3 weeks in to the season, and I’m not sure there is a clear favorite in the region. At this point, I think anyone in the top 9, with the right matchup, could be a regional champion contender. Teams 10-14 could all be difficult outs for any team in the postseason. Here’s this week’s rankings:

1.       Washington County (LW: 1)

2.       Elizabethtown (2)

3.       Taylor County (3)

4.       North Hardin (6)

5.       Central Hardin (5)

6.       Larue County (8)

7.       Bardstown (7)

8.       Bethlehem (4)

9.       Adair County (9)

10.   Campbellsville (11)

11.   Caverna (12)

12.   Green County (13)

13.   Hart County (10)

14.   Nelson County (14)

15.   Fort Knox (18)

16.   John Hardin (15)

17.   Marion County (16)

18.   Thomas Nelson (17)

 

1.       Washington County, (6-2) The Commanders hold on to the top spot this week. The Commanders went 2-1 on the week with wins over district opponents Bardstown and Nelson County. Their one loss this week came to 12^th Region foe Danville. Washington County travels to Elizabethtown for a game Tuesday night and finish the week with the Capital City Classic. They play Eastern in the first game. Eastern and Washington County should be the two favorites to win that tournament.

 

2.       Elizabethtown, (4-3) The Panthers had a light week with only 1 game on the schedule. It was a 25-point win against John Hardin. The Panthers have 2 games this week, hosting Fort Knox on Monday and hosting #1 Washington County on Tuesday night.

 

3.       Taylor County (6-1) Taylor County went 2-1 on the week, securing a district win against Adair County. The Cardinals traveled to PRP for the Mac’s Holiday Classic. They dropped their first game against St. X and then held on for a 1-point win against Oldham County. They finish up in PRP with a game against Lafayette. They then travel to Edmonson County for 3 games in the Rafferty’s Caveland Classic.

 

4.       North Hardin (5-2) The Trojans move up two spots this week. They had only 1 game this last week. A 40-point win against Meade County. It’s a busy week for the Trojans and a chance to test themselves as they travel to Madisonville-North Hopkins for the First United Bank Holiday Classic. Along with North Hardin and Madisonville-North Hopkins, the tournament features Bowling Green, Owensboro Catholic, University Heights, Owensboro, Hopkinsville, and Webster County.

 

5.       Central Hardin (4-5) The Bruins hold steady at #5 despite dropping both games they played this week. All five losses on the season have come against quality competition which will help them down the stretch. They dropped a 1-point game to Boyle County and then suffered a 9-point loss to Boyd County the next day. The Bruins travel north to St. Henry on Tuesday for their only game of the week.

 

6.       Larue County (5-3) The Hawks move up a couple of spots this week after going 2-1 this week. They picked up a much-needed district win against Green County. Then the Hawks went to Fairdale for the King of the Bluegrass Tournament. They won their first game against Fairdale 73-67, but then dropped their next game to Lyon County by 19. Larue finishes up at the KOB on Monday with a game against George Rogers Clark.

 

7.       Bardstown (3-4) Boo Brewer’s club goes 1-1 on the week. Their win on Friday night snapped a 4-game skid. They lost earlier in the week to Washington County. They visit Madison Southern this week for the Lee’s Famous Recipe Holiday Classic. Their first game is against Danville Christian Academy, which should be a really fun game.

 

8.       Bethlehem (4-3) The Eagles had a tough week and as a result drop to #8. The week started with just a 2-point loss to Anderson County and then ended with a 10-point loss to Bardstown. With Bardstown losing to Nelson, if Nelson could find another district win against Bardstown, Bethlehem or Washington County, it could make district seeding very interesting. The Eagles play in the Whittaker Country Christmas Tournament on Monday and Tuesday. I think the Eagles could go 3-0 in that tournament.

 

9.       Adair County (6-3) The Indians hold steady at #9. They go 1-2 this week. A 28-point loss to Taylor County was the lowlight of the week for them. They were able to scratch out a 2-point win against Glasgow and then dropped a game to Grayson County to end the week. If the Indians are going to be competitive this year, they have to get some help for Connor Loy. They travel to Bullitt Central and Monroe County with a home game against Nicholas County sandwiched in between this week.

 

10.   Campbellsville (5-4) The Eagles had their best week of the season, going 3-0. They got a much needed district win against Marion County on Tuesday night, and followed that up with an overtime win against Caverna and then a 5-point win against Apollo. They only have 1 game on the schedule this week. They host Somerset Christian, before hosting the Campbellsville High School Holiday Classic next week.

