?? | This season's thread measuring the Best of the Bluegrass' 16 Regions.

❓️ Who is playing the best basketball, and where?

✅️ How it works. As in past years, the Massey Ratings are sorted for:

● Power - Regional quality. Tally the rankings of the "First Fives." 

● Plus - Regional depth. Though not scored, teams beyond the "First Fives" will push the totals of other Regions higher.

? Bonus - An opportunity to see, side-by-side, the teams most likely to advance to the Sweet 16.

? January 1, 2026 edition.

1️⃣6️⃣ The Rankings

7️⃣TH (57 points) 1. St. Xavier, 3. Male, 12. Manual, 16. Ballard, 20. Eastern

9️⃣TH (62) 2. Covington Catholic, 9. Covington Holy Cross, 14. Highlands, 15. Beechwood, 22. Lloyd Memorial 

1️⃣1️⃣TH (89) 4. Madison Central, 6. Frederick Douglass, 24. Lexington Catholic, 25. Bryan Station, 30. Great Crossing 

6️⃣TH (148) 11. Butler, 23. Pleasure Ridge Park, 27. Jeffersontown, 42. WEB Dubois, 45. DeSales 

8️⃣TH (159) 7. North Oldham, 33. Woodford County, 35. Simon Kenton, 38. South Oldham, 46. Spencer County 

4️⃣TH (202) 5. Warren Central, 44. Clinton County, 47. Greenwood, 49. South Warren, 57. Bowling Green 

1️⃣2️⃣TH (271) 26. Danville Christian, 36. Pulaski County, 64. West Jessamine, 72. Southwestern, 73. Lincoln County 

5️⃣TH (274) 41. LaRue County, 52. Taylor County, 54. Caverna, 62. Adair County, 65. North Hardin 

3️⃣RD (275) 13. Daviess County, 56. Owensboro Catholic, 63. Grayson County, 67. Ohio County, 76. Apollo 

1️⃣3️⃣TH (289) 21. North Laurel, 53. Clay County, 60. South Laurel, 69. Bell County, 86. Harlan County 

1️⃣ST (292) 17. McCracken County, 31. Marshall County, 66. Graves County, 74. Murray, 104. Calloway County 

1️⃣0️⃣TH (307) 8. George Rogers Clark, 18. Campbell County, 50. Montgomery County, 97. Scott, 134. Nicholas County 

1️⃣5️⃣TH (355) 19. Pikeville, 77. Johnson Central, 81. Lawrence County, 85. Martin County, 93. Paintsville 

1️⃣6️⃣TH (366) 10. Ashland, 32. Boyd County, 61. Russell, 128. Raceland, 135. Greenup County 

2️⃣ND (381) 37. Henderson County, 43. Lyon County, 90. Webster County, 96. Christian County, 115. Hopkinsville 

1️⃣4️⃣TH (639) 95. Hazard, 118. Knott County Central, 121. Breathitt County, 125. Perry County Central, 180. Wolfe County 

?️ Curious about the "First Fives'" Strength of Schedule? The Power Plus Rankings, scoring resorted.

Reg 7 (93) 2. St. X, 6. Manual, 12. Manual, 17. Ballard, 20. Eastern

Reg 11 (90) 3. Douglass, 9. Madison Cent, 11. Crossing, 29. Bryan Stn, 38. Lex Cath 

Reg 8 (130) 7. N Oldham, 18. S Kenton, 33. Woodford Co, 38. S Oldham, 46. Spencer Co 

Reg 9 (274) 8. Cov Cath, 39. Lloyd, 58. Holy Cross, 62. Highlands, 107. Beechwood 

Reg 5 (284) 37. Caverna, 42. N Hardin, 45. LaRue Co, 69.Taylor Co, 91. Adair Co

Reg 6 (292) 22. J'town, 23. Butler, 46. PRP, 99 Dubois, 101. DeSales 

Reg 12 (383) 52. Lincoln Co, 65. Pulaski Co, 68. Danville Chr, 84. W Jessamine, 114. S'western

Reg 4 (392) 4. Warren Cent, 75. Greenwood, 89. Bowling Green, 108. Clinton Co, 116. S Warren 

