DevilMayCare

Notes

• This is the final Prep Baseball Report Top 25 for Kentucky this season, as the postseason gets underway.

• The entire top ten is intact from last week.

• Trinity (☘) is the wire-to-wire regular season #1. Their only loss to an in-state opponent so far, was to #10 Frederick Douglass (🇨🇮) on 3/19. The Shamrocks are riding a 16 game win streak into postseason play. 

• One of last week's premier games pitted NKY's top two teams, #9 Covington Catholic (CC) and #17 Ryle (🏴‍☠️), in a pitcher's duel, with Ryle's #9 hitter ultimately deciding the outcome. The day belonged to Raiders pitcher Grant Ashcraft, until the game's final pitch. Ashcraft no-hit the Colonels through 5 ⅓ innings, but teammate Tate Cordrey stole the show with a walk-off, two run dinger to give Ryle the win. The Raiders were tied for the week's biggest mover, sliding up four slots from #21.

• The other +4 mover was Owensboro Catholic (♠️), who come in one spot ahead of the Bowling Green squad they defeated last Thursday in another game of the week candidate. O-Cath pitchers Barrett Evans and Luke Quinn combined to allow the Purples three hits and no runs over seven innings to help edge BG, 2-0.

• Last year's state champ is rounding into form as they officially begin their quest to repeat. Whitley County (🇾🇪) picked up a couple more wins to extend their run in the back half of the season to 17-2.

• Woodford County (🐝) and Central Hardin (🐻) sneak onto the tail end of the Top 25. The Bruins were last seen in the preseason rankings at #21. Wofo has drifted in and out all season. 

Notes

• Grayson Davis pitched a gem for #1 Trinity (☘️), allowing one hit and three total base runners across six innings against #18 Madison Central. Six different Shamrocks drove in at least one run to convincingly handle the Indians.

• Boyd County (🦁) further bolstered its #2 ranking with consecutive wins over R9 contenders #10 Covington Catholic and Dixie Heights, plus R16 power Rowan County. Boyd's depth of quality arms was apparent, as the Lions allowed eight total hits and three earned runs combined over those three games.

• McCracken County (🐎) used four pitchers to silence Marshall County bats, edging the Marshals 2-0. The win runs #3 McCracken's win streak against R1 competition to 51 games. The Mustangs lead the state with a 1.24 team ERA. 

• Muhlenberg County (🇧🇼) is right behind them with a 1.31 ERA. Their pitching prowess was on display in a trio of shutout wins over Hancock County, Franklin-Simpson, and Hopkinsville. The Mustangs subsequently move up three spots to #17.

• Ryle (🏴‍☠️) returns to the Top 25 following a quartet of wins over Campbell County, #10 Frederick Douglass, #18 Madison Central, and Highlands. The Raiders are 19-3 since taking some early season Ls against a challenging schedule. 

• Brady Atwell clubbed a solo home run, but PRP's Asious Kavich countered with 3 RBIs to help the 5th ranked Panthers (🐾) come from behind to beat #15 Owensboro Catholic (♠️) in one of last week's marquee games. Despite the result, PRP falls one slot in the rankings, while the Aces climb four.

• Reigning state champ Whitley County (🇸🇾) makes an appearance for the first time since the March 18th poll. The Colonels have won 15 of 17, including recent wins over #20 Great Crossing and previously ranked Woodford County. Whitley is hitting at a .394 clip in the month of May.

Noah's back on the market. Is he a good fit for the new-look Wildcats?

He put on a show at Rupp during the state tournament. 

Notes

• The week's biggest mover was Saint Xavier (🐯), who continues to yo-yo up and down the Top 25. The Tigers check in at #15, up eight spots following an impressive run of consecutive wins over #3 McCracken County, #5 Ballard, and #7 Apollo last week. That's about as good a run as we've seen from anyone this season and demonstrates just how good the X-Men can be. They allowed just two runs during that stretch against top competition. 

• Covington Catholic (🇲🇶) reaches a season high #10 on the heels of a nine game win streak that includes a nine run shellacking of #21 Pikeville at Boyd County's Derby Classic last Friday. Jackson Reardon went yard as part of a 4 for 5 day at the plate.

• Lyon County (🦁) comes in just ahead of CovCath at #9. The Lyons have been on an 18-1 tear since an inauspicious 0-4 start. That one loss was to eventual champion Owensboro Catholic in the All "A" Classic. Their last two games resulted in wins over #18 Greenwood and #25 Graves County on Saturday. 

