1) Bowling Green (17-3) - 1/20 79-62 W #2 Warren Central, 1/21 64-50 W Christian County, 1/24 70-41 W at #14 Warren East

Previous Rank: 1

This Week: 1/28 at #7 Franklin-Simpson, 1/31 at #2 Warren Central

 

2) Warren Central (13-6) - 1/20 62-79 L at #1 Bowling Green, 1/21 61-45 W #5 South Warren, 1/24 70-63 OT W at #3 Greenwood

Previous Rank: 2

This Week: 1/28 at #5 South Warren, 1/31 vs. #1 Bowling Green

 

3) Logan County (16-3) - 1/21 76-43 W #14 Warren East, 1/24 65-51 W at #7 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 4

This Week: 1/28 vs. #6 Barren County, 1/31 at #17 Russellville, 2/1 vs. #9 Glasgow

 

4) Greenwood (12-9) - 1/21 54-51 W #7 Franklin-Simpson, 1/24 63-70 OT L #2 Warren Central, 1/25 52-76 L LaRue County (at John Hardin)

Previous Rank: 3

This Week: 1/28 at #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/31 vs. #14 Warren East

 

5) South Warren (12-8) - 1/21 45-61 L at #2 Warren Central, 1/24 77-46 W at #12 Russell County

Previous Rank: 5

This Week: 1/28 vs. #2 Warren Central, 1/31 vs. Ohio County, 2/1 vs. #13 Monroe County

 

6) Barren County (13-6) - 1/20 47-45 W at #13 Monroe County, 1/21 63-61 W Ohio County, 1/24 57-45 W #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 1/25 77-50 W at #7 Franklin-Simpson

Previous Rank: 6

This Week: 1/27 at Hart County, 1/28 at #3 Logan County, 1/31 vs. #9 Glasgow, 2/1 at #16 Todd County Central

 

7) Franklin-Simpson (9-10) - 1/21 51-54 L at #3 Greenwood, 1/24 51-65 L #4 Logan County, 1/25 50-77 L #6 Barren County

Previous Rank: 7

This Week: 1/28 vs. #1 Bowling Green, 1/31 vs. #16 Todd County Central

 

8) Clinton County (15-6) - 1/21 60-41 W #12 Russell County

Previous Rank: 8

This Week: 1/27 at Campbellsville, 1/31 at #11 Allen County-Scottsville, 2/1 vs. Jackson County

 

9) Glasgow (9-9) - No games

Previous Rank: 9

This Week: 1/28 vs. LaRue County, 1/31 at #6 Barren County, 2/1 at #3 Logan County

 

10) Metcalfe County (13-8) - 1/23 48-47 W Louisville Holy Cross (at Eastern Kentucky University), 1/24 55-67 L Murray

Previous Rank: 10

This Week: 1/27 at #13 Monroe County, 1/31 vs. #15 Cumberland County

 

11) Allen County-Scottsville (9-9) - 1/24 45-57 L at #6 Barren County

Previous Rank: 11

This Week: 1/28 vs. #4 Greenwood, 1/31 vs. #8 Clinton County, 2/1 at #1 Bowling Green

 

12) Russell County (8-12) - 1/21 41-60 L at #8 Clinton County, 1/24 46-77 L #5 South Warren, 1/25 43-79 L at Pulaski County

Previous Rank: 12

This Week: 1/27 at #15 Cumberland County, 1/31 vs. Casey County

 

13) Monroe County (7-11) - 1/20 45-47 L #6 Barren County, 1/24 50-84 L Taylor County

Previous Rank: 13

This Week: 1/27 vs. #10 Metcalfe County, 1/31 vs. Adair County, 2/1 at #5 South Warren

 

14) Warren East (3-14) - 1/21 43-76 L at #5 Logan County, 1/24 41-70 L #1 Bowling Green, 1/25 59-50 W #15 Cumberland County

Previous Rank: 14

This Week: 1/31 at #4 Greenwood, 2/1 at Marshall County

 

15) Cumberland County (4-15) - 1/24 61-64 L Hart County, 1/25 50-59 L at #14 Warren East

Previous Rank: 15

This Week: 1/27 vs. #12 Russell County, 1/28 at #16 Todd County Central, 1/31 at #10 Metcalfe County, 2/1 at McCreary Central

 

