The Week Ahead: 1/28-2/2
Only 3 weeks of regular season left. As we creep toward the postseason, here’s a look at the biggest games of the week ahead:
Monday, January 28:
- The 46th District is front and center as East Jessamine hosts Mercer County. East is looking for their first district win this year while Mercer is trying to inch closer to winning the top seed in the district tournament and a favorable match-up with Burgin.
- Sophomore big man Trey James and Sheldon Clark look for their 8th win of the season as the travel to 14-4 Johnson Central and Jacob Rice.
Tuesday, January 29:
- Possible 12th region tournament preview as Dalton Bruner and West Jessamine travel to Danville to play Reese Smith and Boyle County.
- Good game in the 9th region as top 20 Beechwood heads to Conner. Senior CJ Brannen leads the Tigers while Jalen Scott will look to try and pull the upset for the Cougars.
- Undefeated John Hardin looks to stay that way as they make the short trip to Elizabethtown. Sophomore JaQuais Franklin stars for the Panthers while Alex Matthews is a nightly double-double for John.
- Union County and Henderson County have one of the more heated rivalries in the western part of the state and will only get better as Kale Gaither takes on his old team.
- A potential 11th region tournament pairing will be going down in Richmond as Mr. Basketball candidate Isaiah Cozart and Madison Central play host to Keaston Brown and Henry Clay.
- Re-match from the KOB opening round last month as Collins heads to Louisville Male. Junior Howard Fleming missed the first game between the two but is back for this one.
- Big game in the 9th region as Newport will try to knock off Cooper at Newport. Offense versus defense in that one.
- Warren Central travels to Taylor County in a game between two teams who could make the Sweet Sixteen in March.
Wednesday, January 30:
- Seventh grader Blake Reed and Augusta take on Pharoah Davis and Montgomery County as both teams are looking for a win.
- John Hardin continues district play as they take on North Hardin at North. John has dominated North in recent years but North will be looking to pull the upset.
Thursday, January 31:
- Two of Louisville’s best teams battle as Butler travels to Central. Senior Reese Tolley and Sophomore Devin Perry will be a fun match-up to watch.
- If Ashland Blazer wants to be considered a threat to win the 16th, they can start on Thursday by beating Tanner DIckerson and Elliott County.
Friday, February 1:
- Madison Central and Ballard will be a fun game between two traditional powers.
- Covington Catholic travels to Beechwood in a game with big district implications. Cov Cath has a couple more losses than usual this year but are more than capable of winning the 9th again this season.
- Kenny White and Derrin Boyd is a high level wing match-up when Caldwell County and Madisonville play on Friday.
- Big time game at John Hardin as they host Bowling Green in a rematch from a close game earlier this season.
- South Laurel and North Laurel renew their rivalry. Recent Pikeville commitment JJ Ramey leads the Cardinals while 8th grader Reed Sheppard is the go to scorer for the Jags.
- Henry Clay travels to Scott County looking to knock the Cards off after falling short just a month ago. If Clay can beat Scott, they’ll establish their case for being a real threat in the 11th.
Saturday, February 2:
- The Gary Moore Classic is in Franklin County while the annual Jock Sutherland Classic takes place at Lafayette. Look for previews coming later this week.
- The annual Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic takes place at Warren Central and has a good set of games as well.
- Christian County plays Hopkinsville in one of the most heated rivalries in the state.
- Trinity goes to Male in a chance for the younger Bulldogs to show they are capable of winning the 7th region this season.
- Colby Napier and Knott County Central head to Wolfe County to face Jaz Johnson and the Wolves in a game between two of the best sophomores in eastern Kentucky.