1st Region Week 9 Review and Rankings

Friday February 2nd is a good rivalry night for the 1st Region.  We've got Murray at Calloway, Mayfield at Graves, and PT at McCracken.  I think the Mustangs should have the upper hand on the Tornado, but those other two games will be very interesting.

Key games this week:

Mon - Carlisle at McCracken

Tues - Graves at Ballard Mem., Marshall at Union Co.

Fri - Calloway at Murray (Region 1 GOTW), Mayfield at Graves, Tilghman at McCracken, Carlisle at Ballard Mem.

Sat - Tilghman at Marshall

Here are this week's rankings:

1. Murray (18-6) - All A Classic games - W 73-39 Williamsburg, W 50-32 Clinton Co., L 45-61 Evangel Christian

A nice run to the semifinals of the All A Classic for the Tigers!  Zayvion Carman is really playing well for the Tigers right now - he's averaging 11 points and 8 boards on the season.  This is a team with a great deal of size, and I think they are able to over-power lots of teams.  

2. Marshall Co. (15-4) - W 82-46 at CFS, W 59-58 at Tilghman

I got a chance to see Matthew Langhi play, and he sure doesn't look like your typical Freshman.  He is averaging 12 points and 5 rebounds on the year, and it seems like his production is increasing as the season goes.

3. Calloway Co. (8-8) - W 66-54 vs Graves Co.

What an outstanding Junior class this Lakers team has led by Eli Finley and Jonah Butler.  Finley is scoring 23 PPG, Butler is averaging 18 & 10, and Conner Lockhart is scoring 15 PPG.

4. McCracken Co. (17-5) - L 50-70 at UHA, W 59-53 at St. Mary, W 44-35 vs Graves Co., W 65-56 vs Christian Co. 

A tough loss to start the week - going on the road to University Heights is a tough task for any team.  But the Mustangs followed that up with three wins.  They can clinch the #1 seed in the 2nd District by taking care of the Tornado on Friday.  Conner Miller is scoring 18 PPG, and Jackson Klope is averaging 16 & 11 for the Mustangs.

5. Graves Co. (15-6) - W 61-18 at Hickman Co., L 54-66 at Calloway Co., L 35-44 at McCracken Co.

The Eagles can lock up the #1 seed in the 3rd District with wins this week over Ballard Memorial and Mayfield.  That's important because I still think that the Bombers could be a dangerous team at tourney time.

6. Carlisle Co. (14-6) - W 89-36 vs Fulton City, W 85-41 at Fulton Co., W 69-30 at Fulton City, W 82-70 vs Trigg Co.

Can we just go ahead and give the Comets the 1st District trophy?  Those other three teams are going through some rebuilding years.  Carter Burnett is making two 3s a game, and shooting over 42% from downtown.

7. Mayfield (10-6) - W 65-61 at Tilghman, W 54-45 vs Ballard Mem.

I got a chance to see Braydon Pate play, and it was exactly what I expected - if he crosses half-court and has a little bit of space he will shoot it.  And he's an excellent shooter!  Pate made 6 of 10 against the Tornado, and the Cardinals got an excellent road win.  I think they will give the Eagles all they want on Friday night - even with the game being at the Eagles Nest.

8. Paducah Tilghman (8-9) - L 61-65 vs Mayfield, L 58-59 vs Marshall Co.

That's five losses in a row for the Tornado, but they showed a lot more fight Friday night when hosting the Marshals.  Tilghman had the ball with 15 seconds to go, but couldn't get a decent look to win the game.  When the Tornado last faced McCracken - they let Connor Miller score 30 points.  They need to do a good job on both Miller and Klope if they want to have a chance on Friday night.

9. St. Mary (12-9) - W 78-45 vs Liv Central

Vikings scoring title update - Owen Mikel is averaging 20.6 and Luke Sims is averaging 19.8.  This one will come down to the wire!  I believe that the Vikings had a small lead over the Mustangs going into the 4th quarter Tuedsay night, but McCracken pulled away for a six-point victory.

10. Ballard Memorial (5-13) - L 45-54 at Mayfield, W 95-49 Shawnee (IL)

This team is much better than their 5-13 record suggests as they've had a lot of close games.  I honestly think that Tuesday's game hosting the Eagles could be a tight one.

11. Christian Fellowship (7-13)

12. Fulton Co. (2-14)

13. CCA (4-15)

14. Hickman Co. (2-10)

15. Fulton City (2-15)