As we head into the final week of the regular season, a few teams seem to be getting hot or hotter at just the right time and a few teams look like they might have peaked too early.

There were a few key games in the region this week. North Hardin continued their dominance in the 17^th district with a 40-point win over Central Hardin. Central Hardin is one of the teams that is trending downward. They’ve played the last 2 weeks without their point guard Cam Hogan (he returned on Friday night against Washington County) and it has really exploited Central’s ability to get into their offense and have someone who can handle the ball.

North Hardin’s week started with a loss to Manual, who depending on what outlet you look at is ranked somewhere in the top 25. It was a 23-point loss, which isn’t unusual for North losses this year. All 6 losses have been double-digit losses (all against very good competition), and the average point disparity has been 21.6 points in their loss. North did rebound with the win over Central and a very impressive win at Warren Central, defeating the ranked Dragons 65-59.

Caverna continues to be a hot team. They picked up another 18^th district win over Hart County early in the week. That game actually ended with about 1:47 left in the 4^th quarter due to some shenanigans taking place with fans.

Taylor County is winners of their last 7 of 9 games. The Cardinals were defeated by ranked North Laurel at North Laurel this week in a competitive game. Taylor defeated Etown and Iroquois decisively later in the week.

Adair is trending downward. They’ve lost 3 out of their last 4, including this week a loss to Russell County. It’s not looking much better either for the Indians as they close the season out with North Hardin and Caverna. These are big games for the Indians to prove that they are still the team to beat in the 5^th region.

Each district is set with the exception of the 19^th district. The 17^th will see 1 seed North Hardin take on host and 4 seed John Hardin. Etown is the 2 seed and will play Central Hardin.

18^th District, Caverna is the 1 seed and will host, they’ll open up with Hart County. Larue is the 2 seed and they will play Green County. I’m not sure Green County can beat Larue, but Green is playing about as well as they have played all year.

The 20^th district will be played at Campbellsville. Campbellsville is the 4 seed and will play Taylor County. I don’t expect the Eagles to win, but Campbellsville had their best week of the season this past week, and have won 3 out of their last 4 games. Adair County will play Marion County, who is also playing very well over the past 2 weeks, including a dominant win over border rival Washington County.

The 19^th district will be played at Nelson. Here’s what we know for sure: Bethlehem will play Washington County in the 4/5 play-in game. Thomas Nelson is locked in at the 3 seed. Nelson plays at Thomas Nelson on Monday night. If Nelson wins, they’ll be the 1 seed. If Thomas Nelson wins, Bardstown will be the 1 seed and that will set up a rematch between the Generals and the Cardinals. Nelson defeated Thomas Nelson earlier in the season by 4 points.

Here’s this week’s rankings:

1.      North Hardin 18-6- Results: Manual 66-89,  Central Hardin 86-46, Warren Central 65-59. Upcoming Games: Adair County, at Spencer County, Bowling Green, at Nelson County

2.      Caverna 19-6- Results: Hart County 71-47, Edmonson County 78-68. Upcoming Games: at Adair County, Metcalfe County, at St. X

3.      Taylor County 18-9-Results: North Laurel 70-78, Iroquois 78-41, Elizabethtown 76-47. Upcoming Games: at Barren County, Burgin, at Thomas Nelson

4.      Adair County 17-9- Results Southwestern 81-76, Russell County 65-70. Upcoming Games: at North Hardin, Caverna, at John Hardin

5.      Larue County 17-8- Results: Elizabethtown 70-55, Glasgow 53-54, Thomas Nelson 66-42. Upcoming Games: Warren Central, at Boyle County

6.      Nelson County 19-6- Results: MHG Prep 83-29, Model 66-59, Fort Knox 79-40. Upcoming Games: at Thomas Nelson, at Hart County, North Hardin

7.      Marion County 15-9- Results: Washington County 82-51, Garrard County 66-61, Cumberland County 52-68. Upcoming Games: Thomas Nelson, at Bullitt Central, at Danville

8.      Bardstown 11-12- Results: Eastern 56-61, Bethlehem 56-54. Upcoming Games: at Campbellsville, at Green County, at Spencer County

9.      Central Hardin 13-12- Results: Green County 56-63, Owensboro 68-62, North Hardin 46-86, Washington County 65-70. Upcoming Games: Apollo, Meade County, Butler County, at Bullitt Central

10. Washington County 11-15- Results: Marion County 51-82, Central Hardin 70-65. Upcoming Games: at John Hardin, Southern

11. Thomas Nelson 13-12- Results: Southern 59-48, Brown 72-43, Bethlehem 69-55, Larue County 42-66. Upcoming Games: Nelson County, at Marion County, at Hart County, Taylor County.

12. Green County 8-14- Results: Central Hardin 63-56. Upcoming Games: Bardstown, Cumberland County, at Mercer County

13. Hart County 9-16- Results: Caverna 47-71, Edmonson County 59-63, Metcalfe County 67-57, John Hardin 77-63. Upcoming Games: at Bethlehem, Nelson County, Thomas Nelson, at Butler County

14. Elizabethtown 8-15- Results: Larue County 55-70, Taylor County 47-76. Upcoming Games: Louisville Central, at Campbellsville

15. Bethlehem 8-13- Results: Danville 62-65, Bardstown 54-56, Thomas Nelson 55-69. Upcoming Games: Hart County, Campbellsville, Collegiate

16. Campbellsville 8-17- Results: John Hardin 52-45, Monroe County 63-58, Evangel 44-73. Upcoming Games: Bardstown, at Bethlehem, Elizabethtown

17. John Hardin 6-21- Results: Glasgow 52-74, Campbellsville 45-52, Hart County 63-77. Upcoming Games: Washington County, Adair County

18. Fort Knox 3-15- Results: Collegiate 54-62, Whitefield Academy 37-66, Nelson County 40-79. Upcoming Games: Portland Christian

Thomas Nelson knocks off #1 seed Nelson County in the final district game of the 19th in regular season. That district tourney will be the most competitive district tourney in the region . 

4 hours ago, realmanky001 said:

Thomas Nelson knocks off #1 seed Nelson County in the final district game of the 19th in regular season. That district tourney will be the most competitive district tourney in the region . 

I think so too. Sets up a rematch from last night with TN and Nelson. How disappointing would it be for Nelson to have had such a good year and not get out of the district? I'm not sure if Thomas Nelson has ever not played in the play-in game. Probably have at some point, but it hasn't happened very often. 

19th has 4 teams that could win the district depending on the matchup in the finals. 

19 hours ago, 5thregionbasketball said:

I think so too. Sets up a rematch from last night with TN and Nelson. How disappointing would it be for Nelson to have had such a good year and not get out of the district? I'm not sure if Thomas Nelson has ever not played in the play-in game. Probably have at some point, but it hasn't happened very often. 

19th has 4 teams that could win the district depending on the matchup in the finals. 

Which (4) teams do you think ?

Bardstown, Nelson, Thomas Nelson, Washington. 

I'm not sure that Washington can beat Bardstown however.