Bluegrasspreps 2/16 Top 20 Discussion

[ColonelMike]

Ranking teams this year is such a crazy endeavor!   

First off - KUDOS to the folks who put the following together!  👍   Seriously, I think this may be one of the hardest years ever to put together a Top 20 - but I have to say that, in my opinion, the folks who crafted this one have put together a credible, plausible, reasonable effort.    

The only change I'd make is I would have had Ashland down a bit further.    If Ashland's only three spots behind Bowling Green - who beat them by 26....then we're saying there's a huge gap between the state's #8 team and the #11 team....(maybe there is?)    It's also hard to see them 3 spots ahead of Highlands, who beat them (albeit in the very first game of the season).   I guess I'd have Ashland around 15th-16th.

Missing team that has a beef????

Beechwood (14-3) - has won 8 of their last 9, and St. Henry (#9) and Highlands (#14) were among the vanquished.   

1. Ballard
2. Lexington Catholic
3. Covington Catholic
4. North Laurel
5. Elizabethtown
6. DeSales
7. Male
8. Bowling Green
9. St. Henry
10. Eastern
11. Ashland
12. Oldham County
13. John Hardin
14. Highlands
15. Trinity
16. McCracken County
17. Frederick Douglass
18. Fern Creek
19. Boyle County
20. Lyon County

Great job!!   Nice looking Top 20!

[B-Ball-fan]

I think that while 2nd Region’s Lyon County has an interesting story being led by their sharp shooting freshman, and son of the coach, Travis Perry who is averaging 27.4 ppg, and have an impressive 14-1 record, they haven’t actually played anybody of significance, and their only loss was by the hands of Owensboro Catholic, a decent but not Top 20 worthy team, who completely dismantled them 71-47. I think that loss really exposed them. I’m perhaps being a bit 9th Region-centric here, but I’d probably have Beechwood in the Top 20 before Lyon County. 

[DragonFire]

1 hour ago, ColonelMike said:

If Ashland's only three spots behind Bowling Green - who beat them by 26....then we're saying there's a huge gap between the state's #8 team and the #11 team....(maybe there is?)   

By the same token though, Bowling Green is only three spots behind Elizabethtown who just dragged them for a 28 point loss.  It's a weird year.

 

11 minutes ago, B-Ball-fan said:

I think that while 2nd Region’s Lyon County has an interesting story being led by their sharp shooting freshman, and son of the coach, Travis Perry who is averaging 27.4 ppg, and have an impressive 14-1 record, they haven’t actually played anybody of significance, and their only loss was by the hands of Owensboro Catholic, a decent but not Top 20 worthy team, who completely dismantled them 71-47. I think that loss really exposed them. I’m perhaps being a bit 9th Region-centric here, but I’d probably have Beechwood in the Top 20 before Lyon County. 

Was Beechwood exposed by an 18 point loss to a Holy Cross team that in turn is not a top 20 worthy team? One thing that does stand out to me about Lyon County's loss to Owensboro Catholic is that it came two days after they played two games in the same day.  Three games in a 72 hour period is a lot to ask.  In fact, they averaged a game every 28 hours for a seven day span, and that Owensboro Catholic game was the last in the line. 

No question though, Beechwood has played more teams of note and has better wins.

[Tigerpride94]

I would have North Laurel ahead of Covington Catholic since they won in head to head matchup, but guess could make debate that Cov Cath would win on neutral court or at home.

[mcpapa]

All in all, a solid list.  Here are those on the outside looking in per the latest RPI rankings (which need to be taken with a block of salt this early).

6.  Johnson Central, 14-1.  Best win, Boyd County.  Top 20 - no.

13.  East Carter, 3-0.  'nuff said.  Top 20 - not even close.

15.  Muhlenberg County, 9-1.  Best win, Murray?  Top 20 - nope.

17.  LaRue County, 8-1.  Best win, none stand out.  Demolished by E-town.  Top 20 - no.

18.  Harlan County, 12-4.  Best wins, South Laurel, Knott County.  Lost last 3 games.  Top 20 - no.

20.  Beechwood, 14-3.  Best wins - St. Henry, Highlands.  Top 20 - you can make a case.

 

What this tells me, among other things, is that our BGP experts aren't slaves to gaudy records and early RPI rankings.  Good.

 

 

[ColonelMike]

3 hours ago, B-Ball-fan said:

I think that while 2nd Region’s Lyon County has an interesting story being led by their sharp shooting freshman, and son of the coach, Travis Perry who is averaging 27.4 ppg, and have an impressive 14-1 record, they haven’t actually played anybody of significance, and their only loss was by the hands of Owensboro Catholic, a decent but not Top 20 worthy team, who completely dismantled them 71-47. I think that loss really exposed them. I’m perhaps being a bit 9th Region-centric here, but I’d probably have Beechwood in the Top 20 before Lyon County. 

That was exactly where I was going with my comment about Beechwood, but I got interrupted and didn't get to finish the entire thought.   I am thinking the same thing.

I'm not a 9th Region guy, but Beechwood has proven more to me to date....    

[ColonelMike]

3 hours ago, DragonFire said:

By the same token though, Bowling Green is only three spots behind Elizabethtown who just dragged them for a 28 point loss.  It's a weird year.

 

 

Fair point.