16) Todd County Central (4-14) - 1/21 65-62 W #16 Russellville

Previous Rank: 17

This Week: 1/28 vs. #15 Cumberland County, 1/31 at #7 Franklin-Simpson, 2/1 vs. #6 Barren County

 

17) Russellville (5-11) - 1/21 62-65 L at #17 Todd County Central, 1/24 60-67 L at Edmonson County

Previous Rank: 16

This Week: 1/28 at Fort Campbell, 1/31 at #3 Logan County, 2/1 vs. Caverna (at Adair County)

 

Notes

-The early season struggles for Bowling Green seem a distant memory now. Even as recently as their matchup with Barren County on January 7th, there were signs of weakness. But the Purples are now the owners of a 14 game winning streak, third longest in the state. Since the Barren County game, they have not scored less than 64 points, and have won those six games by an average of 16.8 PPG. That includes their 79-62 win over Warren Central, which marked a season high for points, and kept them in control of their own destiny for the #1 seed in District 14. The Purples shot 65.9% from the field in that game, and were 17/23 from the foul line. It cemented their status as the top team in the region, at the very least until their rematch at Warren Central this Friday. If they win that rematch with Central, then they become a virtual lock for the top spot in the district. They'd need only beat South Warren and Warren East in their final two district games. They've never lost to South Warren, and they just finished polishing off their 51st straight victory over East, this week by a 70-41 score.

 

-The Purples have now won 19 of 20 at home, encompassing the past two seasons. It is likely that the only hurdle they have between them and a perfect season at home is their matchup with John Hardin on February 7th.

 

-For Warren Central, the loss to Bowling Green was a gut check, the second straight in blowout fashion after getting their heads handed to them by John Hardin. They found a way to a fairly easy win against South Warren on Tuesday despite having a short bench due to illness and injury, but the jewel of the week was a critical overtime victory over Greenwood by a 70-63 score. The Dragons trailed by 8 in the fourth quarter and by six with less than two minutes left. But after starting a ghastly 3/25 from three, they finally found the touch, going 4/5 in the final six minutes of basketball, and never trailed in overtime. They too control their own destiny in District 14, needing only to win out to take the top seed. Their schedule is slightly more difficult than Bowling Green, because in addition to playing the Purples, Central still has a mid-February return date with Greenwood, albeit both coming at home.

 

-Greenwood is a hard luck loser out of the #3 spot, dropping to #4. By almost any measure, they should have won the game against Warren Central, which would have kept them in a stronger position for chasing the top spot. Greenwood repeatedly missed free throws as they tried to close the game out, missing six of their last seven attempts. Two of those misses came from an ill Noah Stansbury, who had missed only seven free throws all year entering the contest. The last three misses came with a 58-56 lead, and that margin allowed Dre Boyd to drive the lane and draw a foul, tying the game with two free throws. Ben Carroll missed a fadeaway 18 footer at the buzzer that would have given them the win, and the rest was history. Their game against LaRue County hardly factors, as they were missing three starters with the flu in the game.

 

-Meanwhile, it is finally time to move Logan County up. The Cougars are 16-1 after starting the year 0-2, and are the last unbeaten team in games against 4th Region opponents. They have not scored less than 65 points since their last loss on December 21st, and after a 14 point win over Franklin-Simpson, they need only a single win against Russellville or Todd County Central to clinch the top seed, or a single loss by Todd County Central. In other words, they've clinched the top spot. The team remains remarkably balanced, with four players averaging in double figures, led by Anthony Woodard's 13.3 PPG. I've mentioned this previously, but I consider it a legitimate possibility that they don't lose another game before the postseason. Their only truly daunting matchups are home games against Glasgow and Greenwood, and a road trip to Ohio County on February 18th.

 

-Barren County had a strong week, bringing home four wins, including two District 15 wins to move them to 4-1 in district play. That sets up this week's matchup with Glasgow at Barren County as a very, very big game. Glasgow remains 3-0 in district play, but would have to win against both Monroe County and Allen County-Scottsville should they falter against Barren County, while the Trojans would be in the clubhouse with a 5-1 record. It also means that Glasgow will clinch the top spot if they can win on Friday. Barren County has won six in a row since they failed to hold on to a double digit lead against Bowling Green on January 7th.

