BluegrassPreps.com 1st Region Week 2 Review and Rankings

There  are a few changes in my below rankings.  A couple surprise teams so far in the 1st Region - the Marshalls and the Bombers!

Key games this week:

Tues - McCracken at Mayfield, Murray at Marshall, Tilghman at St. Mary, Ballard Mem. at Hickman

Thurs - Mayfield at Hickman, Graves at Ballard Mem.

Fri - McCracken at Marshall, Graves at Tilghman

Sat - Murray vs Calloway (at Murray St.), Marshall at Mayfield

Here are the week 2 rankings:

1. McCracken Co. (4-0) - W at University Heights 58-46, W vs Pope John Paul (TN) 76-54

The Mustangs are rolling so far with McCune (21 ppg) and Hart (19 ppg) leading the way.  Yes they are big guys, but these two also lead the way in three pointers made so far this season.  Two tough road tests for the Mustangs this week - Tuesday they go to Mayfield and Friday they are at Marshall.  I think they are a favorite in both of those games, but both opponents are undefeated so far this year.

2. Murray (4-2) - L vs University Heights 53-60, W Muhlenberg Co. 55-52, L Clarksville Academy (TN) 49-62

I feel a little wrong for dropping the Tigers due to losses without Grant Whitaker.  But I did it anyways.  He has a hand (or wrist) injury and I do not know when he is expected to return.  If you think about it - missing Whitaker is probably a good opportunity  to develop some other guys.  And it's not like they will need a lot of time to get him some experience with the team.  If you are in the Murray area on Saturday night - make sure you check out the game against Calloway at Murray State.

3. Tilghman (3-1) - W at Henderson Co. 63-59, W at Christian Co. 62-61

Two good wins for the Tornado on the road against some pretty good 2nd Region teams.  I thought this team would be a two-man show, and it looks like that is correct.  Powell and Shaw are scoring 24 and 19 points per game respectively.  And in the three games that both Powell and Shaw both played - the rest of the team only scored an average of 18 points combined.  The Tornado will host Graves on Friday, and that could be a tricky one.

4. Mayfield (3-0) - W vs Fulton City 70-12, W at Fort Campbell 72-29, W S. Gibson (TN) 56-46

Not much in the way of tests yet for the Cardinals.  But we will know what they're made of after this week.  They host the Mustangs on Tuesday and then the Marshals on Saturday.

5. Calloway Co. (5-1) - W at Graves Co. 55-46, W vs West Carroll (TN) 76-46, W vs Trinity Christian 69-62

I have to admit that I struggled ranking these 3 to 5 teams in my preseason ranking, and I honestly may have had the Lakers too low.  But Tilghman and Mayfield have not yet done anything wrong to lose their rankings.  Eli Finley (Soph) is scoring 28 points per game and I am looking forward to seeing him play.  The Lakers had an impressive win at Graves and they have some tough tests this week.

6. Marshall Co. (5-0) - W at Carlisle Co. 84-53, W at Graves Co. 74-59

One of the big surprises in the 1st Region so far this year!  Wade Moore is leading the way with 15 ppg, but the Marshals have a pretty balanced scoring attack.  Who made the Marshals schedule this year???  They're half-crazy but I like it!  Tuesday they have Murray, Friday they have McCracken, and Saturday they have Mayfield.

7. Ballard Memorial (4-1) - W at St. Mary 70-45, W at CFS 92-58, W vs Pope Co (IL) 82-54

The other surprise in the region so far this year!  The wins they had this week didn't surprise me, but the margins of victory were impressive.  The Bombers sure are scoring some points!  Jace Birney is scoring 19 points per game and Jerrico Wilson is scoring 11.

8. Graves Co. (2-3) - L vs Calloway Co. 46-55, L vs Marshall Co. 59-74

A little bit of a disappointing start for the Eagles, but I look for this team to get better as the season progresses.  I didn't think I would be real interested in the Ballard Memorial game, but now this appears to be a key game in the 3rd District

9. Carlisle Co. (3-2) - L vs Marshall Co. 53-84, W vs Hickman Co. 70-66 (OT), W vs CCA 83-79 (2OT)

Two very nice wins in Overtime for the Comets this week.  I still think they are the favorite in the 1st district, but not by much.

10. Fulton Co. (4-0) - W vs Halls (TN) 65-34, W vs CCA 57-48

Great start so far this season!

11. Hickman Co. (1-4)

12. St. Mary (2-3)

13. CCA (3-4)

14. CFS (0-5)

15. Fulton City (0-4)