16th Region: Week 2

16^th Region: Week 2

Another exciting week of basketball in the 16^th region! #1 Ashland and the team I ranked at 2A (with Fleming County at 2B) Boyd County faced off with Ashland winning 85-57 in a battle between two teams that both have battled injuries. Ashland would then win a trap game against Fairview and defeat Archbishop Alter of Ohio over the weekend. Archbishop Alter has R. J. Greer (NC State Signee) along with Brady Connor who is committed to Wright State and are a defending state champion. Whether it’s north, south, east, or west, it’s always good to see Kentucky teams represent against out of state opponents and I am sure Ashland is happy to pick up a couple of big wins over two talented district rivals and an out of state team.

Boyd County went to Knoxville, Tennessee and lost two tough games against Springdale Prep of Maryland and Buckhorn, Alabama. I have called close to a handful of games for Springdale Prep. This year they had players on their team that were 6’7, 6’9, 6’10, 6’11, and 7’0. That didn’t intimidate 7^th grader Jacob Carter who came in and bulled his way around against the bigger players. Boyd was down big in the third quarter and came back to threaten late before Springdale Prep held on to win 79-63. Boyd went stone cold shooting after their big run, but their effort was admirable especially without key players Cole Hicks and Griffin Taylor. Against Buckhorn of Alabama, the injury situation grew worse. Rhett Holbrook played the first quarter before a hand injury and had to come out. Jacob Spurlock would score 44 points against the defending state champion and Childers, Ross, and Carter stepped it up for the Lions who lost by seven.

Fleming County continues their hot start. They have not defeated a team with a winning record, yet, but Buddy Ball sure looks to be clicking and they will have a real shot coming up this week as they host George Rogers Clark at home Tuesday night. Last season Fleming County knocked off both Ashland and Boyd County at home, the first time they beat either team since their regional championship run in 2014. Lewis County picked up a pair of 63^rd district victories, first over Russell then over Greenup County. Raceland gets a nice win over Elliott County, who is 4-1 and one win away from tying their win total from last season.

1.  Ashland – 3-2 (No change) Faced off against Boyd County this week and with both teams nursing several injuries, was able to pull off a great game with Zander Carter having a memorable 38 point performance, showcasing his skills at all three levels. Another good win followed in a trap game against Fairview Friday night, and Zander Carter would again put up 28 points against Archbishop Alter, a defending state champion from Ohio on Saturday.

2. Fleming County – (5-0, no change but am moving ahead of Boyd for now who they were tied at #2 with last week.) Fleming will play a tough opponent at home in George Rogers Clark Tuesday night, and while they don’t have a win over a team with a winning record at this point they have defeated East Carter and Greenup County who typically play strong basketball toward the end of the season. Regardless of the quality of the schedule, Fleming County is playing some rock solid basketball and three players are shooting at least 42% from three point range.

3. Boyd County (3-3, -1 Decrease) – Boyd lost three games this week but it was to Ashland who had a couple of quality wins including against Boyd County, Springdale Prep who is a power in Maryland, and Buckhorn, Alabama who is a defending state champion. The Lions have been racked with injuries yet still went on a trip to the Webb School in Knoxville and put on an impressive performance, including Jacob Spurlock who scored 44 points in a tight loss to defending state champion Buckhorn, Alabama. Boyd will be a threat to anybody when healthy, but right now are looking to get some guys back. They play again on the road Thursday, travelling to Dobyns-Bennett High School to play Winter Haven, FL.

4. Lewis County (3-1, +2 increase)  – The Lions off to a rock solid start, last week threatening Boyd County before winning against Rowan County handily then this week picking up solid district wins over Russell and Greenup County. Julian Puente and Drew Noble provide a good inside/outside combo and Gerkie, Noble, and Bivens have been doing an excellent job rebounding as the three combine for 24.1 rebounds per game.

5. Raceland (4-1, no change) – A good start for the Rams despite multiple guys football players being integrated from Raceland’s run to the state finals. Defeated Elliott County and as the season goes along I think that will be a nice win for them. Lost to Lucasville Valley and then defeated a young Morgan County team. Connor Thacker highlighting for the team as he averages 14 points and 10 rebounds per game and I think we will see continued improvements from him as the season goes along.

6. Elliott County (4-1, -2 decrease) – A tight loss to Raceland this week but far ahead of where they were this time last year. Their four wins come by no less than 19 points. One more win and the Lions will have just as many wins as they did last year. Big game against Russell coming up this week along with a showcase in which they will play three games in three days.

7. Russell (3-1, -4 Decrease) – Tough loss against Lewis County where they shot only 37% as a team. With the loss of Elijah Neel this team is still looking to gather the chemistry at the point guard position and I think once they gel they will be a threat.

8. East Carter (2-3, no change) – A win against Fairview and a loss against Covington Holmes this week. Raiders playing better than expected despite several graduations. I expect this team, as typical under Coach Brammer, to improve and be a threat by the end of the season.

9. Greenup County - (2-4, no change) – Like East Carter, a nicely coached team that usually blooms later in the season. Picked up a win against Bath County but lost to Lewis County (who is exceeding expectations) and Johnson Central, who reached the regional finals last season and has been to Rupp Arena multiple times under Coach Tommy McKenzie.

10. Rowan County – (2-3, -3 decrease) – Solid win on Tuesday night against West Carter but then losses to Pike County Central and Floyd Central of the 15^th region. This is a young team that is still figuring out the pieces after some key graduations from last season’s regional semifinal team.

11. Morgan County – (2-4, +2 increase) – The young Cougars picked up a win against Magoffin County who lost some key players from their Elite Eight appearance last season followed up by a win against Menifee County. Lost to Elliott County and Raceland, but played competitive with Raceland and Elliott County has exceeded expectations. Not a bad week at all for the Cougars considering the Cougars lost 58 of their 70 points per game from last season.

12. Menifee County – (2-4, +1 increase) - I am unsure the last time two players scored 30+ in a game, but it happened this week when the Wildcats defeated Bath County on the road as both Brevon Ricker and Aiden Manley scored 32 points each. Also defeated Lee County. Outside of Ricker and Manley the rest of the team shoots 37% and once Menifee can find a way to increase that they have potential with the scoring abilities of Ricker and Manley.

13. Bath County – (1-5, -2 decrease) – Four of their five losses are by seven points or less. The only big loss to Knox Central who is 3-1 and just four years removed from a state tournament appearance, having reached the regional semifinals last season. Good win over East Carter in week 1. Only one game up, West Carter, then ten days before the next.

14. West Carter – (1-4, -4 decrease) – Big loss to a young Rowan County team as they played their fifth game in a matter of eight days. The Comets will gear up with four games coming up this week against Powell County, Bath County, Lawrence County, and Betsy Layne to continue to improve.

15. Fairview – (0-5, no change) – The young Eagles struggling to shoot from the field and still adapting to a new coaching system which takes time. The Eagles will play four games in four days from Thursday – Sunday, but that will provide a good opportunity for this team to grow and possibly pick up a win somewhere.