8th Region: Week 3

[Bballjunkie]

This region continues to surprise me.  A lot of good basketball is coming in January.  Most are playing or will play in some holiday tournaments.  These tournaments are a great chance to let the coaches work on different rotations, different defenses and who to have in the game when it is late and the score is tight.  The teams will get in the heart of their schedule in January and the cream will rise to the top.  The King of the Bluegrass just ended and Region 8 represented well.  Woodford and North Oldham played some high level competition in the most prestigious tournament in the state.  Below is the updated rankings.

1.      Woodford County-  the Yellowjackets are good.  Amelo Boone is averaging 20ppg and is the real deal.  He runs the show to not only get his buckets but also sets up easy shots for his teammates.  Woodford lost to St X in the first round of the King of the Bluegrass by 5 pts.  If you have seen St X play you know how impressive that is to only lose by 5pts.  Woodford is the team to beat in the 8^th region.

Woodford only has one game this week;  Friday vs Green County at Lex Catholic (this is a tournament so I would assume they would play Saturday too)

2.      North Oldham- if you can make it to the Semi finals of the King of the Bluegrass.. YOU ARE GOOD.  The Mustangs don’t look like much in warmups when it comes to size and athleticism but when the game starts they have a bunch of dudes that can play.  They move the ball well and everyone is ready to shoot. They have been led in scoring by freshman, Austin Sears.  He has been a bucket since 2^nd grade in the AAU circuit.  He is avg 16ppg a game.  However, they have 5-6 guys that are legit scoring threats. 

The Mustangs play in a Henry County tourney this weekend.  They are starting off playing against Graves County who is coached by former Henry and Oldham County, Jason Holland.

3.      Simon Kenton-  went 2-1 in the Scott Winter Classic.  Jay Bilton is leading the team in scoring with 15ppg.   The Pioneers are led by a group of Seniors that have their sights on the ultimate goal.  Coach Steiner knows what he is doing.  This is not his first rodeo.  His boys are working hard and are ready for the meat of their schedule coming up in January. 

The boys from NKY are heading to a weekend at Lex Christian. 

4.      South Oldham- the Dragons have won 5 out of their last 6.  They are rolling.  I know this is no surprise to anyone but Julian Miles is leading the charge.  The Senior guard is avg 21ppg.  They have two other guys having 10ppg a piece, Jake Fithian and William Burnside.  The Dragons are a tough team to guard similar to North.  A lot of guys can score.  Most would expect for Steve Simpson to hang it up in the near future.  So you know he wants to get back to Rupp and this team can get him there.

This Week the boys from Crestwood are heading to Campbellsville for a tourney.  They open up with Elizabethtown.

5.      Walton Verona-  the Bearcats had a huge road win vs Collins.  I heard it was a great game 74-71.  I would have loved to see it.  Aaron Gutman is still looking like the best player in the region.  He is currently avg 28ppg.  His length just makes it hard for anyone to guard him and he is a willing passer as well to set his teammates up for buckets. 

WV is heading east to play in a tournament in Ashland, KY.  They are taking on the host team in the opener.

6.      Collins-  I hated to drop Collins from 2 to 6.  But losing 2 of their last 3 and one of those was against Walton Verona.   They also only scored 25 points in a loss to Franklin.  Its high school basketball so some nights those things just happen.  Chris Gaither is one of the best coaches around so we will get the boys ready.  They will be a team that no one wants to play come tournament time.

They are also heading over to the Henry County tournament.  They open vs an athletic Butler team.

7.      Spencer County- the Bears could easily be in the top 5.    I think they will be by the end of the year but it’s still a young season and I just couldn’t put them higher than 7.  Talking about a tough team to plan to guard, spencer county has the most balance scoring in the entire region with Sam Seawright 14ppg, Jack Armstrong 14ppg, Jackson Combs 12ppg, Chris Armstrong 10ppg, Brady Smith 9ppg. WOW.  That is a why they are fun team to watch.  Watch out for the Bears, they are coming.

Spencer is heading to Campbellsville for a tournament .  They are starting off with Monroe County.

8.      Anderson County-  the Bearcats have lost 4 of their last 5 games but I am still keeping them in the top 8.  They have had a brutal schedule as of late.  This is a team that can get hot in January and could possibly win 7-8 games in the month. 

The Bearcats are heading to a tournament in Bardstown.  They open with Danville.

9.      Grant County-  The Braves from Grant County are 4-2 in the season.  They are similar to Spencer in that they have 4 guys avg in double figures.  Ben Bosse19ppg, Nathanael Hamm 12ppg, Wyatt Hucker 11ppg and Brennen Gordon 10ppg.  This team is tough on both ends of the court.

I am very jealous of these teenagers currently because they are in the Sunshine State playing basketball. That is the life!!!!!

10.  Oldham County-  a comment was made on BGP after the Greenwood loss that this is the worse Oldham County team in years.  The Colonels have the most regional titles than anyone in the history of the 8^th region but this team has a long way to go.  They are struggling.  It will be interesting to see what Coach Renner can do to get these boys to being a competitive team

OC goes to Henderson County for a weekend tourney .

11.  Gallatin County-  winners of their last 3, one of which was a big win on the road vs Owen who was ranked high.  This is the reason why I put Gallatin at 11.  They deserve it.

They are heading to Whitley County for a tourney

12.  Owen County- the Rebels are a solid team that has their sights on the regional tournament.  It’s a long season so I am thinking they have a great shot at getting into the top 10 by February.

OC is heading to Mason County for a tourney

13.  Henry County -  the Wildcats have already gotten 7 wins this season.  They are on pace for a winning record and I know how bad these boys want to play in their own gym in the regionals. Baylor Nolin scored 49 points vs Carroll.  This I heard could be the score record.  Impressive!!

HC will be staying at home and playing in their own tourney

14.  Eminence -  they made the biggest jump of the week because of their wins vs Trimble and Williamstown.

The Warriors play in a tourney in Trimble County.

15.  Shelby County-  even though they only have 1 win on the season there is some talent on this team.  I have a feeling they will get it going in January.

16.  Carroll County-  the boys got a good win vs Casey County last week.  This week they stay close to home and are playing in the Trimble County tourney.

17.  Williamstown- Last week the Demons got their first win vs Trimble County.  They are off this week.

18.  Trimble County- starting the season off 1-7 is not fun but they continue to fight to get better each night.  They are staying home and hosting their first tourney.  Look for them to get a couple wins.

[theguru]

Bump.