Reg 1 (393) 26. McCracken Co, 34. Graves Co, 71. Marshall Co, 93. Calloway Co, 159. Murray

Reg 3 (412) 21. Grayson Co, 43. Daviess Co, 63. O'boro Cath, 113. Ohio Co, 172. Apollo

Reg 15 (426) 53. Paintsville, 59. Lawrence Co, 92. Martin Co, 110. Pikeville, 112. Johnson Cent 

Reg 13 (433) 15. N Laurel, 67. Clay Co, 74. 132. Harlan Co, 145. Bell Co

Reg 10 (440) 10. Clark, 36. Montgomery Co, 60. Campbell Co, 161. Nicholas Co, 173. Scott

Reg 2 (524) 85. Christian Co, 88. Lyon Co, 95. Henderson Co, 109. Hopkinsville, 147. Webster Co 

Reg 16 (528) 13. Boyd Co, 41. Ashland, 97. Russell, 135. Greenup Co, 207. Raceland 

Reg 14 (849) 102. Perry Cent, 164. Hazard, 167. Knott Cent, 191. Breathitt Co, 225. Wolfe Co

??????? Trefnwyd gan WOPR.

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? Why use the Massey Ratings?

A database of over 19,000 Boys basketball teams across the US that includes - state association, prep, national travel, and home schools. This is an advantage over RPI, for the same reason hsratings.com/CalPreps is more accurate for football. It awards full credit for out of state and nontraditional opponents, except international travel squads.

The data set for those 19K+ teams is accurate at over a 97% rate historically, including W-L records. The Massey Ratings have a distinct advantage over crowd sourced sites like MaxPreps in this respect.

Included are ratings for offensive and defensive performance, home court advantage, and game predictions.

There is no polling bias - no sportswriter is pumping a local team and no website is throwing in a feel-good mention for clicks. All numbers - strictly business.

New ratings for high school basketball are released on Monday and reflect timely reported results from the previous week.

? Link to the Massey Ratings here.

? masseyratings.com

Good write up.  Thanks for compiling it.

I’ve found that the Massey Ratings start to get better for predictive purposes about this far into the season. 

?️ All 'A' Classic - State and Regional Rankings

Brackets are set. The latest Massey Ratings are sorted by Top 25; regional "First Fives" are by statewaide all-class ratings. Link to the brackets can be found below.

2️⃣5️⃣ Top 25 All 'A' Boys

1. Cov Holy Cross, 2. Beechwood, 3. Pikeville, 4. Danville Chr, 5. Newport 

6. Lyon Co, 7. Clinton Co, 8. Evangel Chr, 9. O'boro Cath, 10. Caverna

11. Walton-Verona, 12. Martin Co, 13. Monroe Co, 14. Paintsville, 15. Sayre

16. Lexington Chr, 17. Somerset, 18. Carlisle Co, 19. McLean Co, 20. Knott Cent 

21. Breathitt Co, 22. Raceland, 23. Mayfield, 24. Nicholas Co, 25. Shelby Valley 

1️⃣6️⃣ Regional "First Fives"

1️⃣ST 113. Carlisle Co, 132. Mayfield, 152. St. Mary, 211. Ballard Memorial, 212. Christian Fellowship 

2️⃣ND 43. Lyon Co, 153. University Hts, 175. Caldwell Co, 220. Dawson Springs, 223. Livingston Cent

3️⃣RD 56. O'boro Cath, 118. McLean Co, 148. Hickman Co, 194. Whitesville Trinity, 286. Cloverport 

4️⃣TH 44. Clinton Co, 92. Monroe Co, 151. Russellville, 162. Cumberland Co, 185. Metcalfe Co

5️⃣TH 67. Caverna, 141. Campbellsville, 143. Green Co, 149. Bethlehem, 188. Washington Co

6️⃣TH 55. Evangel Chr, 195. Lou Holy Cross, 249. Portland Chr (Three team Region this year).

