1st Region Week 10 Review and Rankings

Murray is back!  Great win at Calloway!

Key games this week:

Tues - Calloway Co. at McCracken Co. (Region 1 Game of the Week), Marshall Co. at Murray, St. Mary at Tilghman, Mayfield at Carlisle Co.

Fri - Graves Co. at McCracken Co., Calloway Co. at Marshall Co., Fulton Co. at Carlisle Co.

Sat - Tilghman at Warren Central

Here are my rankings:

1. McCracken Co. (22-3) - W 61-50 at Tilghman, L 39-47 Henderson Co.

I'm giving the Mustangs a pass for their loss against Henderson - it is my understanding that they had some players out nursing some nagging injuries (nothing serious though I believe).  Tilghman could not guard Jack McCune on Friday night.  He had 28 points on 10 for 13 shooting.  When Tilghman had a big on him - he would easily drive and make a layup.  When Tilghman put a guard on him then he went to the block and posted up for an easy bucket.  McCune is an excellent outside shooter too, and that's why I believe he will end up being the 1st Region Player of the Year.  Tilghman led that game for most of the first 3 quarters, and then McCune took over late.

2. Murray (13-8) - W 42-41 at Calloway Co.

Grant Whitaker has returned and Murray got a very nice road win this week.  If you'll remember - I had Murray as 1st in my preseason rankings, but missing Whitaker really hurt them early in the season.  I think they are one of the best teams in the Region upon his return.

3. Calloway Co. (19-6) - L 41-42 vs Murray, W 60-37 vs St. Mary

Tough loss to Murray but then a nice bounce-back to easily defeat the Vikings.  The Lakers get a shot at the Mustangs on Tuesday and I made that my 1st Region Game of the Week.  If Finley and Butler get hot then I think the Lakers have a chance in that game.  Then on Friday the Lakers travel to Marshall, and that's a tough place to play.

4. Paducah Tilghman (18-7) - L 61-50 vs McCracken Co., W 70-65 vs Marshall Co.

As I mentioned above - Tilghman needs to do a better job guarding Jack McCune, but that's much easier said than done.  The Tornado had an 11-point lead in the 3rd quarter before McCune took over the game.  An excellent win the next night to sweep the Marshals on the season.  Tilghman heads to Warren Central on Saturday - what a test!

5. Mayfield (18-5) - W 47-39 vs Graves Co., W 83-58 at Crittenden County

The Cardinals won the Battle of the Birds in a close one.  That means that the Cardinals will get the one seed in the 3rd District and will get to avoid Ballard or Graves in the semifinals.  

6. Marshall Co. (18-7) - W 62-20 vs CFS, L 65-70 at Tilghman

Who will get the #1 seed in the 4th District?  Your guess is as good as mine as all of Marshall, Calloway and Murray have pretty similar district records right now.  The Marshals will host the Lakers on Friday in a very important district game.  

7. Graves Co. (8-17) - L 39-47 at Mayfield

Lately the Eagles have had some very close games in the 1st Region, but just can't seem to pull out the wins.  I still think this is a very dangerous team that I would not qant to play in the first round of the Region 1 tournament.  

8. Carlisle Co. (11-11) - W 83-76 vs Ballard Mem., L 55-62 at CCA

A nice home win against the Bombers followed up by a tough loss to Comm. Chirstian Academy.  Friday night is a key 1st District game as the Comets host Fulton County.

9. Ballard Mem. (17-8) - L 76-83 at Carlisle Co.

This Bombers team really scores a lot of points!  Jace Birney is averaging 19 points per game this season.

10. St. Mary (10-13) - L 37-60 at Calloway

Earlier in the year the Vikings gave Tilghman all they wanted before Tilghman pulled out the narrow win in the end.  Can the Vikings spoil Tilghman's Senior Night on Tuesday?

11. Hickman Co. (8-14)

12. Fulton Co. (10-7)

13. Community Chirstian Acad. (13-11)

14. Christian Fellowship (5-16)

15. Fulton City (3-16)