10th Region Boys Basketball Week 2 Review

[mcpapa]

Week 2 saw the 10th crown an All-A champion, Covid begin to affect the schedule, and the Region's top team distance itself even further from the competition.  Without further ado...

 

1).  Clark County (6-0) Jan. 12, 90-51 win at Bourbon County; Jan. 14, 89-65 win vs. Evangel Christian; Jan. 16; 93-61 win vs. Great Crossing.

Previous rank - 1

This week - Jan. 19 vs. Tates Creek; Jan. 23 vs. Robertson County.

The Cardinals have scored no fewer than 89 points in every game this season.  The stats (through 5 games) have two Cardinals (Jerone Morton and Jared Wellman) averaging at least 20 points and 8 boards per contest; with Trent Edwards not far behind; and the team is shooting 50% from the field.

2).  Montgomery County (2-1) - Jan. 12, 73-52 win vs. Pendleton County.

Previous rank - 2

This week - All games cancelled per Covid policy.

Hagan Harrison went for 27 in the big win over Pendleton; with Ricky Lovette adding 16 along with 14 rebounds.  The Indians are not scheduled to play again until January 25 at Bracken County; starting a busy week with 4 games in 6 days.

3).  Robertson County (4-0) - Jan. 12, 81-55 win vs. Calvary Christian; Jan. 14, 58-46 win vs. Bishop Brossart; Jan. 16, 75-58 win vs. Richmond Model.

Previous rank - 3

This week - Jan. 18 at Ashland; Jan. 22 at Paris; Jan. 23 at Clark County.

Congratulations to the Black Devils on their second All-A 10th Region title in school history (and in the last two years).  Coach Kelsch's squad avenged a narrow loss in last year's All-A matchup, but Justin Becker wouldn't be denied this time around; pouring in 33 point's in the final vs. Brossart.  Becker's 26 points per game leads three teammates averaging in double figures; along with Sebastian Dixon and Tanner Horn.  This week's schedule will give us an idea of just where the Devils stand; with 16th Region power Ashland as well as George Rogers Clark on tap.

4).  Bishop Brossart (4-2) - Jan. 11, 81-64 win vs. Bracken County; Jan. 14, 46-58 loss vs. Robertson County; Jan. 16 58-38 win vs. Newport.

Previous rank - 5

This week - Jan. 21 at St. Henry; Jan. 23 vs. Campbell County

Two wins bracketed the loss to Robertson County in the All-A.  Stephen Verst scored a career-high 30 in the All-A semifinal against Bracken County; while a quartet of Mustangs reached double figures in the win over Newport.  Only two games scheduled this week; but they will be challenging - a trip to Ninth region All-A champion St. Henry; then the annual knockdown drag-out against the Camels that often determines the 37th District number 1 seed in the postseason..

5).  Scott (1-2) - All games cancelled due to Covid.

Previous rank - 6

This week - Jan. 20 vs. Bracken County; Jan. 21 at North College Hill (Ohio); Jan. 23 vs. Harlan County.

Not much to report on the Eagles this week, as a trio of games were cancelled.  We will see if the break helps or hurts.

6).  Mason County (4-1) - Jan. 12, 71-63 win at Campbell County; Jan. 16, 73-52 win vs. Augusta.

Previous rank - 8

This week - Jan 19 vs. Paris.

The Royals make a move upwards in this week's rankings with the (relatively) unexpected win on the Camels' home floor and a 21-point spanking of Augusta.  Terrell Henry continues to shine, putting up 28 and 12 against Campbell County; while averaging just under 20 per contest on the young season.  Nate Mitchell had a team-high 20 (adding a handful of assists) in the running-clock win (it was 62-26 early in the third) over the Panthers; while Henry added 16 to go with nine boards.

7). Campbell County (4-1) - Jan.12, 63-71 loss to Mason County; Jan. 15, 70-67 win vs. Harrison County.

Previous rank - 4

This week - Jan. 18 at Walton-Verona; Jan. 19 vs. Covington Holy Cross; Jan. 23 vs. Bishop Brossart.

The Camels drop a couple of spots this week on the heels of a bit of an upset at the hands of Mason County at home, followed by a narrow win over Harrison County; also at home.  Dane Hegyi, Eric Davie and Kason Jackson paced the Camels in the win over Harrison County with 19, 18 and 17 per WCYN and Randy Parker.  Three testers on this week's slate of games, culminating in the much-anticipated showdown with Brossart.

8).  Bourbon County (2-3) - Jan.12, 51-90 loss to Clark County; Jan. 16, 74-55 win vs. Nicholas County.

Previous rank - 7

This week - Jan. 19 vs. Scott County; Jan. 22 at Bryan Station; Jan. 23 vs. Shelby County.

The Colonels took one on the chin when Clark County came to town; falling on the short end of a 90-51 before rebounding against the Jackets.  Parker Estes (through 4 games of reported stats) leads the squad in points and rebounds (12.0/7.2).