[ColonelMike]

Hoping hoping HOPING that the weather will break....Oldham County's next three foes are #6 DeSales, #3 CovCath, and #10 Eastern.    At DeSales this Thursday, at CovCath Saturday, and home against Eastern next Friday.   

A great opportunity for Coy Zerhusen's team to make a statement....

Hoping to broadcast the DeSales and Eastern matchups, weather and COVID permitting.... :-)

[Unrivaled97]

5 hours ago, B-Ball-fan said:

I think that while 2nd Region’s Lyon County has an interesting story being led by their sharp shooting freshman, and son of the coach, Travis Perry who is averaging 27.4 ppg, and have an impressive 14-1 record, they haven’t actually played anybody of significance, and their only loss was by the hands of Owensboro Catholic, a decent but not Top 20 worthy team, who completely dismantled them 71-47. I think that loss really exposed them. I’m perhaps being a bit 9th Region-centric here, but I’d probably have Beechwood in the Top 20 before Lyon County. 

I can say that I wouldn't necessarily disagree with Beechwood being in front of Lyon County, but as far as the Owensboro Catholic game, I do know that Travis Perry did have an off night and I believe their 2nd leading scorer, who averages about 15 and 10, didn't play.  That's a lot of production that was missing both for points and on the boards.  I've said it in an earlier post, Lyon County's best days are ahead of them.  Their freshman class is excellent.  I believe they start 3 of those freshmen on varsity as well.  In two years, I believe they will be a top 5 team in the state and Travis Perry has a great shot to end his HS career as the all-time leading scorer in KHSAA history.

[mcpapa]

2 hours ago, Unrivaled97 said:

I can say that I wouldn't necessarily disagree with Beechwood being in front of Lyon County, but as far as the Owensboro Catholic game, I do know that Travis Perry did have an off night and I believe their 2nd leading scorer, who averages about 15 and 10, didn't play.  That's a lot of production that was missing both for points and on the boards.  I've said it in an earlier post, Lyon County's best days are ahead of them.  Their freshman class is excellent.  I believe they start 3 of those freshmen on varsity as well.  In two years, I believe they will be a top 5 team in the state and Travis Perry has a great shot to end his HS career as the all-time leading scorer in KHSAA history.

Kid has scored 2100 points and is halfway through his freshman year.  

[PaulBlart]

I am on the outside with Beechwood. I don’t feel they are a top 20 team. Lyon County just got beat by a Walton-Verona team today that has had it handed to them when playing teams in the 9th Region. Beechwood is good, just wouldn’t be bumping out any other than Lyon for them. As it was stated earlier, maybe Holy Cross exposed Beechwood, but really to have any other team from the 9th after Cov Cath would be like six teams that all have beaten up on each other. 

[colonel-fan]

I think Highlands, St. Henry, Beechwood, and Dixie are all Top 20 teams. Conner and Holy Cross not too far off. 9th is very good this year. 

[BrosefStalin]

10 hours ago, PaulBlart said:

I am on the outside with Beechwood. I don’t feel they are a top 20 team. Lyon County just got beat by a Walton-Verona team today that has had it handed to them when playing teams in the 9th Region. Beechwood is good, just wouldn’t be bumping out any other than Lyon for them. As it was stated earlier, maybe Holy Cross exposed Beechwood, but really to have any other team from the 9th after Cov Cath would be like six teams that all have beaten up on each other. 

...or maybe the Holy Cross game was a classic let-down game after a massive emotional come from behind win over St. Henry - one of the best teams in the state by your own admission? If that's the case, and I think it is, wouldn't wins over St. Henry and Highlands weigh heavier than that game?

Not saying Holy Cross isn't very good, but they also lost to NCC last week, which points to the win over Beechwood being catching the Tigers at the right time after a big win. 

Surprised so many continue to look at Highlands as a top 15 team with losses to Beechwood, St. Henry, and CovCath. Meanwhile, Beechwood beats St. Henry and Highlands and still is looked at as an outsider. 

[throwback32]

3 hours ago, BrosefStalin said:

...or maybe the Holy Cross game was a classic let-down game after a massive emotional come from behind win over St. Henry - one of the best teams in the state by your own admission? If that's the case, and I think it is, wouldn't wins over St. Henry and Highlands weigh heavier than that game?

Not saying Holy Cross isn't very good, but they also lost to NCC last week, which points to the win over Beechwood being catching the Tigers at the right time after a big win. 

Surprised so many continue to look at Highlands as a top 15 team with losses to Beechwood, St. Henry, and CovCath. Meanwhile, Beechwood beats St. Henry and Highlands and still is looked at as an outsider. 

Highlands has wins over Ashland (top 15 team), Oldham County (top 15 team), and a very good Dixie Heights team.  I'd say they are solidly in the 12-17 range. Yes, lost by 2 to St. Henry and a close one to Beechwood, but top 15 is fair.

[ColonelMike]

4 hours ago, BrosefStalin said:

Surprised so many continue to look at Highlands as a top 15 team with losses to Beechwood, St. Henry, and CovCath. Meanwhile, Beechwood beats St. Henry and Highlands and still is looked at as an outsider. 

Beechwood should be top 20, IMO.....

Highlands definitely is.   I don't see any of those three losses as bad losses....

I'm not from the 9th....but it's a banner year for that region.