Courier Journal rankings of all the Sweet 16® Teams

[theguru]

They also have a small write up on each team.

1. Ballard
2. Elizabethtown
3. Bowling Green
4. Highlands
5. Ashland
6. Madison Central
7. Oldham County
8. McCracken County
9. Boyle County
10. Muhlenberg County
11. George Rogers Clark
12. Knox Central
13. Bullitt East
14. University Heights
15. Paintsville
16. Knott County Central

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/high-school/sports-awards/2021/03/29/ranking-field-kentucky-high-school-boys-sweet-16/7046772002/

[theguru]

Is that about right?  Anything you would change?

[Tigerpride94]

Looks good to me. MaxPreps & Massey ratings both have Ballard #1 out of these teams, so Ballard the team to beat. Could be some surprises though.

[DragonFire]

The top four is definitely how I'd have it.  Pre-postseason I'd have had Ashland at 5, but I feel a lot better about how Madison Central has looked since the postseason began.  It's splitting hairs below that point because I can say with a lot of confidence that I expect the winner will come from those top five teams in his list.  I think the road is too tough for Madison Central, and Highlands and Ashland have a massive advantage due to draw. 

[redleg13]

Great article and helped edify me here in the western hinterlands. Thanks guru!

[Randy Parker]

I'd put Madison Central at #5.  I might swap McCracken County and Oldham County, but as DF said, that's probably splitting hairs. 

Pretty good job by the CJ overall. 

[mcpapa]

And for purposes of comparison, here are the RPIs for each team.

1.  Ballard  .7208

2.  Bowling Green  .7185

3.  Elizabethtown  .7038

4.  Highlands  .6879

5.  Ashland  .6876

6.  Muhlenberg County  .6782

7.  Boyle County  .6689

8.  Oldham County  .6497

9.  George Rogers Clark  .6386

10.  McCracken County  .6277

11.  Madison Central  .6228

12.  Knox Central  .6001

13.  Knott Central County (an homage to PP92)  .5878

14.  Paintsville  .5781  .

15.  University Heights  .5686

16.  Bullitt East  .5533

[ColonelMike]

I think it's a pretty solid ranking.   I personally would have Ashland lower by several spots, and I strongly suspect McCracken is a bit too high.    

But overall, it looks pretty solid to me.