One thing is becoming clear as we enter the later part of the season - this region is Danville Christian's to lose at this point. Most of the top ten teams had losses this past week but not DCA. DCA had a convincing win over Pulaski which should dispel any doubt that they are the front runner for the region. After them, the rest of the region seems to be falling into parity with seemingly any team between 2 and 14 capable of beating (or losing) to any other. 

DCA has a chance at making some serious noise in Owensboro for the State All A. For the rest of the region, teams will continue to position themselves as good as possible in their districts as we inch closer to the postseason.

Rankings

1. Danville Christian - As stated, the Warriors defeated Pulaski County handily last week. They also put a running clock on Boyle County, 70 - 35. They have the All A State Tournament this week and will open their run with Elliott County. 

2. Pulaski County - Pulaski was able to bounce back from their loss to DCA with a win over Caverna. They face Clay County, Somerset and McCreary Central this week. 

3. Mercer County - The Titans got a district win over East Jessamine before falling to Harlan County in the 2A. Trevor Ellis sits right around 15 points per game with 9 rebounds per game. They face Bryan Station and West Jessamine on the road.

4. Lincoln County - The Patriots defeated Danville and LCA handily before being blown out by Ashland. They were held to 23 by the Tomcats with Sawyer Robbins scoring 9. They host Madison Central, Garrard County and Boyle County this week. 

5. Southwestern - The Warriors to Adair County and Russell County. They square off with Berea, McCreary Central and Valley this week. Jarrett Simpson had 18 points and 11 rebounds against Adair.

6. Wayne County - The Cardinals survived an upset bid by Rockcastle County by 4 points and then blew out McCreary Central. They face Somerset Christian and Danville this week.

7. West Jessamine - The Colts fell to Madison Central but handily disposed of East Jessamine. Luk Tut had 22 in the win. They face Boyle County and Mercer County this week. That Mercer game may end up deciding the 1 seed in the district.

8. Somerset - The Jumpers were able to get two wins this week, a blowout over Casey County and a nice win over Garrard County. They face Madison Southern and rival Pulaski County this week. This is about where the line is for teams I expect to be able to make some noise in the postseason. A win over Pulaski could cement Somerset on the positive side of that line.

9. Boyle County - The Rebels got two district wins over Garrard County and Danville before taking the district loss to DCA. They face West Jessamine and Lincoln County this week. The Lincoln game may end up a preview of the 2 vs. 3 district semifinal.

10. Garrard County - The Golden Lions fell to Boyle County and Somerset before bouncing back wit a win over Dunbar. They face district foes Danville and Lincoln County on the road this week.

11. Somerset Christian - The Cougars had two 8 point wins this week over McCreary Central and Betsy Layne. Braley Adderly went 11 for 13 from the floor on his way to 25 points against Betsy Layne. They face Wayne County, Casey County and Monroe County this week.

12. McCreary Central - The Raiders fell to Somerset Christian and Wayne County last week. They have two tough games this week against Southwestern and Pulaski.

13. East Jessamine - The Jaguars lost two district games to Mercer and West Jessamine. They have Trinity Christian and North Hardin this week.

14. Rockcastle County - The Rockets had another opportunity at a great upset but were unable to defeat Wayne County. They host Caverna and Clay County in the Rocket Classic this weekend.

15. Danville - The Ads' skid continued with losses to Lincoln and Boyle County. They host Garrard and Wayne County this week.

16. Trinity Christian - The Titans play two in district this week against East Jessamine and Burgin. This is their chance to set themselves up to possibly be the 3 and not have to be on Mercer's side of the district tournament, if Mercer ends up the 1 that is.

17. Burgin - The Bulldogs play Collegiate, Model and Trinity Christian this week.

18. Casey County - The Rebels are still seeking their first win of the year as they play Jackson County, Somerset Christian and Barbourville this week. 

19. Kentucky School for the Deaf - The Colonels lost to their Tennessee counterparts. They face Red Bird this week.

All about matchups 2 thru 10.  I will say I think Somerset is comfortable playing DCA.  But, DCA bringing in another piece halfway through season may make the gap too wide for anyone to reach. They’ve played a lot over the last 3 years.  Experience playing against that size matters.   I expect DCA to be playing Hazard in All A Final 4.

11 hours ago, LethalPG said:

All about matchups 2 thru 10.  I will say I think Somerset is comfortable playing DCA.  But, DCA bringing in another piece halfway through season may make the gap too wide for anyone to reach. They’ve played a lot over the last 3 years.  Experience playing against that size matters.   I expect DCA to be playing Hazard in All A Final 4.

I think Green County beats Hazard. 

7 hours ago, Statsdontlie said:

I think Green County beats Hazard. 

Very well could happen.  I think it'll be a dog fight for sure.  I believe the 2 highest RPIs in the field.

Hearing the injury bug has bit a couple of teams.  I don't reveal injuries until I'm 100% sure, but if true a few teams will be hampered for sure.

The rankings after DCA are really just a bear to put together most weeks. I don’t know if there is a region that beats up on each other more than this one. Another Tuesday night of fantastic games ending up in fun results.

4 minutes ago, se7ens said:

The rankings after DCA are really just a bear to put together most weeks. I don’t know if there is a region that beats up on each other more than this one. Another Tuesday night of fantastic games ending up in fun results.

