11th Region: Week 1

It is good to have basketball back if full swing.  Although a lot of attention was focused on the football finals at Kroger Field, and rightfully so, there were some really good matchups in week one.  The headliner was a game between two teams that had been at the top of the rankings for the past 2 seasons in Great Crossing and Frederick Douglass.  Overall, the 11th got off to a good start against out of region foes.  That being said, several teams, both in and out of the region are still getting their football players back into basketball shape.  So some of these results might look a lot different in a few week.  Here's how things stand after opening week. 

1. Frederick Douglass (2-0)

The Broncos didn't waste anytime, they jumped straight into the fire with a matchup against 2 time defending 11th Region, and defending State Champion Great Crossing.  Douglass came out on top in this one 74-65, dealing Great Crossing their first loss against a Kentucky opponent since St. Xavier last December 15th.  The Broncos exhibited the balanced scoring that they demonstrated last season, as they placed 3 players in double figures.  DeMarcus Surratt led the way with 19, Jimmy Dick drained 4 three pointers to finish with 16, and Thurman Wade finished with 15.  Freddy D closed out the week with an 80-65 win over Moore in the Jersey Mike's Subs Hoops Classic at Great Crossing.  Surratt again led the way with a 30 point, 11 rebound explosion.  Tate Robins added 15, and Thurman Wade finished with 13.  Strong start to the season for the Broncos. They have only a single game on their schedule between December 6th and 19th.  On Friday they travel to Montgomery County to play the homestanding Indians in The Bluegrass Basketball Invitational. 

2. Madison Central (2-0)

Speaking of strong starts, the Indians roared out of the gate with  a pair of 30 point wins over two teams that are expected to be regional contenders in Pulaski County and Green County.  In the opener Madison Central blew out Pulaski County 83-50 powered by an amazing shooting performance.  The Indians shot 60.9% from the field, and drained 12 three pointers in 24 attempts in their destruction of the Maroons. Jake Feldhaus finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while new addition Grayson Burton added 20 and 7.  Will Richardson drained 5 of 6 from deep to finish with 18 points, and Luke Asher joined him in double figures with 16.  On Saturday Central travelled to Winchester to take on Green County in the Mr. Basketball Classic.  This one was a blowout as well as the Indians came away with a dominating 87-57 win over the Dragons.  Madison Central again placed 4 players in double figures.  This time they were led by Burton with 24.  Luke Asher finished with 21, Jake Feldhaus with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Will Richardson added 10 points.  This team is a force. They will get to prove it this week as they host George Rogers Clark on Tuesday before battling Bryan Station on Friday at Montgomery County as part of The Bluegrass Basketball Invitational.  

3. Bryan Station (2-0)

The Defenders also started off the season 2-0.  They doubled up Paul Laurence Dunbar 70-35 on the road before also taking place in the Mr. Basketball Classic, where they took down Jeffersontown 75-66.  Stats are not posted for either of the games, but Station signaled that they will be right there with the top teams in the 11th again this season. Bryan Station has only a single game this week, but it is a big one.  On Friday the Defenders will take part in The Bluegrass Basketball Invitational at Montgomery County where they will face off against Madison Central in a huge early season game.   

4. Lexington Catholic (2-1)

The Knight didn't come through the week unscathed, but the picked up a pair of nice wins.  In the opener they posted a solid 59-48 win over 13th Region power North Laurel at home.  Everett Stuart with 15 points and Hank Woodall with 14 led the way for Catholic.  Thursday the Knights travelled to Mercer County where they destroyed the Titans 68-40.  Stuart and Woodall were again the leading scorer with 18 and 17 respectively.  Saturday saw them return home to face 9th Region contender Covington Catholic.  This one did not go as well as the Knights were dealt a 71-52 setback by the Colonels.  Stuart and Woodall, for the 3rd straight game, were the only Knights in double figures as Stuart finished with 18, and Woodall with 16. The Knights have another 3 game week coming up.  They will play two city opponents when they travel to Lafayette on Monday before hosting Paul Laurence Dunbar on Friday. They will close out the week at home against Paintsville in the White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic. 

5. Henry Clay (2-1)

The Blue Devils picked up a pair of wins against in region foes in Tates Creek (85-69) and Western Hills (76-71), before participating in the Mr. Basketball Classic.  Things did not go as well in Winchester as the Blue Devils suffered their first loss in a 73-56 setback against Trinity.  Henry Clay did not post stats for the week, so scoring is not available. Henry Clay has a pair of contests on the slate this week: Tuesday against Woodford County, and Friday against North Hardin. 

6. Lafayette (1-0)

The Generals had a light week in week one with only a single game.  In it the picked up a road win with an 81-56 blowout of East Jessamine.  Lafayette does not have stats posted as well.  This week the Generals have a pair of games as they host Lexington Catholic on Monday, before travelling to Scott County to take on Highlands in the 30th Annual Billy Hicks Classic Boys Basketball Classic Presented by Bluegrass Orthopedics.  

