Let’s start out by talking Tiers:

Tier 1 - McCracken, Marshall and Graves - I think a very good chance the region champ is one of these three teams.

Tier 2 - the teams ranked 4 through 9 below.  I had a lot of trouble ordering these teams and I think you’ll see a lot of movement within them this year.

Tier 3 - everyone else.  The Bombers are the best of this tier but I think these teams are a notch below Tier 2.

Here are PTown Dad’s Preseason Rankings.

1. McCracken Co (14-14) - let’s forget about last season!  This mustangs team is loaded.  The big matchup problem to me is Jackson Klope.  He’s a strong 6-5 and handles the ball very well.  Might have some double doubles this season. Miles Woodfork has transferred across town after averaging better than 20 ppg the last two years.  His lefty floater is automatic.  There’s almost too many “role players” to mention.  Garrett Miller, Aaron Adams, Jay Martin.  Others too!  No holes in this team and I think they have the best chance at Rupp.

2. Marshall Co (29-3).  For me Matthew Langhi is both the best Region 1 prospect and also the one who’s most likely to be the PoY.  They lose three very good players who scored in double figures but you know the Marshals will have others coming up.  Ryan Stokes is one of those players who does everything well except shoot and score.  He’s an outstanding point guard.  This team will be the class of the 4th District. 
 

3. Graves Co. (19-10). This junior class has been talked about for a while and for good reason.  Ty Cavette is not a prolific shooter but he can get to the rim with ease.  Rayon Mathis, Bodie V and they add Caden Fulcher as a transfer.  I’m hearing the Eagles fans are quite happy with the hiring of long-time assistant Matthew Kimbler.  I think this team will be in the Top 3 for the majority of the year. 
 

4. Mayfield (21-10)  I’m higher on this team than others are and one of the main reasons is Owen Byrd.  He’s a smart player who can drive it and also shoot it.  Malik Kirby and Ashton Flint also return and they are solid athletes. This team has good size and also a very good young core.  That’s why I have them at #4

5.  Carlisle County (14-17). Another highly touted prospect is 6-9 Wyatt Rickard.  I know he has at least one D1 offer and he’s going to get more.  They have some pretty solid guards too and surprise, surprise - they should win the 1st District.  
 

6. St. Mary (23-9).  If you get a chance to watch Griffin Mayes then you need to take advantage of it!  He’s one of the best Freshmen in Ky and I look for him to lead the Vikings in scoring.  They have also added a transfer from the 2nd Region in Jacobi Nichols who is looking to have a breakout year.  Andrew Puckett can score and Ashton Spurr will provide size and rebounding.  Who else will step up for these young Vikings?  They should be a fun team to watch.  
 

7. Paducah Tilghman (17-12).  The David Davis tenure begins and I was a little surprised to see the Tornado left off some Top 10 lists.  I guess I get it - there’s a lot of unknowns for the Mystery Tornado this season.  The one known commodity is Avery Thompson - he defends well and can rebound and I think he’s a borderline Top 10 player in this region.  There are 3 transfers from Illinois who I think will contribute.  They’ll be a fast, athletic team and they may surprise some teams this year.  Full Disclosure - my son, PTown Son, plays on this team.  He’s not a prominent player as of yet but I thought I should let yall know this.

8. Murray (9-19)  Does KY have an All Rec-Specs Team?  They really should and Maddox Mitchell would be on it.  He has good size and can shoot it.  Harris Moore is another scorer that you need to keep your eye on.  The Tigers are now led by Collin Doss and he is a young, energetic coach that the Tigers fans are excited about. 
 

9. Calloway Co (31-4). It feels strange to drop the defending champs to nine but the loss of Butler and Finley were so huge.  And that’s not all they lost.  Luke Armstrong might end up leading the region in scoring.  Also Ace Stricklin transfers in from across town and this dude can fly!

10. Ballard Mem (18-11). The Jace Birney Bombers career is now over and the young man had a great one!  This Bombers team always seems to be solid and Ike Miller looks to lead the way this year.  

11. Christian Fellowship (14-16). Elijah Grigg leads the way and he’s a big-time scorer.  A solid senior class for these Eagles.  
 

12. Fulton County (9-14). The Pilots were the other District 1 team to make it to the CFSB Center last year and they return some scoring.  Zayden Kinney can knock down the 3 ball.  
 

13. Hickman Co (8-20). Cam Cartwright takes over as coach and he was a star guard for the Mustangs several years back.  I think this team could surprise some people with this new coaching staff. 
 

14. Community Christian (17-12). The Warriors have a solid sophomore class led by Dejarnett and Anderson.  Dejarnett can really shoot.  
 

15.  Fulton City (3-26). Only one way to go and that’s up.  Both youngsters Jackson and Wilson scored in double figures last year.  

I always like to know what you guys think!  I most likely have Mayfield higher than what others have predicted.  
 

The second team out of the 2nd District will be very interesting.  I think that the Vikings have a more talented young core, but the Tornado will have plenty of quality depth.  

The top 3 are definitely the top teams. After that it gets pretty muddy. McCracken is going to be very hard to handle. They have so many weapons. Miller is going to have a breakout year. 

Paducah Tilghman may be ranked low at the beginning but I see them getting better as the year progresses. Where are the three transfers from?

I think Murray could be a surprise team. They have some good pieces coming back. 

I believe that the 3 transfers are from Meridian and they followed Coach Davis to PT.  I think that either one or two of them will be starters.  
 

I think what you’ll see from PT is a lot of up-tempo pressing.  They’ll probably give up some easy baskets here and there but they’ll hopefully get a lot of transition buckets too.  

On 11/14/2025 at 1:50 PM, PTown Dad said:

I believe that the 3 transfers are from Meridian and they followed Coach Davis to PT.  I think that either one or two of them will be starters.

I wonder if one of them is the big guy in the middle? If so, PT could be a surprise. From what I read he was a beast. Too bad he has only one year of eligibility. 

I saw the Region 1 Coaches Poll that the Courier Journal did:

1-McCracken, 2-Marshall, 3-Graves, 4-St. Mary, 5-Carlisle, 6-Murray, 7-Mayfield, 8-Calloway, 9-PT, 10-Ballard 

I believe all rankings that I have seen have the Mustangs at #1. And they’ve also all had the same three teams at the top although I saw one list with Graves at #2. Four through nine have been all over the place and this is the first list I’ve seen with Tilghman.  
I like St. Mary a lot and their top 3-4 are as talented as any in the region.  The question mark I have with them is what is the rest of the roster like?  They also are very young but Mayes is the real deal. 

The district will be really tough. One of those 3 with McCracken, Tilghman and St. Mary will be sitting at home come regional tournament.  I know the districts was at St. Mary last year but look for wherever to be packed for that elimination game between the 3.

19 hours ago, Mr. Neutral said:

The district will be really tough. One of those 3 with McCracken, Tilghman and St. Mary will be sitting at home come regional tournament.  I know the districts was at St. Mary last year but look for wherever to be packed for that elimination game between the 3.

It's at McCracken this year. 

Graves hasn't won a regional tournament game since 2018, so I'm rather skeptical about them as true contenders.

Although, if there's going to be a year to get over the first round hump (lol?) it's this year.