ball_coach_4

This is through December 21. I was going to wait until the completion of the KOB, but with the results so far, nothing much will change a team’s ranking much. This week there wasn’t a much of a shift hardly at all in the rankings. Completely different than what I thought would happen. Last week’s ranking in parentheses (). Next Rankings for 7th region will come New Year’s Eve at the completion of the Post-Christmas Tournaments. 1. Trinity (8-0) (1) Still executing at a high rate and playing beautifully as a team. Notched huge wins against Owen Co. and Dunbar in the first two rounds of the King of the Bluegrass. They have cemented themselves as not only the best team in the region, but the best team in the state in my opinion. Let’s see if they can keep the streak alive against a very good Bullitt East squad tonight in the semifinals. They have at least two more games win or lose in the KOB, and play in the Traditional Bank Classic in Lexington next week where they should be favored. A loss tonight won’t change their number one status in the region this week. 2. Male (7-1) (2) Male have a solid showing in the Best in Hoops Classic, finishing 3rd. Their only loss was to the eventual champion Oldham County in a close 4 point game in the semifinals. They go to the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic next week, where they open up against a good North Hardin team that’s currently in the final four of the KOB. 3. Manual (7-3) (3) Manual cemented their status as the #3 team in the 7th region polls with a runner up finish in the Best in Hoops Tourney. Had a tough blowout loss to Oldham County in the championship game (which is why I still have Male at #2), but had solid wins against Spring Hill, TN, and Lexington Catholic. Manual starts out with a very good Cooper team that knocked off Covington Catholic in their first game of the season in the first round of the City of Middletown Classic at Eastern High School. 4. Eastern (4-2) (4) They notched a good win versus a solid, yet injury depleted Bryan Station team in the first round of the Woodford County Invitational Tournament. Play host Woodford County tonight in the quarterfinals, and finish that tourney this week. Start off with Elizabethtown in their own City of Middletown Holiday Classic. 5. Central (4-3) (5) Pulled off a big upset in a high scoring shoot-out with Taylor County in the first round of the KOB, hitting 14 threes. However, they went completely cold in the second round game to Bullitt East last night. They get a very good Dunbar team tonight in the 5th round bracket. Next week they travel to Northwest Indiana to play a road game at top 25 (IN) East Chicago Central, and also play in the Gary Holiday Tournament in Gary, IN. 6. Ballard (4-4) (7) After adding who Coach Renner calls his 2nd best player in Clivonte Patterson, Ballard seems to be hitting their stride as they have another weapon to go along with Wilson and Alvey. They dropped a heart breaking loss by way of a buzzer beater to North Hardin in the first round of the KOB, and notched a solid win to a very good Bowling Green team last night. They get Waggener tonight in the consolation bracket for 7th place. They travel to Tennessee next week to play in a very tough Next Level Hoops Fest field; hosted by TN state power Christ Presbyterian Academy. 7. Waggener (4-3) (6) Dropped a tough game to a very good top 5 in KY Bullitt East team in the first round of the KOB. Also lost to Taylor County in the Consolation bracket, but they get to live and play another day by way of the brawl that happened with the Miami Sr. (FL) and Gainesville (GA) teams in their game and getting suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Waggener gets Ballard tonight for a chance to secure a solid win. They travel to Florida next week to play in the Pensacola Catholic High School Holiday Tournament. 8. Kentucky Country Day (5-1) (8) They’ve only played one game this past week, and that was a 12 point win to 1-11 Atherton. Doesn’t move them up any or down. Have a good chance to climb the rankings with opportunities for wins against solid competition at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington next week. They open up with hometown Bryan Station in the first round. 9. Christian Academy (5-3) (11) Notched big blow out wins against Whitefield Academy and Collegiate this past week. They also had a solid 11 point win against Anderson County in the first round of the Twin Lakes Classic yesterday. They finish that tournament this week; and play in the Henry County Invitational next week. They get host Henry County in the first round. 10. St. Xavier (4-4) (9) They scored a win against struggling Atherton, and then got overmatched in their road trip to Park Hills, KY, against state power Covington Catholic (resulting in a 27 point loss). They also lost to a good Soutwestern team in OT in the Panther classic last night. They get a very good Hopkinsville team tonight. They travel to Bowling Green for the Meijer Holiday Classic next week, and open up with Barren County. 11. Portland Christian (4-4) (12) Had a big loss to Moore, and blew out Covington Latin in the first round of the PCS Holiday Classic last night. 12. Brown (5-5) (13) Won 2 out of 3 games in the Itty Bitty Tress and Trends Classic this past week. 13. Shawnee (1-4) (10) 32 point loss to Memphis Catholic in the Rumble at the Ridge knocks them out of the top 10. 14. Atherton (1-11) (14) Tough week for Atherton, as they go 0-4 (since 12/16), and drop every game to St. X, KCD, North Oldham, and North Bullitt. 15. Seneca (0-7) (15) Got blown out by Frankfort. I’m still giving them the benefit of the doubt because of their strength of schedule (as far as them not dropping) right now, but they will drop if they don’t win a game in their own Wes Unseld Classic next week. 16. St. Francis (2-8) (16) Would’ve moved up with a couple of wins, but went 0-4 against sub-par competition this week. Lost to Evangel Christian, Eminence, Collegiate, and Beth Haven. 17. Walden (1-4) (16) Wolverines are off until January 2, so they may not be moving anywhere anytime soon.

