parity as these teams have beaten up on each other all season. The Pioneers lost to Grant County by 2, so I have no idea how that district does seeding, I am checking on that this week. The Pioneers beat Boone County but only managed 41 points in both losses. Looks as if we they are playing better defense as they only gave up 43 in each game.

 

10. Walton Verona-Wins over Gallatin, Beechwood, and Williamstown this week, makes the Bearcats 14-6, but their schedule strength concerns me. I know they have a young team so I can understand that part as well. They have a chance to get back to the regional tournament and move up my ranking as they travel to Grant County this week.

 

11. Grant County- Well I warned you last week 8th region fans, the Braves are used to winning this district lately and they got a big win against Simon Kenton this past week. They lost to Collins and East Jessamine in the week as well. The Braves have Walton at home this week and can move up my rankings.

 

12. Williamstown- Lost to Walton Verona this week and Henry County, but the Demons have made a lot of improvement this year and would love to crash the regional tournament.

 

13. Spencer County-Lost to Anderson County and CAL over the week, but the Bears are improving and could be a regional party crasher come seasons end.

 

14. Gallatin County-Lost to Henry County, Walton Verona, and beat Trimble County. I still believe in the guy on the sidelines, so be weary of the Wildcats in late February.

 

15. Eminence-Lost to Owen and Carroll, giving up 96 ppg, in those 2 losses.

 

16. Trimble County-Lost to Western Hills, Henry and Gallatin. Raiders are improving believe it or not.

 

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Feb 2nd Owen @ Simon Kenton

Feb 2nd South Oldham @ North Oldham

Feb 2nd Oldham @ Eastern

Feb 2nd Anderson County @ GRC

Feb 4th Shelby @ North Oldham

Feb 5th Simon Kenton @ Oldham

Feb 5th Walton Verona @ Grant County

 

Feb 4th Collins @ Owen

Owen is the class of the region. I think South might be catching up to Oldham. Hope oldham and Owen draws opposite sides of the bracket. Nobody besides south can play with these 2

I'll be interested in seeing how Owen Co responds tomorrow night and beyond after an emotional loss on Saturday night in the All-A. I only saw the Saturday game, but from what I heard, they really didn't have their A game in their first two games in Frankfort. Simon Kenton could be on upset watch tomorrow night.

 

BTW, I believe the Simon Kenton game is on Owenton, and the Collins game is in Shelbyville. They are also playing in Lexington against North Laurel over the weekend.

Simon is at Owen

 

Owen is at Collins

 

Sorry for the confusion

After watching Owen at the All A I am now convinced the 8th isn't as wrapped us as I may have thought. Anderson seems to be getting hot at the right time as well and could be very dangerous come tournament time.

Owen is the class of the region. I think South might be catching up to Oldham. Hope oldham and Owen draws opposite sides of the bracket. Nobody besides south can play with these 2

 

South beat Oldham 63-53 at the beginning of January. It's safe to say that they've already caught up to them.

After watching Owen at the All A I am now convinced the 8th isn't as wrapped us as I may have thought. Anderson seems to be getting hot at the right time as well and could be very dangerous come tournament time.

 

I'm one who has never thought Owen was a prohibitive favorite.

I think the 8th is way down this year.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Owen win it all or lose one they should have one.

I do agree that they just might not be the big time favorite they once was and feel the other 2 are catching up to them. You are right, Anderson is playing better ball but they are still a year or 2 away. The 30th District is not very good this year.

It is about consistency and that is hard to find right now in the 8th. I do think some teams are turning the corner, lets not forget that about 2 weeks ago Gallatin wins at Anderson. Winning your district tourney is going to be a big deal. Oldham, South Oldham, North Oldham, Anderson, Collins, Shelby, Owen, Simon, all have a shot at winning or going home first game, and 2 of them will in first round of districts.

I think that Anderson actually isn't the #1 seed in the 30th. Collins has a win over them and I believe they hold the tie breaker in the event of a 3 way tie with Shelby.

