8th Region Week 11 Review

By: Adrian Woj Burner

 

Review

Okay, here we go yet again. Like I said last week, the activity inside of all 8th region threads has been out of this world for weeks, and it continued again this most recent week! I love all the feedback and I can only hope that it gets better and better!

We have been awaiting this time all season, in just one short week it will be time for the postseason! I think we all figured that by this time in the season we would have a good idea on who we would see in the regional tournament, and the front-runners to win it. However, this is not the case. Almost every district tournament is wide open, and we are likely to see some of the best games all season in the coming weeks!

 

District Tournaments

Here is a look at each district tournament now that every seeding position is locked up. I am looking forward to next week, but a ton of teams that are expected to make the region have the potential of being knocked out, should be a great week of action!

 

 

Player of the Week

This week’s player of the week is Teagan Moore. The WKU commit had an incredible week as he is ramping up to break the 8th Region all-time scoring record, something that hasn’t been touched in 50 years! In Owen Counties 3 wins this week, Moore averaged 33.7 ppg and 11.3 rpg. While putting up these numbers he shot 63.6% from the field, 45.4% from 3, and 81.2% from the free throw line.

 

Game of the Week

I am not sure that there is any question what this weeks GOTW is. The 2 best teams in the region square off and is possibly the most anticipated matchup of the season, and is a great preview of what could be an 8th region championship matchup. North Oldham is currently ranked #1 in the region and #3 in the state. They are led by Dallas Roberts who averages 18.7 ppg. Collins is ranked #2 in the region and #13 in the state. They are led by Kenyon Goodin who is averaging 19.8 ppg. This should be a great contest, and I am certainly looking forward to it!

 

Rankings

 

1 – North Oldham Mustangs (21-5)

Just like weeks before, North Oldham continues to roll. Currently on a 10-game win streak, the ‘Stangs are looking to stretch that to 12 games heading into the postseason.

North Oldham had one game this week and came out on top 77-63 on the road against a sharpshooting Spencer County squad. Luke Anderson dominated the game with 24 points, 13 rebounds, had multiple blocks, and went a perfect 12/12 from the field. Dallas Roberts followed him with 18 points.

They have possibly the most anticipated game of the year for the 8th region this week, in what could possibly be a preview of the 8th region championship, and I am surely looking forward to it!

This Week: 2/14 vs #13 Collins (6:00) 2/17 vs St. Xavier

 

2 – Collins Titans (22-4)

The Titans had a pretty good week, going 1-1 with a loss to a good team. They have been stuck at the #2 spot all year but have a chance at the #1 team this week and it should be a good one.

They started off the week against St. Xavier, winning 65-43. Kenyon Goodin led the team with 19 points, and Quintin Simmons and Cole Harbin both added in 15. The team was impressive from behind the arc again, going 9/16 (56%).

On Saturday night, they hosted #16 Trinity, and wound up losing a close on 45-47. Stats are not posted for the low-scoring affair.

I am looking forward to their matchup against North Oldham, and the Titans are looking to hit their highest point of the season within the last week of the regular season.

This Week: 2/14 at #3 North Oldham (6:00) 2/17 at Christian Academy-Louisville (6:00)

 

3 – Grant County Braves (22-6)

After hitting their highest point of the season, the Braves took a slight step backwards this week, but still move up 1 spot in the rankings thanks to Simon Kenton’s struggles.

On Wednesday they traveled over to Walton-Verona to play in a slight preview matchup of the semifinals of the 32nd District. The Braves lost the game 47-49 but take it with a grain of salt. If I had to guess, neither team showed much ahead of their postseason matchup. Spencer Breeden who has found his groove recently led the team with 19 points, and Dylan Hammonds added in 15 points with 18 rebounds.

On the 10th, they traveled down to a struggling Shelby County squad. They blew out the Rockets, winning 73-54. Micah Willis led with 20 points going 9/10 from the field, Breeden added in 18, and Hammonds scored 14 with another 18-rebound night.

Grant County starts off the coming week in what should be a win, before hosting a top-20 team in the state to close out the season. If they can go 2-0 this week, the Braves will have some great momentum heading into district play.

This Week: 2/14 vs Gallatin County 2/16 vs #11 Mason County

 

4 – Owen County Rebels (21-7)

The Runnin’ Rebels are rolling, currently on a 5-game winning streak and have won 7 of their last 8 matchups.

They started off the week against Trimble County, picking up their 19th win of the season with the final score being 71-48. The front-runner for the 8th Region Player of the Year Teagan Moore had a monster night, scoring 41 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and going 17/19 from the line. Micah Shelton put in 16 to help.  

They went on to face Williamstown and won 80-64. Moore had another great night scoring 33 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Brax Ward scored 25 as well.