 

-Clinton County finished off their 6-0 district record (not counting their All "A" loss), but they'd already clinched the 16th's top spot. This week may sort out the rest. Tomorrow, Russell County will travel to Cumberland County. Russell County sports a 1-3 district record, while Cumberland County is 2-2. If Cumberland County wins, they will assure themselves of no worse than the #3 seed, staying away from Clinton County. If Russell County wins, it means that either of the two teams plus Metcalfe County could end up anywhere from 2-4. Metcalfe County will join the action as they host Cumberland County on Friday.

 

-There aren't quite as many top tier games this week as there were last week, but several of great importance. The games this week most likely to change rankings: 1/27 #12 Russell County at #15 Cumberland County, 1/31 #1 Bowling Green at #2 Warren Central, 1/31 #9 Glasgow at #6 Barren County, 1/31 #8 Clinton County at #11 Allen County-Scottsville.

@DragonFire, great work as usual!

 

What is your prediction for this Friday's game at Warren Central?

Will the Dragons be desperate to get back in the win column vs BG?

 

Also, what are your initial thoughts on the John Hardin vs BG game on the 7th of Feb?

I believe if the Purples are allowed to play their game of b-ball.. WC doesn’t stand a chance. Between Mason, Cooper and Buttry .. that’s a vicious trio if their coach would just let them run. Plus the Purples don’t live by the 3 pointer. Cooper and Buttry are insane shooters but they can drive and draw the foul where they’ll hit their free throws. WC is deadly when they’re hitting from behind the arch. I think BG took that away from them the last match up.

 

Smaller gym.. different atmosphere.. should be a great game!

@DragonFire, great work as usual!

 

What is your prediction for this Friday's game at Warren Central?

Will the Dragons be desperate to get back in the win column vs BG?

 

Also, what are your initial thoughts on the John Hardin vs BG game on the 7th of Feb?

 

Desperate would be a pretty strong word for it. Warren Central has lost to Bowling Green twice each of the last two seasons, and it hasn't impeded them from winning the region title. They weren't the #1 seed in the district either of those seasons, and that would be the consequence of losing again here. They want the win for sure, but desperate would be overselling it. Both of those teams should want the #1 seed to stay away from Greenwood. Not because they can't beat Greenwood (the two are now 3-1 against Greenwood this year with one game to go), but because Greenwood is much more dangerous. So they'll both be motivated.

 

As for my prediction for the game, I feel better about it than I did the previous game. They came into that game with Bowling Green having played twice in the previous five days, while the Purples hadn't played in six. Central I think was still reeling from the John Hardin blowout, and the game was at Bowling Green, where the Purples have seldom lost in recent years. It was a recipe for a loss, and it absolutely bore out that way. Essentially, the second quarter run beat them. Bowling Green went on a 13-4 run to push a two point lead to 11, and for the rest of the game until the very, very end, the lead bounced between six and twelve points. Central really only has to do two things to improve - hit a few more threes, and do better defensively. Easier said than done, but absolutely doable. I lean towards Central winning, but Bowling Green will be favored, and they should. I'd be stunned if they could manage to shoot as well as they did the first time (29/44), but if they do, then they're not going to be beaten.

 

John Hardin is a cut above Bowling Green. It's at BG, and again, they don't lose there often, but I'm inclined to think John Hardin will win by 7-10 points. They have tremendous size while Bowling Green really only has Huddleston in that area. The Madisonville game is a good one to look at in terms of Bowling Green dealing with that type of size, though they were shorthanded. Alex Matthews is legitimately the best player Central has gone against, and may be the top scorer that Bowling Green will see - including Kenny White. That could be a statement game for the Purples - if they can win there, there's really no one that they just totally can't play with.

I believe if the Purples are allowed to play their game of b-ball.. WC doesn’t stand a chance. Between Mason, Cooper and Buttry .. that’s a vicious trio if their coach would just let them run. Plus the Purples don’t live by the 3 pointer. Cooper and Buttry are insane shooters but they can drive and draw the foul where they’ll hit their free throws. WC is deadly when they’re hitting from behind the arch. I think BG took that away from them the last match up.

 

Smaller gym.. different atmosphere.. should be a great game!

