Sporting Times Top Ten
Boys Basketball
Week 6
School Record Last Week
- Bowling Green 9-0 1
Outlook: The Purples continued to cruise along in Week 5, blowing by Christian County (63-27) before coming back from an early deficit against Warren Central to earn their ninth-straight win (57-45). Turner Buttry led the team in scoring for the week, averaging 15.5 points per game on 59% shooting. Bowling Green – also ranked #1 in the state – has three road games this week, starting with 5th Region power, John Hardin, on Tuesday evening. Coach DG Sherrill’s club will also travel to South Warren on Friday and another 5th Region stalwart, state-#7 Elizabethtown, on Saturday night.
2. Clinton County 13-1 3
Outlook: Clinton County usurped Warren Central for #2 in the power rankings after a perfect 2-0 week with wins over Cumberland County and Monroe County. Nick Delk had a monster week, averaging 24.5 points per game in the two victories. The Bulldogs hit the road for three games this week – Metcalfe County on Tuesday, Barren County on Thursday, and Russell County on Saturday. These three games will prepare coach Todd Messer’s club for the All A State Tournament which kicks off next week in Richmond.
3. Barren County 11-3 7
Outlook: Barren County surged to #3 in the ST Power Rankings this week after beating Pulaski County, Allen County-Scottsville, and Warren Central all in Week 5. Coach Warren Cunningham’s club won the three games by a combined ten points. The win over Warren Central went to triple overtime as the Trojans were led by Mason Griggs’ 21 points, as well as Taye Poynter’s 18 points. BC has now won eight games in a row. Three more tough games await the team this week, though all are at home. The Trojans’ seven-game homestand concludes with South Warren (Tuesday), Clinton County (Thursday), and Glasgow (Friday).
4. Warren Central 4-3 2
Outlook: Warren Central fell to 4-3 but gave #1 Bowling Green its closest game of the season. The Dragons took an early 13-2 lead into the second quarter before the Purples pulled away for a 12-point win. Coach Will Unseld’s club went on to lose to Barren County in 3OT the following night. Central continues to use its balance on offense to its advantage as six players average at least 7.4 points per game. Sophomore Chappelle Whitney leads the team in points (12.1) and rebounds (8.4). WC hosts Butler County on Tuesday and travels to Owensboro on Friday night.
5. Franklin-Simpson 5-1 4
Outlook: Franklin-Simpson won its fourth and fifth game in a row in Week 5, picking up a district victory over Todd County Central and a home win over Cumberland County. Dre Miller continued to torch opposing defenses, averaging 29.5 points per contest. The senior guard scored 32 in the win over Cumberland County, converting all eleven of his free-throw attempts. The Wildcats hit the road in Week 6, traveling to Warren East on Tuesday and to Russellville on Friday.
6. Allen County-Scottsville 9-3 5
Outlook: Allen County-Scottsville went 2-1 in Week 5 as the Patriots sandwiched wins over Glasgow (76-59) and Cloverport (85-27) around a three-point road loss at Barren County. Mason Shirley incinerated the Trojans for 30 points in the loss. Jax Cooper led the club over Glasgow with 18 points. ACS hosts Russellville on Tuesday before traveling Taylor County on Friday evening.
7. South Warren 6-3 8
Outlook: South Warren sneaks by Greenwood in our rankings after knocking off the Gators at The Swamp on Friday, 43-41. Coach Jason Holland’s club had a major turnaround after losing to Greenwood at home by 33 points three weeks ago. The Spartans have won three straight games, including a perfect 2-0 in Week 5. The team’s greatest strength appears to be its depth. Case in point, South’s Tayshaun Jones led the team in scoring against Henderson County on Wednesday as the senior poured in 18 points. Against Greenwood, he did not record a single point; however, the team still won the game. The Spartans are holding teams to 45.2 points per game in their last eight games. A road trip to #3 Barren County and a home game with #1 Bowling Green await SW in Week 6.
8. Greenwood 6-6 6
Outlook: Greenwood continues its inconsistent 2021. The Gators suffered their first losing streak of the season with home losses to state #9 Fern Creek (66-58) and South Warren (43-41). However, coach Will McCoy’s followed up those two defeats with a victory over Region 1 stalwart, Murray. Lofton Howard and Marc Grant led the way with 21 points each. Howard went 10-11 from the field, while Grant went 5-7 from downtown. Greenwood travels to Monroe County on Tuesday, hosts Warren East on Friday, and competes in the South End Shootout at Iroquois on Saturday against Manual.
9. Metcalfe County 9-5 9
Outlook: Metcalfe County dropped a district game at Russell County (57-40) and a road tilt at Glasgow (77-69) before knocking off Monroe County, 59-54, at home. Wyatt Blythe (17), Boston Devore (15), and Jax Allen (13) all scored in double figures to lead the Hornets to victory over the Falcons. Metcalfe – 1-3 in district – has two big 16th District games this week with a Tuesday home matchup with #2 Clinton County and a road game at Cumberland County on Friday
10. Russellville 5-3 10
Outlook: Russellville had all three of its games canceled in Week 5. The Panthers hope to return to the floor this week as they are scheduled to travel to Scottsville on Tuesday to play ACS, before hosting Franklin-Simpson in a district matchup on Friday.
Next Team Up: Glasgow