On Friday night, they traveled down to face an up and down Anderson County squad. It was a close game, but the Rebels came out on top winning 61-57. Moore again led with 27 points and the team was an impressive 53% from behind the arc.

Teagan Moore is inching closer and closer to the all-time 8th Region scoring record. After their game Friday night, he got within 100 points of the record, only 91 points away. It is looking like he will break it in these last few weeks of his senior season.

This Week: 2/14 at Shelby County 2/16 vs Simon Kenton

 

5 – Simon Kenton Pioneers (18-9)

Simon Kenton was a tough team to judge this week. They picked up 2 good wins, one of them with a team dealing with some injuries but had a horrendous loss. My destination for this team was the #5 rank but could’ve been higher or lower than this.

They started off the week on the road against a solid Campbell County squad. They came out victorious, winning 54-48. Travis Krohman led with 14 points, and Gabe Dynes added in 11 points while grabbing 13 rebounds.

Next, they travelled to play a 12-15 Scott team. They shockingly lost the game 46-52, and this questioned many people on the Pioneers legitimateness going into the postseason. Dynes led with 17 points, and Krohman was right behind him with 16.

On Saturday they went on the road for the 3rd time this week to face #11 in the state. Mason County was without their best player, and 3 of their key bench players. The Pioneers pulled off the upset against an injured squad, winning 45-42. Stats are not posted for the game.

There is one thing for certain, this team can play some defense. On the season they are only allowing 49.7 ppg, but their inconsistency on the offensive end has caused them to lose some of these low-scoring affairs. If they can find some consistency in the scoring margin, they could make some noise in the coming weeks.

This Week: 2/14 vs Boone County 2/16 at Owen County

 

6 – Spencer County Bears (19-7)

The Bears had a tough schedule this week, and I am sure they are coming out happy with their results.

They started off against #3 in the state and #1 in the region North Oldham. They made many pushes but couldn’t get it in reach to win the game and wound up losing 63-77. Luke Erhardt finished the game with 25 points, and Camden Cox followed with 16. The sharpshooting squad struggled from deep, going only 8/24 from 3.

Friday night they took a road trip up to Walton-Verona, in what was expected to be a shootout. According to some people at the game it was indeed a shootout, and the Bears won the game 83-78. Erhardt again led scoring 21 points. Kellen Marksbury and Jack Armstrong both had 15 points of their own. The Bears improved from 3 this game, going 16/30 in the game.

This Week: 2/13 vs Louisville Collegiate  2/17 at Bardstown

 

7 – Walton-Verona Bearcats (18-10)

The Bearcats overall had a very successful week, moving them up a spot this week in the rankings.

They started off against district-rival Grant County, and thanks to a game winning acrobatic layup by Aaron Gutman the Bearcats won 49-47. Gutman led with 20 points, and Zach Smith assisted with 14 points of his own. The sharpshooting squad struggled from 3, going 5/16.

Walton-Verona went on to lose to Spencer County 78-83, and defeated Henry County 87-51. Stats are not posted for either game.

They have an easy schedule to close out the year and are looking to bring a 3-game win streak into the 32nd District Tournament.

This Week: 2/13 at Carroll County 2/16 vs Newport Central Catholic

 

8 – Oldham County Colonels (15-12)

The Colonels had a great week, granite their schedule wasn’t the hardest out there. Picking up 3 wins, and their momentum will be much needed with a tough 2-game slate to close out the year.

They started off the week avenging their worst loss of their season to Doss, defeating them this time in blowout fashion 90-50. Luke Amburgey and Max Green both had 19 points, Adam Stinebruner had 17, and Logan Garr was right behind him with 16. The team was 47% from deep.

Next, they travelled north to face Gallatin County, winning 61-47. Green led in scoring with 25 points, Stinebruner and Amburgey both added in 10.

On Saturday night they picked up a huge win over a tough Jeffersontown team 71-70. Stats are not posted for the game.

As mentioned before their schedule this week is not easy, but if they can win both games, they will be for sure favorites over South Oldham in the first round of the 29th District Tournament.

This Week: 2/14 vs St. Xavier 2/16 at Great Crossing

 

9 – Woodford County Yellow Jackets (14-12)

Once again, Woodford County is a wild card. They have not played very many games in the region, only 1 game outside of their required district games. I do not keep up with teams within their area that they play in, so I don’t have the greatest feeling on the strength of opponents, however I know that they do not play an easy schedule.

Anyways, they started off the week with a 68-64 win against Western Hills. Makji Smith led with 28 points, the team only attempted 4 shots from 3 the whole game. Jasper Johnson did not play in the game.

They went on to lose to #11 Mason County 58-77, and defeated Harrison County 54-34. Stats are not posted for either game.

