16th Region Week 1 Review and Rankings

#1 looks the part, offensively… Ashland drops a marquee 1v1 scorer's duel… Rowan takes down 10th Region royalty... No movement near the top as teams are just getting their feet wet… Musketeers show promise in defeat… Top scorers hit the ground running

1. Boyd County Lions

Record: 2-0

Weekly Review: The Lions opened the season against another ’king of the jungle’ in Vanceburg, routing Lewis County by 30. The competition ramped up against 11th Region contender Madison Southern in Jackson County. Both teams are expected to be among the highest scoring in the state. They delivered in a 92-91 barnburner, with Boyd County escaping with the win. Jacob Spurlock is already dialed in from distance, with eight threes and a 24.5 ppg average. 
 

2. Ashland Tomcats

Record: 0-1

Weekly Review: Zander Carter versus Trenton Noah lived up to expectations as the Tomcats made the long haul to Harlan County for their only game of opening week. Carter was the game's high point man with 39, but Noah nearly marched him with 36. The Black Bears prevailed 80-70 as Noah's supporting cast was superior. No other Tomcat reached double figures.

3. Morgan County Cougars

Record: 3-0

Weekly Review: The Cougars are out of the gate quickly with three wins. Six different players have reached double figure scoring so far, reflecting one of the deeper rosters in the region. Huge game coming up on 12/8 against Boyd County at the Roundball Classic in Summit.

4. Fleming County Panthers

Record: 2-0

Weekly Review: The Panthers followed up a season opening blowout of Nicholas County with a nail biter against Greenup County in Flemingsburg. Like the #3 team, Fleming also has plenty of options to put the ball through the net. Adam Hargett, Seth Hickerson, Isaac Frye, and a healthy Lucas Jolly have all shown early flashes. 
 

5. Rowan County Vikings

Record: 2-1

Weekly Review: The Vikings delivered the region's biggest opening week win with an 86-77 takedown of 10th Region preseason favorite Mason County. They followed that up with a less attractive, but character building win over Greenup County. They dropped their third game to a tough Woodward (OH) team out of Cincinnati. Colby Wilburn and newcomer Brayden Mirus have been a strong 1-2 offensive punch so far.
 

6. East Carter Raiders

Record: 2-0

Weekly Review: The Raiders backed up a gritty road win at Raceland with another road conquest at Bath County. They're in the midst of the EKC tournament. Winning that championship would be a tremendous momentum boost as they travel to Boyd County at the end of the week.

7. Raceland Rams

Record: 2-1

Weekly Review: The Rams feel ideally placed at #7 after a hard fought season opening loss to #6 followed by a blowout of Rose Hill and a comfortable win over Bath County. Christian Large (19 ppg), Connor Thacker (15 ppg), and 6’7” Conner Thacker (11 ppg) have proven an effective perimeter/interior trio.

8. Russell Red Devils

Record: 1-0

Weekly Review: Just one game under the Devils’ belt so far, but it was an encouraging performance. Russell pasted West Carter in the EKC first round on the strength of a 40-16 advantage on the boards. Ten different Devils scored multiple field goals. They get Rowan County in the EKC semis tonight.

9. Greenup County Musketeers

Record: 0-4

Weekly Review: The best winless team in the region. Single digit losses to the counties of Montgomery, Mason, Rowan, and Fleming suggest a Musketeers team no one will want a piece of in March. They'll have a good look at win #1 tonight against West Carter in the EKC consolation bracket.

10. Lewis County Lions

Record: 1-1

Weekly Review: Four different Lions are averaging double figures after a rough go against region #1 and a bounce back win over Fairview. Xavier Prater leads the way with a double/double average of 13 and 13.

11. Bath County Wildcats

Record: 0-3

Weekly Review: Life without Zach Otis is off to a rough start, with three straight losses by an average of 17 ppg. Jayce Smith was a bright spot in last night's loss to Raceland, scoring 31.
 

12. West Carter Comets

Record: 1-2

Weekly Review: A close loss to Lawrence County and a win over Fairview were encouraging. A 34 point loss to Russell, not so much. The Comets struggled out of the gate with one made three in the first two games, but picked it up a little against the Red Devils. 

13. Fairview Eagles

Record: 2-2

Weekly Review: As expected, the seniors Steven Day and Tamel Smith are carrying the mail for the Eagles. Fairview will go as far as that duo can carry them. Wins over Elliott County and Grace Christian (WV) have balanced out losses to West Carter and Lewis County. 

14. Menifee County Wildcats

Record: 1-1

Weekly Review: Brevon Ricker has not disappointed, averaging 28 ppg on 53% shooting. Aiden Manley has upped his game as a complimentary scorer, averaging 21 ppg on 58% from the field. 

15. Elliott County Lions

Record: 0-3

Weekly Review: Despite the 0-3 start, the Lions have already shown signs of improvement from last year's three win season. Freshman guard Lake Adkins is averaging 27 points on 57% shooting. 

16. Rose Hill Royals

Record: 1-2

Weekly Review: A season opening win over Robertson County preceded back to back losses to Raceland and Covenant (WV). Christian Blevins (24 ppg) and Collin Wilburn (12 ppg/11 rpg) have been the standout performers.

Get To The Point (High Scorers For The Week)

Zander Carter (Ashland) - 39 against Harlan County 

Brevon Ricker (Menifee County) - 36 against Elliott County 

Colby Wilburn (Rowan County) - 33 against Mason County 

Jayce Smith (Bath County) - 31 against 

Raceland 

Evan Goodman (East Carter) - 29 against Raceland 

Lake Adkins (Elliott County) - 28 against Menifee County 

Steven Day (Fairview) - 28 against Elliott County 

Christian Large (Raceland) - 28 against Bath County