mooremiller31

The first week of the season has come and gone. The more things change the more they stay the same is a good theme for this week. While most of the normal power brokers remain near the top their have been some surprises. Overall it was a good first week for the 11th Region. Team Rankings 1. Scott County (3-0) - What a start to the season for the Cardinals! They knocked off 2 top 25 teams in the state in South Laurel and Ballard by 30 points each and then traveled to Marshall County for the Hoopfest and knocked off Olive Branch, Mississippi who was ranked in the preseason top 50 in the country and feature DJ Jefferies who is a top 10 player in the country. The most impressive part of this for me is that the Cardinals loaded a bus Friday night after beating Ballard and drove the 5 hours to Marshall County to play a noon tip. It didnt seem to bother them much. Up next Scott County travels to LCA and host Frederick Douglass. 2. Henry Clay (2-0) - The Blue Devils knocked off their 2018-19 campaign with a pair of city victories over Frederick Douglass and Tates Creek. Both victories by around 20 points. Marques Warrick showed why he is one of the top players in the region with two impressive performances. Up next the Blue Devils head to Bryan Station, host Eastern, and face off with Scott High on a neutral floor. A chance to move to 2-0 in the tough 42nd district for Henry Clay this week. 3. Lafayette (2-0) - One of our big climbers this week, the Generals got off to impressive start with a road win over one of the top 12th Region teams in Lincoln County and then throttled Madison Central at home by 22. A big week up next for Lafayette as they travel to Dunbar for a 43rd District matchup then head to Simon Kenton for a tough road game before meeting Waggener on a neutral court over the weekend. The Generals have been talking about "earning respect" all preseason. Another week to show what they are made of is on the horizon. 4. Lexington Christian Academy (3-0) - The Eagles are off to a nice start winning 3 games against Cordia, Western Hills, and Paris. While the strength of schedule might not be the best the margin of victory is impressive. They werent challenged in any of the games this past week. Kyle Rode poured in around 30 points a game all week to lead LCA. Up next the Eagles travel to Tates Creek before hosting Scott County in a big time matchup for them. 5. Frederick Douglass (1-1) - The Broncos started the week off with a loss to district rival Henry Clay but bounced back nicely to smoke Bourbon County over the weekend. The Henry Clay game was much closer then the final score showed with the Broncos being with single digits most of the game. This week the Broncos hit the road heading to East Jessamine, Scott County, and Bryan Station. 6. Paul Laurence Dunbar (2-1) - The Bulldogs take a drop from our preseason rankings after a tough loss to a surprising Woodford County team but bounced back in a big way to beat Bryan Station on the road and northern Kentucky power Cooper on a neutral floor over the weekend. The 3 bigs are still getting adjusted to Coach Chalk's style but the Bulldogs are starting to look like they could be formidable for teams in the 11th this season. A big week for PLD with Lafayette and Lexington Catholic coming to PLD for early season 43rd District matchups. 7. Madison Central (1-1) - The Indians got off to a great start with a beat down of rival Madison Southern but ran into some big time problems at Lafayette to end the week. Congrats to Isaiah Cozart on becoming the states all time career leader in blocked shots against Lafayette. What a great accomplishment for a great kid and basketball player. The Indians travel to GRC early in the week in what should be a great game and then host Somerset to end the week. 8. Woodford County (2-0) - The Yellow Jackets had a huge opening season win over Paul Laurence Dunbar on the road which really opened some eyes and then went to Grant County and beat them down to end the week. An argument can be made that the Yellow Jackets should be higher but for now this is where I will put them. They have plenty of chances to prove they are a top 5 team in the region in coming weeks. This week Woodford County plays 2 important district games as they host Western Hills then head to Franklin County to end the week. 9. Franklin County (1-1) - The Flyers picked up an impressive win over one of the top 8th Region teams Spencer County to open the season and then battled with Butler over the weekend before falling by just 5 points. Zyshon Atkinson and Kyle Stivers had nice weeks for the Flyers to help lead the way. This week Franklin County hosts Collins and Woodford County in a big time early season district matchup. 10. Lexington Catholic (1-2) - The Knights started off the week with big win over rival Mason County but the week went south after that with losses to Covington Catholic and Briarcrest Christian out of Tennessee and neither game was very competitive. Ben Johnson continues to impress for the Knights. This is a big week for Lexington Catholic to get back to their winning ways. They host Model before traveling to PLD for a district matchup, then play Beechwood. 11. Frankfort (1-1) - The Panthers finished the week 1-1 wih a win over Eastern and a loss to North Oldham. New coach Chris OBryan is still implementing his system but expect to see the Panthers find their way into the top 10 before the season ends. This week the Panthers head to Sayre and Western Hills before playing a tough Butler team on a neutral site. 12. Tates Creek (1-1) - The Commodores started off the season with a loss to Henry Clay but bounced back to win on the road at Powell County. Tates Creek continues to try and move in the right direction this season this week as they face off with LCA, Bryan Station and Bourbon County. 13. Bryan Station (0-2) - The Nimbo Hammons era is off to a rough start on the north side of Lexington. The Defenders dropped a home game to Dunbar then ran into a freight train in Cincinnati Moeller over the weekend. Station needs to get it going quickly because their schedule doesnt get any easier. They host Henry Clay and Tates Creek this week before taking on South Oldham on a neutral court. 14. Madison Southern (2-1) - The Eagles picked up 2 wins this week over Estill County and Russell County but fell big to rival Madison Central to open the year. This week the Eagles head to North Laurel, host Powell County, and face off with Lincoln County on a neutral court. 15. Sayre (0-2) - The Spartans are off to a rough start to start the season with 2 close losses to East Jessamine and Hazard. This week Sayre will host Frankfort and take on North Laurel on a neutral court. 16. Model (1-2) - Model dropped games to Casey County and Danville this week but picked up a win over Bluegrass United. They face off with Lexington Catholic and Lynn Camp this week. 17. Western Hills (1-1) - The Wolverines went 1-1 with a win over Henry County and a loss to LCA to open the season. Two district games this week with Western Hills and Frankfort coming up this week. 18. Berea (1-1) - The Pirates lost to East Jessamine and beat Evangel Christian. This week they face off with Danville Christian, Lee County, and Bluegrass United. Games of the Week Tuesday Dec. 4th Lafayette at Paul Laurence Dunbar Collins at Franklin County Henry Clay at Bryan Station Madison Central at George Rogers Clark Thursday Dec. 6th Scott County at Lexington Christian Academy Friday Dec. 7th Lexington Catholic at Paul Laurence Dunbar

