The 2nd week of holiday events is history and we are now heading into heavier district play as well as the 2A Sectionals and the All A on the horizon. None of the teams in the top ten made it through the week unscathed with the exception of Boyle County. The fact of the matter continues to be that the region’s talent level is down. Meanwhile  the number of teams who can be considered at having a functional chance at the regional title has, in my opinion, swollen to about 9. I believe the region can be currently separated into teams 1-5, 6-9, 10-13, 14 -17, and 18 & 19. The teams inside those pods are pretty even but I think you can definitely see the separation between these groups at this point in the season. 
 

1. Somerset - The Jumpers leave Pineville’s Chain Rock Classic with wins over Middlesboro & Somerset Christian and a loss to Powell County. Indred Whitaker scored 21 in the win over Middlesboro. Somerset plays a pair of road games this week against Rockcastle and Casey County. 
 

2. Pulaski County - The Maroons went 2-1 in the Monticello Bank Classic at Wayne County with the highlight being a thrashing of Harlan (who defeated Wayne County). They face Lincoln County and Rockcastle County this week.

3. Wayne County - The Cardinals fell to Harlan in double overtime but did earn a pair of wins over Tennessee teams in their holiday tournament. They face Somerset Christian, Boyle County and Warren Central this week.

4. Danville Christian - DCA made it to the finals of the legendary Ashland Invitational where they fell to the hosting Tomcats. Emmanuel Dut went for 23 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinal win over Simon Kenton. They face Corbin and rival Danville on the road this week before playing Clay County at Lincoln County in the Patriot Classic.

5. Mercer County - The Titans hosted a holiday tournament in which they lost in double overtime to Franklin County before defeating Shelby County and Western Hills. Trevor Ellis had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Western Hills. They host Bryan Station this week.

6. Rockcastle County 

7. Lincoln County

8. East Jessamine

9. Boyle County

10. McCreary County

11. Southwestern

12. Danville

13. Trinity Christian 

14. West Jessamine

15. Somerset Christian

16. Garrard

17. Casey County

18. Burgin

19. Kentucky School for the Deaf

Boyle did lose to Franklin by 5 in the championship of the Mercer Holiday Classic. Game is not on KHSAA. Mercer also played all 3 games without Barnes and the Franklin game without Barnes and Wright due to sickness. I have also noticed that Conner Davis has been out for Lincoln a while. Does anyone know what his status is? 
 

I still say any of the 8 that get in the region tourney have a legitimate shot to win it. Could very well be a team with a losing record like Southwestern did a few years back. 

Boyle looked a lot better in the Mercer tournament. Still need some sort of consistency shooting. 
 

Did Wayne have anyone out for the Harlan loss? That’s a terrible loss as Harlan is 2-8 on the year. 

1 hour ago, DearToday said:

Boyle looked a lot better in the Mercer tournament. Still need some sort of consistency shooting. 
 

Did Wayne have anyone out for the Harlan loss? That’s a terrible loss as Harlan is 2-8 on the year. 

I don’t think anyone who follows the 12th closely ever thought Boyle wasn’t going to be a factor in the 45th or the region. I think everyone knew they had talent and just had to make transition from football. They have played a monster schedule early while making that transition. 

3 hours ago, BasketballFan24 said:

Boyle did lose to Franklin by 5 in the championship of the Mercer Holiday Classic. Game is not on KHSAA. Mercer also played all 3 games without Barnes and the Franklin game without Barnes and Wright due to sickness. I have also noticed that Conner Davis has been out for Lincoln a while. Does anyone know what his status is? 
 

I still say any of the 8 that get in the region tourney have a legitimate shot to win it. Could very well be a team with a losing record like Southwestern did a few years back. 

Davis is no longer with the team.

1 minute ago, LethalPG said:

Davis is no longer with the team.

Really?  Hate to hear that. Always seemed like a very smart player and the kind of player Jackson has always had success with running his system. 

3 hours ago, DearToday said:

Boyle looked a lot better in the Mercer tournament. Still need some sort of consistency shooting. 
 

Did Wayne have anyone out for the Harlan loss? That’s a terrible loss as Harlan is 2-8 on the year. 

All starters played and 3 subs.  Wayne shot 4-20 from 3 and let a kid put up 45 on them.  It was a bad loss.

I think @se7enshit the nail on the head in regards to the overall talent level.  The 12th will need a good draw @ the state tournament.  Every team has significant flaws that hinders performance and the ability to be consistent.

The first RPI rating is out on KHSAA today.  The 12th region top 10 is as follow:

1. Wayne Co. 
2. Danville Christian 
3. Somerset 
4. Rockcastle Co. 
5. Pulaski Co. 
6. Mercer Co. 
7. Trinity Christian 
8. East Jessamine 
9. Lincoln Co. 
10. Southwestern 

Trinity Christian plays its next 3 games against top ten teams in the region. I am extremely interested to see if they can compete.  Next game is against East Jessamine and there is a very real scenario that is who they will play for a berth to the regional tournament.

7 minutes ago, se7ens said:

Trinity Christian plays its next 3 games against top ten teams in the region. I am extremely interested to see if they can compete.  Next game is against East Jessamine and there is a very real scenario that is who they will play for a berth to the regional tournament.

Trinity Christian has only beat one team with a winning record (Leslie County at the end of a 3-day tournament) and all four losses are by sizable margins against fair-to-middling teams. I don't foresee them beating East, DCA, or Mercer.

1 hour ago, LethalPG said:

The first RPI rating is out on KHSAA today.  The 12th region top 10 is as follow:

1. Wayne Co. 
2. Danville Christian 
3. Somerset 
4. Rockcastle Co. 
5. Pulaski Co. 
6. Mercer Co. 
7. Trinity Christian 
8. East Jessamine 
9. Lincoln Co. 
10. Southwestern 

Top six looks about right with perhaps some slight modification of order.

1 hour ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Trinity Christian has only beat one team with a winning record (Leslie County at the end of a 3-day tournament) and all four losses are by sizable margins against fair-to-middling teams. I don't foresee them beating East, DCA, or Mercer.

I don't think they stand a chance with a full strength Mercer. I could see them competing with East but could also see it being a blowout - East has some explosive talent but lacks consistency. DCA - the way they play I believe any team in the region ranked 1 through 14 could potentially beat them. Not that they would but that they could.

7 hours ago, DearToday said:

Boyle looked a lot better in the Mercer tournament. Still need some sort of consistency shooting. 
 

Did Wayne have anyone out for the Harlan loss? That’s a terrible loss as Harlan is 2-8 on the year. 

Mcclendon for Harlan is offensive machine, let him get hot and he will torch a team by his self. The best pure offensive player in the 13th year.

Briar Jumpers make a statement on the road tonight beating district opponent Rockcastle Co. 81-61.  Best collective team ball this team has played.  The ball was moving, and 3s dropping.