 

11.   Caverna (6-3) The Colonels were just 2 points away from being in the top 10 this week. They had a very impressive win against 4^th region rival Barren County and then a 20-point win against Nelson County. They just couldn’t quite pull out the win against Campbellsville and lost in overtime. Caverna might just be the most improved team in the region. They head to Ohio County for 3 games this week, with the potential to bring home the 1^st place trophy.

 

12.   Green County (3-5) The Dragons just can’t seem to get any sustained momentum going. They finished last week with the upset win against Bardstown, but then Larue County wins by 12 in a game that didn’t feel that close. The Dragons rebounded with a district win against Hart County. If Green can’t prove that they can play with Caverna or Larue County, it won’t matter much if they are 3 or 4 seed going into the district. They open up the Legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Challenge against South Laurel. South Laurel looks to be the favorite to win that tournament.

 

13.   Hart County (2-4) The Raiders returned to the court after a week lay-off from the flu and the result was 3 games and 3 losses. They lost by 9 to Edmonson County, dropped an OT game to Russellville and then a 6-point loss to Green County. The silver lining should be that after that long of a lay-off, they were competitive in all 3 games. Hart County travels to Logan County for Roy’s BBQ/First Southern National Bank Shootout. Their first game is against Calhoun Academy out of St. Matthews, South Carolina.

 

14.   Nelson County (2-6) The Cardinals seemed to be building some momentum. They ended last week with the win against Bardstown, then got a 2^nd district win against Thomas Nelson. The win streak was over at 2 though. They dropped 2 games, each by 20 points, to Washington County and Caverna. They host Nicholas County this week before heading to Columbia Illinois for a post-Christmas tournament.

 

15.   Fort Knox (2-4) The Golden Eagles found the win column twice this week. They beat John Hardin on Tuesday night. It was the first win for the Golden Eagles against John Hardin in 20 years. A stretch of 42 games, dating back to John Hardin’s first year in existence. The next two games came against Homeschool groups. They lost to LKY out of Louisville by 8 and then absolutely pummeled Wellspring Guardians out of Richmond, 85-17. This is the first time since I’ve been compiling the weekly ratings that Fort Knox has not been ranked 18^th. They travel to Elizabethtown on Monday night for their only game this week.

 

16.   John Hardin (0-9) The Bulldogs top the 3 remaining winless teams in the region. Losses to Ft. Knox (see above) St. X and Elizabethtown rounded out their schedule. The Bulldogs despite not having near the scoring talent that they had last year, are still playing quality competition. I think they’ll get in the win column sooner rather than later. They don’t play any games this week, but head to Campbellsville next week for Campbellsville’s Christmas tournament.

 

17.   Marion County (0-7) The Knights had another winless week. They dropped 2 games to Campbellsville and then an opening round game of the Autism Holiday Classic that they are hosting, to Letcher County Central. They play Fern Creek on Monday, and Bath County on Tuesday.

 

18.   Thomas Nelson (0-6) Terrence Miles is still looking for his first career win as a head coach. If it’s going to happen before Christmas, it looks like their best chance could come against Trigg County at the KME Classic. Todd County Central should be the favorite to win that tournament.

Bump.

It is telling when you notice that not one team from the 5th region is ranked in the AP top 20. Competition level is not where it has been in recent years in this region.

17 hours ago, Hardin County Preps said:

It is telling when you notice that not one team from the 5th region is ranked in the AP top 20. Competition level is not where it has been in recent years in this region.

I've been following the 5th Region for over 20 years. This may be the most down season across the region that I can remember. I thought Central would win a couple of those close games they have lost. Etown doesn't have the talent that they've had the last few years (still a couple of good players) but you can't ever count out a Coach Haire team. Larue is down, but they have been impressive this week at the KOB. Washington has talent but I think they may be a year away, maybe need a little more seasoning. After seeing most every team play now, I think North Hardin is the sleeper team. It seems to be a different culture in Radcliff right now and the players are buying in to the new coach. Caverna, might be the most improved team.

Central Hardin just needs better coaching. All the talent in the world means nothing with mediocre coaching. I agree that coach Haire will have Elizabethtown playing better as the season progresses. I plan on catching Central Hardin at North Hardin on January 6th.