article 4th Region Week 7 Review

[DragonFire]

1) Bowling Green (13-2) - 1/8 85-50 W at #11 South Warren

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 1/15 at Christian County, 1/18 vs. #12 Warren East, 1/19 at #3 Warren Central

 

The Purples were unexpectedly treated to a quiet week when their showdown with Warren Central was postponed eight days. That meant their road trip to South Warren was their only game this week, and they erupted for their highest point total since scoring 92 against Glasgow in the second game of the year. The win comes as no surprise. Bowling Green is rolling and they are now a perfect 21-0 against South Warren. None of the last eight meetings in the series have been closer than 15 points, and there have been only six single digit meetings between the two. It's that level of dominance that helped make up for a 6/20 start from the field, posting quarters of 23, 26, and 20 after a relatively lackluster first quarter. Isaiah Mason continued his hot streak, posting 22 against South Warren after scoring 20, 15, 16, and 20 in his last four. He's averaging just below 15 PPG and is scorching the nets at a 50% clip from three.

 

2) Allen County-Scottsville (15-3) - 1/7 77-75 OT W #2 Warren Central, 1/11 62-59 W at #7 Glasgow, 1/12 50-66 L Webster County (at Hopkins County Central)

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 1/18 vs. #7 Barren County

 

The last result of the week ended up putting a tiny damper on the festivities, but the Patriots by any measure had a great week. First was their incredible comeback win against Warren Central. ACS trailed 70-60 with 1:41 left, but rallied to tie it at 71 at the buzzer. Mason Shirley knocked down a 15 foot jumper for the win with just 1.2 seconds remaining. It's the type of win that heralds the arrival of these Patriots, snapping a 9 game losing streak to Warren Central, and providing their first win over the Dragons in Scottsville in 20 years. They followed that with a district win over Glasgow that puts them up in-district by two games with just three remaining. There were wild swings in the game, as the Patriots fell behind 10-0 early, surged ahead by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter, then had to survive a Tucker Kirkpatrick three attempt that would have sent it to overtime. That inconsistency bit them in a loss to Webster County, eliminating them from the 2A Classic sectional finals that they had become the favorites to win after knocking off Central. They get a game with Barren County this week that, while it won't make it official, will all but guarantee the Patriots the top seed in District 15.

 

3) Warren Central (8-5) - 1/7 75-77 OT L at #4 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/8 49-51 L at Hopkinsville

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 1/15 at #11 South Warren, 1/18 vs. #9 Greenwood, 1/19 vs. #1 Bowling Green

 

The flip side of that great Patriot victory was an ugly loss by Central. The Dragons were gutted at the free throw line, hitting only 5/12, greatly contributing to their inability to hold their ten point lead. The Patriots went 25/27 from the line, creating a deficit for the Dragons that negated a day in which they shot 56% from the floor. It was a bitter pill for Central, knocking them from a 2A Classic sectional that they were overwhelmingly favored to win, and taking a legitimate chance at winning the statewide tournament. They followed with a matchup nightmare against Hopkinsville. The Tigers feature Jamarion Sharp, a 7 foot tower in the middle. The Dragons have great length which is enough for most matchups, but not nearly that type of height. That led them to shoot 9/27 from inside the arc, and posting only 49 points. Hopkinsville blocked a shot at the buzzer that would have won it had it gone. The final insult on the week was discovering their home bleachers were broken, necessitating the postponement of their big game against Bowling Green until January 19th, forcing them to play a game against Greenwood the day before.

 

4) Logan County (14-2) - 1/11 73-60 W #15 Todd County Central

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 1/15 at #13 Russell County, 1/18 at #8 Franklin-Simpson

 

The Cougars now have the best record in the 4th Region, which makes it feel unjust that they dropped a spot in favor of the rising Allen County team. By the end of this week, there's a good chance that Logan County by mid-January will have secured more wins than they had a year ago and wrapped up the top seed in the 13th District. Anthony "Rooster" Woodard contributed to both, notching 23 in their win over Todd County Central. Tommy Krohn and Kelby Epley were also in double digits, combining for 31 points. They now are on their second six game win streak of the season, and there's a pretty strong chance they'll run it to double digits. A year ago Logan County let a decent season slip away. This team under new head coach John Tinsley looks like they'll make good on a great season.

