University Heights and Madisonville-North Hopkins continue to show they are the class of Region 2. As the season finishes up this week, the Blazers and Maroons have dominated the entire 2nd region and the only time they played each other, it took everything out of both teams and a last second shot for UHA to come away with the one point victory. Hopkinsville and Christian may have a chance to make some noise, but it is slim at best. This season it will come down to two teams. History is on UHA’s side as District 8 has one 16 straight region 2 titles. Here are the rankings for this week.

 

1. University Heights Academy – Coach Grant Shouse

BGP#5

2018-19 record: 25-4

Week’s Record: 3-0

All “A” Classic Champions

 

University Heights played all three district teams this week, running through all of them, the closest being the game against Hopkinsville. The Blazers defeated Christian County 69-54 on Tuesday, then went to Fort Campbell for an easy 76-48 win on Thursday before ending the week back at home against Hopkinsville. It was a close game throughout, but UHA showed why they are the favorites and pulled out a 67-61 in. Tandy led the Blazers with 23 and McGowan added 22. University Heights will end the regular season at home against Caldwell County on Tuesday.

 

2. Madisonville North Hopkins – Coach Matt Beshear

2018-19 record: 21-5

Week’s Record: 2-0

 

The Maroons extend their winning streak to fourteen games this week and look like real threat to ending district’s 8 hold on the Region 2 title. Of course they still have to get past BGP #4 University Heights to do so. However, they are taking care of business in the meantime. Kenny White scored 17 points to lead Madisonville over Evansville Day (IN) 56-54. The Maroons then traveled to Webster Co. on Saturday coming away with the 69-51 win. Madisonville will host Lyon Co before traveling to Apollo and Ohio County.

 

3. Hopkinsville – Coach Larry Miller

2018-19 record: 15-10

Week’s Record: 1-1

 

The Tigers started the week off by traveling to Union County on Friday Night. They came home with a 75-62 victory. Saturday was a much shorter drive, just across town to rival University Heights Academy. This was for the regular season district title. It was a great game with a playoff atmosphere, however the Tigers couldn’t overcome the trio of Tandy, Hollowell, and McGowan. They lost 67-61. They can’t spend much time worrying over that loss as Hopkinsville has 4 games this week to close out the season, all but one are very tough. They travel to Owensboro, while hosting Fort Campbell, McCracken County, and Bowling Green.

 

 

4. Christian County – Coach Kerry Stovall

2018-19 record: 13-14

Week’s Record: 1-1

 

The Colonels had very little time to recover from their heart breaking loss to Hopkinsville the previous week. They had the opportunity to play Fort Campbell and they took care of business winning 79-50 against the Falcons. However the very next night they had to take on BGP #4 University Heights. They didn’t have the same success as they were held to 54 points while giving up 69. While it was a closer game than earlier this season, it still wasn’t that close. Christian County finishes the season travelling to Union County and Pulaski County.

 

5. Caldwell County – Coach Daniel Kukahiko

2018-19 record: 17-8

Week’s Record: 3-0

 

The Tigers won all three games this week and have now won 6 of 7. They defeated Dawson Springs 82-52, Crittenden 79-71, and then Trigg County 81-46. Derrin Boyd continues to impress with his offensive skills as he is averaging 23 ppg and 7 rpg. They have a very tough game Tuesday at University Heights and what should be a victory at home versus Livingston Central to end the year.

 

 

6. Henderson County – Coach Tyler Smithhart

2018-19 record: 15-9

Week’s Record: 3-1

 

Henderson County travelled to Union County in a rematch from their previous game. The Colonels won that game, however they were unable to copy that performance and at times look overwhelmed in losing 74-58. However, they rebounded nicely and won the other three games during the week. Apollo, Livingston Central, and Evansville Day (IN) all fell to Henderson. After last weeks busy week, the Colonels will end the season with two very tough opponents in Paducah Tilghman and Owensboro.

 

7. Lyon County – Coach Jeff Embrey

2018-19 record: 17-8

Week’s Record: 1-0

 

The Lyons continue their surprisingly good season. They only played one game this week, but they made it count defeating Hopkins County Central 70-56 behind a 32 point performance from Travis Perry, who is averaging 21.2 ppg on the season. The Lyons close out the season versus Madisonville-North Hopkins, St. Mary, and Hopkins County Central.

