The Scribe

Good hire. He's well-liked in the community and knows how to get the kids out to play. Trigg finished last year with less than 30 players and have won one playoff game in 15 years.

I can't argue the order of the top 10. Christian County and Hopkins Central may finish higher than their preseason rank, but depth will dictate their success. If Lyon County goes deep at All A state again, I'm curious to see how they respond in the weeks that follow. Their defense showed signs of fatigue in the games that followed. I thought Tyler Smithhart did a great job managing his bench last year and it paid off with a region title. They are a big question early. If they win out of the gate, they could repeat.

I guess it depends on what is considered an upset. A three beating a two isn't necessarily an upset. However, a one losing at home may be. I think the biggest chances of a team losing a home game this week are Russell and Glasgow in 3A, E-town in 4A, Cooper in 5A, and Male in 6A.

49 points came to South Warren and 35 to Tilghman, two high-powered offenses. They give up 14 a game outside of those two.

Smith to Hop Central completes the trade for Sumner going to North.

I think this nails it. The division will watch the Brewers win it again and flame out in the playoffs

UHA has a new coach and no Tylin George. A healthy Keshawn Moore will make them a top-5 team. Lyon County has the most returning, and Jett Reddick, Jack's little brother, could be a player to watch. Hopkinsville should be right behind Lyon in the region, and you should never count out a Dior Curtis coached team across town at Christian County. The 6th District may have three of the best six teams in the region.

I don't think Tilghman will be interested until next week. That showed a bit last week. I think Tilghman takes care of business and pulls away for a win that looks larger on paper than in person. Tilghman by 23

Logan County's defense is pretty good, but home field and turf help E-town here. E-town by 4

Hart County is the best throwing Wing-T team I've seen in a while. But their defense is not as good as its been the past two seasons. Murray is on a roll and 167 miles on a yellow bus is a long way to go play. Murray by 24

OCath can name their score in this one, but Crittenden has been playing some good football down the stretch. OCath by 31

James Bradley Jr. may be the best player in the state no one has heard of. He will be the focal point of South Warren's defense, as he should be. Someone else will need to make plays for Hoptown for them to have a chance. Hoptown has nothing to lose, as they are playing on borrowed time, but South Warren will learn from their first game and win this one by 22.

I know Mayfield has been banged up a bit, and the week off may actually pay dividends for them. Hancock is playing good football down the stretch, but Mayfield is Mayfield. Mayfield by 22. 29 if they have the ball inside the final minute of the game.

Henderson's defense was surprisingly good in the win over Meade County. However, McCracken's offense could put up 55 on them again. McCracken by 8

Union County is throwing the football a little more this year, but its bread and butter is still the run game. Union's run defense is pretty stout, but a 162-mile trip on a bus is a long way to go play. Glasgow by 4

I think they like everything else better there.

It could be a good job. It's not a quick turnaround though. Murray has had football success for the past quarter century except for a few high spots for Calloway. They should be better than they are. It's hard to put a finger on why they have been so bad for the past decade.

I expect the region to be a wild ride this year. Five teams could win it based on the draw.

Henderson County appears to be the best team in the region but they have trouble closing the deal every year so we'll see. Lyon County is discovering how tough it is to close games when you don't have Perry and Reddick on the floor. I think they will be OK. UHA is a mess. Only one basketball and that's not enough for some. When Caldwell is locked in, they are a tough out. They could make a deep run in the All A or flame out. It depends on which team shows up. Madisonville is the enigma of the region. They won some close games early but have struggled lately without Kanyon Johnson in the lineup (sick). They really miss Ratliff. They would be the hands-down region favorite with him on the floor. He got hurt before the season.

The Yacht Rock dockumentary on HBO Max is outstanding. Bill Simmons produces it so it has a 30 for 30 feel to it, but I always love to watch a documentary on a topic I feel I have full command over and yet learn so much.

I'll be honest. 2023 was a sucky year for me. 2024 wasn't much better. But here's to keeping your head down, wearing your hard hat, and taking your lunch pail to work, and here's hoping your 2025 is the best ever.

Ken Barrett, who coached at Trigg County, North Marshall, and Marshall County before winning three state championships at Russellville in the 1980s, died on Saturday. He was 93. The field at Russellville's Rhea Stadium is named for him.

Caldwell County could be a sleeper. New coach Dion Curtis at Christian County will have them playing well. UHA looked good at June summer hoops. I think Madisonville is a team to watch.

After Lyon County, the three best teams in the region are in the 8th District. Bateman is the second-best player in the region behind Perry. He proved that in the KY/IN Junior All-Star series over the summer.

Vienna had three starters coming back from a 29-win season. Good win for the Lyons.