7️⃣TH 216. Kentucky Country Day, 231. Highlands Latin, 241. Collegiate, 256. Brown, 265. Francis Parker

8️⃣TH 79. Walton-Verona, 161. Owen Co, 189. Gallatin Co, 232. Eminence, 268. Cornerstone Chr

9️⃣TH 9. Cov Holy Cross, 15. Beechwood, 40. Newport, 144. New Cath, 166. St. Henry 

1️⃣0️⃣TH 135. Nicholas Co, 174. Bp Brossart, 215. Paris, 219. Bracken Co, 230. Augusta 

1️⃣1️⃣TH 100. Sayre, 103. Lexington Chr, 176. Frankfort, 205. Berea, 210. Model

1️⃣2️⃣TH 26. Danville Chr, 111. Somerset, 157. Danville, 159. Somerset Chr, 260. Burgin

1️⃣3️⃣TH 187. Jackson Co, 197. Pineville, 207. Oneida Baptist, 208. Barbourville, 209. Harlan

1️⃣4️⃣TH 96. Hazard, 119. Knott Cent, 122. Breathitt Co, 180. Wolfe Co, 203. Leslie Co 

1️⃣5️⃣TH 19. Pikeville, 85. Martin Co, 93. Paintsville, 138. Shelby Valley. 145. Belfry

1️⃣6️⃣TH 129. Raceland, 139. Morgan Co, 168. Elliott Co, 196. West Carter, 269. Menifee Co

? Link to the All 'A' Classic Regionals

? allaclassic.org/regional-brackets

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?? | A mid-season report card in three parts.

Part 1

❓️ Are there new region leaders or newcomers to the "First Fives"?

?? Before delving into the statewide inter-region rankings, there has been some intra-region shuffling in several "First Fives" from two weeks ago. 

● New No. 1s in the 5th - Adair Co, 6th - Jeffersontown, and the 16th - Boyd Co.

● "Moving Day" in five regions' "First Fives."

R6: Joining - Evangel Chr; leaving - DeSales.

R7: Joining - Trinity; leaving - Eastern.

R9: Joining - Dixie Hts; leaving- Beechwood.

R12: Joining - Wayne Co and Boyle Co; leaving - W Jessamine and Lincoln Co. 

R14: Joining - Letcher Co Cent; leaving - Wolfe Co.

✅️ Updated Massey Ratings and a preview to Parts 2 and 3 of this thread update may be found at this link ~

? masseyratings.com/hsbb/KY Boys

???????

?? | A mid-season report card in three parts.

Part 2

❓️ Which regions are realigning in the statewide pecking order? How do the "First Fives" compare to this season's BGP panel of regional writers' rankings?

1. 7️⃣TH [Previously 1st Place] [52 points] 2. St. Xavier, 6. Male, 9. Manual, 11. Ballard, 24. Trinity

2. 1️⃣1️⃣TH [Prev. 3] [92] 3. Madison Cent, 10. F Douglass, 20. Bryan Stn, 26. Great Crossing, 33. Lex Cath 

3. 9️⃣TH [Prev. 2] [102] 1. Cov Cath, 14. Highlands, 21. Holy Cross, 22. Lloyd Mem, 44. Dixie Hts 

4. 6️⃣TH [Prev. 4] [125] 12. Jeffersontown, 15. Butler, 19. Pleasure Ridge Pk, 36. Evangel Chr, 43. WEB DuBois 

5. 8️⃣TH [Prev. 5] [153] 8. N Oldham, 23. S Oldham, 29. Woodford Co, 34. S Kenton, 58. Spencer Co

6. 4️⃣TH [Prev. 6] [196] 4. Warren Cent, 38. Clinton Co, 45. Greenwood, 47. S Warren, 62. Bowling Green 

7. 3️⃣RD [Prev. 9] [235] 7. Daviess Co, 37. Grayson Co, 41. O'boro Cath, 70. Ohio Co, 80. Apollo 

8. 5️⃣TH [Prev. 8] [239] 31. Adair Co, 39. LaRue Co, 50. N Hardin, 56. Taylor Co, 63. Caverna 

9. 1️⃣3️⃣TH [Prev. 10] 16. N Laurel, 28. Bell Co, 58. Clay Co, 65. S Laurel, 76. Harlan Co 

10. 1️⃣ST [Prev. 11] [293] 17. McCracken Co, 30. Marshall Co, 57. Murray, 77. Graves Co, 112. Calloway Co 

