1st Region Week 9 Review

I may sound like a broken record, but this region is WIDE OPEN.  I think there are at least five teams that have a shot at the region title - maybe even a couple more.  Here are my rankings:

1. McCracken County (17-6) - W vs University Heights 59-57, W vs CCA 87-49

This week: Tues at Fulton County

I still think the defending champion Mustangs are the favorite to win the 1st Region.  They have a balanced scoring attack with four averaging double figures - Noah Dumas, Ian Hart, Ian McCune, and Brant Brower.

2. Paducah Tilghman (15-4) - W vs Ballard Memorial 70-26, W vs Carlisle Co. 79-53, L at Bowling Green 47-57

This week: Tues at McClean Co.

A ten-point loss on the road against AP #8 Bowling Green is really not too bad of a result.  The last time the Tornado won the 2nd District Championship was in 2016, and that's quite a drought for Tilghman.

3. Marshall Co. (10-8) - W vs Murray 51-49, W vs St. Mary 71-49, W vs Calloway Co. 62-52

This week: Tues vs Hopkins Co Central.

Awesome week for the Marshalls with two big District wins!  Now they have the #1 seed in the 4th District tourney, and they get to watch Murray and Calloway battle it out in the semis.  Zion Harmon averaged 24 points in the three games this week.

4. Murray (13-7) - W at Calloway Co. 52-47 (OT), L at Marshall Co. 49-51, W at Mayfield 74-50

I dropped Murray one spot this week because they had a tough two-point loss at Marshall.  But don't get me wrong this is still a very dangerous team that is capable of winning the 1st Region tournament.

5. Graves Co. (15-5) - W at CFS 82-55, L at Fulton Co. 76-80, W vs Henderson Co. 72-68

This week: Mon vs Ballard Memorial, Tues vs CFS

A surprising, disappointing loss for the Eagles at Fulton County that snapped their ten-game winning streak.  But the Eagles are still the favorite to win the 3rd District, and I think this is another team that has a shot at the 1st Region title.

6. Calloway Co. (7-11) - L vs Murray 47-52 (OT), W vs Trinity (Whitesville) 84-65, L at Marshall 52-62
This week: Mon at Hickman Co.

I think that Murray is a favorite to beat the Lakers in the 4th District semis, but not by a lot.  The Lakers can really shoot the three, and if they get hot from downtown they could get to the 4th District finals, and keep the Tigers out of the regional tourney.  That semifinal game will most likely be pretty intense.

7. Mayfield (10-7) - W vs Hickman Co. 66-62, W vs Livingston Central 66-55, L vs Murray 50-74

The Cardinals will most likely be one of the teams that make it out of the 3rd district.

8. St. Mary (11-12) - W at Ballard Memorial 66-31, W vs Liv Central 69-54, L at Marshall 49-71, W vs Ballard Memorial 83-47

Mon at Liv Central, Tues at Trigg Co., Thurs vs Fulton Co.

I think the Vikings have a shot at the upset against the Tornado because they have played them tight early in two previous games.  But they will have to play almost perfectly to get that win.

9. Fulton County (8-7) - W at Fulton City 74-50, W vs Graves Co. 80-76, W vs Hickman Co. 81-59, W at CCA 80-48

This week: Tues vs McCracken Co., Thurs at St. Mary

What a week for the Pilots!!!  Four wins which included a 22-point win over Hickman County and also an overtime win versus Graves.  When's the last time the Pilots beat Graves County?  I have no idea.

10. Carlisle Co. (11-10) - L at Hickman Co. 65-73, L at Tilghman 53-79, W at Fulton City 67-26

Tues vs Fulton City, Thurs vs Crittenden Co.

The Comets are still the #1 seed in the 1st District tourney and will face winless Fulton City in the semifinals.  They're the #1 seed in the tourney, but not sure they're the favorite.

11. Christian Fellowship (18-7)

12. Hickman Co. (9-14)

13. Community Christian Acad. (5-18)

14. Ballard Memorial (2-23)

15. Fulton City (0-14)