We have the 1st Region All A Classic beginning on Tuesday.   Here are the key games for this week:

Tuesday - McCracken Co. at Marshall Co., Tilghman at Graves Co., St. Mary at Carlisle Co. (All A), Ballard Mem. at Hickman Co. (All A)

Friday - Calloway Co. vs DeSales (2A State Tourney), Graves Co. at Marshall Co.

Here are this week's rankings:

1. McCracken Co. (14-0) - W 52-47 vs Hopkinsville, W 63-62 vs Owensboro

I did not expect for both of the Mustang games this week to be nail-biters, but both of them came down to the wire.  Jack McCune hit the game-winning shot as time expired to knock off Owensboro.  It's important to note that the Mustangs are playing without Ian Hart right now, and he is their 2nd-leading scorer.  I have heard that he will return hopefully in a couple of weeks.  The game Tuesday at Marshall will not be a cakewalk!

2. Calloway Co. (14-3) - W 77-64 at Carlisle Co., W 75-54 Union Co., W 66-58 Tilghman (2A Sectional Championship)

The Lakers repeat as the Section 1 2A Champions!  It is my understanding that the Tornado led much of the game, but Calloway got hot from deep in the 4th quarter and pulled the game out.  This team seems to be getting better and better, and remember that 3 of their top 4 scorers are Sophomores led by Eli Finley.

3. Paducah Tilghman (11-5) - W 69-57 at Hopkins Central, W 61-50 at Webster Co., L 58-66 Calloway Co.

Two solid wins against 2nd Region foes and then they came up short in the 2A Championship game.  Tilghman won pretty easily against Graves earlier in the year, but I think this game will be much tougher at the Eagles nest.

4. Murray (8-7) - W 66-57 at Graves Co., W 84-38 vs Cairo (IL)

I have not heard anything recently on Grant Whitaker, and it is my understanding that the Bellarmine commit has a wrist injury.  I still think that the Tigers are a favorite in the All A Classic along with Mayfield.

5. Mayfield (10-3) - W 66-45 vs Ballard Mem., W 73-32 vs S. Fulton (TN), W 51-39 at Graves Co.

A convincing win against the Bombers early in the week and then the Cardinals won the Battle of the Birds over Graves.  The Cardinals are the All A Classic 2 Seed and will most likely have a rematch against Ballard on Friday night if the seeds hold true.

6. Marshall Co. (12-3) - W 67-42 at Hopkins Central

I will admit that there is not much at all that is separating the rankings 3 through 6.  The Marshals have a big chance to jump up in the rankings if they can knock off the Mustangs on Tuesday night.  That one is my Region 1 Game of the Week (TM)

7. Graves Co. (5-10) - L 57-66 vs Murray, L 39-51 vs Mayfield

A good chance on Tuesday for the Eagles to get a signature win over Tilghman!  I expect that the game will be pretty close.

8.  St. Mary (6-9) - W 74-51 vs Dawson Springs, W 60-47 at CCA

The Vikings go to Carlisle on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the ALL A Classic.  That should be a barn-burner!

9. Ballard Memorial (11-5) - L 45-66 at Mayfield, W 95-64 vs CFS

The Bombers will get a second try to beat the Cardinals in this week's ALL A.

10. Carlisle Co. (7-6) - L 64-77 vs Calloway, W 65-58 vs Fulton Co.

A nice 1st district win over Fulton County this week.  On Tuesday they play St. Mary - that one is a tossup.

11. Fulton Co. (9-3)

12. Hickman Co. (4-10)

13. Community Christian Acad. (7-7)

14. Christian Fellowship (3-7)

15. Fulton City (2-10)

 

I hope Hart returns to the Mustangs soon. His absence hurt in the District and Region last year.

McCracken just finds ways to win. Even when they play bad they find a way to pull games out. New coach and they just don't miss a beat.