A pride of Lions go on the offensive… Vikings row the boat after conquering the EKC… Fleming the first to five… And the Musketeers gain some traction...

 

Two events shaped the past week in the 16th, as Boyd County put on the Roundball Classic and the Eastern Kentucky Conference held its annual tournament. 

The happenings in Summit featured a pair of inter-region battles between the 16th and 15th, plus the host Lions beating back (and down) a couple of hopeful contenders. 

Morgan County and East Carter got a sobering reminder of how far the climb is to the top, as top ranked Boyd County strengthened its position after running through the #3 and #6 teams in the region on consecutive nights. The Lions worked the boards in both games, including a 37-20 advantage over the Raiders. Jacob Spurlock dropped a region high 43 points on East.

 

A similar fate befell 63rd district rivals Russell and Raceland while in the task of defending the region's honor against southern neighbors. The Red Devils and Rams held double digit leads against 15th region representatives Pikeville and Lawrence County, respectively. Both squandered their advantages as the Dawgs and Panthers battled back in the second half to complete comeback wins.

Elsewhere, across multiple locations, the EKC tournament unfolded with Rowan County flexing on the field. The Vikings took apart Russell by 19 in the semis and East Carter by 17 in the finals to hoist the trophy in Owingsville.

Rowan County, 2023 EKC Champions.

 

The lone black mark on an otherwise triumphant week for Rowan, was a failed attempt to scratch a twelve year itch against Christian County in a rematch of the 2011 Sweet 16 championship game.

Ashland got in the win column twice following a loss in their only game of the opening week. The pace quickens for the Tomcats with three contests this week, beginning with a road test at Pikeville. 

Fleming County has been nowhere but the win column so far. Victories over Pendleton County, Menifee County, and Scott have the Panthers at 5-0. The region pace setter has 7-0 well within reach this week before the holiday tournament grind begins.

Trending ? : Following a 1-4 start featuring a string of single digit losses to quality opposition, Greenup County evened up its record with a 3-0 run in Week 2. Eli Adkins and Bryson Chandley are both averaging around 17 ppg with the Musketeers scoring 70 or more in all three wins.

Trending ❄️: An 0-5 start has drained the tub in Bath County. There are reportedly transfers waiting in the wings, with KHSAA red tape keeping eligibility in limbo. A full strength Wildcats squad with Matthew Perry at the helm may climb back up the rankings, but that's not who this team is at the moment.

 

Sixteen For the 16th (Rankings)

1. Boyd County Lions

Record: 4-0

Weekly Results: beat Morgan County (83-58) | beat East Carter (92-48)

 

2. Ashland Tomcats

Record: 2-1

Weekly Results : beat Magoffin County (69-45) | beat South Point (OH) (71-55)

 

3. Morgan County Cougars

Record: 4-1

Weekly Results: beat Estill County (67-31) | lost to Boyd County (58-83)

 

4. Fleming County Panthers

Record: 5-0

Weekly Results: beat Pendleton County (78-47) | beat Menifee County (82-60) | beat Scott (76-70)

 

5. Rowan County Vikings

Record: 4-2

Weekly Results: beat Russell (75-56) | beat East Carter (66-49) | lost to Christian County (69-71)

 

6. East Carter Raiders

Record: 3-2

Weekly Results: lost to Rowan County (49-66) | lost to Boyd County (48-92)

 

7. Greenup County Musketeers

Record: 4-4

Weekly Results: beat West Carter (71-56) | beat Fairview (75-71) | beat Tolsia (WV) (70-53)

 

8. Raceland Rams

Record: 3-2

Weekly Results: beat Elliott County (71-36) | lost to Lawrence County (69-75)

 

9. Russell Red Devils

Record: 1-2

Weekly Results: lost to Rowan County (56-75) | lost to Pikeville (59-62)

 

10. Lewis County Lions

Record: 1-2

Weekly Results: lost to East Carter (39-50)

 

11. West Carter Comets

Record: 2-3

Weekly Results: lost to Greenup County (56-71) | beat Bath County (58-43)

 

12. Fairview Eagles

Record: 3-4

Weekly Results: beat Bath County (68-66) | lost to Greenup County (71-75) | lost to Ironton (OH) (69-97)

 

13. Bath County Wildcats

Record: 0-5

Weekly Results: lost to Fairview (66-68) | lost to West Carter (43-58)

 

14. Menifee County Wildcats

Record: 1-3

Weekly Results: lost to Bourbon County (47-64) | lost to Fleming County (60-82)

 

15. Elliott County Lions

Record: 0-4

Weekly Results: lost to Raceland (71-36)

 

16. Rose Hill Royals

Record: 1-3

Weekly Results: lost to Hannan (WV) (65-77)

 

Get To The Point (High Scorers For The Week)

Jacob Spurlock (Boyd County) - 43 against East Carter 

Steven Day (Fairview) - 31 against Bath County 

Tamel Smith (Fairview) - 30 against Greenup County 

Eli Adkins (Greenup County) - 25 against West Carter 

Colby Wilburn (Rowan County) - 23 against Russell 

Drew Smith (Boyd County) - 23 against Morgan County 

Christian Large (Raceland) - 22 against Elliott County 

This is just ... excellent! 

Thank you for a very thorough and insightful review @DevilMayCare.

You had me at the Lion! That was an awesome write up!

Fleming County updated its numbers this morning, revealing a two game tear by Seth Hickerson. He averaged 30 ppg on 72% shooting ? against Menifee County and Scott.

We should get a look a Hickerson and the Panthers this coming Friday, as they travel to Russell. Russell home games are typically carried by MyTown tv.