 

 

8. Union County – Coach Shane Smith

2018-19 record: 14-8

Week’s Record: 2-1

 

Union County avenged the loss to Henderson County on Jan 29 by defeating them in a convincing manner at home, 74-58. Cade Duncan had 21 points and Kale Gaither added 19 points in the win. The Braves couldn’t carry that into their next game against Hopkinsville as they fell 75-62. They finished the week in a back and forth game that went into overtime against Hopkins County Central, eventually pulling out the win by 4 points. Union will finish the year with 3 home games, McLean County, Christian County, and Webster County.

 

9. Hopkins County Central – Coach Lee James

2018-19 record: 11-13

Week’s Record: 2-2

 

Hopkins County played another full week of games winning 2 and losing 2. The Storm was able to defeat Webster County 68-54 behind 21 points from Tylan Mann. They also handled Dawson Springs 89-60. They couldn’t quite hang with Lyon County losing 70-56 and also lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Union County. They will close the season against Crittenden County and Lyon County.

 

10. Webster County – Coach Jon Newton

2018-19 record: 13-13

Week’s Record: 1-3

 

Webster has really struggled at the end of the season this year. They dropped 3 of the 4 games this week and that mean they have lost 7 of their last 8 games. They lost to Hopkins County Central 68-54, Owensboro Catholic 57-44, and Madisonville-North Hopkins 69-51. They were able to defeat Hardin County (IL) 87-51. The Trojans will play Trinity (Whitesville), Livingston Central, and Dawson Springs before starting 6th District tournament play.

 

 

11. Livingston Central – Coach Chris Green

2018-19 record: 14-12

Week’s Record: 2-1

 

The Cardinals defeated Christian Fellowship 54-33 and Hickman County 66-39 while losing to Henderson County 56-30. They will finish out the season against Webster County, St. Mary and Caldwell County.

 

 

12. Crittenden County – Coach Denis Hodge

2018-19 record: 9-16

Week’s Record: 2-2

 

The Rockets were able to defeat Hardin County (IL) and Dawson Springs, but they fell to Caldwell County and St. Mary. They will finish the season against Hopkins County Central and Fort Campbell.

 

13. Trigg County – Coach Payton Croft

2018-19 record: 9-16

Week’s Record: 1-1

 

Trigg County was able to defeat Dawson Springs 63-44, however they lost to Caldwell County 81-46. They will finish hosting Ballard Memorial and traveling to Fort Campbell.

 

14. Dawson Springs – Coach Chad Burgett

2018-19 record: 9-17

Week’s Record: 0-4

 

Dawson Springs played four games for the second week in a row except this week wasn’t as successful as they lost them all. They were defeated by Caldwell County, Trigg County, Crittenden County and Hopkins County Central. They finish the season against Community Christian, Webster County and Christian Fellowship.

 

 

15. Fort Campbell – Coach Robbie Townsend

2018-19 record: 5-18

Week’s Record: 0-2

 

The Falcons tough season continues as they lose to University Heights and Christian County. That makes 12 games in a row. They play three games this week against Hopkinsville, Trigg County, and Crittenden County.

The Blazers just play like winners this year. They make the plays they need to make at the right time. They just have the look of a team that can make a run. It all feeds off those 3 senior leaders. They set the tone and the rest of the guys follow. Will be hard to find a better trio or skill and character to ever match Tandy, Hollowell, and McGowan.

 

Madisonville basically knows what they are prepping for and that's the one game/goal in mind. They want revenge on the Blazers. They want that region title. That is the matchup everyone wants to see.

 

Hoptown showed that they have what it takes to compete, but maybe not enough to finish off the top 2 teams. I had a heck of a time watching that game Saturday. Larry Miller is as impressive of a coach as there is in Western Kentucky.

 

Kerry Stovall is a tournament coach. This may have been his best coaching job he's had to do at CCHS. These kids have rounded into form and are ready to go with the tournament on the horizon.

 

Hoptown/County haven't had a first round district matchup since 2009 and that game went to overtime. Hard to think of a better opening round district game in the state.

 

Caldwell has circled this week on their calendar. They want UHA. There has been some trash talking on social media from fans towards the Blazers from Caldwell fans. That may be motivation the Blazers need to play at their highest gear this week.

If UHA needs social media trash talk to play at their highest level this week, then they have issues other than who their opponent is. Their motivation should be single-digit wins over Madisonville and Hopkinsville this year.