• One of the week's marquee games featured West Jessamine (🐎) hosting Frederick Douglass (🇮🇪) in a match-up of top ten teams. The rankings suggested a game that never materialized, as the Broncos ran away with a five inning mercy rule victory. Forde Cruse no-hit the Colts, while Jaylen Edmonds drove in four to power Douglass in a dominating effort. 

• Bowling Green (🟪🟨) outdueled visiting Taylor County in another contest between ranked teams. The Purples eked out a 5-4 win with Jackson Idlett providing two perfect, efficient innings in relief to close the show. The loss didn't ding the Cardinals at all, as they hold steady at #6 this week, but it did boost BG five spots to #12.

• If you're in the Louisville area this evening and jonesing for aluminum pings and popping leather, St. Matthews should be your destination. The top ranked Shamrocks (☘️) host #5 Ballard (🐻) this evening at 5pm. Both teams are deep with quality arms, so runs may be at a premium. 

4 hours ago, Mountain Football 606 said:

Pikeville Panthers 2024 Schedule:

8/23 at Corbin
8/31 vs Johnson Central (PCB)
9/07 at LCA (Bowl Game) 
9/13 at Raceland
9/20 vs Belfry
9/27 BYE
10/4 vs Ironton (OH)
10/11 vs Dohn Community (OH)
10/18 at Paintsville 
10/25 vs Hazard
11/01 at Boyd Co

I hope this schedule holds together for them. Pikeville hasn't played ten regular season games since 2016. Dohn Community forfeited last year, so that's the one to keep an eye on.

Corbin and Ironton are great additions. The Panthers aren't resting on the laurels. This is how you stay on top.

Notes

• Trinity, Boyd County, and McCracken County have taken up residence in slots 1-3. They've occupied the top three in every poll this season.

• The Shamrocks (☘️) have lived up to their #1 billing, running off twelve straight wins, including a shutout victory over #10 Manual today.

• Boyd County (🦁) is doing its best to keep pace with T, winning 13 of its last 14. The Lions topped reigning R16 champion Raceland earlier this week in a matchup of EKY powers.

• PRP (🐾) took another step forward in the rankings, climbing four more spots to #4. The Panthers have won ten straight, outscoring the opposition 113-11. They rank #2 in the state for team batting average (.378) and runs per game (10.1)

• Apollo (🦅) has claimed victories over #2 McCracken County, #9 Frederick Douglass, and #18 Owensboro Catholic in the month of April. Noah Cook and Carter Kimmel have combined to allow 4 earned runs in 75 ⅔ innings of work.

• Speaking of O-Cath (♠️), they make their Top 25 debut on the strength of winning the All "A" championship. The Aces live up to their nickname, with four pitchers sporting sub 2.00 ERAs with 20+ innings pitched each.

• Continuing the theme of dominance from the mound, Muhlenberg County (🐎) pitchers haven't allowed an earned run in four games. The Mustangs own a staff ERA of 1.38 for the season.

• The week's biggest mover is heading in the wrong direction. Saint Xavier (🐯) plummeted thirteen spots to #23 after losing four straight to, admittedly, very strong competition.

• After a rugged schedule left them below .500 and unranked three weeks ago, Ryle (🏴‍☠️) has re-emerged after winning 12 of 13. AJ Curry is raking at a state leading clip of .671 for the Raiders.

2 minutes ago, theguru said:

 

That was a great class. Mayer and now Corley in the League, Reese Smith is an all-timer at Boyle County, and Walker Parks is a three year starter (probable fourth to come this year) at Clemson.

Corley is an in-state product that played his high school ball at Campbellsville before becoming a Hilltopper. I tracked his senior season in 2019 for the Mr. Football Watchlist. I had a feeling he would be a very good college player, but it's hard to project a 17 year old for the NFL.

Congrats to Malachi! Go make your mark.

I now have a reason to follow the Jets, who took him in the 3rd Round with the 65th overall pick.

🦁 (21-3, PBR #2) vs. 🐏 (21-4)

Boyd County plates three in the B6 to break a 2-2 tie. Raceland was held to a season low in runs by a Lions staff that's allowed a paltry eight earned over the last thirteen games coming in. These two will have much to say about how the 16th Region plays out in a few weeks.

13 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

The Shamrocks get a sac fly from Evan Boeckmann in the T7 to complete the comeback win over the archrival Tigers. X led 4-1 through three innings on a 3 RBI knock from Conner Johnson. 

☘ (22-4, PBR #1) vs. 🐯 (12-11, PBR #10)

The Shamrocks get a sac fly from Evan Boeckmann in the T7 to complete the comeback win over the archrival Tigers. X led 4-1 through three innings on a 3 RBI knock from Conner Johnson. 

