Kentucky’s Fourth Region’s Best Bounce-Backs
With the so-called “Snowpocalypse” having descended upon the Commonwealth and high school gyms thus likely to remain cold and dark for at least a couple of days, Prep Hoops Kentucky decided to take a look at three teams in each region who…
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Continue ReadingWith the so-called “Snowpocalypse” having descended upon the Commonwealth and high school gyms thus likely to remain cold and dark for at least a couple of days, Prep Hoops Kentucky decided to take a look at three teams in each region who have lit up their respective winters with hot first halves of the season to either help move past last year’s forgettable campaigns, or continue an ascent begun last season.
Note: these are not intended as rankings, merely recognition for squads who have made marked progress over the last calendar year.
Continuing our swing across the state with a perusal of the Fourth Region:
1. Franklin-Simpson — The Wildcats turned in a 9-18 record last season, but they’re off to a 14-3 beginning. Franklin-Simpson has stamped itself as a legitimate region contender, too, with back-to-back beatings of Warren Central and Barren County in a span of four days, as well as defeats of Clinton County and Russell County. Tavin Lovan (27.2 ppg, 11.4 rpg) and Carlesso Doaks (12.4 ppg) give the Wildcats scratch.
2. Russellville — The Panthers have rebounded from a 13-13 season last year to deliver 12 victories in their first 16 games this winter. Russellville’s signature win so far is a 59-52 toppling of Franklin-Simpson on Jan. 15. DeAndre Bradshaw (21.4 ppg, 13.3 rpg), Jason Mitchell (10.8 ppg) and Micah Naylor (10.3 ppg) stuff the stat sheet. Games with Hopkinsville, Christian County and Warren Central, a jaunt to Franklin for a Feb. 2 rematch with the Wildcats and a second game with Bowling Green (which beat Russellville 75-68 Jan. 16) on Feb. 16 figure to ensure the Panthers are battle-tested come tournament time.
3. Warren East — The Raiders, who last emerged from the rough and rowdy 14th District to a region tournament appearance in 1996-97, are off to a 10-8 start after an 11-15 campaign last year. Their best victories are against Clinton County and Trigg County. Kaleb Britt (21.0 ppg), Mackenzie Strange (14.8 ppg) and Patrick Satterfield (11.6 ppg) pilot Warren East’s offense. Now, about that drought in the district — the Raiders still have two games left with defending state runner-up Bowling Green (the first scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25) and a visit to Warren Central on Feb. 5, having dropped the first tilt to the Dragons, 82-67, on Jan. 8.
Honorable mention: Russell County (16-10 last year, 12-5 this season), Todd County Central (3-27 last year, 6-14 this season)
Got feedback? Hit us up on Twitter @PrepHoopsKY. Keep clicking on prephoops.com as this list continues with each of Kentucky’s 16 regions.