Now that holiday tournaments are over, and most teams have at least ten games under their belt, we should have a pretty good idea of what teams are surprising, both in a positive and negative way. I'll get the ball rolling with a few teams.

 

Surprising:

 

Madison Central- We knew they'd be good, but they're still undefeated, and look to be a top 5 team in the state.

 

Clark County- They were supposed to be a middle of the pack team in the 10th Region. Instead, they're 12-2, won both of their holiday tournaments en route to ten straight wins, and look to be the second best team in the 10th.

 

Woodford County- They're 9-5 with wins over Ashland, Tates Creek, and East Jessamine, all without star Jay Johnson. Once Jay Johnson returns, they could make serious noise in the gauntlet that is the 11th Region.

 

Covington Holy Cross- They're 11-1, with two wins over Bowling Green, and a win over NCC and look to be the one of the favorites in the 9th Region.

 

Simon Kenton- 10-3, with wins over Ashland, Scott, and Harrison County. They look like one of the favorites in the 8th Region, other than their blowout loss to Gallatin County.

 

 

Disappointing:

 

Bryan Station- Looked like they'd compete in the 11th Region, but have got off to a dismal 3-10 start, including 0-5 in Region games.

 

Rowan County- Looked to be the class in a weak 16th Region after returning nearly everyone from their state runner-up team, but have gotten off to a 7-5 record, including a loss to 16th Region West Carter.

Covington Holy Cross is really surprising this season. Picking up Campbell was key for them as well as Burger playing so well this year. McCendon is a nice player giving them one of the best 3somes of any team in the Region.

 

Pulaski County has two great scorers in Gover/Johnson but they have lost some games. Will their luck change as the season goes further and will they be able to knock off Southwestern in that Region?

 

Biggest surprise player IMO is Drew McDonald 6'5 Frosh Center for NCC. The kid is playing like a man and has scored over 20 pts in a few games as well as collected double digit rebounds. He has played his way into that starting lineup (assuming) and that is huge for a frosh.

 

Woodford County playing without Jay Johnson so well has been surprising and will help them in their Region.

 

GRC is the biggest surprise in the 10th. Fatkin playing behind those studs the past couple years is paying off and Bopper Stenzel gained invaluable experience last year. Great program down there.

 

Lexington Catholic has played surprisingly well. I would have to move them up in the rankings above Scott Co and Henry Clay at this point. I think the play of Whitman is key for them. Scott Co may have the best tandem in the region with Manning/Ivey but Catholic always plays so well as a team.

 

Rowan County also with what they have returning have dropped some games I thought they would win.

Bryan Station hasn't had Jaylen Beckham(returns Jan. 3 I believe). Looking forward to seeing how they do with him.

 

 

Woodford County and GRC have been surprises for me. I knew GRC would be good but as long as they continue to improve they should only get better. I love Bopper Stenzel, Fatkin and Rogers. That is a very solid big 3.

Wayne County has to be the big suprise in the 12 region. No one expected them to be this good.

Bryan Station hasn't had Jaylen Beckham(returns Jan. 3 I believe). Looking forward to seeing how they do with him.

 

 

Woodford County and GRC have been surprises for me. I knew GRC would be good but as long as they continue to improve they should only get better. I love Bopper Stenzel, Fatkin and Rogers. That is a very solid big 3.

 

Woodford is a suprise to me without Johnson. Hundley has done a great job there in his short time.

 

GRC not a suprise to me. Knew we would be better than most thought. Fatkin could have started for any team in the 10th last year, but had to play behind Zollo and Cory Rogers the last 2 years. I am suprised in the play of two players, Howard and Freshman Isreal. Howard came out of no where and is now a starter. He gets better each game and is a good outside shooter. Isreal, comes off the bench and can really help with the ball handling. What some don't realize is our JV team only lost 3 games last year with a brutal schedule, GRC fans knew we still had some solid talent just waiting to show what they could do.

Muhlenburg County's play thus far has left something to be desired. Loss to Ohio County, Bowling Green, and a 57-39 loss to Knott County Central in Lexington, with a total of five losses already. The team seemed to have high expectations thus far with the Gregory kid, but their scores to date don't seem to be matching up.

 

Dixie Heights doesn't have a great record, but they have played some top notch competition and are probably still adjusting to life without Pike and to playing with a new PG in Fox. Should things gel, they could be better than initially thought when Pike's departure was announced. On the surface, it seems as though the team had reasons that would explain somewhat lackluster play, but have held it together for the most part.

 

Knott County Central has been a nice development in the 14th and looks to be a very serious threat to Perry County Central (with some likely to argue that it's the other way around with PCC being the threat to KCC so far).

 

In the 13th, both Clay County and Bell County have been solid considering all of the talent they lost from last year.

 

As mentioned earlier, Clark County, Madison Central, and Woodford County have all been some of the biggest surprises on the year.

 

 

For me, the jury is still out on Butler. They have a really nice signature win over Bullitt East and surprised in the King of the Bluegrass tournament, but they also have a loss to McCreary Central, and opened the season with a 72-58 loss to a good Moore squad and a 10 point loss to Bullitt East. I definitely consider them to be a good ball club, but how good remains speculative.

