PHKY Top Four: Regions 1-4 (Week 11)
With tournament play just two weeks away, Prep Hoops Kentucky takes a look at the top teams from each region (in groups of four, 16 regions total – as of week 11). Here we take a look at regions 1-4:
1st Region
Mayfield, 21-5 (13-0)
Mayfield is undefeated in regional play with wins vs. McCracken County, Graves County, and Marshall County – all of which currently sit top five in 1st Region rankings (by record). The Cardinals have a handful of big-time out of region wins as well, knocking University Heights and four-star recruit KyKy Tandy, Hopkinsville, Newport, and John Hardin (with St. Louis commit Mickey Pearson). They also advanced to the semifinal game of the All “A” Classic, falling to Walton-Verona. A tough battle/rematch against Graves County on Friday will be a noteworthy test for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals are led by juniors Connor Guthrie and Carson Guthrie, who are averaging 16.5 points and 15.4 points respectively. Carson is also averaging 8.8 rebounds per game while Connor has knocked down over 70 3-point field goals on the year. Another junior, Desean Jones, is averaging 12.2 points per game while shooting over 60% from the field.
Other teams in the mix:
Graves County, 20-7 (9-3)
McCracken County, 21-5 (12-2)
Paducah Tilghman, 17-7 (7-2)
2nd Region
Christian County 16-6 (8-0)
Undefeated in regional play, the Colonels have accumulated wins vs. 2nd region foes University Heights (twice), Henderson County, Hopkinsville, and Madisonville-North Hopkins. They also have a number of notable out-of-region wins, namely Paducah Tilghman, Doss, and Mayfield. Christian County will have a tough one against a now healthy Hopkinsville on Saturday.
Detorrion Ware. If you can manage to stop him, you’ve manged to find a way to stop Christian County. But good luck. The senior is averaging just under 30 points and 10 rebounds per game. Senior guard Cory Trice is also having a nice year for the Colonels, averaging right at 10 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Other teams in the mix:
Madisonville-North Hopkins, 16-8 (8-3)
University Heights, 14-7 (7-2)
Hopkinsville, 11-11 (4-3)
Henderson County, 12-10 (5-1)
3rd Region
TOSS UP
Owensboro, Owensboro Catholic, and Daviess County seem to all have a shot here. All three sit with just a couple of losses to regional foes, and their losses seem to be against each other. Owensboro is 7-2 in region play, Owensboro Catholic 13-2, and Daviess is 11-3.
Owensboro is led by senior guard G’Corian Gardner, who is averaging 17.5 points per game. John Marshall and Luke Hayden are the leaders for Owensboro Catholic, averaging 12 points a piece. Daviess County is led by senior guard Blake Boswell, averaging 16.5 points per game.
4th Region
Warren Central, 22-3 (11-1)
It’s going to be hard to beat the Dragons. But Bowling green has proven it’s possible. The only region team to know off Warren Central, Bowling Green defeated the Dragons 66-56 at Warren Central. With that being said, Warren Central has won 14 of it’s last 15. Judging by the rest of their regular-season schedule, I don’t see them taking another regional loss. They do play 12th Region favorite Mercer County on Satruday in what is sure to be a good one to watch, pitting Wright State commit Skyeler Potter vs. Mercer County’s Trevon Faulkner, a Northern Kentucky commit.
Speaking of Skyelar Potter, he is leading the way for the Dragons, averaging 24.6 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Other teams in the mix:
Bowling Green, 17-9 (8-2)
Barren County, 17-9 (12-4)
Glasgow, 18-7 (11-5)
Monroe County, 17-7 (12-3)