Franklin County did not beat Butler as you mentioned. They lost to them Saturday by 5 just to clarify.

Biggest things that stuck out to me about Spencer County were lack of size and depth.

I went to this game. Great game to watch. Super competitive. Neither team led by more then 4 or 5 the entire game. Spencer can really shoot it and dont hesitate to let it fly. Kyle Stivers for FC had a nice game. Spencer is really gonna struggle with their size this season but if they get hot they have a chance against anyone in the 8th.

For me its simple. I think he does so much on the court other then scoring that effects the game. I think this year you will see a totally different Trinity team. Last year with Johnson, Powell, and Scrubb you had 3 legit superstars. This year you have one stud(Johnson) and 6-8 good role players who do exactly what they need to do to be successful. David has total control over that team. He doesn't need to score 30 plus a night for his team to win. Hes a complete player, he will guard, he will distribute, and he will get guys where they need to be. Plus, hes about 210 of solid muscle now and I think the only kid in the state that could go to a Power 5 conference school, like UofL, and play right away. Its not all about scoring. Like I said though, just my opinion.

I left the gap for a reason.

MY PERSONAL OPINION: 1. David Johnson 2. Dontaie Allen 3. KyKy Tandy 4. Michael Moreno 5. Kyle Rode 6. Isaiah Cozart 7. Jacob Hobbs 8. Jackson Harlan 9. Deontie Miles 10. Nick Thelan

Newport won 69-66. I know nothing else. Just saw the score on Twitter.

This looks pretty good to me! Great work!

WKU was picked #1 in the preseason coaches poll and Marshall was #2.

Ohmer isn’t hurt. WKU has yet to play a complete game and won’t have their starting pg until after Christmas. This team has a chance to be scary good. Bassey, Hollingsworth, and Savage are a problem for teams to guard. Josh Anderson is playing out of position and and payed his best game yet last night. Gonna be a fun season in Bowling Green.

The Franklin County football twitter page tweeted out last night the game is at Union College.

Its so funny and strange to me that people are buying this as the reason. If you look hard enough on social media though you will find the reason. Its sad for the students and the community. Say what you want about Taylor County but those people love basketball and want to be successful so bad. I hope they find a good coach and someone that can keep the recent success going for them.

I know one of them played at Larue County last year some off the bench. The other two were out of state. I cant comment too much because their is a lot of unknown about the situation. All I do know is that these boys were not recruited in any way to PLD and that they were placed in foster care in a home in the PLD district. The KHSAA has ruled them eligible. Not much is known about the skill level overall but I am told that the oldest of the three is a college level type of player and physically all 3 are specimens.