I've got Taylor county. I'm not sold on them defensively at all, but I can see them giving Owen Co.'s guards fits. I see them pressing all over the court, which is not to Owen Co.'s strength. Don't think they can stop Carson Williams (but who can), but I see Gatewood probably doubling him like Trinity, whenever Owen Co. gets it up the court. On the other end, no way Owen Co. stops Goodin and Sloan. They'll zone, but it'll be hard for there guys to get back and stop the 2 second transition that they are great at after made baskets or rebounds. Central tried a triangle and 2 on them, and they scored almost 70 between the two of them. I don't think Central is a very good team defensively at this point, but think they'd have the personnel to try to contain Goodin and Sloan more than Owen Co. (or Waggener), and neither of those teams could.

They have the personnel to do it. A good pg, and decent enough athleticism out of the guards that can move around in space (because they space the floor very well with the 4 corners). They pass it well enough and are patient enough to find a layup if you start trapping (or an open wide open jumper after they've milked 45 seconds off the clock). Hard to stop with this group, and is a great strategy on the high school level. Takes the air out of the game, but a win is a win, and I'm taking it however I can get it.

Yeah dunbar was up early when he went out. He probably sat majority of the 1st half. Then as stated picked up a 3rd as soon as he got back in the game. Lead ballooned while he was out. He's not their best player or leading scorer, but he makes them go. Then in 4th, if trinity has a lead this year, they go 4 corners and stall the whole quarter if they have to. Got a 3 point lead with 4:38 against owen co and played stall ball the rest of the game. Have great passing and good free throw shooters, so it's hard to beat them if they get a lead. Started 4 corners as soon as 4th started this game.

You are absolutely right. They couldn't throw a rock in the ocean. Seems like they missed at least 10 point blank layups, and at least 15 free throws. Tyler Sharpe completely dominated this game. When he wasn't scoring he was giving others easy shots. Should be a Mr. Bball candidate.

I think the kid went to Warren Central. I think they said he's about 6'5". Averaged like 16 and like 7 or 8 boards.

Balanced attack powers Central to win. Devin Firman with 26. Central had 4 players in double figures and 2 others with 9. David Sloan was best player on the floor. Had 42. Was unconscious. Goodin with 27.

I think your mind may change after the kob. Trinity just beat owen co, and fern creek (who just lost a star guard), just handled bowling green (who's star guard just got hurt). Ballard just lost at buzzer with it being 1st game for 2nd best player. Think you'll see similar outcomes tomorrow as well, and in the best in hoops.