2024 Schedule

Aug 24 at Fairdale
Aug 30 vs. Meade County 
Sep 6 vs. Taylor County 
Sep 13 at Hart County 
Sep 20 at Bardstown
Sep 28 at Shelby County 
Oct 4 at Central*
Oct 11 - BYE
Oct 18 at LaRue County*
Oct 25 vs. Christian Academy of Louisville*
Nov 1 at Seneca

*District 

OBSERVATIONS

• Trinity (☘) tightened its grip on #1 with a 5-0 week that saw the Rocks bat nearly .400 and pitch three shutouts.

• After I touted their mastery from the mound last week, Taylor County (🇾🇪) got roughed up for a season worst nine runs in a loss to Powell County in the 2A Championship Tournament. The Cardinals subsequently fall a couple of spots to #6.

• PRP (🐾) moves from #8 to #4 after a 4-0 week that was capped off with a mercy rule beatdown of previous #4 Lexington Catholic. The Panthers held the Knights to two base hits. 

• West Jessamine (🐎) continues its ascent up the rankings with another leap this week after moving five spots last week. The Colts one upped themselves by sliding up six positions to #9.

• Frederick Douglass (🇨🇮) got 4 RBIs from Jeremiah Lowe to run rule previously ranked Sayre. The win concluded a 3-0 week for the Broncos, who move up four places to #13. Douglass also rocked #14 Madison Central earlier in the week.

• The week's biggest mover was Woodford County (🐝), who shot eight spots to #17 after a pair of high quality wins on Saturday over #10 St. Xavier and Central Hardin. 

OBSERVATIONS

• The Top 6 holds firm from a week ago. In fact, this has been the order at the top for three weeks running: 1. ☘️ | 2. 🦁 | 3. 🐴  | 4. 🇾🇪 | 5. 🛡 | 6. 🐻 

• Taylor County (#4) is 6-0 in one run games this season. The Cardinals have balance throughout the line-up and a pitching rotation sporting a 1.35 ERA.

• Perennial power PRP (🐾) sits at #8 with a line-up raking at a clip of .380 and a staff ERA of 2.11.

•  St. Xavier (🐯) climbs back into the Top 10 after enduring a challenging slate of games last week, including quality wins over #12 Eastern, DeSales, and St. Ignatius (OH), plus a pair of losses to top ranked Trinity and St. Edward's (OH).

• Bowling Green (🟪🟨) is off to its best start since the 2012 team ran off 18 straight wins to open their season. Drew Isenberg's 0.49 ERA leads a deep rotation of arms for the Purples.

• West Jessamine (🐎) is up five spots to #15 after outscoring its last five opponents 51-6, including wins over #16 Corbin and #21 Sayre.

Kristy Orem is stepping down from her positions as girl's basketball coach and director of athletics at Pikeville Independent Schools. Under her guidance, the Lady Panthers won five of the last six 15th Region championships.

Football obviously takes a back seat in the Ashland community right now, but this is also a blow to the Tomcats on the field. Thomas wasn't just a name on the roster, he's a player of great consequence for them. He's fast, a beast in the weight room, and a productive two-way starter. An integral part of what I anticipate will be a strong Ashland team this year.

This is tragic on so many fronts, football is just part of it. From what I've read, he's displaying a great attitude and outlook about his situation and recovery. He sounds like a remarkable young man.

With history like this, it's easy to fall in love with the rearview mirror, but this year's Rebels shouldn't have trouble keeping their fans focused, instead, on the horizon. Theres too much to look forward to. 

One of the state's truly elite all-around football players is closing in on a college destination. 

"Spur" is working on an all-time career in a Lions uniform. With two seasons still to go, he's poised to rewrite the Boyd County and 16th Region record books and potentially put some numbers out of reach.

Observations

• The Top 8 remains completely intact from last week: 1. ☘️ | 2. 🦁 | 3. 🐴  | 4. 🇾🇪 | 5. 🛡 | 6. 🐻 | 7. 🦅 | 8. ♈️

• Corbin (C) jumps six spots from #15 to #9. The Hounds are in the midst of an eleven game win streak. Frederick Douglass (🇮🇪) swaps places with Corbin, falling from 9 to 15.

• The X-Men's absence from the polls was short lived. The Tigers of St. Xavier (🐯) leap back in at #16 with seven wins in their last eight games.

• An 11-0 start to the season propels Covington Catholic (CC) into the Top 25 at #23. They suffered their first setback of the season in a one run loss to Conner last Saturday. The Blue Colonels have been stellar from the mound, allowing 41 hits in 81 innings pitched and sporting a team ERA of 1.03. 