Another season has arrived in the state of Kentucky and youll be hard pressed to find any better basketball then what you find night in and night out in the 11th Region. Last season the 11th Region Champion Scott County Cardinals made it all the way to the state championship before falling to Covington Catholic. As always this years region will be loaded with talent, both team and individual. Lets get right to it!! Team Rankings Before we get to the rankings I just want to put a disclaimer that their is a lot of unknown about some rosters around the region. At the time I am writing this I am going to include the most up to date information I have! 1. Scott County Cardinals - The Cardinals return the core of their state runner up squad last year including one of the top players in the state in Michael Moreno. Also back is sharp shooter Bryce Long, playmaker Diablo Stewart, Cam Fluker and a host of players that saw significant minutes off the bench. Isaiah Allen, who has been at Tates Creek and Paul Laurence Dunbar also has joined the Cardinals. This team is loaded with talent and experience and looks primed for another deep run in March. Until someone in the region knocks them off it is their region to lose. 2. Henry Clay Blue Devils - The Blue Devils return two of the best backcourt players in the region in Keaston Brown and Marques Warrick. Warrick had a breakout season last year and looks to continue his dominant play this season. Add in Ramond Jackson and Harris Hawkins and the Blue Devils have a nice core group to challenge the Cardinals. Of course they will get plenty of chances being in the same district. Cant wait to see these two go head to head. 3. Paul Laurence Dunbar - The Bulldogs aren't a team many have been talking about all offseason or much of last season. That will change!!! The Bulldogs had 3 nice additions fall in their lap in the form of three 6'8" international students who happened to be placed in their district per the state of Kentucky and the foster home system. Add in that size and length to returners Jared Gadd, who has played valuable minutes since he was a freshmen, and Mike Corio who is also a 4 year varsity player and the bulldogs will be a matchup problem for everyone in the region with their size. 4. Frederick Douglass Broncos - The Broncos had a great summer including winning the KBA AAU State Tournament. They return the majority of their scoring and play an up-tempo fast paced style unlike any team in the region. They play a ton of guys and stay after you all game. Look for Nathan Mack and DeShawn Jackson to have big seasons for the Broncos. 5. Madison Central - The Indians look to have another strong season and will be lead by big man and WKU commit Isaiah Cozart. Cozart is on the cusp of breaking the record for most career blocked shots in the state of Kentucky and has really improved his offensive game. Look for Quaezhan Charlton to help Cozart lead the offense as the Indians look to make another push towards Rupp Arena. 6. Lexington Christian Academy - The Eagles came within a 3 pointer in the corner from knocking off Scott County last year in the Regional Final. LCA graduated a ton of talent but return their best player and one of the best players in the state in guard Kyle Rode. Will Hacker also returns to provide another option for the Eagles in the back court. Lots of new faces and young guys will have to contribute for the Eagles this season. 7. Lexington Catholic - The Knights are in a bit of a transition this season. They have lost a ton to graduation the last couple of seasons. Guys that played a lot of varsity minutes. The Knights do return Ben Johnson who is capable of handing out a 30 piece on any given night. The Knights always find ways to win and guys who are perfect for their system. I expect the Knights to be in the conversation for a region title all season. 8. Frankfort - The Panthers return one of the best rosters they have had in years. New coach Chris O'Brien will have to hope he can build some chemistry with these guys. Returning are Juanya Frank, a dynamic athletic guard, John Tillman who is as good a big man as anyone has in the region, and guard DeJuan Davis who can be a really good defender. The Panthers will have to hope they can finally get over the hump and win the district tournament. 9. Lafayette - The Generals are kind of an under the radar team if that's possible in the 11th region. Halfway through the season we might look up and they are top 3 team in the region. Big man Ray Surratt is back to man the middle as well as guard Evan Dreux who has been playing varsity for what seems like 6 years. The up-tempo style the Generals play will always keep them in the game. Could be a big year for Lafayette if things go their way. 10. Bryan Station - The Defenders start anew with head coach Nimbo Hammons. Hammons a former Defender has a big reputation on the aau circuit in Lexington and had a ton of community support to get the job. He enters his first season losing a lot of production from a great Defender squad last season. Back though is Myles "Bubby" Marones and Keaton Simpson, both of whom played valuable varsity minutes last season. One thing I know about this team is Coach Hammons will have his team playing hard tough basketball. Athletes are all over the school on the north side so don't think the cupboard is completely bare. 11. Woodford County - The Yellow Jackets enter their final season as a member of the 11th region as the defending 41st District Champions. Back for Coach Wilson returns guards Brandon Cromwell and Anthony Tabor who should make them a formidable back court. Them and Frankfort should battle it out in the 41st for the top seed. All about the draw for teams in the 41st and if they get a good one you could see the Yellow Jackets in the region semi final. 12. Tates Creek - The Commodores are still rebuilding but continue to get better under Coach Jarrod Gay. I expect Tates Creek to make big leaps this year. Amari Taylor is finally healthy and is capable of being one of the best guards in the region. Also, if Deonte Edmonds can finally figure out how good he is then Tates Creek has a huge upside. As always being in the 43rd District does nobody any favors but expect to see TC upset some of the big boys this year. 13. Franklin County - The Flyers are a team that could be 3-4 spots higher. They are really close to the teams ranked ahead of them. Expect Kyle Stivers and Jarred Courtney to lead the Flyers this season. If the chips fall right they could be the team to win the 41st District Championship at the end of the season. As always with the Flyers and Coach Wise expect them to be much better in February then in December. 14. Sayre - The Spartans come into the season looking to keep the positive momentum they have gained over the last couple of years. Look for Will Hairston and Daniel Clinkinbeard to lead the Spartans this season. 15. Madison Southern - The Eagles enter the season with new head coach Austin Newton. Newton a former EKU basketball player and assistant coach looks to build on what Coach Buttry built over the last 15 years. Not sure what to expect from the Eagles this season. As always all about the district draw for them. 16. Model - The Patriots enter the season with more experience then last year. Coach Scarberry is one of the more underrated coaches in the region in my opinion and will have his team ready to play. 17. Western Hills - Not much to look forward to on the westside of Frankfort this season im afraid. Peyton Cody and Nate Johnson return with varsity minutes under their belt but not sure what the Wolverines identity is at this point. 18. Berea - The Pirates look to battle for an All A region crown like every year. Tough going for one of the smallest schools in our state. Player Rankings 1. Michael Moreno - Scott County - One of the best players in the state of Kentucky, Moreno looks to lead his team to a third straight region title. 2. Kyle Rode - Lexington Christian Academy - The Liberty University commit is one of the toughest matchups in the state at the guard spot. Smart, heady, and physical look for Rode to lead the way for the Eagles. 3. Isaiah Cozart - Madison Central - Recently committed to WKU and soon to be the states all time leading shot blocker, hes impossible to shoot over and makes MC's defense one of the best. 4. Marques Warrick - Henry Clay - Long athletic guard had a breakout season last year I look for it to sky rocket this season. 5. John Tillman - Frankfort - Tillman is a talented big man that can score in a number of ways. Tough matchup and should lead the Panthers to a big year. 6. Ben Johnson - Lexington Catholic - Another Johnson wired to score for the Knights, he is going to have some HUGE scoring nights. 7. Keaston Brown - Henry Clay - Big time scorer for the Blue Devils look for him and Warrick to be the best 1-2 punch in the region. 8. Bryce Long - Scott County - One of the best shooters in the state, hit a bit of a slump late last year but when hes right look out. Makes SC tough to defend. 9. Amari Taylor - Tates Creek - Sat out most of last season with an injury, an explosive guard who is going to have some big nights for Tates Creek. 10. Myles Morones - Bryan Station - Lone returning starter for the Defenders has all the weapons to have a monster season.