Muhlenburg County's play thus far has left something to be desired. Loss to Ohio County, Bowling Green, and a 57-39 loss to Knott County Central in Lexington, with a total of five losses already. The team seemed to have high expectations thus far with the Gregory kid, but their scores to date don't seem to be matching up.

 

Dixie Heights doesn't have a great record, but they have played some top notch competition and are probably still adjusting to life without Pike and to playing with a new PG in Fox. Should things gel, they could be better than initially thought when Pike's departure was announced. On the surface, it seems as though the team had reasons that would explain somewhat lackluster play, but have held it together for the most part.

 

Knott County Central has been a nice development in the 14th and looks to be a very serious threat to Perry County Central (with some likely to argue that it's the other way around with PCC being the threat to KCC so far).

 

In the 13th, both Clay County and Bell County have been solid considering all of the talent they lost from last year.

 

As mentioned earlier, Clark County, Madison Central, and Woodford County have all been some of the biggest surprises on the year.

 

 

For me, the jury is still out on Butler. They have a really nice signature win over Bullitt East and surprised in the King of the Bluegrass tournament, but they also have a loss to McCreary Central, and opened the season with a 72-58 loss to a good Moore squad and a 10 point loss to Bullitt East. I definitely consider them to be a good ball club, but how good remains speculative.

 

Agree on the bolded. Ohio Co doing better than most expected. I am keeping my eye on this Moore team, I think they will make some noise come tourney time.

Woodford is a suprise to me without Johnson. Hundley has done a great job there in his short time.

 

GRC not a suprise to me. Knew we would be better than most thought. Fatkin could have started for any team in the 10th last year, but had to play behind Zollo and Cory Rogers the last 2 years. I am suprised in the play of two players, Howard and Freshman Isreal. Howard came out of no where and is now a starter. He gets better each game and is a good outside shooter. Isreal, comes off the bench and can really help with the ball handling. What some don't realize is our JV team only lost 3 games last year with a brutal schedule, GRC fans knew we still had some solid talent just waiting to show what they could do.

 

I hear you. Just saying that I don't think anyone outside of GRC had you guys pegged as a top 15 team and you guys are easily a top 15 team, IMO.

I hear you. Just saying that I don't think anyone outside of GRC had you guys pegged as a top 15 team and you guys are easily a top 15 team, IMO.

 

Some didn't have us tagged in the top 5 in our own region, let alone rated in the state......:lol: So I can see where GRC is a suprise to most.

Now that holiday tournaments are over, and most teams have at least ten games under their belt, we should have a pretty good idea of what teams are surprising, both in a positive and negative way. I'll get the ball rolling with a few teams.

 

Surprising:

 

Madison Central- We knew they'd be good, but they're still undefeated, and look to be a top 5 team in the state.

 

Clark County- They were supposed to be a middle of the pack team in the 10th Region. Instead, they're 12-2, won both of their holiday tournaments en route to ten straight wins, and look to be the second best team in the 10th.

 

Woodford County- They're 9-5 with wins over Ashland, Tates Creek, and East Jessamine, all without star Jay Johnson. Once Jay Johnson returns, they could make serious noise in the gauntlet that is the 11th Region.

 

Covington Holy Cross- They're 11-1, with two wins over Bowling Green, and a win over NCC and look to be the one of the favorites in the 9th Region.

 

Simon Kenton- 10-3, with wins over Ashland, Scott, and Harrison County. They look like one of the favorites in the 8th Region, other than their blowout loss to Gallatin County.

 

 

Disappointing:

 

Bryan Station- Looked like they'd compete in the 11th Region, but have got off to a dismal 3-10 start, including 0-5 in Region games.

 

Rowan County- Looked to be the class in a weak 16th Region after returning nearly everyone from their state runner-up team, but have gotten off to a 7-5 record, including a loss to 16th Region West Carter.

 

In reference to Simon Kenton, best 2 wins would have to be Fayette Co. Ga., ranked 8th and undefeated in 4A at the time and a good Lou. Central team. Ashland and Scott were not very close games. Harrison Co to there credit cut a large deficit and made it interesting at the end. Bad loss to Cooper. Out-hustled by Gallitin CO. Should be interesting in the 8th.

Some didn't have us tagged in the top 5 in our own region, let alone rated in the state......:lol: So I can see where GRC is a suprise to most.

I agree with what you are saying, but you are a notorius BGP sandbagger on the GRC Cards. But some knew they would be right up there in the region again.

I agree with what you are saying, but you are a notorius BGP sandbagger on the GRC Cards. But some knew they would be right up there in the region again.

 

Sandbagger.....:lol: I see myself more of being realistic. Any team can be beaten on a given night. Example, Menifee beat Rowan Co last year. I tend to let the GRC boys prove it on the court..... then I can do my bragging when the game is over.

I agree any team can beat on any night. Rankings in Kentucky high school basketball mean nothing (especially pre-season), as every team gets into post season.

In the surprise team category, you have to say Covington Catholic should be listed.