1st and 2nd Region Late-Season Report
The Kentucky high school basketball season is drawing closer and closer to district tournament time, which precedes the madness that is the state’s region tournaments. PHKY breaks down each region outlook as February invites the madness. 1st Region Breakdown…
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Continue ReadingThe Kentucky high school basketball season is drawing closer and closer to district tournament time, which precedes the madness that is the state’s region tournaments. PHKY breaks down each region outlook as February invites the madness.
1st Region Breakdown
Top 5 Teams by 1st Region Record
McCracken County – McCracken is 18-6 on the season and boasting a 10-2 region record going into February. With wins against Graves County and Paducah Tilghman, the Mustangs are setting themselves up for great seeding and a hope of making some noise come tournament time.
Graves County – Led by Northern Kentucky University signee Chris Vogt (6’10), the Eagles currently sit at 17-7 overall with a region record at 8-2. Graves has beaten region foes McCracken County, Mayfield, Marshall County, Calloway County, Paducah Tilghman, and Murray – all of which rank toward the top of the region. The Eagles may poise the likeliest chance of making a run to Rupp Arena.
Mayfield – Mayfield has surprised a number of teams in and outside of the 1st region. With a win against state contender University Heights and region wins against Murray and Paducah Tilghman, as well as a close loss to last year’s state tournament participant Louisville Doss, Mayfield looks to play Butler Bulldogs part in the 1st region. Watch out for the Guthrie boys. Carson and Connor are both leading Mayfield with 15 ppg.
Marshall County – Coach Gillespie has had the Marshals playing consistent all year. The Marshals have only lost back-to-back games once all season. Currently riding a 16-7 overall record and sitting at 6-3 in the region, Marshall County will look to ride Dylan Walters (13.4 ppg) and Aaron Reed (11.1 ppg) the rest of the way.
Murray – Murray will go as far as all-star guard Preston English will take them. Averaging 24 points per game, English has the look of a low D-1 talent. Zach Flener is also a reliable option for Murray, averaging 12 points per game and can be a leader on the floor. Murray is 13-8 overall and 6-5 in the region. Murray was last years 1st region tournament champion, advancing to the 2nd round of the state tournament.
2nd Region Breakdown
Top 5 Teams by 2nd Region Record
Hopkinsville – Riding a 12 game winning streak, Hopkinsville is the only undefeated team in 2nd region play (7-0). With out of region wins against Waggener, Graves County, and Taylor County, Hopkinsville looks like a prime candidate for state tournament contention. The Tigers are led by Jalen Johnson, who is averaging just over 17 points per game. Stephen Cager is contributing nicely with 16.4 points per game.
Christian County – 17-5 overall, 4-1 in the region, and arguably one of the most talented rosters around the state. Christian County is led on the court by Coastal Carolina commit Jaylen Sebree (18 ppg), junior Detorrion Ware is leading the team in scoring with 22 ppg, and senior guard T’Aiveyhon Mason is contributing nicely with 15.4 ppg. The Colonels also boast possibly the best out of region resume with wins over Louisville Doss, North Hardin, Cooper, Russellville, and Franklin-Simpson.
University Heights – With top 2019 guard Dekeyvan Tandy averaging 23.8 points per game and D-1 talent senior guard Tray Hollowell averaging 21.8, UHA is tough to stop when running on all cylinders. Their overall record isn’t flashy, but UHA is 6-2 against region foes. When the cylinders are running at a high rate look for the Blazers to make some noise.
Henderson County – Henderson County is 17-7 with a 5-2 record in the region with their biggest win in the region coming against North Hopkins. The Colonels have played several teams close including University Height Games against Christian County and out of region foe Owensboro in the near future could give us a better idea of how much of a run the Colonels have in them come tournament time.
Hopkins County Central – Watch out for the Storm. After losing 6 games in a row early in the season the Storm have won 9 out of their last 11. Their overall record sits at 14-8 with a region record at 11-2.