 

5) Clinton County (13-5) - 1/8 85-73 W #17 Cumberland County, 1/11 77-51 W at #13 Russell County

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 1/14 at #14 Metcalfe County

 

The Bulldogs just keep doing what they're supposed to, pushing their win streak to a season-high five games with a pair of district wins this week. Their 85 points in a victory over Cumberland County was a season high. Jackson Harlan (29) and Seth Stockton (27) were joined in double digits by Evan Dearborn (12) in a game where each hit over 50% of their shots. Their win over Metcalfe County completed a perfect 6-0 run through the 16th District, securing the #1 seed with over a month to go. Their game at Metcalfe County in the All "A" Classic will not count towards the standings. Clinton County is an overwhelming favorite in the regional All "A".

 

6) Glasgow (10-6) - 1/7 91-70 W #12 Warren East, 1/11 59-62 L #4 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/12 52-41 W Calloway County (at Hopkins County Central)

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 1/13 vs. Webster County (at Hopkins County Central), 1/19 at #9 Greenwood

 

The Scotties fell to Allen County-Scottsville, but may end up with the last laugh of sorts, as they will play for the 2A Classic sectional title today against a Webster County team that knocked off AC/S yesterday. Glasgow has already gained a berth in next week's 2A Classic tournament in Owensboro as a result of a 21 point victory over Warren East and an 11 point win against Calloway County. Their 91 points against Warren East was their highest point total since the opening game of the 2015/16 season. The Scotties could scarcely miss a shot from the field, hitting 62.1% (36/58) from the floor and 56.2% (9/16) from three. The only thing they didn't do well was shoot free throws, hitting only 58.8%. Five Scotties were in double figures, led by Tucker Kirkpatrick's 21 points. They will lament the loss against ACS, pulling a WKU in losing a game in which they led 10-0 early. The Scotties remain in position to challenge for the top seed in District 15, but will need help.

 

7) Barren County (8-7) - 1/8 67-55 W #12 Warren East, 1/11 81-73 W #6 Monroe County

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 1/15 at Ohio County, 1/18 at #2 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/19 vs. #8 Franklin-Simpson

 

The Trojans moved above .500 for the first time this season with a pair of wins this week, and picked up their first district win in their final district home game, a crucial step to staying out of the last seed in the district. The win over Monroe avenged a three point road loss from earlier this season. Barren County led most of the way in this one, but put it away by hitting five of six from the free throw line in the final minute, scoring the final five points of the game. Their win against Warren East earlier in the week snapped a two game skid to the Raiders. The two teams have split their last twelve meetings right down the middle at six apiece. Their game at AC/S is the big one for the week.

 

8) Franklin-Simpson (8-7) - 1/11 66-41 W at #16 Russellville

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 1/15 vs. #9 Greenwood, 1/18 vs. #4 Logan County, 1/19 at #7 Barren County

 

Franklin also moved over .500 for the first time this season with their fourth win in a row, this coming over district rival Russellville in blowout fashion. Their 66 points may seem a modest output, but it was their second highest point total of the season while holding Russellville to the second lowest total that the Wildcats have allowed this year. In fact, it's the third straight game where Franklin has held a team to 44 points or less. The Wildcats had a poor first quarter, falling behind 12-8, But outscored the Panthers 58-29 the rest of the way. This week they face a must-win against Logan County - a loss will eliminate them from contention for the district's top seed.

 

9) Greenwood (8-8) - 1/8 76-48 W #15 Todd County Central, 1/11 60-54 W #12 Warren East

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 1/15 at #8 Franklin-Simpson, 1/18 at #3 Warren Central, 1/19 vs. #6 Glasgow

 

The Gators won in more than just the results this week - their best player Jack Roberts returned after a month off with a broken hand. He scored 7 in each game, easing back into action. The Gators trailed Warren East by as many as eight in the second half of their district game on Friday, but rallied on Homecoming night for the victory. Ben Carroll started the rally with a personal 7-0 run in the third quarter, and Greenwood scored 22 points in the fourth quarter, exceeding their entire first half total of 21. The win keeps the Gators in the hunt for the #2 seed in district play, and they'll visit Warren Central for a chance to cement that hunt on Friday. Greenwood fell at Central last year, but had won 3 straight at Dragon Gym before that.

 

10) Monroe County (8-10) - 1/7 53-88 L at Taylor County, 1/8 76-65 OT W at #14 Metcalfe County, 1/11 73-81 L at #8 Barren County

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 1/17 vs. TBA (at Todd County Central)

 

I gave the benefit of the doubt to the Falcons for as long as possible, but their 6-2 start to the year has crashed into a 2-8 skid since, with only a single digit win over South Warren and an overtime win at Metcalfe County to show for it. The Falcons have rarely been as out of a game as they were at Taylor County on Monday, and while Metcalfe County is improved, an overtime game against the Hornets is a major red flag for Monroe. Chandler Clements dropped 32 in that contest, with Wade Thompson (15), Grayson Rich (14),and Jholdi Brooks (11) also scoring in double digits - only five Falcons scored. This week, Monroe County will look to gain some momentum via the 4th Region All "A" Classic tournament. They face the winner of Clinton County and Metcalfe County.

