With 4 weeks left in the regular season, the top 3 teams in this region are starting to set themselves in stone. While Ohio County is coming on strong, there still seems to be a bit of a gap between 1-3 and 4-12. We'll see if these gaps get wider as the regular season heads toward the finish or if anyone in the middle of the pack can take a step forward and become a real contender.

 

1. Breckenridge County Tigers (16-2) SAME

Kobe Poole continued his great senior season this week, leading the Tigers to their 12th straight win. On Tuesday, Poole scored 16 in Breckenridge's blowout win against Apollo. Kaveon Mitchell added 16 against the Eagles. Friday, the Tigers knocked off Grayson County by 16. Poole had 22. If the Tigers can continue their winning ways over the next few weeks, they may have a shot at cracking the Bluegrasspreps top 25. They travel to CAL on Tuesday before returning home Friday, looking to avenge their early season loss to Meade County.

 

2. Owensboro Red Devils (11-6) SAME

The Devils ran their win streak to 4 this week with big wins over Grayson County and Daviess County. Darrion Wimsatt scored 18 in the big district win over the Panthers. Owensboro is 8-0 vs the 3rd Region, but will continue to play top teams outside the region this coming week. Tuesday they travel to Madisonville. On Friday, they play one of the best teams in the state of Indiana in Evansville Bosse. The Devils will close out the week at home against Mclean County.

 

3. Owensboro Catholic Aces (13-5) SAME

The Aces started their week, surviving upset minded Whitesville Trinity to win the All-A 3rd region championship. Freshman Brian Griffith led Catholic with 16, while John Parker and Ty Vincent chipped in 14 each in the 60-56 win. Friday, the Aces jumped out to a 20-2 lead against Apollo and never looked back, winning 72-50. Drew Hartz had 19, while Griffith was strong again, scoring 17. The Aces start their tough week on the road at Central Hardin before heading to the All-A State Tournament to close out the week.

 

4. Ohio County Eagles (12-9) UP 1

Ohio County became the first team in the region to punch their ticket to the 3rd region tournament on Friday, with a 60-49 win over Muhlenberg County. Colby Vanover led the Eagles with 17. Grant Tichenor gave Ohio a huge lift off the bench, bringing great energy. It looks like Tony Hopper's group is starting to turn the corner. They have won 7 of their last 9. The Eagles look to stay hot this week as they host South Warren.

 

5. Butler County Bears (12-6) UP 2

The Butler County Bears continue their accent up the rankings this week after scoring their 4th straight win over Whitesville Trinity. Jaden Hurt scored 23 and guard Justin Elms chipped in 14 in the win. Coach Dockery's group has won 6 of their last 8 games. We'll see if they can continue their winning trend on the road this week with games at Muhlenberg and Edmonson County.

 

6. Muhlenberg County Mustangs (9-8) DOWN 2

The Mustangs couldn't stop the bleeding this week, losing games to Hopkins Central and Ohio County. They have now lost 5 straight games. The loss to Ohio County cost them a first round bye in the 10th district tournament. The good news is they return home for 3 straight games this week against Butler County, Apollo and Hancock County.

 

7. Meade County Greenwave (9-9) DOWN 1

Meade bounced back from an early week blowout at the hands of North Hardin to score a 72-39 win over Hancock County. Peyton Cole had a monster game, scoring 29. Chris Armstead added 15. The Waves will be tested this week with tough games at Breck County and at home against Daviess County.

 

8. Whitesville Trinity Raiders (10-8) SAME

While the Raiders dropped 2 games this week, they showed they can compete against anyone. Tuesday, they led Owensboro Catholic until very late in the game before falling short. Joe Brown knocked down 5 3 pointers to finish with 16 and Trenton Morris had a double double with 15 points and 11 boards. Friday, they lost a heart breaker to Butler County, 69-67. Keep in mind the Raiders are still without one of the top players in the region, Cameron Wright. They have 2 home district games this week against Edmonson and Grayson County.

 

9. Daviess County Panthers (7-10) SAME

The Panthers split a pair of games this week. Tuesday, they defeated Edmonson County 91-62. Dakota Walden and Christopher Hillard both scored 23 in the win. If Coach Hayden can find Walden some consistent help, the Panthers could compete with anyone in the region. Friday, they battled Owensboro but came up short, 65-53. The Panthers continue their tough schedule this week with road games against Henderson and Meade.

 

10. Mclean County Cougars (6-9) UP 1

The Cougars had the week off this week but have won 2 of their last 3. Logan Patterson has one of the most impressive stat line averages in the entire region with 24 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. Teammate Brady Dame is also close to averaging a double double with 9 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. The Cougars will be tested this week with road games at Apollo and Owensboro.

 

11. Grayson County Cougars (7-13) DOWN 1

The Cougars continued their up and down season this week, dropping games to Owensboro and Breckenridge by an average margin of nearly 20 points. They have shown the ability to compete against top competition but have yet to put together any consistency. They return to 12th district play this Friday at Whitesville Trinity.

 

12. Edmonson County Wildcats (7-11) SAME

The Wildcats were blown out in their lone game against Daviess County this week. Chaz Wilson was a bright spot however, as he scored 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. They will look to get back on track this week with 3 winnable games at Trinity, at Metcalfe and at home against Butler County.

 

13. Apollo Eagles (1-18) SAME

The Eagles got back in action this week, but suffered 3 straight blowout losses at the hands of Breckenridge County, Owensboro Catholic and Evansville Central. They will look to end their 18 game losing streak with games against Mclean County and Muhlenberg this week.

 

14. Hancock County Hornets (4-14) SAME

The Hornets were blown out by Meade in their lone game this week. They will travel to Cloverport and to Muhlenberg this week.

 

15. Cloverport Aces (0-13) SAME

The Aces are still hunting their first win of the season, after losing to Dawson Springs on Saturday. They travel to Beth Haven before returning home against Hancock this week.

 

3RD REGION PLAYER OF THE WEEK - DAKOTA WALDEN - Daviess County Panthers - 23 ppg this week / 24 ppg average on the season

GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK

MON - Owensboro Catholic at Central Hardin, Edmonson County at Whitesville Trinity

TUE - Butler County at Muhlenberg County, Breckenridge County at CAL, Owensboro at Madisonville

STARTING THURSDAY - Owensboro Catholic in the All-A State Tournament

FRI - Meade County at Breckenridge County, Ev Bosse at Owensboro

If everything remains the same the 29th will determine who the number one team in the region is. Do you think Breck can handle Owensboro's quickness, speed and pressure (when they press)? I haven't seen Breck, but I do know that Owensboro can put some size on the court if they need too. And Ohs's bigs can move pretty well. What are your thoughts?

Muhelenberg County with a new starting 5 for as many weeks, all leading to loses.