Its not a three horse race anymore folks.  I really thought Simon, Woodford, and South were in a league of their own.  But it looks like there are some teams that felt disrespected and came out swinging last week.  Collins beating South and North going to NKY to beat Simon really flipped the region on its head a bit.  Its going to be a fun, wide open next 2 months of basketball.  Woodford seems to be on top but they haven't played a regional game so who knows.  I can't wait to see some of the matchups in early 2025.

Updated Rankings:

1.   Woodford- going to keep them on top until they lose a regional game. Still not sure if their schedule is accurate on Khsaa website. This past weekend they beat a really good Ballard team by 10.  However, they lost to a REALLY good team, Male, by only 8.  The YellowJackets are gearing up for the King of the Bluegrass where they will meet some of the best teams in the state.  Should be fun to see how they represent Region 8- first game is Thursday vs Ashland at 9pm.  

2.     Collins- huge surprise so far. Three straight region wins with one of those being vs South. Are they the second best team in the region? Probably not but they deserve it in week 2. Collins has a really busy week with games vs Central, Franklin County , Scott County and they finish the week with a huge game vs Walton Verona on Saturday.

3.     North - another huge surprise.  They have beaten some really good teams. Their win at Simon Kenton was really impressive. They can really shoot the ball and will be a threat to beat anyone on any given night.  They are being led by freshman guard, Austin Sears, who can fill it up. The Mustangs are also heading down to South Louisville to play in the King of The Bluegrass. Their first game is Wed at 430pm vs Adair County.

4.     Simon Kenton - I still think this team is top 3 in the region but I had to bump them down.  It’s a long season so I am sure they will be there in March when it counts. Losing to North on their home court was a shocker.  I am sure they are ready to bounce back this week vs Cov Catholic and Holy Cross (Covington).

5.     South - sounds like they had a terrible shooting night at Collins. Sometimes that happens. They bounced back and got a big win vs Walton a couple nights later.  Senior Guard, Julian Miles is leading the team in scoring with 21ppg.  They are a tough matchup for teams.  This week they take on CAL and Marshall County.

6.     Walton- after losing to South they had a huge win vs Spencer. There is a lot of pressure on their star. He has a lot on him night in and night out for them to win. Aaron Gutman is avg 26ppg.  Very impression taking into account who they have played so far this season. It doesn’t get any easier for the Bearcats who play Scott, St X and Collins this week.

7.     Spencer- they have lost 3 of their last 4 but are playing some really stiff competition.  The Walton loss is the reason for the spot at 7.  4 games next week and none are regional games.  Jeffersontown, Western, Lewis County and Ballard Memorial

8.     Anderson – Big wins last week vs Gallatin and Grant shows that they belong in the top 8.  The Bearcats has some nice balance scoring so far with 3 players avg double digit in points. A light week games wise with Cal on Monday and Fern Creek on Saturday.

9.     Oldham County- the injury bug keeps hurting the Colonels.  A couple kids out last couple games with concussions.  Once they get all the players on the floor it will be interesting to see if they can compete with the top half of the region. This week they have Highlands on Monday and travel to a holiday tourney in Rowan County.

10.  Grant – Grant had a couple big wins vs Owen and Williamstown but lost a close one to Anderson.  Looks like they just have 2 games this week and then a big break until the first of the year.

11.  Owen – The Rebels are 4-1 on the season.  They are so close to getting into the top 10.  They got big wins last week over Henry and Shelby but fell to Grant only by 3 pts.  This week they play Gallatin and Carroll before traveling to Rowan County and play in the same classic at Oldham County

12.  Henry – Starting the year off is solid with a record of 4-2. The two losses are the reason for the 12 spot.  Owen and Oldham both went to New Castle and got wins on the Wildcats home floor.  They have 3 games they should win this week with Carroll , Eminence, and Evansville Day School.

13.  Gallatin – the Wildcats took a stumble in the rankings after going 1-3 in their last 4 games.  Walton , Collins and Anderson beat them by double digits. Really busy week with games vs Owen, Beechwood, Trimble, Somerset Christian, Barbourville, and Whitley County.  WOW.  No rush for the weary.

14.  Shelby- starting the year off 1-4 is not ideal but they have played some strong competition.  The Rockets have 3 games this week: Bethlehem, Meade County and Martin County. 

15.  Carroll -Panthers got a huge win vs Trimble last week to keep them out of the bottom 3.  They have the opportunity to move up the rankings this week if they can get a win against Henry or Owen.  They are traveling to Marion County over the weekend to take on Trinity (Whitesville) and Casey County.

16.  Trimble -Trimble is 1-4 this season but they have their sights set on getting their first region win this week vs Eminence, Williamstown, or Gallatin

17.  Williamstown – The Demons of Williamstown has started their season 0-6.  There is a lot of basketball to be played and they are ready to taste victory this week against Trimble, Eminence, or Heritage Academy.

18.  Eminence – The Warriors got their first win last week vs Cornerstown Chrisitan.  They want to have that feeling again this week vs Trimble, Henry, or Williamstown.

 

 

The teams I think have a shot at winning the region:

Woodford

North

SK

South

 

My pick is North to win it all.

After watching North Oldham the last two nights I'm super impressed and think they are the best team in the 8th. I've watched Woodford County both nights in same tournament and they are very legit as well.