Week 8
Snow and ice storms across Southcentral Kentucky canceled many of the games in Week 7. Some teams did not take the court all week. However, a few teams were able to hit the hardwood on Friday and Saturday. Here we preview the upcoming week for each team within our Week 8 power rankings.
School Record Last Week
- Bowling Green 12-1 1
Outlook: Bowling Green played only once in Week 7 – a 70-54 win over Fern Creek in the Marshall County Hoopfest on Saturday. Turner Buttry led the way with 25 points, while Isaiah Mason scored 22 points to lead the Purples to a 16-point victory over the talented Tigers. A huge week awaits BG as both #4 Ballard and #3 Covington Catholic travel to Bowling Green for top-10 matchups with the Purples. Ballard visits on Friday, while Covington Catholic comes in for a Saturday meeting.
2. Clinton County 14-2 2
Outlook: Clinton County was unable to take the floor in Week 7, as the Bulldogs were set to square off with Evangel Christian in the All-A State Tournament. The event was postponed a week and will now be played at host sites for the opening two rounds. If all goes according to schedule, Todd Messer’s club will host McCreary Central on Monday, Owensboro Catholic on Tuesday (as part of the All-A State Tournament), and then travel to Greenwood for a Thursday night meeting with the Gators.
3. Barren County 14-4 3
Outlook: Taye Poynter scored 24 points as the Trojans blew by Apollo on Saturday in Owensboro. Barren County’s 73-31 win was its largest margin of victory on the season. Five of its six previous games had been decided by four points or less. The 14-4 club will play three big games this week. The Trojans will host Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, travel to South Warren on Friday, and then host one of the top teams in the state – Elizabethtown – on Saturday.
4. Allen County-Scottsville 10-4 4
Outlook: Allen County-Scottsville battled valiantly with the 12th Region favorite, Boyle County, on Saturday night before falling 86-74. Mason Shirley scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Patriots. Trace McIntyre scored 12 points, and Jax Cooper scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. At the time of publication, ACS only has one game scheduled for Week 8 at this time. Coach Brad Bonds and company will host Warren East on Monday night.
5. Warren Central 4-4 5
Outlook: Warren Central has struggled to find opportunities for games in 2021, with COVID-19 and snowstorms leaving the Dragons with only eight games played nearly two months into the season. If all goes according to plan, Coach Will Unseld and his team will travel to Elizabethtown for a Monday night meeting with state-#11 John Hardin. WC is then scheduled to host Warren East on Friday night.
6. Franklin-Simpson 6-2 6
Outlook: Franklin-Simpson has played only eight games all season – tied for the second-least amount with Warren Central and Logan County. The Wildcats are scheduled to play two 15th District foes in Week 8 – traveling to Barren County on Tuesday and hosting Glasgow on Thursday.
7. South Warren 8-4 7
Outlook: South Warren has nine games scheduled over the last three weeks of the regular season, beginning with three games in Week 8. The Spartans will host Russellville on Monday night in what should be an exciting matchup as the Panthers’ Jaquis Todd and Josh Allen square off against the Spartans’ Luke Burton and Tayshaun Jones. Coach Jason Holland’s club will then travel to Butler County on Tuesday night before inviting Barren County to South on Friday evening. The Spartans toppled the Trojans on February 9 at Barren County.
8. Greenwood 8-8 8
Outlook: Greenwood was a late addition to the Marshall County Hoopfest, and the Gators nearly toppled the hosts before losing 63-56. Marc Grant hit four three-pointers and led GHS with 20 points. Aaron Brown returned to the lineup and scored 13 points, while Cade Stinnett chipped in 12. The Gators will look to end their two-game losing streak on Tuesday at home against Christian County. Then Will McCoy’s club will host #2 Clinton County in an entertaining 4th Region matchup. Chase Stines and Bryson Cross vs. Stinnett and Grant in the backcourt. In the post, Nick Delk will try to outduel Lofton Howard and Brown. Finally, the Gators travel to Butler County for a Saturday afternoon meeting in the Hebrews 12 Coffee Christmas Classic.
9. Metcalfe County 11-6 9
Outlook: It appears Metcalfe County has locked up the #3 seed in the 16th District Tournament; however, it has not been officially announced at this time. In Week 8, the Hornets will jump out of the region to host Caverna on Thursday and Campbellsville on Saturday. Looking slightly ahead, in Week 9 the squad will play inter-region games with Greenwood, Allen County-Scottsville, and Glasgow which should make for some exciting basketball.
10. Russell County 8-9 10
Outlook: Russell County has only played two games within the 4th Region that were not 16th District opponents. It makes the Lakers somewhat of an unknown commodity, at least among other 4th Region schools. Coach William Carson’s club has games scheduled with both Monroe County and South Warren later in the season. However, in Week 8, the Lakers will be on the road with games around the state. A Monday matchup takes the squad to Garrard County in the 12th Region, followed by a Thursday game at Somerset Christian School. RCHS will then travel to another 12th Region school – McCreary Central – for a Saturday evening contest.
Next Teams Up: Russellville, Glasgow
