One thing has been very clear for the first week and a half of the season. That being, it is going to take a really good effort to knock off the Maroons this season. Not that it can’t be done, as we all know what can happen on any given night. But, to this point, the Maroons have looked every bit the defending region champs. The surprise team to this point may be the Webster County Trojans. There are still a handful of teams that, if they develop, could be a tough out at the end of February and the beginning of March.
1 – Madisonville – The Maroons open the season with wins over Bowling Green, Marshall County, McCracken County, and Christian County. Any doubt that this team is currently the 2nd Region favorite should be completely gone. This team could make a deep run at Rupp in March.
2 – Webster County – The Trojans rocket up to #2 in this week’s rankings after four straight wins to open the season, including a win over Christian County, albeit with Olajuwon White on the sideline for the Colonels. The shame is we will only get to see the Trojans against the Maroons if they meet in the regional tournament.
3 – Christian County – The Colonels stood toe-to-toe with Madisonville for a half, before the Maroons unconscious outside shooting took its toll. This is still a team that figures to get better each time out this season, and could be a significant threat by the end of the year.
4 – Lyon County – The Lyons took a couple of tough losses in showcase events. The question now is how will they respond to that kind of adversity. Games against Crittenden, Carlisle, Union, and Trigg County over the next couple of weeks will give us some answers to that question.
5 – Henderson County – The northern Colonels have rebounded from their season opening loss at Christian County with three straight wins, two of which have come down to the wire. Still trying to get a read on where this team stands in the region.
6 – Hopkinsville – The Tigers lost at Muhlenberg County, but rebounded to rout Clarksville Northwest on the Vikings home court. We will find out much more about this team coming up Friday night, when they host Christian County, in what ought to be a dandy matchup.
7 – Union County – The Braves looked dead in the water against UHA, but then rebounded from an 18 point deficit to pick up the win in overtime. The two point win against Hopkins Central still causes one to give pause, as, on paper, the Braves have the talent to be a region contender.
