1st Region: Week 5

[D Wolf]

Happy New Year from an icy Paducah!  Everyone stay safe!

Some of you may wonder why I have the Lakers over the Marshals in my rankings.  First, the margin is not much, and I've been tempted to use a 1A/1B ranking because both of these teams are very strong.  I think the duo of Finley/Butler is the best in this region and I think probably one of the best duos in Kentucky.  But Marshall's duo of Langhi and Staples is not far behind at all.  Which team has better depth?  That's an easy one - the Marshalls have a pretty deep bench with lots of solid ball handlers.  I could easily see a split between these two teams in their home and home 4th District matchups.

I had to go once again with co-games of the week because I couldn't make my mind up.  Key games this week:

Mon. - Murray at Graves

Tues - St. Mary at McCracken (D Wolf's co-game of the week), Calloway vs Hopkins Co. Central (2A Section 1 Semifinals at Tilghman), Murray at Tilghman (2A Semifinals), Ballard Mem. at Mayfield

Fri. - Mayfield at Graves (D Wolf's co-game of the week), 2A Section 1 Finals, Carlisle at Fulton Co.

Sat. - Marshall vs Wayne Co. (game at Lincoln Co.)

Here are this week's rankings:

1. Calloway Co. (13-1) - W 71-53 at CFS, W 75-69 vs Greenwood

You've got to think that the Lakers are the favorites for this week's Section 1 2A tournament.  A solid win over Greenwood where Jonah Butler scored 32 and Eli Finley had 25 points and 9 boards.  You're going to need two outstanding defenders to slow down these guys.

2. Marshall Co. (14-0) - W 77-67 at Tilghman

Very nice road win for the Marshals on Friday night.  Alex Staples was on fire and seemingly could score however he wanted with his 30 points.  This guy gets to the rim with ease and can finish it when he gets there.  Not many weaknesses in this Marshals team.

3. Paducah Tilghman (6-4) - L 67-77 vs Marshall Co.

The Tornado kept is pretty close through halftime but the majority of the 4th quarter they were down by 10-15 points versus the Marshals.  The thing that has surprised me so far is that the Tornado is not shooting the 3s very well at 31% as a team.  Owen Mikel was very impressive shooting for the Vikings last year and Miles Woodfork is also a pretty decent shooter.  Perhaps once they get the shots to fall they will start winning some key games.

4. St. Mary (10-2)

I looked through Riherds and the last time the Vikings beat the Mustangs was nearly 10 years ago in 2015.  This will still be a tall task as they travel on the road to Strawberry Hills Arena on Tuesday night.  The Mustangs definitely have an edge with their depth, but I look for Luke Sims to be the best player on the floor.  I think this game could go either way and it's quite an opportunity for the Vikings.

5. Graves Co. (8-4) - W 60-47 vs McCracken Co.

We have stats!  Thank you to the Eagles coaching staff.  What a nice win for the Eagles over the Mustangs and it sounds like they were in control of the game for most of the 2nd half.  Braden Waller is scoring 16 ppg and pulling down 8 boards per game for the Eagles.  Sophomore Ty Cavette is the 2nd leading scorer for Graves.

6. McCracken Co. (6-7) - L 47-60 at Graves Co., W 61-54 Central Hardin

Tough loss at the Eagles but a nice bounce back against Central Hardin.  Dylan Jackson scored 22 in that game, and he can really shoot the ball.  Can the Mustangs protect their homecourt on Tuesday against the Vikings?

7. Mayfield (11-1) - W 61-25 at Crittenden Co., W 58-55 vs Trigg Co.

Yes, the 11-1 record is very nice, but the Cardinals don't really have a signature win yet this season.  They will have a big opportunity on Friday night when they travel to the Eagles' Nest to take on Graves.  This is a tall task for this young Cardinals team, but they will definitely move up these rankings if they can pull out that 3rd District win.

8. Carlisle Co. (6-6) - W 63-52 vs Livingston Central

Super Sophomore Wyatt Rickard had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Comets in their win over Livingston.  I'll be interested to see if any of the 1st District teams can challenge them this season.  I don't think so, but we'll see.

9. Murray (5-9) - L 36-85 Fairdale

After the Tigers' crazy schedule - they get a chance to possibly advance with a win over the Tornado on Tuesday night.  I think these Tigers are better than their 5-9 record indicates.  

10. Ballard Memorial (7-5) - L 61-71 vs Logan Co., W 83-40 Todd Co. Central

The Bombers really play an exciting brand of basketball, and that is evident in the 38 points that Jace Birney scored in their win over Todd Co. Central.  They really like to get up and down the court and it's fun to watch.

11.  Community Christian Acad. (5-5) - W 77-75 vs Trigg Co., L 41-64 vs Carlisle Co. 

Solid win for the Warriors over Trigg.  Ahmed Dee continues to lead the way with averages of 13 ppg and 10 rpg.

12. Fulton Co. (3-5)

The Pilots get an opportunity this week when they host Carlisle.

13. Christian Fellowship School (5-8) - L 53-71 vs Calloway Co., L 57-71 vs Dawson Springs

Elijah Grigg is scoring 21 points per game.

14. Hickman Co. (4-7) - W 66-30 vs Greenfield, TN

Ny Irons scored 23 points in their win over Greenfield

15. Fulton City

This is a very young team with a bright future if they stay together.

 

[theguru]

Bump.

[D Wolf]

The 2A semis got moved to Wednesday and I think the finals are on Thursday (snow is expected on Friday)

2 interesting games the the 1st Region tonight:

*#4 St. Mary at #6 McCracken.  The Vikings have never won on the road against the Mustangs.  This one should be a close one.  Be sure to check out McCracken’s YouTube channel if you want to watch.

#10 Ballard Bombers at #7 Mayfield.  Probably more interesting if it were at Ballard but I still think could be close.  I’m still trying to figure out if the 11-1 Cardinals are for real this season.  If they are then they most likely will win this home game comfortably.  We’ll see.