I made a post in the preseason in which I asserted that with the exception of Pulaski just about every team had about 3 or 4 proven players.  In my mind that made it a referendum on the coaches.  Who could develop the younger players who didn't bring in a lot of experience?  Who could implement systems by which they could be successful?  I'd be interested to know who you think has really coached his guys up in the 12th based on what we knew going in to the season.  

 

5 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

I made a post in the preseason in which I asserted that with the exception of Pulaski just about every team had about 3 or 4 proven players.  In my mind that made it a referendum on the coaches.  Who could develop the younger players who didn't bring in a lot of experience?  Who could implement systems by which they could be successful?  I'd be interested to know who you think has really coached his guys up in the 12th based on what we knew going in to the season.  

 

I thank there is no doubt Coach Busick is doing the job he was brought in to do at DCA.

I think Coach Webb at Boyle has kept this group together and managed a very difficult situation that includes not having Quisenberry and really not knowing for sure what other football players you would or would not have until the dust cleared. I thought they were done but I for sure could see them being able to win a district semifinal and then who knows what in region.

Coach Gover at SCS obviously lost his best scorer and is putting together the best season in school history.

Coach Dunbar at Southwestern seems to really invest himself into his team about as hard as anyone can. They have struggled some this season but man they keep putting themselves in the conversation with solid wins in the region. 
And finally I think you have to certainly recognize Coach Cash at Rockcastle County. A devastating injury takes out your team’s crux to start the year but then you just start building with what you have and you compete in games against quality competition and even get a really solid win over Somerset. I don’t know if they can be dangerous in the postseason still but wow am I excited about next year. Like contender excited.

9 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

I made a post in the preseason in which I asserted that with the exception of Pulaski just about every team had about 3 or 4 proven players.  In my mind that made it a referendum on the coaches.  Who could develop the younger players who didn't bring in a lot of experience?  Who could implement systems by which they could be successful?  I'd be interested to know who you think has really coached his guys up in the 12th based on what we knew going in to the season.  

 

You would say all the returning players are equally the same?  I would not agree.  I would put DCA, Mercer, Pulaski and SW into different categories. 

10 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

I'd be interested to know who you think has really coached his guys up in the 12th based on what we knew going in to the season.

I'd make a case for Kasey McRay at Garrard County. Most picked the Golden Lions to be in the 10-15 range of the region to start the year but they're 12-6 with three of those losses (Wayne, Estill, Somerset) by 5 points or less. He's got a 1,000 point scorer in Jaydon Noe but the other guys have all been role players throughout their careers but are all contributing now. To me, that is the definition of "coaching his guys up" in the question above.

Somerset lost two 1,000 PT scorers off last years Regional Finals team, and have played a pretty dang good schedule (DCA, Corbin & Bell Co. could all win the region).  Definitely, a pieced together roster that has managed fairly well. 

2 hours ago, LethalPG said:

You would say all the returning players are equally the same?  I would not agree.  I would put DCA, Mercer, Pulaski and SW into different categories. 

No, I wouldn't say they were the same.  I just meant that for every team other than Pulaski, with 5 experienced players returning, nobody could simply reload like some of the powerhouse programs in some other regions seem to do.  

Somerset is a good case in point.  They lost 2 really good players.  If there were freshmen and sophomores simply waiting their turn like you see at places like GRC or in some of the Louisville schools they would have been logging a lot of minutes last year.  The fact that they're over .500 and 3-1 in the district is a testimony to good coaching and a good program.  

"Coaching your guys up" as I meant it wasn't based on having the most talent going in. 

2 hours ago, gchs_uk9 said:

I'd make a case for Kasey McRay at Garrard County. Most picked the Golden Lions to be in the 10-15 range of the region to start the year but they're 12-6 with three of those losses (Wayne, Estill, Somerset) by 5 points or less. He's got a 1,000 point scorer in Jaydon Noe but the other guys have all been role players throughout their careers but are all contributing now. To me, that is the definition of "coaching his guys up" in the question above.

I'd agree, Garrard has surprised me.

24 minutes ago, 24Rocks said:

No, I wouldn't say they were the same.  I just meant that for every team other than Pulaski, with 5 experienced players returning, nobody could simply reload like some of the powerhouse programs in some other regions seem to do.  

Somerset is a good case in point.  They lost 2 really good players.  If there were freshmen and sophomores simply waiting their turn like you see at places like GRC or in some of the Louisville schools they would have been logging a lot of minutes last year.  The fact that they're over .500 and 3-1 in the district is a testimony to good coaching and a good program.  

"Coaching your guys up" as I meant it wasn't based on having the most talent going in. 

Good clarification.  My biggest disappointment right now would be West Jessamine.  I think they have some quality pieces, but just have been sputtering some.  They could def. still turn it around, just thought they would be more towards the top with DCA and Mercer. 

1 hour ago, LethalPG said:

Good clarification.  My biggest disappointment right now would be West Jessamine.  I think they have some quality pieces, but just have been sputtering some.  They could def. still turn it around, just thought they would be more towards the top with DCA and Mercer. 

My biggest disappointment is definitely East Jessamine. I thought they would be way better this year with Miyo Jones, Keelen Daniels and the Freshman Tyson Duke.