1) Lincoln County (2-0) – Lincoln County retains the top spot, going 2-0 in Week 1 with wins over Lafayette and Rockcastle County. Junior guard Baylor Mattingly, who did not make an appearance on the preseason Top 10 Players list, starts the season out averaging 17.5 points per game.

 

2) Somerset (1-0) – The Briar Jumpers had a light week with only one game, a 66-50 home win over Russell County. As the state championship football players start to trickle in, including acclaimed guard Kade Grundy, Somerset is slated to play this week against regional foes Boyle County and Casey County and at Madison Central in the Brent Ray Classic.

 

3) Pulaski County (2-1) – Pulaski stumbled out of the gate with a loss on the road to Madison Central 76-69 but responded with back to back home wins, including a quality victory over regional opponent West Jessamine. The Maroons remain on the road this week taking on Casey County and Harland County (at Jackson County) in the PRTC Classic.

 

4) Southwestern (3-0) – Southwestern may have had the best week in what was a light week for many teams in the region. They defeated Central Kentucky HomeSchool, Casey County, and East Jessamine. They have a chance to remain undefeated with 3 more games this week, though the matchup against Wayne County in Monticello should present some difficulties.

 

5) Danville (1-2) – The Admirals beat McCreary County 88 – 60 in the opener but failed to beat Lexington Catholic and Oldham County. The Lexington Catholic game is a sign of hope though as they only lost by 11 to a team that upended a state championship favorite as well last week in Covington Catholic.

 

6) Wayne County (1-1) – Wayne County lost its opener to Warren Central in Bowling Green but rebounded at home with a victory over Garrard. Thomas Spencer is averaging 20.5 points per game to start the year.

 

7) Boyle County (1-0) – With football season now over, the season will now begin in earnest for the Rebels as they face Somerset on the 10th and Frederick Douglass on the 13th. We will get to see what additions from the football team occur and what impact those additions have shortly.

 

8) Mercer County (1-1) – The Titans made quick work of the Wellspring Guardians but dropped a close one 68-64 to Covington Holy Cross. Garrard County, Danville, and Butler all face the Titans this week.

 

9) West Jessamine (1-2) – The Colts welcomed Great Crossing to high school basketball with a 66-46 win but dropped the next two games, including a 71-67 nail biter against Pulaski County. Damon Kelley’s squad looks to return to winning form as they have a big one next against Danville.

 

10) Garrard County (1-2) – Brayden Sebastian only played in 2 of the Golden Lions’ 3 games, but starts the season out averaging 25 points per game. His absence against Russell County certainly contributed to the 60-30 loss.

 

11) East Jessamine (1-1) – East hung tough with Southwestern in the North/South Shootout Classic, losing 59-53. They welcome Great Crossing this week and finish the week off with Garrard County and Franklin County.

 

12) Rockcastle County (1-1) – The Rockets dispatched McCreary County Central in the opener but lost their visit to Lincoln County. They will get a challenging week that includes a visit to Somerset.

 

13) Casey County (0-3) – The Rebels have one game this week and it’s sure to be a challenge as they welcome the Pulaski County Maroons into their gym.

 

14) McCreary County Central (0-3) – They may be winless, but McCreary can find some bright spots in the play of Alex Heath (16.7 points per game) and Evan Kidd (10.7 points per game).

 

15) Danville Christian (1-2) – Don Story’s Warriors took down Burgin for their first win of the year. Their other two games were most likely the toughest they will have all December as they lost match-ups to Boyle County and Paris.

 

16) Burgin (0 – 4) – Troy Lee Thomas’ Bulldogs will face Frankfort, Walden, and Frederick Fraize this week in search for win #1.

 

17) Kentucky School for the Deaf (0-1) – The Colonels dropped their opener 38-16 to L.I.G.H.T. in Danville.

Rankings look good. Still too early to figure out what everybody has especially a team like Somerset and Boyle. I saw in another post that Kaelin Drakeford for Mercer is averaging 38 points and 11 rebounds so far. Mercer will have their starting point guard Jamisen Lewis for the 1st time this season tomorrow against Garrard. Hoping Sebastian gets back quick. Hate to see anyone miss games their senior year.

Sounds like the Kaelin is the real deal.

Rankings look good. Still too early to figure out what everybody has especially a team like Somerset and Boyle. I saw in another post that Kaelin Drakeford for Mercer is averaging 38 points and 11 rebounds so far. Mercer will have their starting point guard Jamisen Lewis for the 1st time this season tomorrow against Garrard. Hoping Sebastian gets back quick. Hate to see anyone miss games their senior year.

 

The classic slide under a jump shooter boxing out.

The classic slide under a jump shooter boxing out.

I hate to hear that. Hopefully he gets back soon. Is he out against Mercer tomorrow?

I hate to hear that. Hopefully he gets back soon. Is he out against Mercer tomorrow?

 

I couldn’t imagine him playing, or a few other key guys that were banged up at Wayne. Tough break for GC as they led most of the game until a slew of injuries. Hopefully, will help develop younger guys in the short term.

Baylor can fill it up for the Pats, and their defense so far has been stellar. Holding both teams they played in the 30s.

Lincoln lost some good seniors last year. Seems like they have filled those spots well. It is still early to really see what these teams can become. Can’t wait to see how many football players come out for Boyle.

It's scary that Smith is Lincoln's 4th leading scorer. That is the sign of a very good point guard of getting everyone involved and winning games. He can fill it up himself if needed.

Lincoln lost some good seniors last year. Seems like they have filled those spots well. It is still early to really see what these teams can become. Can’t wait to see how many football players come out for Boyle.

 

We will know more tonight who has come out for Boyle off the football team. We travel to Somerset to play the Briar Jumpers.

That should be a dandy game to watch. If Grundy is ready to go that will make it more interesting.

I saw where the Garrard vs Mercer game was cancelled for tonight and not being rescheduled. Any Garrard folks got the inside scoop on this?

Speaking of football players, Lincoln has one player currently dressing that played football. That includes Freshman, JV and Varsity. Seems very low. How does that compare to other teams?

About half of Mercer’s team played football, maybe more than half. Off the top of my head; Drakeford, Lewis, Yeast, Warren, Dunn, Walton, Caton. I may have missed one or two, but either way, that’s a lot!

I saw where the Garrard vs Mercer game was cancelled for tonight and not being rescheduled. Any Garrard folks got the inside scoop on this?

 

So both high schools announced this via Twitter. Mercer’s states that it was Garrard’s choice, that the game will not be made up, and the overall tone was not happy.

 

Garrard’s announcement was that the game was cancelled and that Garrard will travel to Mercer on January 9th as part of the 2A Tournament.