First

I saw a lot of growth in this team from the end of last season to this summer when they found ways to win close games against quality competition. If the Titans are good enough, they will be fine. I'd be more concerned if they were beating teams (now) by 8 or 10. They're doing what great teams do when they play sub-par teams. The most recent evidence of that was the beatdown of West by 44 in a rivalry game. And West is a better than average team.

It would have been nice if they'd have played in KOB. But, watching them play, they're still a work in process. Not close to their potential. Most games they've only played well for one half. Until this past summer, I'm not sure Coach Cook knew how good this team would be. I'm sure the schedule was largely completed prior to that. But, looking at their schedule, they scrimmaged at Trinity. They played South Laurel at the Legacy Nissan Classic. If things play out according to ratings, they will play the preseason favorite (number 2 at worst) in the third region in the championship of their Christmas tournament. They then go on to play at the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery. Down the stretch, it really ramps up. 4 of their last 6 games: at Pulaski; Cordia at Pulaski; at Lafayette and at Southwest. They also play at Boyle and at Wayne Maybe not a bad way to approach it. Gradually ramp it up with the last couple weeks of the regular season being brutal.

Hager had another double digit assist game as he led with 10 assists and 4 steals. Faulkner led with 7 rebounds and also had 4 steals. This team has shot 64% from three each of the last 2 games, making 14 and 16. For the year, they are shooting 42% from three, 54% from the field and 73% from the line.

Faulkner led the team in scoring with 21; Dow in rebounds with 12; and Hager in assists with 10.

Final from Harrodsburg. Mercer with all 5 starters in double figures.

Man, Campbell is seriously struggling.

Over the last 3 games, Dow has 37 rebounds and Hager has 31 assists (per KHSAA scoreboard). This team plays so unselfishly. For example, against Casey, Dow attempted 1 FG and had 1 point (but kept rebounding), yet against East he attempted 11 FG's and had 14 points. Against Casey, Hager attempted 13 FG's and had 28 points. Against East, he attempted 3 FG's and had 3 points (yet kept dishing the assists). These boys don't care about scoring, just about winning.

I've never seen Cooper play. They weren't on anyone's radar to start the season and the reason they are now is the win over Cov Cath. And given my opinion on Cov Cath at this juncture, that doesn't do it for me. Their next best win is a 4 point victory over West Jessamine, which isn't ranking material. I haven't seen Cov Cath this year but I know what they lost/retained from last year. That, paired with their results so far, make me believe they are not a top 20 team at this time. I have seen Trinity but I must admit that I did forget about their Fern Creek victory. Perhaps they are top 20, but I find it hard to believe they are top 10. As far as teams that I believe that are better than Cov Cath, and Cooper, I would say South Laurel and Wayne (with a healthy Stearns).

Good point. But, even if they're not in the pre-season ranking, it's much easier for those "name brand" teams to make it in during the course of the season. Everyone has an eye on them.

I think it depends on Stearns' status. If he's in and healthy, they're still top 20 to 25.

I really don't see Cooper as a top 20 team. They had a nice win over Cov Cath, but I'm not even sure that Cov Cath is a legit top 20 team. I'm also not at all sold on Trinity as a top 10 team. I think each of those teams' rankings have more to do with tradition than with their 2015-16 squads. Otherwise, I think it looks really good.

I look forward to seeing the result when these 2 teams play. Does that happen in the regular season? I disagree that a loss is a loss as it relates to determining a team's ranking. If an unranked college team loses by 1 point to a top 5 team, that will generally do more to improve their RPI than a win over an unranked team. However, Clay's win over Ballard is pretty solid win.

When Pulaski is at full strength, they should be a solid 4th. I see West Jessamine at 5th and Boyle 6th, but I think that could easily change.

The top 10 are perfect IMO. Not saying 11 and beyond aren't, I'm just not too familiar with most of those teams. As far as Lincoln being better than thought, I guess it depends on what you expected. They'll be tough because they're very well coached, but I don't expect too much from them this year. Nice job!

And Trinity beat Fern Creek tonight.

Yes, a really nice win. With wins over South Laurel (in Laurel Co) and now Henry Clay, they've made a statement.

Well, maybe not 2 high major players but at least 2 kids with high major offers. Sloan has SEC and ACC offers. Gooden had ACC, Big 12 and Big 10 that I know of; I want to say SEC as well. I consider those high major conferences.

I would agree, normally. But if a team's 2 super stars are high major D1 players, shouldn't that suffice? Is that not as good as 2 of your typical Kentucky high school basketball "stars" plus a 10 point guy?

What's interesting about the 12th this year is that the top 3 teams are all at their best when playing up-tempo. So who wins? Should be very fun to watch.

I You say all that after having just pointed out all of the ways Wayne gave this game to them?? This is the same SW team that trailed Casey at home after 3 quarters earlier in the week....not saying they're not a great team, but you may be getting a tad carried away.

When is Sylvester due back?

I wasn't aware of Taylor until this season but the kid is an absolute handful. No one is stopping him when he gets it on the block.

Did Pulaski have all of their players?

Interesting game in that both teams lost some very important pieces from last year - Wayne lost Woods and SW lost Gaskin and Isaacs. Let's also not forget that SW beat Wayne by 22 in their December 2014 match-up, with Wayne going on to win their next 2 meetings.

Solid. As was asked all last year, why is North Laurel not better than they are?