7 Cov Cath 5 Central 3 Spencer Co 2 Owen County 1 Larue County Cov Cath

Because the KHSAA doesn't tally assists. Only shooting percentages, points, and rebounds.

It will all shake out by next Wednesday. I think the teams ranked #s 1-7 will be different to be honest. What I ranked them isn't necessarily who I think will win or who I think is the best team. It is who deserves it at that time with what they've done to date. Waggener is still missing a starter now with Hobbs' injury, and had to squeak by a St. X team with 2 guys out(which is what I took into consideration as well), so I still give Manual the edge as of now. If they fair well in the KOB it will change. Ballard did beat them, but then got handled by Bryan Station and Doss. Then lost to Clay Co. I think Central beats Eastern with Firman playing, but he didn't play, so I gave Eastern the nod for the head to head win. But... I'm about 95% sure there will be a huge shake up after the KOB and Best in Hoops tournies are finished. UofL is without a starter and barely lost to Mich. St. The polls don't reflect that they probably beat them with a healthy Deng Adel to guard Valentine a good portion of the game. They reflect what they are at the moment, which will change week to week after he gets back (Same with Waggener).

Wow! Hate to hear that for him.

Why is he out?

Thanks

This is through December 16, 2015. I'll update next week, and on a weekly basis from now on. 1. Trinity (6-0) Had a strong team performance last night in a win against Manual. To date, they've shot an insane 45% from 3 pt. territory. They're averaging over 9 made threes per game. They have good wins versus state power Covington Cathlic, and a talented Fern Creek squad, which gives them the top spot. Tough match-up looming versus Owen County in the KOB this weekend. 2. Male (5-0) This team has been under the radar in the preseason talk. They've recently had two marquee wins against Madison Central and Fern Creek this past week, giving them the nod for the #2 spot. Should be a favorite going into the Oldham County "Best in Hoops" tourney this weekend. 3. Manual (5-2) So far this team has been a scrappy bunch, and have a great win against pre-season favorite Waggener on their resume'. Just had a hard fought loss to #1 Trinity, but no shame in that. Interesting matchup in the first round of the Best in Hoops tourney against Spring Hill (TN). 4. Eastern (3-2) So far they have two solid wins over Fairdale, and Central. They had a big loss to North Hardin (who is a 5th Region Contender), and a loss to a solid Henry Clay team. The two wins give them a nod for the 4th spot, and we'll find out more about this team's identity next week versus Bryan Station. 5. Central (3-2) Just walloped Portland Christian in a 100-18 rout last night. They have no bad losses: one shorthanded loss to Eastern without Devin Firman (leading scorer), and a road loss to Covington Catholic. They also have no marquee wins either. Team has talent, but has to put together. We'll find out more in their KOB first round match up against Taylor County this weekend. 6. Waggener (4-1) Had a good victory without their starting point guard Hobbs against St. X last night (though St. X was minus two of their key bigs also). They haven't really played a tough schedule to date, and only solid competition resulted in a loss. That, with the news of Hobbs wrist injury pushes them down to the 6th spot this week. They'll definitely move up if they beat Bullitt East in the KOB and have a strong showing. 7. Ballard (3-3) This team looks to be trying to find it's identity. They have a dominant win against #3 Manual, but them have lost big to all of the other solid competition. We'll learn more about this team against North Hardin in the KOB this weekend. 8. Kentucky Country Day (4-1) This is a solid team led by Colin Ferguson and Anthony Mathis averaging a combined 40.8 points per game. They haven't played the most difficult schedule to date, which is why I have them at 8, but they also had a decent showing in a close loss to PRP (which is why they aren't lower). They play Atherton Thursday, and don't play again until their match-up with 11th Region Power Bryan Station at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic on December 26. 9. St. Xavier (3-2) Had a heart breaking, short handed loss to Waggener last night. Also had a tight loss to Central in the first game of the season. Don't have any marquee wins, and a 4 point win to winless Seneca is confusing. The play Atherton tonight, and a high profile game versus Covington Catholic on Friday, which will give them an opportunity to nab a good win. 10. Shawnee (1-3) After losing 9 seniors, Shawnee is in rebuilding mode this year with first year coach Kevin Geary. They've played a tough schedule so far (half of games were against preseason #1 and #2 in the 7th region), and notched a blow out win against Collegiate next week. The Rumble at the Ridge tourney at PRP next week can keep them in the top ten, or move them out of the rankings completely. 11. Christian Academy (2-3) Have opportunity to increase wins vs. Whitefield Academy and Collegiate this week and move to #10. 12. Portland Christian (3-3) Tough week for the Eagles with Moore and Covington Latin awaiting. 13. Brown (3-4) Will learn more about them in the Itty Bitty Trees and Trends classic. Could crack top 10 with tourney win. 14. Atherton (1-7) Have played one of the toughest schedules in the region so far, but haven't been competitive. Only gets worse with St. X and KCD on deck this week. 15. Seneca (0-6) The Redhawks are winless, but gauntlett of schedule (Male, Butler, KCD, St. X, Fern Creek, Trinity) gives them nod over last two teams. Good opportunity for a W vs Frankfort on tap. 16. St. Francis (2-4) Have good chance to increase win total this week against Envangel Christian and Eminence. 17. Walden (1-4) Wolverines are off until January 2, so they may not be moving anywhere anytime soon.

