1st Region Week 1 Review and Rankings

After careful thought and consideration, I have re-done my three tiers.  I reserve the right to change these early and often:

Tier 1 - Murray and Calloway.  Any Region 1 teams beating these two (when healthy) would be a considerable upset.

Tier 2 - Teams 3 through 8.  McCracken, Graves, PT, Marshall, Carlisle, St. Mary.  Yes, there is a different between the talent level at #3 McCracken versus #8 St. Mary, but it's probably less than you think.  I look for these teams to beat up on each other, and I imagine these rankings will change a lot.

Tier 3 - Everybody else.  Although I am not sure how Mayfield will be this year.

Key Games this week:

Tues - Murray at UHA, Calloway at Graves, McCracken at Hopkinsville, Henderson Co. at Tilghman, Carlisle at Marshall, St. Mary at Ballard Mem.

Thurs - UHA at McCracken Co.

Fri - Graves Co. at Marshall Co. (BG Preps 1st Region Game of the Week!), Ballard Mem. at Murray, Christian Co. at Tilghman

Sat - Lots of teams participating in the Ken-Tenn Classic including Calloway (host), Murray, McCracken, Marshall, St. Mary

Here are my rankings:

1. Murray (2-0) - W 99-38 vs Fulton Co, W 77-49 vs Parkview (GA).

As I said in my Region 1 preview - this team has a lot of quality depth, and also quite a bit of size.  Their game at UHA on Tuesday will be their first decent test of the year.

2. Calloway Co. (1-1) - W 70-51 vs Hopkins Co. Central, L 54-75 Bowling Green

I have heard that Eli Finley is out with an injury and I hope that he will return to action soon.  He is most definitely one of the favorites for Region 1 PoY.  If Finley cannot play at Graves on Tuesday then I think that could be an exciting matchup.  If anyone has any news on Finley please respond - I hope it's nothing serious.

3. McCracken Co. (1-1) - W 92-37 vs CCA, L 46-64 New Madrid Co Central (Mo.)

The two cornerstones of this team will be Connor Miller and Jackson Klope.  It seems that the very talented Jay Martin will be the Mustangs' point guard.  Beyond that I think there are very many spots in the rotation that are up for grabs.  The Mustangs have very talented and deep Freshman and Sophomore classes.

4. Graves Co. (1-1) - W 64-29 vs Hickman Co., L 62-71 Parkview, GA

Braden Waller led the Eagles with 18 points in their opener.  I've got Graves in my GOTW as they travel to the Marshals.  That will be a good one!

5. Paducah Tilghman (1-0) - W 72-62 at Carlisle Co.

Nice win for the Tornado travelling to the Comets.  They will go as Woodfork and Williams go.  But the Tornado also has a lot of depth in their guard position - Josh Campbell, Ahmad Wilkins, Jamie Harris.  This is a very athletic team and I look for them to stay around the Top 5 all season.

6. Marshall Co. (3-0) - W 85-55 vs Crittenden Co., W 70-57 vs Goodpasture (TN), W 77-43 vs Madisonville

This team has started out impressively.  Forgive me that I forgot about Freshman Matthew Langhi when doing my preview.  He's tall and he can really shoot it.  Does that sound familiar?  It should.

7. Carlisle Co. (1-1) - W 71-65 vs St. Mary, L 62-72 vs Tilghman

I really think that both the Senior and Freshman classes are very strong for the Comets and they are most definitely the frontrunner for the 1st District championship.  Senior Zack Grogan is scoring 16 points per game.  

8. St. Mary (2-1) - W 74-40 at Fulton City, L 65-71 at Carlisle Co., W 66-15 vs Hickman Co.

Luke Sims and Mikel Owen will shoulder most of the scoring load for the Vikings this year.  They are scoring 23 and 20 points per game respectively.  

9. Mayfield (0-0)

Congrats to the Mayfield football team for their 13th (13!!!) state title!  As in most years it will take a little while for this Cardinals basketball team to get going.  I was upset to hear that Dabney will not be playing this year for the Cardinals (thank you Sweet16).  Not sure if this team is worthy of the Tier 2 or not - we shall see.

10. Ballard Memorial (0-1) L 43-70 at UHA.

This team always has a shot if Jace Birney gets hot.

11. Hickman Co. (0-2)

12. Fulton City (1-2)

13. CCA (1-2)

14. CFS (1-2)

15. Fulton Co. (0-3)