I am simply at a loss for how to rank the top 3-4 teams in the 5^th Region. Taylor County got off to a great start, not an overwhelming schedule to start with other than Warren Central and now this week playing against some pretty good teams and going 0-3.

Adair County was ranked number 2 last week, and they go 1-1 on the week losing to Greenwood, who is a decent team but ranked number 9 in region 4. And then got a win against Muhlenberg Co. who is ranked number 4 in the 3^rd region.

Caverna, I think, makes the most sense right now as the top team in the region. The loss against Larue 2 weeks ago wasn’t great, but it was a game that Caverna fought hard to overcome a 15-point deficit at halftime and then lead much of the 4^th quarter. Caverna gets a win over Great Crossing and then lost to the number 1 ranked team in the 3^rd region Daviess County.

Larue County is 8-3 and their best win is against Caverna. They had a respectable showing in the King of the Bluegrass tournament and went 2-0 this past week with 1 more game to play in the Railroad Classic. Their 2 wins have been against pretty weak teams.

Not a ton of games this week. A few teams finishing up Christmas tournaments. Hart County, Fort Knox and John Hardin will be participating in tournaments that start today (Monday- 12/29).

Of note, 3 district matchups take place on Friday, Thomas Nelson at Washington County in the 19^th district. North Hardin at Central Hardin which will help us see who is in control of the 17^th district, and then the 20^th district showdown with Taylor County traveling to Adair County. Adair County will not have Tylin George available as he was ejected for a flagrant foul in the win against Muhlenberg Co.

Here's this week’s rankings:

1. Caverna- 6-4 (1-1) LW: 3, Results- W- Great Crossing 63-51, L- Daviess Co. 47-54, Games This Week: Bryan Station (at Lex. Christian) Fairdale (at Grayson Co)

2. Taylor County-  8-4 (0-3) LW: 1, Results- L-Eastern 56-64, North Oldham 47-49, McCracken Co. 61-71, Games This Week: Collins (at Lex. Catholic) at Adair Co. Henderson Co. (at Bowling Green)

3. Adair County- 6-3 (1-1) LW: 2, Results- L- Greenwood 79-86 W- Muhlenberg Co. 78-56, Games this Week: Somerset, Taylor Co.

4. Larue County 8-3 (2-0) LW: 4, Results- W- Berea 59-56, Estill Co. 80-26, Games this Week: Dixie Heights (at Estill Co.) at Lincoln Co.

5. North Hardin 5-3, (1-1) LW: 5, Results- L- Lloyd Memorial 59-77, Sayre 60-51, Games this Week: at Lex. Christian, at Central Hardin

6. Central Hardin 7-4 (2-1) LW: 6 Results- L- Dublin Coffman 39-71, W-Fern Creek 74-57, Christian Co. 95-80, Games this Week: Campbell Co. North Hardin

7. Nelson County 8-2 (3-0) LW: 7, Results- W- Garrard Co. 84-79, Butler Co. 93-66, KCD 90-63, Games this Week: Bracken Co.

8. Marion County 8-3 (2-0) LW: 8, Results- W-Rowan Co. 67-65, Lewis Co. 68-61, Games this Week: West Carter (at Bath Co)

9. Bethlehem 6-3 (2-0) LW: 9, Results- W- KCD 73-61, Elizabethtown 68-64, Games this Week: Anderson Co.

10. Hart County 5-5 (No Games this Week) LW: 10 Games this Week: Dairy Queen Classic at Ohio Co.

11. Elizabethtown 5-6 (2-1) LW: 12, Results- W- Washington Co. 98-90, Somerset Christian 86-72, L-Bethlehem 64-68, Games this Week: at North Bullitt

12. Thomas Nelson 4-7 (0-3) LW: 11 Results- L- Harlan Co. 50-61, Pendeleton Co. 53-55, Cumberland Co. 58-62, Games this Week: at Washington Co. at Shelby Co.

