The UHA Blazers have the top spot all to themselves in this week’s YSE Boys 2nd Region Basketball Rankings.
1. University Heights (4-1) – There is not much difference between the top three teams in the rankings when you look at it. UHA does have a win, albeit a home court win over Hopkinsville, which is the slim margin that gets them to the top for now. Add in one of the best players in the state, and #1 is their home for the week.
2. Christian County (5-1) – Another tough choice, but the Colonels win over a very good Mayfield team does enough for the time being to move them up into the #2 spot. The loss to Owensboro is still the mystifying game in the early part of the season for the Colonels.
3. Hopkinsville (3-3) – Let’s qualify the Tigers being here by saying this, we have not yet seen the team we expected to see on the court at the beginning of the season. So, the ranking is currently based on the team that has taken to the hardwood so far this season. If everyone gets back, this could well change.
4. Madisonville (7-2) – All seven of their wins have been by double digits. Their two losses are to Webster and Christian. The lost to Webster was on a neutral court in the final seconds. The game with Christian County was a 3 point game in the final minutes. The “darkhorse” mantle may be worn this season by the Maroons. Only time will tell.
5. Webster County (5-2) – The Trojans were set to be a spot higher, but then came a home court loss to Livingston Central. Still, this is a team that on any given night might be able to pull a big upset in the region. Their stay at this slot may not be for long.
6. Henderson County (4-4) – Hard to believe for the moment, that the Colonels sit this far down in the rankings. Their record may be deceiving, and we will start to find that out after the first of the year, when they start playing teams further south in the region. Mark your calendar for January 9, when they take on Webster County.
7. Caldwell County (3-4) – The Tigers looked sharp opening the game against Carlisle County Tuesday night, and they played Webster County down to the final seconds. With a little more consistency, this can be one of those teams that can give you fits in a one game setting. And, they play hard.
8. Livingston Central (6-4) – When they started 0-4, it looked like the bottom part of the rankings could be their home for a while. Nevermind. The Cardinals have won six in a row, AND, they went to Dixon and knocked off Webster County. They are looking like the team to beat in the 5th District.
9. Union County (4-3) – Will say this about the Braves, it is gonna be hard to get a true feeling about this team until after the first of the year. Mark January 5th on your calendar, when they take on the Webster County Trojans. Maybe then we can find out if their wins are a product of schedule or a product of team.
10. Hopkins Central (2-5) – The Storm have lost five in a row, but let’s qualify that statement by saying that might have happened to many teams playing Webster, Muhlenberg, Graves, Madisonville, and UHA back to back. Will see if they can rebound headed into the holidays and the 2018 portion of the schedule.
11. Fort Campbell (2-4) – No games this week, no change for the Fort Campbell Falcons. They are off until after the first of the year.
12. Dawson Springs (2-5) – At this part of the rankings, the teams are fairly close. The difference for the Panthers being at this spot is that they easily handled Lyon County, winning by 71-53. Playing in the Union County tournament and doing well, could move them up. Not playing well, well, you know.
13. Trigg County (3-3) – A short handed Wildcat team was no match for the Madisonville Maroons. But then again, many teams with all their players are not going to fare well against Madisonville. The holidays will give the Wildcats the chance to work and improve against some teams from out out of the area.
14. Lyon County (1-8) – Look at just their record, and you might think the Lyons are a long way off. Look closer and see that four of their losses have been by six points or less. Swing those the other way, and the Lyons are 5-4, and are a bit higher in the rankings.
15. Crittenden County (1-6) – The Rockets had a chance to show improvement as they took on Livingston Central in a 5th District matchup. They lost the game by 24. A win over someone besides Christian Fellowship would help the perspective on this team.