 

11) South Warren (6-11) - 1/8 50-85 L #1 Bowling Green, 1/10 72-34 W #17 Cumberland County

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 1/15 vs. #3 Warren Central, 1/18 vs. #13 Russell County

 

It was a "best of times, worst of times" week for the Spartans. They got the hammer dropped on them in a 35 point loss to top ranked Bowling Green, and then dropped it themselves on last-place Cumberland County with a 38 point win. They've now won 2 of three, and the 34 points allowed to Cumberland were the least allowed by South Warren in three seasons. They only have four games left away from home on the entire schedule, and they will hope to parlay homecourt advantage into their first win over Warren Central. Right now, they still appear headed to a 4/5 seed.

 

12) Warren East (9-10) - 1/7 70-91 L at #7 Glasgow, 1/8 55-67 L at #8 Barren County, 1/11 54-60 L at Greenwood, 1/12 63-57 W Daviess County (at Russell County)

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 1/18 at #1 Bowling Green, 1/19 vs. Calloway County

 

Warren East also appears headed to a 4/5 seed in the district tournament, and their position seems more precarious. With the loss to Greenwood, they fell to 0-3 in district play, with no games played against Bowling Green yet. No player on the team was alive when the current 48 game losing streak to the Purples began, so it would be an understatement to call it an uphill battle for a victory there. On the positive side, a 63-57 win over Daviess County snapped a six game losing streak that began in late December. There are wins on the schedule ahead, but this Friday is probably not one.

 

13) Russell County (5-12) - 1/8 68-70 L at McCreary Central, 1/11 51-77 L #5 Clinton County, 1/12 68-65 W Casey County

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 1/15 vs. #4 Logan County, 1/18 at #11 South Warren

 

The Lakers could not duplicate their strong December effort against Clinton County, getting dumped by 26 on their homecourt, ending their hopes at the district's top seed. Russell County has had a bit of an oddity this year, having four separate three game losing streaks. They ended the last one with a 68-65 win over Casey County. Ben Abrell was a bright spot in the loss to Clinton County, leading the Lakers with 14 points on 5/5 shooting and going 4/4 from the line.

 

14) Metcalfe County (6-11) - 1/8 65-76 OT L #6 Monroe County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 1/14 vs. #5 Clinton County, 1/19 at Red Boiling Springs (TN)

 

The Hornets were saddled with the dreaded "moral victory", taking Monroe County to overtime before faltering in a 76-65 loss. Only six Hornets scored, led by Tyler London's 22 points and Boston Devore's 19. The two players are up to 14.7 PPG and 16.9 PPG on the season respectively. Devore is just a sophomore, with a bright future ahead. They open All "A" play by taking another crack at Clinton County this week.

 

15) Russellville (7-10) - 1/7 55-50 W Jo Byrns (TN), 1/8 67-58 W at Caverna, 1/11 41-66 L #9 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 1/14 vs. #17 Cumberland County

 

The Panthers may have suffered a blowout loss to Franklin, but that ended a strong 6-2 stretch for the Panthers that have rebounded from a 1-7 start. Jacob Naylor exploded for 31 points in the win over Caverna, going 11/20 from the floor and 4/8 from three. He's averaging an eye-popping 26.6 PPG. They have fallen to 0-3 in district play. They face an uphill battle to escape the last spot in their district.

 

16) Todd County Central (5-14) - 1/8 48-76 L at #10 Greenwood, 1/11 60-73 L at #3 Logan County

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 1/17 vs. TBA

 

The Rebels have endured a prolonged difficult stretch, dropping five in a row and 11 of 13. They have failed to 60 points in their last three games while allowing 73 in each. They'll hope to develop some momentum this week as they host the region's All "A" tournament, facing the winner of Russellville and Cumberland County on Thursday. That should give them a strong chance to break their losing streak.

 

17) Cumberland County (2-14) - 1/8 73-85 L at #5 Clinton County, 1/10 34-72 L at #11 South Warren, 1/12 69-87 L at Clay County (TN)

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 1/14 at #15 Russellville

 

The losing streak has reached 9 in a row for the Panthers. The 72-34 loss to South Warren represented a significant step back in their competitive play, but it was on the heels of a good effort at Clinton County.