 

Come on now, you can't seriously believe that. I extolled the virtues of Bowling Green in this very thread, but not standing a chance? IMO, Central's best beats Bowling Green's best. Now, that includes having to hit the three as you are correct, they lean on it more than Bowling Green, but they are hitting threes, they are very hard to beat. They're shooting almost the same percentage from the perimeter as Bowling Green (36.4% compared to 36.7%), but they attempt twice as many. I think Bowling Green made them work harder for the perimeter looks, but they got open looks - they just missed them at an alarming rate. Perhaps they'll adjust and try to go inside more (they were 24/40 from two that game), perhaps they'll simply hit more threes (their 11.8% in that game was their worst of the year, even worse than they shot against John Hardin who I can assure you, defended the perimeter just as well), or perhaps Bowling Green just will simply smash them again. Honestly, while I want the win, the #1 thing I care about is just Central looking better defensively.

Love the feedback. I guess you’re right.. every team starts with a chance at tip-off. A lot of chitter chatter around town saying A few of WC’s leading scorers are bickering somewhat over sharing the ball. That’s never good around this time of the year. Obviously, WC has the experience on their side.. I believe they start ALL seniors; where BG starts none. Sometimes it pays to have that experience!! If the refs let these boys just play, and don’t stop them for Nick-picky fouls.. it’ll be another good game. Both teams have athletes that need to just play ball.

 

You’re right.. that Madisonville game they were without Cooper and Wilson due to football. That makes a HUGE difference.

We’ll have to analyze this game Friday night for sure!!

You know what, I think I will revise my prediction. I think Bowling Green wins by 10-15 on Friday. I thought that Central's momentum would be stronger coming into this week, but I didn't really like what I saw tonight. And Bowling Green looked fantastic. I think Central has a decent shot, but they just are not performing defensively like what they'll need to.

What do you think the problem is with WC right now? Too many thinking about offense and not defense?

It’s a no-brainer that BG’s offense definitely feeds off of their defense. Plus they want to play FAST and in transition. You slow them down.. that’s when they’re vulnerable! They want to play man-to-man defense and RUN.

 

I was surprised their game last night was so close. They should’ve beat South by 15+. That could possibly light a fire under those boys tho for Friday’s game!! I’m sure Unseld gave them the business. He’ll have them fired up for Friday’s game!!

I'm looking forward to following how the WC/BG game goes on Friday.

Should be another good game!

Go Purples!

What do you think the problem is with WC right now? Too many thinking about offense and not defense?

It’s a no-brainer that BG’s offense definitely feeds off of their defense. Plus they want to play FAST and in transition. You slow them down.. that’s when they’re vulnerable! They want to play man-to-man defense and RUN.

 

I was surprised their game last night was so close. They should’ve beat South by 15+. That could possibly light a fire under those boys tho for Friday’s game!! I’m sure Unseld gave them the business. He’ll have them fired up for Friday’s game!!

 

I'm really not sure what the issue is on defense. I know that they're not stopping the ball very well in the transition game, and they're allowing too many drives straight down the paint where basically no one is with the man, but I don't really understand the WHY of that. I do know that they have not had the cohesion in their personnel that they'd have liked due to various injuries and ailments - last night was the first time in a long time they had their full compliment of players - so perhaps they haven't had an opportunity to tweak the defense the way they'd like. Offensively they've really been fine. Maybe not as sharp as they were at times earlier on, but they've scored over 60 points in four straight games, and have just two under that mark in their last 13. In modern Kentucky high school basketball, that point total typically gets the job done. In the last four seasons, Central is 73-6 when hitting that mark. (In case you're curious, since January 4th, 2015, Bowling Green is 135-12 when scoring 60 or more points - they're 19-16 below that. You don't lose often when you hit that mark.)

 

However, Central went from not allowing more than 59 points in any of their first 9 games to allowing over that mark seven of their last 11, and four of their last five (though one of those took OT to make it happen). They most likely won't beat Bowling Green giving up a big amount of points. The Purples have won 11 straight against Central when scoring 57 points or more - 13 straight if you count them hitting that mark in regulation.

 

As for the South game, to be fair, they just did beat South by 15+ a week ago. It's not unusual to see the losing team improve from one game to the next, especially given that they were at home. Central did not get off to a great start, and made silly mistakes to help keep South around. It was an eight point game with just over 1 minute to go, and Central committed a foul to give South an and-1, immediately threw it away into the middle of the paint under South's basket, and then committed a foul to give them another and-1. Two old fashioned three point plays in the matter of roughly 5 seconds of game time. They also had a nine point lead in the third quarter when Boyd committed his fourth foul - third of the quarter - and went to the bench. South erased the entire deficit with nine straight points. So Central could have gotten separation, they just kicked those chances away.

Edited January 29, 20206 yr by DragonFire