They close out the season with 1 game coming up and will have some time after to prepare for the almighty 30th District Tournament.

This Week: 2/14 vs Bardstown

 

10 – South Oldham Dragons (14-11)

The Dragons are starting to peak, and it is coming at just the right time. Currently on a 4-game winning streak, and with an easier schedule this week it is looking like they could be on a 6-game streak heading into their matchup against Oldham County with a regional appearance on the line.

They started the week with an 80-71 win over DeSales. Julian Miles led with 27 points, and Tate Holbrook followed with 20. The team was 11/27 from deep.

South Oldham went on to defeat Gallatin County on Saturday night. They dominated from the tip and won 88-67. Miles led again scoring 22 points, and Holbrook again was behind him with 18.

This coming week is extremely important for the Dragons, they need to continue to build their momentum going into the postseason.

This Week: 2/14 at Iroquois 2/16 at Carroll County

 

11 – Anderson County Bearcats (18-8)

The Bearcats have had some recent struggles, with only 8 losses on the season and 3 of them coming in the last 5 games. They picked up a win this week, but a loss against a good opponent came after.

They began the week travelling to Franklin County, winning 58-46. They then went on to compete with Owen County but wound up losing 57-61. Stats are not posted for either game.

This Week: 2/13 vs Christian Academy-Louisville 2/17 at Bullitt Central

 

12 – Eminence Warriors (15-11)

The Warriors being at the #12 spot this late in the season was very unexpected. They have been consistent all year, however their record has not been the easiest. Their strength of opponents makes it difficult for me to rank the Warriors this high, but they have performed well against the teams below them.

They began the week with a 73-62 win over Carroll County. Eminence went on to lose to Highlands Latin 78-85. They bounced back from the loss and defeated Whitefield Academy 68-37. Stats are not posted for any games.

This Week: 2/13 at Villa Madonna 2/16 vs Nelson County

 

13 – Williamstown Demons (13-14)

What looked like a promising start from the Demons, has slowly went downhill. Coach Cheeseman has been looking for his first winning record this season, and it looks like it will come down to the last week of the season. With their opponents in this coming up week, it is very doable for them to win both and end the regular season at 15-14.

They started the week with a 67-63 win at Shelby County. Honore Yangoua led with 21 points, Gunner Feagan followed with 19. The team was 13/30 from behind the arc.

Williamstown went on to lose to Owen County 64-80, and Trimble County 67-71. Stats are not posted for either game.

It will take a miracle for them to upset SK to appear in the region, and they will need a good week building up to the 32nd District Tournament.  

This Week: 2/14 at Dayton 2/16 vs Henry Clay

 

14 – Gallatin County Wildcats (11-16)

This growing Wildcats team came into the week with high hopes to defeat one of the teams on their grueling finish to their schedule. They came up short this week, with losses in both games. However, they picked up a big district win that would end up helping them claim the #2 seed in the 31st District Tournament to get a 1st-round bye.  

Gallatin County began the week with a 76-45 win over Henry County. Matthew Griffin led the squad with 28 points, and Kellen Dossett followed with 15.

They then began their brutal end of the season schedule against Oldham County and lost 47-61. Dossett led this game in scoring with 24 points, and Kasen Baker assisted with 11. The team was a rough 6/31 from behind the arc.

To end the week, they travelled down to South Oldham and lost 67-88. Stats are not posted for this game.

They end their regular season against a very tough opponent. One thing is for certain, this team will be experienced against good talent heading into the postseason.

This Week: 2/14 at Grant County

 

15 – Trimble County Raiders (14-13)

The Raiders of Trimble County had a successful week and are looking at possibly their first season with a winning record in a few years, and the first year under Coach Welty.

They began the week with a 48-71 loss to Owen County. Ethan Horn led with 21, and JT Wilcoxson was right behind him with 20.

Trimble bounced back with a dominating 76-27 win over Covington Latin. Wilcoxson led the team in scoring with 20, and Horn had 15.

To end the week, they had a somewhat surprising 71-67 win over Williamstown. Stats are not posted for the game.

If the Raiders can win both games this week, they will be on a 4-game winning streak heading into district tournament play. The Raiders are looking for their first regional appearance in the 2000’s and hosting the tournament surely gives them an advantage, but they will have to get through Owen County to get there.

This Week: 2/13 at Bethlehem 2/16 at Kentucky Country Day

 

16 – Shelby County Rockets (7-18)

The promising Rockets were hot the first half of the season but have been the complete opposite since the new year rang. Since January 3rd of this year, they are 2-11 and are currently on a 7-game losing streak.

They lost their first contest of the week 63-67 to Williamstown. Dallas Mercer had 22 points.