Why in the world would you start your program with this idea of calling Scott County “that team up north”? From day 1 that’s what Coach Landis and his staff and entire program have done. Why poke the bear? I just don’t get it. We have people mad about McKee’s comments but can you blame him? You’re program is 2 years old and yes you’ve had a great start to your program, better then most but I just don’t see why you would constantly give anyone a reason to be anymore motivated against you. You can’t manufacture a rivalry or bad blood with a team and it just seems forced to me but whatever. Congrats to FD on a good season and SC on moving forward.

WKU got nothing out of the point guard position all night. Hollingsworth and Savage paced them in the 1st half. Bassey had a nice game as well. Washington's zone wore WKU down in the second half. Washington has the pieces to be a really good team this season.

Sorry to disappoint @Wireman I know how he loves any chance to bash WKU and Stansbury!!

Yes

WKU recently announced they will be opening the season playing against Washington in Seattle. This adds to a pretty impressive out of conference schedule for the Hilltoppers. They are still looking to add one game I believe but as of today here are some of the notable out of conference games: @ Washington @ Arkansas St. Mary's @ Belmont Wisconsin Valpo then possibly WVU in Myrtle Beach Some other out of conference games against mid major opponents but so far an impressive schedule for WKU. Definitely have the talent to compete in these games. Should be a fun season on the hill. Sorry in advance this isn't about UK. Just need some new content sometimes on this board.

I don’t think anyone is trying to stop Zion from breaking records that’s laughable. Maybe breaking rules but not records. None of this matters because we all know they will find a way to make him eligible. Congrats you got to say what you want and have more people talking. Is there a record for that? You can have that one too! Adults ruining stuff for kids shocking.

Yawn!! Different year same story!!

Well Brad Mefford turned it down so Houston went with the political move instead. You can tag me instead of saying “some were alluding to”.

We shall see Buckett!! Be prepared is all I’m saying.

Administration can’t ban an adult from all FIS sporting events? Pretty sure that’s done all over the state. This incident is a “scape goat” for Houston to bring his boy back in. Bottom line.