7. Great Crossing (1-1)

The defending State Champion Warhawks did drop their opener on the road to Frederick Douglass.  But they were competitive in the 74-65 setback, and they followed that up with a nice 80-72 win at  home in the Jersey Mike's Subs Classic against W.E.B. DuBois.  Through two games Brady Orem has been a monster for Great Crossing, averaging 24 points and 14 rebounds.  This week the Warhawks host Shelby Valley in their opening game in the 30th Annual Billy Hicks Boys Basketball Classic Tournament Presented by Bluegrass Orthopedics. 

8. Tates Creek (0-2)

The Commodores stumbled out of the gate in week one with a pair of losses.  However, both games were against good competition.  Tates Creek fell in their opener to Henry Clay 85-69 at home, and dropped a road game at Woodford County 61-58. Stephen Franklin has been outstanding so far, averaging 28 points through the first 2 games.  Tom Haubenreich is the only other Commodore averaging in double figures with 12.  Tates Creek has 4 games this week, and they are all winnable contests: they will be at home on Tuesday and Wednesday against Lexington Christian and Mercer County, then travel to Paris to take on the Greyhounds on Friday.  On Saturday they close out a full week at Henry County in the Bodyarmor Showcase.  

9. Madison Southern (3-0)

The Eagles went undefeated on the week, albeit against less than stellar competition.  They opened up the season with a 83-34 thrashing of Bluegrass United at home, before going on the road to defeat Bath County 78-31, and Paris 77-68.  Southern has had balanced scoring so far with 4 players averaging in double figures.  The Eagles host Franklin County on Tuesday, who may still have some players playing in their first game after the Flyers run to the 4A State Football Finals.  On Saturday they should get a good test when they take on Coach Wright's former team in Southwestern in the Patriot Classic at Lincoln County.  

10. Scott County (1-0)

The Cardinals had only a single game in week one, but they picked up a nice win over Rockcastle County 76-59 in the Jersey Mikes Subs Classic at Great Crossing.  That was a nice debut for new Scott County head coach Sean Woods.  No stats were available for the win over the Rockets.  This week the Cardinals will take part in the 30th Annual Billy Hicks Classic Boys Basketball Tournament Presented by Bluegrass Orthopedics, where they open up play with Oldham County. 

11. Lexington Christian Academy (2-0)

While their football team was wrapping up a 2A Championship, the basketball team opened up the season with a pair of victories: 90-61 over Western Hills, and 72-66 against Bishop Brossart.  Scoring was not available for either game.  This week LCA has 3 games: on Tuesday they travel to Tates Creek before returning home to host Berea on Thursday, and Nicholas County on Friday. 

12. Sayre (2-0)

The Spartans opened up the season with a pair of wins.  On Friday they opened the season with a 66-59 win at home against Bishop Brossart, before travelling to Ludlow to defeat St. Henry in the Mella Classic.  Kenji Berger has proved to be a difference maker for Sayre.  After missing last season with a knee injury Berger has 26 points per game in the first 2 games.  The Spartans have a 3 game this week.  They travel to Frankfort on Monday to play the Panthers, host Western Hills on Thursday, and go back on the road to take on Lincoln County in the Patriot Classic. 

13. Paul Laurence Dunbar (1-2)

The Bulldogs dropped their opener on the road at Lincoln County 48-43, but were competitive against the Patriots.  They followed that up with a solid 72-65 win at home over Nelson County, before being blowout by Bryan Station 70-35.  Dunbar has another 3 game week this week as they go on the road to take on 3 tough opponents in Boyle County, Lexington Catholic and West Jessamine. 

14. Western Hills (1-2)

The Wolverines won their opener over Owen County 73-70, before dropping their next 2 games, 90-61 to LCA and 76-71 to Henry Clay.  All 3 games were at home.  This week Western Hills goes on the road for both of their games.  On Thursday night they play Sayre before closing out the week against Bourbon County. 

15.  Franklin County (1-2)

The Flyers dropped their first 2 games of the season, both on the road,  63-47  to West Jessamine, and 51-44 to Collins.  They then picked up their first win of the season in the Jersey Mike's Subs Classic at Great Crossing where they took down Pineville 62-49.  They have 2 games this week: Thursday at Madison Southern, and Saturday at home against Fairdale. 

16. Frankfort (1-0)

The Panthers made new coach Derek Robinson's debut a success as they squeaked by Harrison County 58-57 on the road.  This week the Panthers have 3 games.  They host Sayre and Paris before travelling to Louisville to take on Doss on Friday.  

17. Model (1-0)

The Patriots had only a single game last week, but it was a success.  They went on the road and dominated Burgin 84-57.  They have a full 3 game week this week as they host 3 games: Tuesday against Frankfort Christian, Friday against Garrard County, and Saturday against Mercer County.

18. Berea (1-1)

The Pirates dropped their opener against Southwestern 79-50 before rebounding to defeat Eminence 80-72.  Berea has only a single game this week as they will travel to LCA on Thursday to take on the Eagles.  

19. Frankfort Christian (1-1)

The Royals participated in the KCAC Boys Basketball Tournament that they hosted.  They lost to Christian Fellowship 62-23 before bouncing back to Jane Buchanan 73-62.  Frankfort Christian has a 4 game slate this week:  they host Trimble County on Monday, travel to Model on Tuesday, host Kentucky School for the Deaf on Friday, and travel to St. Patrick on Saturday.