First - congrats to the Warren Central Dragons!  What a great season of basketball!

I thought I'd give a "Way Too Early" Top 10 for Region 1.  I think that Murray and Calloway most definitely have the most experience returning, and rankings 3 through 10 have a lot of unknowns.  Feel free to respond with any thoughts that you have.  

Here's my Too Early Rankings:

1. Murray (22-9) - the Tigers played two-thirds of the year without Whitaker, and they played pretty good.  They have a lot of guys returning with experience!

2. Calloway Co. (21-10) - the Lakers did not finish the season like they wanted to, but they have the best current Sophomore trio returning in Finley, Butler and Lockhart.  Remember that this is a team that almost won the state 2A Championship.

3. McCracken Co. (28-6) - they lose 6 or their 8 top scorers, but let's be honest - this program has the ability to reload each year.  Miller and Klope are the two players who have significant varsity experience.

4. Graves Co. (11-20) - It looks like they only lose one key senior, and this team was much better than it's 11-20 record.  It feels like this program is on the upswing.

5. Mayfield (26-6) - Two key losses in their big men from this last year.  However, they still have some returning guards who are very good. 

6. Paducah Tilghman (21-11) - The losses of Powell and Shaw will hurt quite a bit.  Current Freshman Miles Woodfork is a name to watch over the next few years.  Also Josh Campbell - very athletic! 

7. Carlisle Co. (17-15) - I don't think they lose anybody from a team who made the Region 1 semifinals.  This is also a program that seems to be on the rise with some solid youth. 

8. St. Mary (14-17) - A sleeper team for sure because they return three quality Sophomores in Sims, Mikel and Haas.  Will this be the year that the Vikings make it out of the 2nd District?  Quality depth is a question mark.

9. Marshall Co. (20-11) - I badly underestimated the Marshals this season.  Am I doing it again???  Staples is a good returning player, but they lose a lot of senior production.  Also, very tough district matchups against the Tigers and Lakers.

10. Ballard Co. (20-11) - Watch out for Jace Birney again next season.

Should be another fun year in the 1st Region!

D Wolf.

Did the Watson kid already move from Murray? 

I don't know any details, but it is my understanding that he is moving back to where he began high school.  That is a loss because he was one of their top scorers and shooters.  I struggled on whether to put Calloway or Murray at the top ranking - it was a difficult choice for me.  Ultimately I went with the Tigers.

English, May, Wilson Carman and Jones back they should be the team to beat. Calloway hasn't really made any noise in the post season.