The Week Ahead: December 31-January 5
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The season nears the halfway point as we start 2019 in style with some good games on the slate this week, including Trinity and Scott County going head to head even though both will be missing their most valuable player. Here’s a look at the match-ups coming this week.
Monday, December 31
- Wolfe County and Pike County Central do battle in the only game on the schedule between two Kentucky teams. Sophomore Jaz Johnson and Freshman Sawyer Thompson are leading the Wolves while Pike Central is off to a good start at 8-5.
Tuesday, January 1
- Marshall County and St. Mary renew their rivalry in the first region. Junior Colin Doss leads St. Mary while the Zion-less Marshalls are led by Johnathan Stokes.
Wednesday, January 2
- A holy war takes place in Lexington as Lexington Catholic makes the short trip to Lexington Christian. Kyle Rode and company are coming off their tournament win at the Jim Rose Classic while Catholic has some positive momentum coming off multiple wins in the Traditional Bank Classic.
- Tates Creek and Franklin County match up in a battle of solid 11th region teams. Amari Taylor against Kyle Rode is a duel to watch in this one.
- Several other 11th region teams in action as Madison Central plays Dunbar, Douglass goes to Madison Southern and Sayre and Henry Clay face off.
Thursday, January 3
- Christian County travels to Paducah to play McCracken County in the annual Mustang Madness event. McCracken is in the driver’s seat this season in the first region while the Colonels are struggling in the second region.
- Mason County could be on their way back to prominence in the 10th region. We’ll find out Thursday if they are a factor this year. They travel to Campbell County to face the reigning regional champs. Jaylen Lofton is having a strong Senior year but will have to outplay Reid Jolly to have a chance on Thursday.
- Madisonville had a disappointing Christmas break and will look to get back to their winning ways against Hopkinsville. The Tigers have struggled some also and are coming off a beating in their final game of Christmas break. Both teams are hungry for a win. Should be a good one.
Friday, January 4
- Simon Kenton and Walton-Verona face off in a big one for the 8th region. Sophomore Kelly Niece is a top Sophomore in the state while Walton has the twin towers of Dieonte Miles and Ethan Brook.
- St. Xavier and Trinity renew one of the better rivalries in Louisville. Senior David Johnson is almost definitely out for the Rocks but they have plenty of weapons without Johnson and freshman Miles Franklin is emerging as a future star for Trinity.
- Spencer County and Collins do battle in a district game. Jake Whitlock will have to try to stay in front of Dayvion McKnight if the Bears have any hope of pulling the upset at Collins.
- Scott County travels to Henry Clay. The Devils fans have been vocal all season about their chances of beating the Cardinals. Their chances improved with the loss of Michael Moreno for 4-6 weeks. If Clay can’t keep up with the Cardinals in this one, their chances of winning the 11th will look a little bleak.
- One of the best rivalries in the mountains gets going in 2019 with Paintsville and Johnson Central renewing their pleasantries. Isaiah May and Jacob Rice taking on Seth Williams and Nick Keeton should be a fun game.
- Campbellsville’s Malachi Corley and Taylor County’s TreVon Smith are two of the best in the fifth region and will go against each other Friday as the latest chapter in that long rivalry unfolds.
Saturday, January 5
- Several events get under way with the Kentucky/Indiana Hall of Fame Classic, Lindsey Wilson College Classic, Patriot Classic, Whitefield Down Sydrome Classic and Raymond Reed Classic all take place.
- The game of the day is at South Laurel between Trinity and Scott County but the game lost some of it’s luster with the injuries to David Johnson and Michael Moreno.