9). Harrison County (1-3) - Jan. 15, 67-70 loss at Campbell County.

Previous rank - 13

This week - Jan. 18 vs. Bracken County; Jan. 19 vs. Powell County; Jan. 22 vs. Great Crossing.

Harrison gets a bit of a bump this week.  The Breds only have one win to show for it, but have been playing some of the top teams in the region about as tough as anyone; this week's loss by a bucket to the Camels in Alexandria illustrating the point.  Bracken will provide a decent test on Monday, as will the Friday matchup with Great Crossing. Kaydon Custard (one of two Custards on the roster; where do they all come from?) heads up a balanced scoring attack with four Breds averaging double figures).

10).  Augusta (2-2) - Jan. 11, 71-56 win vs. Fairview; Jan. 16, 52-73 loss at Mason County.

Previous rank - 9

This week - Jan. 19 at St. Patrick; Jan. 22 vs. Bracken County.

The Panthers hold the number 9 spot on the strength of a double-digit win over Fairview, before committing a slew of turnovers in Maysville on Saturday evening.  Kayson Hinson led three Panthers against Fairview with 18 in the win over Fairview; with Riley Mastin Chipping in 15; while Connor Snapp paced the Panthers with 13 at Mason County.  This week features the always-entertaining rematch against local rival Bracken County.  Hey - at least they've been back to playing each other again the past couple of seasons.

11).  Bracken County (2-4) - Jan. 11, 64-81 loss at Bishop Brossart; Jan. 14, 61-59 win at Raceland; Jan. 16 61-71 loss to Tates Creek.

Previous rank - 10

This week - Jan. 18 at Harrison County; Jan. 19 at Model; Jan. 20 at Scott; Jan. 22 at Augusta.

The Bears fought gamely against Brossart in the All-A semifinal with Blake Reed erupting for a game-high 33.  Reed then scored the last-second winning bucket at the road at Raceland; and followed those heroics up with 39 in the Tates Creek contest.  Will the Polar Bears have any gas left in the tank for the Augusta rematch on Friday?

12).  Pendleton County (2-2) - Jan. 12, 42-73 loss at Montgomery County.

Previous rank - 11 

This week - All games cancelled; you know why.  The game in Mt. Sterling ultimately resulted in several upcoming cancellations for the Wildcats and the Indians.  Tredyn Thomas (Dontaie Allen's brother; you may have heard of that guy) averages 22.5 a game.

13).  Calvary Christian (2-2) - Jan. 18 at Ludlow; Jan. 21 vs. Heritage Academy' Jan. 23 vs. Highlands Latin.

Previous rank - 13

Last week - Jan. 12, 55-81 loss to Robertson County in All-A semis.  

Luke Ruwe is scoring just under 20 points per contest for the Cougars, who look to get above the .500 mark this week.

14). Paris (0-3) - Both games last week cancelled.

Previous rank - 14

This week - Jan. 19 at Mason County; Jan. 22 vs. Robertson County; Jan. 23 vs. Johnson Central in Flemingsburg.

Things don't get any easier for Coach Baker's Greyhounds this week.

15).  Nicholas County (1-5) - Jan. 5, 11, 48-87 loss vs. Ryle; Jan. 15, 28-69 loss to Henry Clay; Jan. 16, 55-74 loss to Bourbon County.

Previous rank - 15

This week - Jan. 21 at Villa Madonna; Jan. 22 vs. Morgan County; Jan. 23 vs. Prestonsburg. 

Brady Switzer averages 21 per game but has only played in three of the six.  Back-to-back-to-back games out of the region this week.

16).  St. Patrick (0-6) - Jan. 13, 25-61 loss at Lewis County; Jan. 1, 32-61 loss to Russell; Jan. 15, 42-74 loss to Ludlow.  

Previous rank - 16

This week - Jan. 19 vs. Augusta; Jan. 20 at Felicity (Ohio); Jan. 23 at Covington Latin.

St. Patrick continues to struggle putting points on the board, with Chase Walton (14.3) the only Saint averaging over 6 per game.  I don't know anything about Felicity (there's a lot I don't know; ask anybody); but I believe the Saints will notch a long-awaited victory on the 23rd.  No pressure.

 

Again, congratulations to Patrick Kelsch on the All-A win!

 

 

[Randy Parker]

Nice write up, Methuselah C.

[TouchTheLine]

At this point GRC appears to be in a tier of their own.  It did look like Montgomery County had a few kids in street clothes that are not playing yet, could they be enough to close the gap between them?

[mcpapa]

3 hours ago, TouchTheLine said:

At this point GRC appears to be in a tier of their own.  It did look like Montgomery County had a few kids in street clothes that are not playing yet, could they be enough to close the gap between them?

I think it’s gonna take the perfect storm.  I don’t get out much so I’ll take your word that there may have been some guys that haven’t seen the floor yet. But GRC is a legit top-ten team in the state, and I don’t see another team in the 10th at that level.