Mid-Season Top 10 Rankings
Now that we’re through the Christmas tournament season and into 2018, we should have a pretty good indicator of who the best teams in Kentucky are this season. It definitely feels like there are 5-6 teams capable of winning state the season.
1. Trinity – The Shamrocks are 12-1 with impressive wins over Pulaski County, Fern Creek, Christ School (NC), Lexington Christian, Cooper, and winning the FBI Classic in South Carolina. Their lone loss was to Fern Creek in the King of the Bluegrass. Those two could meet again in a couple weeks at the LIT. You won’t find many schools with 3 high major prospects like Jay Scrubb, David Johnson and Justin Powell.
2. Scott County – The Cardinals sit at 11-1 as they start the new year. Their lone loss is to Archbishop Moeller out of Ohio. The trio of Michael Moreno, Cooper Robb and Bryce Long are leading Coach Billy Hicks’ squad to an undefeated record against in-state foes and, looking at their schedule, they may not lose to another Kentucky team until the state tournament.
3. Cooper – Coach Sullivan’s Jaguars are riding a 6 game win streak and are perhaps the hottest team in the state right now. They won the Traditional Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic last week and their lone losses are to #1 Trinity and Ohio’s Hilliard Bradley.
4. Fern Creek – The Creek was rising after winning the King of the Bluegrass but they lost 2 out of 3 at the Arby’s Classic last week. Senior Ahmad Price was named to the All-Tournament team in Bristol.
5. Covington Catholic – The Colonels have struggled a little bit lately. They’ve lost 3 out of their last 6 but the amount of talent they have on the roster keeps me from dropping them too low down the list. I certainly think they are on the short list of teams who can win the state title.
6. Bryan Station – The Defenders have been red hot for most of the season. They’re 13-1 against a pretty solid schedule. The guard trio of Jalen Burbage, Terrance Clayton-Murphy and Eric Boone are all averaging double figures and Station has been scoring well all year. If they can continue to stay healthy and overcome a lack of depth, they have a chance to win the 11th region.
7. Butler – The lone undefeated team left in the bluegrass state, Coach Goodin’s Bears are rolling as the new year begins. The only thing that keeps them from being ranked higher is that the teams above them have played more formidable schedules than the Bears have. Assuming they get to 16-0, the game against Fern Creek will be standing room only on the 16th.
8. Ballard – Sitting at 9-2 and winners of 5 straight, the Bruins are quietly one of the top teams in the state yet again. Coach Renner’s team has played a tough schedule so far and I expect that to pay off in the long run.
9. Oldham County – The Colonels have started stronger than probably anyone expected. They currently sit at 13-1 and have yet to lose to a team from Kentucky. Their blowout wins over John Hardin and Warren Central are very impressive and they appear to be in the driver’s seat to win the 8th region and get to Rupp Arena.
10. Madison Central – There are several teams who could take this position but the Indians benefit from the fact that I’ve seen them play in person 4 times and always come away impressed. Even in a losing effort against Lafayette, there was a lot to like with Coach Feldhaus’ team. They have a chance to avenge their loss to Bryan Station on Thursday night and take on Male and Scott County in the next week.