The week held some incredibly competitive games between regional opponents and we continue to define who the early season standout teams are. The region now turns its head towards holiday tournaments for the next couple of weeks featuring some stout matchups between regional contenders here in the 12th and squads they usually don't get to play.

Rankings

1. Pulaski County - The Maroons' undefeated start continues as they are now up to eight wins on the year following victories over Wayne County and Somerset. Pulaski had to survive a dismal shooting night at the Briar Patch as they made just 2 of 17 attempted three point shots. Barek Williams was able to power the Maroons to victory and preserve the undefeated streak with 20 points. They play in Madison Southern's Lee's Famous Recipe Holiday Classic and open with Lloyd Memorial of the 9th region.

2. Danville Christian - The Warriors fell to the Golden Lions of Garrard County but defeated West Jessamine by four in overtime. Titus Boyd scored 24 in the victory. Lual Ayiei has his rebounding average up to 11 per game. DCA takes on district foe Boyle County before headed off to Madison Southern's Lee's Famous Recipe Holiday Classic where they open with Bardstown.

3. Lincoln County - The Patriots squeaked past West Jessamine in overtime before dispatching East Jessamine later in the week. Connor Davis averages right around 6 points per game but was a key contributor in the victory over West Jessamine, scoring 16. The Patriots take on Henderson County in the opening round of the Central Bank Jim Rose Classic at Lexington Christian.

4. Danville - This truly might as well have been 2a, 2b, and 2c and they are all in the same district. Danville has lost just one game so far and it was game number 2 of the year against the now undefeated Pulaski County Maroons. The Ads defeated Mercer County in overtime by 2 behind Owen Barnes 22 points and 10 rebounds. They followed that up with a 3 point win over Washington County. Danville now travels to Gatlinburg for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic.

5. Wayne County - The Cardinals have been through some adversity. They finished last year 2 and 8 in their last ten games. Their top rebounder from last year, who was also their 3rd leading scorer, left the team unexpectedly. But here they are, having a successful start to this year. Behind their top two scorers, Kendall Phillips and Mason Burchett, are Kayden Phillips and Seth Farmer who have both risen to fill holes left in the roster. They fell to Pulaski before defeating Mercer County and Scott (TN). They play in the Arby's/KFC Classic at McCreary Central where they play Somerset, Barbourville, and Morristown-Hamblen East (TN).

6. Somerset - The Briar Jumpers split the week, defeating Casey County but falling to Lincoln County. Ben Gody is leading the team in points per game with 19.7 and rebounds per game with 8.3.  They play in the Arby's/KFC Classic at McCreary Central scheduled to take on Wayne County, Cordia, and the hosting Raiders.

7. Boyle County - The Rebels are making their slow and steady rise back into the higher tiers of the region. They defeated Rockcastle County and Central Hardin before falling on the road to 9th region contender Highlands. They host Danville Christian and Spencer County this week.

8. West Jessamine - The Colts have talent. The Colts have an experience and distinguished coach. The Colts have experience. The problem is they need to blend that altogether into a winning formula. They had two contenders on the ropes but fell to both Lincoln County and DCA in overtime to drop to 2 - 5 on the year. Jacob Jones had 21 in the loss to the Patriots. They open with Calloway County in the Central Bank Jim Rose Classic at Lexington Christian. 

9. Garrard County - The Golden Lions have gotten hot and had three wins last week, defeating East Jessamine, DCA, and Bell County. Ethan Cooper, 28.2 points per game, continues to wow the region. They travel to Montgomery County this week to play in the distinguished Gateway Holiday Classic where they open up against Johnson Central.

10. Mercer County - The Titans took Danville to overtime but lost by two and also lost to Wayne County before finishing the week up with a win over Somerset Christian. They travel to Gatlinburg to play in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic.

11. McCreary County Central - The Raiders defeated Williamsburg and Southwestern before falling to Breathitt County. They host the Arby's/KFC Classic this week.

12. Casey County - Casey County prevailed over Rockcastle County by 6 after falling to Somerset. They play in the Sayre School Jim Lankster Classic.

13. Rockcastle County - The Rockets fell to Boyle County and Casey County. They play in Clinton County's Twin Lakes Holiday Classic this week. 

14. Southwestern - The Warriors beat Somerset Christian and lost to McCreary Central. They travel to East Jessamine before playing in the Rafferty's Caveland Classic at Edmonson County.

15. East Jessamine - The Jaguars fell to Garrard County and Lincoln County. They play Southwestern before heading to the Capital City Classic Holiday Tournament.

16. Somerset Christian School - The Cougars lost to Southwestern but beat Oneida Baptist. They ended the week with a loss to Mercer County. They play Campbellsville on the road.

17. Burgin - The Bulldogs defeated Trinity Christian by 3. They face Frankfort Christian and Robertson County on the road.

18. Trinity Christian - The Titans fell to Burgin before defeating Whitefield Academy. They travel north to Villa Madonna before the break.

19. Kentucky School for the Deaf - They remain off until mid-January.

Somerset lost to Pulaski Co in a tight one.  Not Lincoln Co.  A ton of parity in this region in the early going.  I expect much of the same throughout the season.

I love the Holidays but can't wait to see the first couple weeks in January. These teams will be battling to the buzzer. Should be really fun. 

Bump.