Based on depth and overall athleticism I'm going Central in this one. This is for now. Opinion may change based on appeal of big transfer.

I got Owen County. I don't see Trinity being able to match up inside. Owen should kill them on the boards with their two bigs. Plus I believe Carson Williams is too much for them. But then again, the 3 point line nuetralizes match ups, and Trinity is exceptional at that. I still like Owen Co. in a solid win though.

This was my first time seeing Male. I came away impressed. They play together and play hard. Alex Cook has improved a lot! They won't wow you indivually, but they play hard. Fern Creek is good and very athletic. The loss of Trey Hill is a huge blow though. Still very much a top contender in the 6th though.

Depends on if New Albany keeps everyone. Will be really good if they do. I could see their best player making a move if he dominates this year to get more competition on a night in night out basis.

They lose Darius Williams and Jordan Lewis. Two huge losses.

This is true. Saw coach Renner from Ballard say his second best player will be eiligible at the end of the semester. I know Jonathan Lane from Eastern is out right now too. Don't know if he's joining next semester or not though.

Combo of hand checking, and a lot of kids don't show the willingness to sit down and play solid defense. When they do it sticks out. One kid that comes to mind is Eastern's Javen Rushin. Made Goodin work in the scrimmage vs Taylor Co., and locked down Thompson vs Central. You rarely see kids sliding their feet, playing solid d on the ball, and being in the right spot helpside.

Devin Firman made his presence felt early and often. Had 20 points and 4 steals at the half. Ended the game with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. This was his first game playing for Central this year because of a suspension for AAU play.

He was two years ago. Went to a school in Indiana last season, and came to Doss this season.

Eastern is a region contender for sure. Toss up between about five teams in the 7th. Central is still missing one of their primary scorers, ball handler, and top perimeter defender in Devin Firman due to illegal AAU play. Was tight around 3 minute mark, and Central's big guy got a technical foul (which also fouled him out). Think it was a 2 or 4 point game, and then after a minute and a couple of buckets Central started fouling. Eastern is very athletic though. Was impressed with Caleb Williams. Have been watching this Eastern group since they were freshman, and never saw the athleticism from him and Chance in person that I was reading about from AAU rankings. I saw it tonight. It's going to be a toss up in the 7th for sure. Both teams will improve and get better over the season. Was impressed with the big guy for Central that just got there from football. He's going to help a bunch this year.