1st Region: Week 4

[D Wolf]

Whether right or wrong, I didn't make many changes to my rankings since last week.  It is difficult to evaluate the opponents who are out of this area, and sometimes out-of-state.  As I've said before, I think the margin between Calloway and Marshall is very small.  Similarly, I am not sure that there is very much separating teams 3 through 6.  Mayfield is a very big question mark for me as they are 9-1 but really haven't played a difficult strength of schedule yet this season.

I've got co-games of the week this week as we have two very interesting ones.  #5 McCracken travels to #6 Graves in a game that I would call a toss-up.  #2 Marshall also travels to Otis Dinning this week to take on #3 Tilghman.

Key games this week:

Friday - Marshall at Tilghman (D Wolf co-game of the week), McCracken at Graves (the other game of the week)

Saturday - Calloway vs Greenwood, Murray vs Fairdale

1. Calloway Co. (10-1) - W 57-56 Trinity, L 50-56 LaRue Co.

The Lakers competed well in the competitive WGM Classic, and it's important to note that they are currently without one of their top scorers in Conner Lockhart.  Lockhart was their 3rd-leading scorer with 14 ppg last season and he stretched the floor by making 3 threes per game. I am not sure as to when he is expected to return.  I think this team's top four players are as good as any in Kentucky, but they don't seem to have a whole lot of quality depth.

2. Marshall Co. (12-0) - W 66-39 Tipton Rosemark (TN), W 84-75 vs Louisville Ballard

Matthew Langhi scored 28 and Alex Staples scored 22 in their win over Louisville Ballard.  Those two are very tough to defend and the Marshals remain undefeated so far this season with some solid wins.  They will play in the finals of the FNB Classic on Monday and their opponent is not yet determined at this time.

3. Paducah Tilghman (6-3) - L 46-80 Jeffersontown

Not much of a showing for the Tornado against Jeffersontown and by looking over their stats - they couldn't throw the ball in the ocean (I'm sure J-town's defense had a lot to do with that).  The Tornado was 0-12 from downtown, and was only 4-12 on FTs, and this is a pretty good shooting team with Wilkens, Mikel and Woodfork.  A pretty good opportunity for PT on Friday when the currently undefeated Marshals come to Otis Dinning.  It will be a tough game as the Marshals have some very good ball handlers and it seems the Tornado really thrives when they can get bunches of turnovers.

4. St. Mary (9-2) - L 55-62 Montgomery Co., W 52-48 Lincoln Co.

It's time to seriously be talking about Luke Sims as the Region 1 Player of the Year.  No, you probably won't see him on many lists as top-recruited players in Western Kentucky, but he can really score the basketball and he is an excellent defender too.  Sims is scoring 23 ppg and is shooting 43% from three-point land.

5. McCracken Co., (5-6) - One win and two losses against out-of-state teams.

As I've said before, this Mustangs team is much better than their 5-6 record indicates, and they seem to have a different player step up each game.  Also, I think they will get better and better as the season goes along as their talented Sophomore class gains some experience.   Tough to tell who will have the upper hand when the Mustangs visit the Eagles on Friday night.

6. Graves Co. (7-3) - L 63-65 North Oldham, W 81-52 Shelby Co.

Pretty good results for the Eagles this past week.  I think I will need to start attending their games in order to get any stats.

7. Mayfield (9-1) - W 64-54 Ohio Co., W 48-38 Apollo, W 59-44 Allen Co. Scottsville

How about nine threes for Owen Webb in the win over Ohio County!!!  He made 9 of 13 3's and it is my understanding that this is a Cardinals record!  Nicely done!  I've already got on my calendar for January 10th the clash between Mayfield and Graves.  That should be an interesting one.

8. Carlisle Co. (4-6) - L 50-65 Owensboro, L 70-73 Breckenridge Co.

Sophomore Wyatt Rickard is averaging 14 ppg and 8 rpg so far this season for the Comets.  Can we go ahead and just give them the 1st District trophy?

9. Murray (5-8) - L 50-80 Caverna, L 45-89 Henderson Co.

There's no way that Jimmie Holder made this schedule for his first season with the Tigers.  It's possible that this is one of the toughest schedules in Kentucky so far.  I think this week they play the Harlem Globetrotters in New York.

10. Ballard Mem. (6-4) - W 70-55 John Hardin, W 52-41 Allen Co. Scottsville, W 42-33 Apollo

Ike Miller is coming on strong for the Bombers to provide some support to Jace Birney.  He is scoring 11 ppg and pulling down 10 boards per game.

11. Christian Fellowship School (5-6) - W 80-71 vs Fulton City

How about Elijah Grigg scoring 39 against Fulton City.  That's crazy!

12. Community Christian Acad. (4-4)

Ahmed Dee is the Warriors top player - he is scoring 13 ppg along with 10 rpg.

13. Fulton Co. (3-5)

Tristan Kinney is averaging 14 & 10 for the Pilots.

14. Fulton City (1-12) L 71-80 at CFS

Fulton City will get a chance at turning the tables when they host CFS on January 10.

[D Wolf]

The Marshals defeated Sayre 55-44 in the FNB Bank Classic that they host.  The Marshals are undefeated.  How many others???

[sweet16]

1 hour ago, D Wolf said:

The Marshals defeated Sayre 55-44 in the FNB Bank Classic that they host.  The Marshals are undefeated.  How many others???

Clinton County?

[The Scribe]

I expect the region to be a wild ride this year. Five teams could win it based on the draw.