13. Bardstown 4-7 (3-1) LW: 13, Results- W- Holy Cross (Lou) 85-54, Cumberland Co. 61-57, L- Beechwood 46-73, W- Campbellsville 58-53, Games this Week: Collins

14. Green County 3-8 (1-1) LW: 14, Results- L- Campbell Co 58-85, W- Central 84-64, Games this Week: Fern Creek (at Central Hardin)

15. Campbellsville 3-7 (1-1), LW: 15, Results- W- Pendleton Co. 60-53, L-Harlan Co. 61-67, Bardstown 53-58, Games this Week: No Games

16. Washington County 2-7, (1-2) LW: 16, Results- L- Elizabethtown 90-98, W- Central 79-70, L-Campbell County 52-61, Games this Week: Christian Co. (at Central Hardin) Thomas Nelson

 17. John Hardin 2-9 (1-2) LW: 17, Results- L- South Warren 38-73, W- Fayette Academy 61-41, L- Muhlenberg Co. 55-71, Games this Week: Roy's BBQ Christmas Tournament at Russellville

 18. Fort Knox 2-4 (1-0), LW: 18, Results-W- Eminence 66-58, Game this Week: Burgin Christmas Tournament

 

the 20^th district showdown with Taylor County traveling to Adair County. Adair County will not have Tylin George available as he was ejected for a flagrant foul in the win against Muhlenberg Co. 

 

Just wondering why he has to sit against Taylor County but was able to play yesterday against Somerset. Isn't  the discipline supposed to be for the next game?  which would have been Somerset. 

50 minutes ago, IndianAlum81 said:

 

 

the 20^th district showdown with Taylor County traveling to Adair County. Adair County will not have Tylin George available as he was ejected for a flagrant foul in the win against Muhlenberg Co. 

 

Just wondering why he has to sit against Taylor County but was able to play yesterday against Somerset. Isn't  the discipline supposed to be for the next game?  which would have been Somerset. 

I have been told that his ejection was overturned and he is eligible. Had the ejection not been overturned, he would have had to sit out the Somerset game and Taylor County. As of last night, he will be able to play against Taylor County as well. 

21 hours ago, 5thregionbasketball said:

I have been told that his ejection was overturned and he is eligible. Had the ejection not been overturned, he would have had to sit out the Somerset game and Taylor County. As of last night, he will be able to play against Taylor County as well. 

The refs apparently misapplied the ruling when they did not make him leave the bench after the ejection.  Hence, nullifying the ejection. 

2 hours ago, LethalPG said:

The refs apparently misapplied the ruling when they did not make him leave the bench after the ejection.  Hence, nullifying the ejection. 

I heard the same. Not sure when that became a thing that the player had to leave the bench. It used to be that they could stay on the bench as long as they behaved and didn't cause any issues. Officials have usually agreed to that because if they leave the bench a coach has to go with them. 

Oh well! The Taylor-Adair game will be much more interesting with him playing for sure. 

2 hours ago, IndianAlum81 said:

Oh well! The Taylor-Adair game will be much more interesting with him playing for sure. 

He’s a bucket! 

10 hours ago, 5thregionbasketball said:

I heard the same. Not sure when that became a thing that the player had to leave the bench. It used to be that they could stay on the bench as long as they behaved and didn't cause any issues. Officials have usually agreed to that because if they leave the bench a coach has to go with them. 

The player is required to leave the bench. I know it has been that way for at least the last 20 years. 

On 12/31/2025 at 10:19 PM, sweet16 said:

The player is required to leave the bench. I know it has been that way for at least the last 20 years. 

Not trying to be argumentative with you, but that's not true. In fact, in all high school sports players have never had to leave unless the officials decided that they couldn't stay. Baseball players don't leave the dugout, football players don't leave the sidelines. I'm not saying that the officials wouldn't direct them too, just that it hasn't been automatic. But evidently that has changed. 

5 hours ago, 5thregionbasketball said:

Not trying to be argumentative with you, but that's not true. In fact, in all high school sports players have never had to leave unless the officials decided that they couldn't stay. Baseball players don't leave the dugout, football players don't leave the sidelines. I'm not saying that the officials wouldn't direct them too, just that it hasn't been automatic. But evidently that has changed. 

Any time that I have seen it happen the player has been asked to leave the bench and go to the dressing room not saying it has to be done that way but that's what I've seen. 

5 hours ago, 5thregionbasketball said:

Not trying to be argumentative with you, but that's not true. In fact, in all high school sports players have never had to leave unless the officials decided that they couldn't stay. Baseball players don't leave the dugout, football players don't leave the sidelines. I'm not saying that the officials wouldn't direct them too, just that it hasn't been automatic. But evidently that has changed. 

And I just read it is up to the discretion of the official. If they feel the player is disruptive then they can send them to a locker room.  If there is not an adult to stay with them in the locker room they can stay on the bench. 

The hope that Central Hardin could finally, after 35 years, make a legitimate case for being a threat to win the fifth region, were dashed at home as North Hardin made a statement that they are the team to beat in the 17th District and may be a legitimate threat to challenge for the 5th Region. The Bruins have NEVER won a Region Championship in their 35 seasons as a high school and don't seem any closer to attaining that goal this season.