11. 1️⃣2️⃣TH [Prev. 7] [334] 51. Danville Chr, 61. Pulaski Co, 67. Wayne Co, 72. Southwestern, 83. Boyle Co 

12. 1️⃣5️⃣TH [Prev. 13] [336] 42. Pikeville, 55. Johnson Cent, 75. Martin Co, 78. Lawrence Co, 86. Paintsville 

13. 1️⃣6️⃣TH [Prev. 14] [359] 13. Boyd Co, 18. Ashland, 69. Russell, 119. Raceland, 139. Greenup Co

14. 1️⃣0️⃣TH [Prev. 12] [377] 5. GR Clark, 40. Campbell Co, 64. Montgomery Co, 133. Scott, 135. Nicholas Co

15. 2️⃣ND [Prev. 15] [392] 36. Henderson Co, 49. Lyon Co, 93. Hopkinsville, 106. Christian Co, 108. Webster Co 

16. 1️⃣4️⃣TH [Prev. 16] [627] 95. Hazard, 105. Knott Co Cent, 120. Perry Co Cent, 138. Breathitt Co, 169. Letcher Co Cent

??????? Trefnwyd gan WOPR.

?? | A mid-season report card in three parts.

Part 3

❓️ Using the KHSAA's initial RPI released today, how would the regions' "First Fives" stack up vs. the Massey Ratings breakdown in Part 2? 

✅️ RPI has been around for Kentucky high school sports for several years now. We know what it is and how it works.

? Is it a valid way to rank basketball teams?

# Region [Points] (MR Power Plus #, Points)

1. R9 [73](MR #3, 102) 3. Cov Cath, 4. Highlands, 9. Holy Cross, 23. Lloyd, 34. Dixie Hts 

2. R3 [152](MR #7, 235) 5. Daviess Co, 14. Ohio Co, 38. O'boro Cath, 46. Grayson Co, 51. Apollo 

3. R6 [159](MR #4, 125) 6. Jeffersontown, 18. Evangel Chr, 31. Butler, 44. Pleasure Ridge Pk, 60. WEB DuBois 

4. R4 [166](MR #6, 196) 1. Warren Cent, 13. Clinton Co, 21. Greenwood, 24. S Warren, 97. Bowling Green 

5. R7 [197](MR #1, 52) 22. Male, 25. Manual, 27. St. Xavier, 36. Ballard, 81. Trinity 

6. R8 [200](MR #5, 153) 8. N Oldham, 26. S Oldham, 50. Spencer Co, 52. Woodford Co, 64. S Kenton

7. R5 [230](MR #8, 239) 15. Adair Co, 33. LaRue Co, 56. Taylor Co, 59. N Hardin, 67. Caverna

8. R13 [244](MR #9, 243) 11. Bell Co, 12. N Laurel, 54. Clay Co, 77. Harlan Co, 90. S Laurel 

9. R11 [274](MR #2, 92) 2. Madison Cent, 35. Bryan Stn, 39. F Douglass, 74. Lex Cath, 124. Great Crossing 

10. R12 [295](MR #11, 234) 37. Danville Chr, 45. Southwestern, 53. Pulaski Co, 69. Wayne Co, 91. Boyle Co 

11. R1 [332](MR #10, 332) 10. McCracken Co, 20. Marshall Co, 28. Murray, 104. Graves Co, 165. Calloway Co 

12. R10 [354](MR #14, 377) 7. GR Clark, 47. Campbell Co, 78. Montgomery Co, 106. Nicholas Co, 116. Scott

13. R2 [459](MR #15, 392) 43. Henderson Co, 68. Lyon Co, 80. Webster Co, 118. Hopkinsville, 150. Christian Co

14. R14 [501](MR #16, 627) 65. Knott Co Cent, 94. Letcher Co Cent, 104. Hazard, 105. Breathitt Co, 133. Perry Co Cent

15. R16 [524](MR #13, 358) 17. Boyd Co, 30. Russell, 42. Raceland, 139. Greenup Co, 277. Ashland*

16. R15 [608](MR #12, 336) 16. Johnson Cent, 75. Martin Co, 117. Lawrence Co, 123. Paintsville, 274. Pikeville*

* Not compiled as of initial RPI release: Monday, January 12.

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