Shelby County followed this loss with yet another one, losing 54-73 to Grant County. Stats are not posted for the game.

They will most likely lose their first game this week, but hopes are high for a win to close out the season.

This Week: 2/14 vs Owen County 2/17 vs Henry County

 

17 – Carroll County Panthers (7-18)

The 2nd half of the Panthers season has been a ton better than the first half, and they are building some great momentum for a possible upset in the district tournament.

They began the week with a 62-73 loss to Eminence. They were led in scoring by Braden Stephenson with 18.

Carroll County went on to lose to Ludlow 2 days later 60-80. However, they bounced back with a 60-58 win over Pendleton County 2 days later. Stats are not posted for either game.

They have a very rough 2-game stretch to close out the season.

This Week: 2/13 vs Walton-Verona 2/16 vs South Oldham

 

18 – Henry County Wildcats (3-24)

The Wildcats season has been horrendous to say the least, and that continued this week losing all 3 of their games.

They began the week with a 45-76 loss at Gallatin County. Up and coming 8th grader Baylor Nolin led the team with 22 points, going 5/10 from 3.

After the loss, they turned around the next day and lost to Mercer County 45-60. Nolin again led with 16 points while attempting an insane 17 threes.

Henry County ended the week with a 51-87 loss to Walton-Verona. Stats are not posted for the game.

This Week: 2/17 at Shelby County

 

 

This week’s review felt incredibly long. If you somehow made it this far, drop a reply with what your rankings would be. I am intrigued to see what the rest of you all think about the region. Like I said before, thanks for all of the activity on BGP, and keep it up!

Well done, thanks for your thoroughness!

Here is my top 10.

1. North Oldham

2. Collins 

Tied for 3rd in no particular order.

Owen, Grant, Simon Kenton, Woodford.

7. Spencer

8. WV

9. Oldham 

10. South Oldham 

 

While I agree with your groupings it’s a hard to envision Collins not making the region tourney BUT they have to win 2 games to get there.

Interesting how that District is going to play out?!?!

5 hours ago, Colonel-Rebel Fan said:

Here is my top 10.

1. North Oldham

2. Collins 

Tied for 3rd in no particular order.

Owen, Grant, Simon Kenton, Woodford.

7. Spencer

8. WV

9. Oldham 

10. South Oldham 

 

I don’t mind it, but Woodford Co is still a huge question mark. Their last game with stats posted Jasper Johnson still did not play. If he is out, they might struggle to make it out of the district.

1 hour ago, Falcon Pride said:

While I agree with your groupings it’s a hard to envision Collins not making the region tourney BUT they have to win 2 games to get there.

Interesting how that District is going to play out?!?!

I will be heavily invested into that district in 2 weeks, will be interesting for sure.

Spencer County and Collins (assuming they beat Shelby) should be an absolute barn burner.

Like I mentioned before, Jasper Johnson is still a question mark, which makes his team one as well. If he is not playing, we could possibly expect an Anderson County team in the district championship for the first time in a while.

33 minutes ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

I don’t mind it, but Woodford Co is still a huge question mark. Their last game with stats posted Jasper Johnson still did not play. If he is out, they might struggle to make it out of the district.

Wow, I didn’t realize that JJ was potentially out that long!  If he is, Anderson could slide into regionals.  
 

I base my thoughts on Woodfords potential mostly.  Something is mysterious about them this year no doubt.

13 minutes ago, Colonel-Rebel Fan said:

Wow, I didn’t realize that JJ was potentially out that long!  If he is, Anderson could slide into regionals.  
 

I base my thoughts on Woodfords potential mostly.  Something is mysterious about them this year no doubt.

I’m not sure if he is still doubtful or not for sure. I know the last game that stats are posted for, he did not play. Their last 2 games do not have stats posted yet.

Anderson was in district championship in 21…. 

36 minutes ago, Polar Bearcat said:

Anderson was in district championship in 21…. 

You are correct, not sure how I missed it. That is their only one in the last 5 years. 

1 hour ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

I’m not sure if he is still doubtful or not for sure. I know the last game that stats are posted for, he did not play. Their last 2 games do not have stats posted yet.

Johnson Played last night in win over Harrison Co 

Incredible work on those graphics!

I think I'm going North Oldham, Collins, (SK, Owen, Spencer, Grant), Woodford, WV, Oldham, South Oldham.

PSN (Pegasus Sports Network) streaming schedule this week:

Tuesday 2/14, Collins at North Oldham (B/G doubleheader, boys at 6)

Friday 2/17, St. Xavier at North Oldham 

Graphics are awesome! Top notch review as always!

5 hours ago, LethalPG said:

Graphics are awesome! Top notch review as always!

Thank you!

If you all would like to see more graphics, hop over to Instagram and follow @8thregionhoops