District 30 shakes out like this

Anderson vs Spencer

Shelby vs. Collins

Anderson with wins over Spencer and Shelby lost to Collins 2-1

Shelby with wins over Collins, lost to Anderson yet to play Spencer 1-1 dont' know yet

Collins with wins over Spencer, Anderson, lost to Shelby 2-1

I was shocked to find out they only play (1) time in seeding, don't get that at all, after all the girls play twice. It is based on points against I think so it really doesn't matter about the Spencer game for Shelby/Spencer, Anderson is the 1 if I am not mistaken. Maybe someone else knows the situation better.

District 30 shakes out like this

Anderson vs Spencer

Shelby vs. Collins

Anderson with wins over Spencer and Shelby lost to Collins 2-1

Shelby with wins over Collins, lost to Anderson yet to play Spencer 1-1 dont' know yet

Collins with wins over Spencer, Anderson, lost to Shelby 2-1

I was shocked to find out they only play (1) time in seeding, don't get that at all, after all the girls play twice. It is based on points against I think so it really doesn't matter about the Spencer game for Shelby/Spencer, Anderson is the 1 if I am not mistaken. Maybe someone else knows the situation better.

 

If Spencer beats Shelby then Collins is definitely #1 due to their win over Anderson. I'm not exactly sure how the 3-way tiebreaker works, I had just heard that Collins was in good shape with that. I could be wrong though.

 

I actually like that they only play one game for seeding. It's really difficult to beat a team 3 times in one season. Plus it allows you to play more games outside your district/region.

Playing 1 time can handcuff your team in so many ways

1. Football has a great year (play really early for seed game) I think it was Dec 11th for Shelby vs. Collins this year

2. You have an injury and lose a player for a month, they may not get to play in the 1 time game (example Clarkson)

3rd You may not have a home game in your seed games (example all of Shelby's games that were seeded were at home this year that means next year all away)

4. Gate money

Really wished it was the same across the board for all teams, makes it fair and consistent

Points against is tie breaker I was told, so Anderson is the #1 seed

Anderson did lose to Collins but Collins lost to Shelby, Shelby lost to Anderson, so all have 1 loss

Points against is tie breaker I was told, so Anderson is the #1 seed

Anderson did lose to Collins but Collins lost to Shelby, Shelby lost to Anderson, so all have 1 loss

 

If points against is the 3-way tiebreaker, then Anderson has the best shot at #1 (if Shelby beats Spencer). Based on my quick math Anderson has 148 points against, Collins 151, and Shelby1 120. If Shelby County were to beat Spencer and hold them under 28 points they would be #1. If Spencer beats Shelby, Collins and Anderson would be 2-1 and Shelby and Spencer would be 1-2. A 2-way tie is broken by head to head results so it would be #1 Collins, #2 Anderson, #3 Spencer, and #4 Shelby.

 

I don't think Spencer beats Shelby or that Shelby holds them under 28 points, so Anderson will most likely be the #1 seed, but nothing is set in stone.

 

It looks like here are the possibilities for the seeds to shake out.

 

Spencer County beats Shelby County:

 

1. Collins (2-1) (Win over AC)

2. Anderson County (2-1) (Loss to Collins)

3. Spencer County (1-2) (Win over Shelby)

4. Shelby County (1-2) (Loss to Spencer)

 

Shelby County beats Spencer County (Spencer scores less than 28):

 

1. Shelby County (2-1) (Less than 148 points allowed)

2. Anderson County (2-1) (148 points allowed)

3. Collins (2-1) (151 points allowed)

4. Spencer County (0-3)

 

Shelby County beats Spencer County (Spencer scores between 28-31 points):

 

1. Anderson County (2-1) (148 points allowed)

2. Shelby County (2-1)(148-151 points allowed)

3. Collins (2-1) (151 points allowed)

4. Spencer County (0-3)

 

Shelby County beats Spencer County (Spencer scores more than 31):

 

1. Anderson County (2-1) (148 points allowed)

2. Collins (2-1) (151 points allowed)

3. Shelby County (2-1) (More than 151 points allowed)

4. Spencer County (0-3)

 

Like I said, I think Anderson being the #1 seed is the most likely outcome. However, there isn't a whole lot of separation between these 4 teams.