1st Region Week 5 Review and Rankings

This region is much more wide-open than I thought it would be!  I thought that Murray and Calloway were easily 1-2, and that the rest of the region was fighting for 3rd place.  But Calloway has had a key injury, and I don't think that the Tigers have quite played up to the level that I expected.  Should be fun to watch how the rankings will change over the next few weeks.

Key games this week:

Tues - Graves Co. at Murray (BG Preps 1st Region Game of the Week), Calloway Co. at Carlisle Co.

Thurs - Tilghman vs Union Co. (2A Section 1), Marshall Co. at Hopkinsville

Fri - Graves at Mayfield

Here are my rankings:

1. Graves Co. (10-2) - Champions of the Surf and Slam Hoops Classic

Congrats to the Eagles as they went out to California and won a tourney with three wins in three days.  Tuesday (1/2) will be a major test as they travel to #2 Murray.  This was an easy choice for my BG Preps Region 1 Game of the Week!  I think this may be the toughest regional game they have all year.

2. Murray (10-5) - L 52-61 Oldham Co., W 75-56 Southern, W 56-51 Atherton

The Tigers have a pretty balanced scoring attack with four players averaging between 9 and 14 points per game.  Lincoln English (14 ppg), Jeremiah Jones (12 ppg), Collin Wilson (10 ppg), Zay Carman (9 ppg).

3. McCracken Co. (11-3) - two wins and one loss in the Poplar Bluff Bball Showdown.

I don't normally give a lot of love to the players who clean up the boards, but I need to give a shoutout to sophomore Jackson Klope who is averaging 11.3 rebounds per game.  I think this young man most definitely has a chance to play at the next level.

4. Marshall Co. (9-4) - W 65-52 vs Green Co., W 60-55 Madison Central, L 52-62 South Laurel

This team shoots better than 38% from three-point land.  Kyzer Phillips, Tommy Robertson, and Matthew Langhi are all shooting better than 40%. 

5. Paducah Tilghman (7-4) - L 65-81 Grayson Co., W 88-57 John Hardin, W 73-59 Dawson Springs

We will find out who the Tornado are over the next couple weeks.  On Thursday they play Union Co. in the semis of the Section 1 2A Championship.  If they can get past the Braves then they will probably play Webster County, who knocked off Calloway a couple weeks ago.  Miles Woodfork (19 ppg), and Ahmad Wilkins (18 ppg) are shouldering much of the scoring load for PT.

6. Mayfield (6-4) - W 54-45 Union Co., W 59-50 Mt. Vernon, IL

An interesting opportunity on Friday night when the Cardinals host #1 Graves County. Braydon Pate can't possibly keep up his 53% shooting from three, can he?  He's making 3.1 threes per game right now.

7. Calloway Co. (3-7) - L 55-70 Frederick Douglass, L 61-67 North Laurel, W 72-54 Bourbon Co.

I believe this is most likely the best 3-7 team in the state of Kentucky.  I still think that the Lakers can make a big run over the next few weeks.  Especially if they can be at full strength.

8. Carlisle Co. (6-4) - L 56-81 Butler Co., W 72-53 Breckenridge Co.

Wyatt Rickard is a freshman to watch in the 1st Region.  He's averaging 9 points and 5 rebounds per game and keeps getting better and better.

9. St. Mary (7-6) - L 57-66 Dixie Heights, W 93-68 Marion Co., W 75-50 Valley

Two wins and one loss in the Henry County Invitational.  I honestly feel that if Sims and Mikel get hot then this team could about beat anyone in this region!

10. Christian Fellowship (3-9) 

Ahmad Dee is scoring 17 ppg for CFS.

11. Ballard Mem. (3-9)

12. Hickman Co. (1-6)

13. Fulton Co. (1-10)

14. Fulton City (1-5)

15. CCA (1-9)