After this week I think this region is wide open.  McCracken is the clear favorite right now, but the Marshals (my #5 ranking) gave them all they wanted Friday night in a very close game.

Key games this week:

Mon - Mayfield at Murray, McCracken v Augusta (Mason Co Invitational), Tilghman vs Louisville Ballard (Rumble on the River at Otis Dinning), 

Tues - Calloway Co. vs West Jessamine (Central Bank Classic), Murray vs Lou. Ballard (Rumble on the River)

My rankings:

1. McCracken Co. (7-0) - W at Mayfield 55-37, W at St. Mary 67-33, W vs Marshall Co. 48-44

I need to give some credit to Jack McCune.  He is averaging 19 points and 7 rebounds for the Mustangs, and he also leads the team in 3-pointers made for the season.  Coach Croft from Mayfield described him as a "matchup problem."  Remember that the Mustangs went undefeated in the region last year before being upset by Tilghman in the district tourney and Murray in the regional tourney.  Can they repeat their Region 1 regular season unbeaten streak?

2. Paducah Tilghman (6-1) - W vs CCA 89-63, W at St. Mary 59-46, W vs Graves Co. 82-53

The Vikings played Tilghman very tough and led most of the game before the Tornado pulled away in the 4th quarter.  Jayvion Powell is scoring 23 points per game in an impressive start to his season.  Tilghman will get a very tough test against Louisville Ballard tonight in the Rumble on the River.  If you are in the Paducah area Monday or Tuesday night - check out some impressive basketball hosted by Tilghman at Otis Dinning Gym.

3. Calloway Co. (7-1) - W at Dresden (TN) 64-40, W vs Murray 50-34

I'll be honest - I don't know if Tilghman or Calloway is the better team right now.  And remember that we possibly will see those two teams battle it out for the 2A Sectional title in early January.  I expected the Murray/Calloway game to be a nail-biter, even with Whitaker missing the game.  However, Calloway won it pretty easily.  Eli Finley is playing excellent basketball right now.

4. Mayfield (5-1) - L vs McCracken 37-55, W at Hickman 66-50, W vs Marshall Co. 70-58

A very nice win for the Cardinals over the Marshals!  This is a team that I expect will get better and better as the season goes on - they added several football players to the team a week before they began games.  Also, this team has a very balanced scoring attack.

5. Marshall Co. (6-2) - W vs Murray 59-45, L at McCracken 44-48, L at Mayfield 58-70

I think it's very possible that the Marshals simply ran out of gas with a tough game at McCracken Friday night and then a visit to the Cardinals on Saturday.  This team still has been the biggest surprise for me so far this year and I think they are a contender in Region 1.  They are led by several seniors and they also have a very balanced scoring attack.

6. Murray (4-4) - L at Marshall Co. 45-59, L vs Calloway Co. 34-50

I still think this is one of the best two teams in the region once Grant Whitaker returns.  Remember that he was my favorite for Region 1 Player of the Year.  I do not know a timetable for his return - it is my understanding that he has a hand/wrist injury.  I expect that when Whitaker returns the Tigers will climb back up these rankings.

7. Graves Co. (3-4) - W at Ballard Mem. 73-71, L at Tilghman 53-82

Awesome buzzer-beater by Lukas Pigg to knock off the Bombers.  This is another team that I believe will get better as the year goes on.  Cole Mills just joined the team and he will help the Eagles moving forward.

8. Ballard Memorial (6-2) - W at Hickman Co. 64-56, L vs Graves Co 71-73, W Livingston Central 66-51

Tough loss at the buzzer to Graves, but they had a solid win over Hickman County earlier in the week.

9. Fulton Co. (7-0) - W vs Cairo (IL) 80-50, W vs Caldwell Co. 71-63

The Pilots are one of only two undefeated teams in the 1st Region, but they have played a pretty light schedule so far this year in terms of competition.  I'm interested to see if they are a true contender for the 1st district title.

10. Carlisle Co. (5-2) - W at Fulton City 733-34, W Dawson Springs 90-56

Never count the Comets out for the 1st District title!

11. Hickman Co. (2-6)

12. St. Mary (3-5)

13. Community Christian Acad. (5-5)

14. Christian Fellowship (1-6)

15. Fulton City (0-6)

Bump.