16th Region: Week 7

16th Region News and Notes

• Region #1 Ashland swept the competition last week, beating Chapmanville (WV) (80-72), Lincoln County (78-23), and Bardstown (77-58). Drew Smith scored 36 against Chapmanville and flirted with Ashland's single game three point record, hitting nine treys. Zander Carter had 26 in the rout of Lincoln County, while Preston Hoskins knocked down five threes. Carter and Smith combined for 55 against Bardstown. 

A Smith ➡️ Carter connection got the Anderson Gym crowd on their feet against Chapmanville. 

• Rowan County began the week on a high note, but it was all downhill from there.

The Vikings bested Boyd County 65-61 for the 2A Section 6 championship on their home floor, becoming just the third 16th Region school to beat the Lions in the last four years. Gavin Mirus showcased an all-court game with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Jacob Spurlock and Ethan Rardon combined for 45 points and twelve threes for the Lions. 

• The joy was short lived, as Rowan traveled to Lewis County the following night for a throwback game honoring the old Vanceburg High School. Perhaps a little hungover, the Vikings found themselves back pedaling as Lewis controlled the game for nearly three quarters. Trailing by 19, Rowan made a furious rally to reduce the deficit to two. They could get no closer, with the Lions rising to the occasion to hold on for the 69-66 win, their second over the Vikings this season. Drew Noble was a workhorse at both ends, logging 25 points and 13 boards.

• The Vikings’ ship sank deeper following a trek to Owensboro for the 2A State Tournament. Calloway County, a consensus Top 20 team in the state, stifled Rowan County's offense, holding them to season lows for points (42) and field goal percentage (27%). They were one and done for the tourney following the 26 point beatdown.

• Regardless, Rowan's defeat of Boyd after beating Fleming County proves the Vikings’ mettle within the region. They're rewarded with a move to #2 in the rankings. 

• As the 2A schools crowned a sectional champion in Morehead, the region's All “A” tournament concluded in Westwood. Elliott County beat Raceland 63-58 to deny the Rams’ bid for three straight titles. The Lions overcame a 15 point deficit at the half. The future was on display for both, with sophomore Lake Adkins scoring a game high 24 for the winners and Raceland sophomore Jonah Arnett contributing a team high 19 for the Rams.

• Elliott kept it rolling with a 58-50 win over Lewis County 24 hours later. The same Lewis County squad coming off a win over Rowan County, who themselves had just beaten Boyd County. Elliott's win over Raceland in the All “A” avenged a loss to the Rams in December, and Lewis’ win over Rowan was a bounce back game after losing to Russell by 25.

The new year has produced a tangled web of results muddying the waters for several teams in the region after Ashland.

• Count the Red Devils among those teams trudging through the mire. Russell is turning it around, winners of four straight after a six game losing streak. They overcame a slow start against rival Greenup County at the ‘Greenhouse’ to pull away and lead by as many as thirteen before settling on a 62-53 final. Caleb Rimmer was a force with 28 & 10, and continues to diversify his game, connecting on six threes. Shae Burnham provided boundless energy off the bench, contributing 8 points and 8 rebounds. The win was mildly cathartic for Russell, who was hounded by the Musketeers last year, losing all three matchups by an average of 16 per.

• Fleming County knocked down 17 threes to blow out Bath County. The Panthers had four players score at least 14 points, led by Bradley Robinson's 23. Seth Hickerson dropped 32 on Mason County to handle the Royals at the Fieldhouse two nights later, aided by a 18/10 double-double from Kaine Roberts. Roberts was a perfect 12 of 12 combined from the field and free throw line.

• Jacob Spurlock continues his ascent up the career ladder for three point field goals. He surpassed 400 career makes in the loss to Rowan County. With a full season and a half still to go, he ranks sixth all-time in state history with 402. It's not out of the question that he could get to #2 before season's end. Travis Perry's career mark is likely out of reach, even for the state's most prolific active long range shooter.

Courtesy of X.

Ranking The Region

1. Ashland (11-5) ? 

2. Rowan County (8-8) ??

3. Fleming County (12-4) ?

4. Boyd County (7-8) ?

5. Elliott County (10-3) ? 

6. Raceland (12-4) ?

7. Russell (7-7) ?

8. Lewis County (8-5) ?

9. Morgan County (7-8) ??

10. Greenup County (5-10) ??

11. Bath County (5-9) ??

12. West Carter (3-12) ☄️

13. East Carter (4-10) ??

14. Menifee County (3-13) ??

15. Fairview (3-11) ?

Player Of The Week 
Zander Carter (Ashland) - The Mr. Basketball candidate unselfishly took a back seat to the hot hand of Drew Smith against Chapmanville, recording a modest 14 points with 7 assists and 6 rebounds. He had both hands on the wheel in a dismantling of Lincoln County, stuffing the stat sheet with 26 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Carter closed the week with 30 points against Bardstown.