1. Lincoln County (8-5)

The Patriots have had one of the toughest schedules so far this season in the 12th, and went 2-2 in the 5/3 Invitational at LexCath, with their losses coming to DeSales and Simon Kenton. Coach Jackson's schedule mainly consists of 12th Region teams from here on out. Look for a strong finish by the Patriots.

 

2. West Jessamine (6-5)

West Jessamine is on a two-game winning streak, but had lost five of their last six before that. Coach Hammonds' Colts are 2-2 in the region and travel to Casey County Tuesday.

 

3. McCreary Central (9-4)

The Raiders swept their tourney, but it wasn't easy. Their last two games were wins, but by a combined three points. They beat 13th Region foe Barbourville by one, and held their breath as a last second layup by John Perkins of Pulaski County rimmed out. They only have 5 remaining home games, and 9 away games, including East Jessamine, Lincoln, Southwestern, and Somerset.

 

4. East Jessamine (5-8)

E. Jessamine is 1-3 in their last four games, and were thrashed by region rival Boyle County at the LCI tournament. The Jaguars have had one of the most suprisingly bad seasons so far, as they were projected #2 team in the region. They lost by 20 @ Lincoln, beat Boyle at home by 11, but lost to them in the LCI by 14. Inconsistency has struck the Jags, and Coach O'Bryan needs to turn it around.

 

5. Southwestern (6-4)

The Warriors have won five of their last seven games, but were beat soundly by region opponent East Jessamine. Two big wins over Taylor and Metcalfe send Coach Schultz's Warriors into mainly region action with high hopes.

 

6. Wayne County (8-5)

Cardinal Nation have things to be excited for. Wayne County has almost tripled their win total from last year, and beat region rival Casey by 14; although they failed to win their tourney, finishing 3-1. The Cards have a pretty tough schedule remaining, minus a few (Onieda, Monticello.)

 

7. Mercer County (8-4)

The new-look Titans are the good suprise of 2006-07. They're 1-1 against regional opponents, and have yet to face a district foe. The Titans are still considered a darkhorse, in my opinion, and will have a tough time making it to regions with East and West Jessamine in their district.

 

8. Pulaski County (9-5)

Pulaski was previously on a seven-game winning streak, and I think that started with the addition of Ty Perkins. They rolled through the BMC tournament, and almost did the same with the Arby's KFC Classic, but a John Perkins layup rimmed out as time expired and host McCreary Central hung on for the win.

 

9. Boyle County (4-6)

The Rebels are 1-1 against East Jessamine, and 1-0 against West, but they were blewout by Franklin and Bishop Brossart. Three of their six losses have came by a combined six points against quality opponents. Coach Bottoms plans to have this team ready for the rest of their extremely tough schedule.

 

10. Garrard County (8-6)

The Lions of Garrard have turned some heads. They're 34 points away from being on an 11-game winning streak. They went 2-1 in the Arby's KFC Holiday Classic, their only loss to Cumberland County due to poor shooting. If this team can find their stroke from beyond the arc and can keep up their amazing hustle, they'll be a team capable of winning every night.

 

NOTE

Again, remember this isn't who is the BEST team OVERALL. This is who is doing the BEST right NOW. For example: The AP Poll. Duke isn't the 5th best team in the nation, but they're record and how they have played recently has them there. This changes frequently.

Mercer will kick a lot of teams before this season is over. You have them severely underrated. Pulaski will be tough to beat when they jell. West Jess's coach will keep them from overachieving. Garrard is better than expected.

10. Garrard County (8-6)

The Lions of Garrard have turned some heads. They're 34 points away from being on an 11-game winning streak. They went 2-1 in the Arby's KFC Holiday Classic, their only loss to Cumberland County due to poor shooting. If this team can find their stroke from beyond the arc and can keep up their amazing hustle, they'll be a team capable of winning every night.[/color]

 

We'll be able to see exactly where Garrard County stacks up in the region over the next couple of weeks. They host an improved Danville squad on Friday and follow that with a trip to Lincoln County the next Friday. The next weekend will pit the Lions in a home game with Boyle County. If they can be impressive, even without winning, then you can think about calling Garrard a top-10 team.

1. Lincoln- good W over Somerset, top team for now

2. West Jessamine- Solid Schedule-playing much better than anyone expected this year.

3. Mercer County- 9 wins so far very impressive since Football came out late

4. Boyle County- Tough Schedule, good Coaching will be there in the end.

5. McCreary Central- 10 wins so far and many more to come

6. Pulaski County- Seems to be playing well inside and out

7. East- capable of beating anyone when they play well

8. Wayne County- Solid fundamental play so far, nice team

9. Southwestern- Up and dowm so far but can shoot well on any given night

10. Somerset- Good team with size and depth

 

Good games already in the 12th with many more to come down the next couple of weeks.

Mercer will kick a lot of teams before this season is over. You have them severely underrated. Pulaski will be tough to beat when they jell. West Jess's coach will keep them from overachieving. Garrard is better than expected.

 

Quote above warrants an explanation. Apparently, you aren't a Hammonds fan. On what do you base your evaluation?

I thought he did a pretty good job at Bracken Co. with not a lot of talent. Always was competitive against the upper echelon teams.

Then you can think about calling Garrard a top-10 team.

 

I think they're a top ten team, but I don't know if they'll ever be any higher. Somerset should be in the top ten, but they are having a miserable year, despite nearly knocking off Lincoln @ Lincoln. Obviously, I didn't set this up as how I will see it at the end of the year because I think East will turn it around, as will Boyle and Somerset. I'm not taking anything away from the coach or the players of Pulaski, but I think they're likely to go on a downward slide to end the year, even though they have a few stat-padders in the schedule at the end.