• Two weeks after reaching #5, Ryle (🏴‍☠️) spirals out of the Top 25 completely. The Raiders are 4-6 over their last ten, including a loss to aforementioned CovCath last Friday. 

On 2/26/2024 at 5:41 PM, WishboneCity said:

2024 Schedule (2023 Record) 

Week 1: vs. North Hardin (1-10) at Campbellsville High School

Week 2: BYE

Week 3: at South Warren (9-3) 

Week 4: vs. Belfry (8-4) 

Week 5: vs. Mercer County (10-2) 

Week 6: at North Laurel (8-5) 

Week 7: at Harlan County (1-10) 

Week 8: at Franklin County (13-1) 

Week 9: vs. South Laurel (5-5)

Week 10: vs. Pulaski County (4-8)

Week 11: at Henry Clay (0-11) 

Already looking forward to that October 18th date. 🏴‍☠️

16th Region Off-Season Discusion Hub

With the 2023-2024 season behind us, attention naturally shifts to what comes next. Questions swirl in anticipation of what lies ahead. 

• What's it going to take to pry Ashland's (🇱🇻) claws from the regional championship?

• Can Boyd County (🦁) upend their rival when the stakes are highest?

• Can any of last year's additional contenders - Fleming (🐾), Rowan (🇳🇬), Morgan (🇺🇦) - keep pace with the Tomcats and Lions again?

• Are Russell's (🔱) young Devils ready to raise some hell?

• Is West (☄️) primed to take back control from East (🇫🇷) in the Carter County ’Civil War’ ?

• Will any players or coaches change allegiances before next season?

From Ashland, to Vanceburg, to West Liberty, this is the place to ask questions and provide answers for any and all topics pertaining to the 16th Region. 

Notable Comings and Goings

🎓 Adam Hargett (Fleming County/Region POY) | Gatlin Griffith, Cameron Adams (Morgan County) | Jason Ellis (Boyd County) | Colby Wilburn, Brayden Mirus, Deshawn Watson (Rowan County) | Asher Adkins, Nate Frieze (Ashland) | Evan Goodman, Blake Hall (East Carter) | Eli Adkins (Greenup County) | Christian Large, Conner Sutton (Raceland) | Xavier Prater (Lewis County) | Steven Day, Tamel Smith (Fairview) | Taylan Sorrell (Bath County)

🔙 Zander Carter, Braxton Jennings, Tyson Lalonde (Ashland) | Jacob Spurlock, Cole Hicks, Rhett Holbrook (Boyd County) | Seth Hickerson, Lucas Jolly (Fleming County) | Caleb Rimmer, Elijah Neel (Russell) | Preston Hoskins (Morgan County) | Bryson Chandley, Kasey Gammon (Greenup County) | Drew Noble, Julian Puente (Lewis County) | Connor Thacker (Raceland) | Nathan Webb (West Carter) | Brevon Ricker (Menifee County) | Montana Brashear (Bath County) | Lake Adkins (Elliott County)

At this time, there are no imminent coaching changes that I'm aware of.

Obcervations

• Trinity (☘) rebounded from a run rule loss to Frederick Douglass by beating the #8 Broncos the following day and running off three straight mercy rule wins in the last four days. 

• Ballard (🐻) continues its rapid ascent up the rankings. The Bruins debuted at #19 last week, and climb eight spots in the latest poll.

• Taylor County continues to quietly go about its business, silencing opposing bats with a 0.37 ERA through six games. The Cardinals sit at #4 this week.

• Ryle (🏴‍☠️) cracks the top five, despite a one run setback to Great Crossing in their most recent game. The Raiders visit Ohio's reigning D1 champs and current top ranked team, Moeller, later this evening. 

• South Warren (⚔️) makes its rankings premiere by leaping all the way to #12 on the heels of victories over state ranked Somerset and Corbin. The Jumpers plummet eight spots, while the Hounds are only penalized three positions. 

• Joining the Spartans in making their 2024 PBR debut, are Great Crossing (#17), Rowan County (#19), Muhlenberg County (#21), PRP (#22), Scott County (#24), and Collins (#25).

The 16th Region's all-time wins leader is calling it a career. Pete Fraley won six regional championships in a near three decade long career leading the Lady Lions. He leaves behind very large shoes to fill in Cannonsburg. 

It's been a minute since I last checked in on Javeon's recruitment. Needless to say, things are going well.

Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Florida, Miami (FL), and Virginia Tech have thrown their names in the hat over the last month.