16th Region: Week 8

It was a week of movement and teams showing they are ready to take the next steps toward postseason. Outside of the top 2, the 16th about as even as it gets. Anyone from 3-10 can be beaten on any night but how fun is that?! 4 weeks until the district tournament. With weather moving in, let’s see if anything gets played this week. For now, let’s get to it. 

 

1. Ashland (13-4)

W vs. Great Crossing 82-74

W at Boyd Co. 93-86

• The reigning champs reclaim the throne at #1 with a victory over previous #1. The Cats started the week by defeating the defending state champions. They had four in double figures led by Elijah Neel with 24. The big one was Friday night when #1 and #2 battled with the Tomcats beating Boyd at their own game. Elijah Neel again led the Cats with 30 points and 11 assists. Tomcats sweep the season series with two more matchups likely when it matters most. 

2. Boyd County (15-5)

L vs. Ashland 93-86

• After the grind of 3 games in 3 days, the Lions spent the week preparing to host rival Ashland. In a fast paced, high scoring game, Ashland defeated the Lions for the second time this season. Jacob Spurlock finished with 44 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. 

3. East Carter (13-4)

W at Bath Co. 69-47

W at West Carter 61-60

• Is East the 3rd best team in the region? Maybe not. Are they playing the 3rd best basketball in the region right now? Absolutely. Winners of seven in a row and a 4-0 mark in the tough 62nd district has Coach Brammer’s Raiders all the way up to #3 this. 

4. Russell (14-4)

W at Lawrence Co. 80-70

L vs. Lewis Co. 59-56

• All season I have had the Devils in the 3 spot and said I believed on the right night, they could take down 1 or 2. I still believe that but after a home loss to Lewis on Friday night, they fall to #4 this week. 

5. Raceland (12-7)

L vs. Morgan Co. 71-66

W vs. KY Country Day 57-41

L vs. Lyon Co. 74-50

• The Rams ventured to Owensboro for the All-A State Tournament but had a tune up at home against Morgan County. The dropped that by 5 to the Cougars before winning in the opening round in Owensboro against the 7th Region representative KCD. On Friday they fell to one of the top teams in the state, Lyon County. Two district games loom this week if they can get them in. 

6. Lewis County (9-8)

L vs. Powell Co. 86-80

W vs. Elliott Co. 67-57

W at Russell 59-56

• Here come the Lions. After a shaky start to the season, they are finding their footing. Two huge regional wins this against teams previously ranked ahead of them. With two scorers like Puente and Bivens, they can hang with anyone. 

7. Elliott County (10-7)

W at West Carter 59-43

L at Lewis Co. 67-57

W vs. Wolfe Co. 76-52

• The Lions are a tough team to figure out. They can have a dominating win at West Carter, they fall to Lewis County. Outside of Adkins and Crabtree, Junior Ian Griffith is rising as 3rd option for the Lions. 

8. Morgan County (8-8)

W at Raceland 71-66

• The cougars are about as up and down as you can be and their record shows it. Only one game this week but they made it count going on the road and winning at Raceland. Asher Gamble had 23 in the win and the Cougars hit 12 threes. 

9. Greenup County (8-8)

W at Bracken Co. 81-58

• Only one game this week for Coach Sutton’s group after their second was cancelled because of weather but they travelled to Brooksville and had an easy win. 4 games scheduled this week, let’s see how many they play. 

10. Rowan County (8-9)

W at Bath Co. 70-36

• For the first time maybe all season, the Vikings rise in our rankings. Only game this week was a dominant performance on the road at district rival Bath County. Cam Cross is still averaging 25 and game and the Vikings are getting the services of Grant Rose back after being injured all season. 

11. West Carter (10-9)

L vs. Elliott Co. 59-43

L vs. East Carter 61-60

• The free fall continues for the Comets. 7 straight losses for Coach Webb’s group including two home district losses. 

12. Fleming County (5-8)

L vs. Madison Southern 73-36

• One game and it wasn’t one the Panthers want to remember. Getting thumped by Madison Southern. Panthers still have a good chance to get to Morehead in a terrible district but the rebuild is still on. 

13. Bath County (5-12)

L vs. East Carter 69-47

L vs. Rowan Co. 70-36

• Times are tough in Owingsville and getting tougher. Losing 9 of 10 with the one win being against Menifee County. 

14. Menifee County (3-16)

W vs. St. Pat 51-33

L at Bourbon Co. 70-34

L vs. Jackson City 64-40

• Wildcats get the rare win this week with a good win against St. Pat. Not only a win, but dominating win on a neutral floor. 

15. Fairview (1-12)

W vs. Rose Hill 70-55

• The Eagles have a victory! It’s been a long road but the last winless team have a win against Rose Hill. 

 

A look at the week ahead:

 

Monday 1/26:

Raceland at Portsmouth West (OH)

Greenup Co. vs. Lewis Co. 

Elliott Co. vs. Morgan Co. 

Bath Co. vs. Bluegrass United 

Menifee Co. at June Buchanan  

 

Tuesday 1/27:

East Carter vs. Morgan Co. 

Russell vs. Fleming Co. 

Elliott Co. at Lawrence Co. 

Greenup Co. at Wheelersburg (OH)

Menifee Co. vs. Rowan Co. 

Fairview at Notre Dame (OH)

 

Wednesday 1/28:

Lewis Co. vs. Raceland 

 

Thursday 1/29:

East Carter vs. Greenup Co. 

Bath Co. at Bourbon Co. 

 

Friday 1/30:

Ashland vs. Paintsville 

Boyd Co. at Paris

Fairview vs. East Carter 

Morgan Co. vs. Lewis Co. 

Rowan Co. vs. Fleming Co. 

West Carter at Magoffin Co. 

 

Saturday 1/31:

Boyd Co. at Male

Russell at Huntington Expression

Raceland vs. Greenup Co. 

Lewis Co. vs. Belfry

Fleming Co. vs. Elliott Co. 

Rowan Co. vs. Morgan Co.