Sporting Times Top Ten
Boys Basketball
Week 7
School Record Last Week
- Bowling Green 11-1 1
Outlook: Bowling Green dropped its first game of the season on Saturday night in Elizabethtown; however, the Purples are still holding solidly on to the top place in the power rankings. Isaiah Mason scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 65-31 district win over South Warren. BG is scheduled to host either Owensboro or Marion County on Friday before playing in the Marshall County Hoopfest against Fern Creek on Saturday.
2. Clinton County 14-2 2
Outlook: Clinton County had its seven-game win streak snapped at the hands of district rival Russell County. It was the Bulldogs’ first district loss of the season, though the club still sits atop the 16th District standings. Coach Todd Messer’s club is scheduled to play Evangel Christian in the opening round of the All A State Tournament in Richmond. The Eagles feature one of the top eighth graders in the nation – forward Ben Tshaka. Tshaka’s matchup with Clinton big man Nick Delk will be a fun one to watch in the post.
3. Barren County 13-4 3
Outlook: Barren County remained #3 in the ST Power Rankings after a 2-1 week. The Trojans picked up wins over Glasgow and Warren East after losing to South Warren. Coach Warren Cunningham’s seven-game homestand ended with a 6-1 record. Barren is scheduled to play at Campbellsville and Hopkinsville before taking on Apollo in the Independence Bank Classic on Saturday.
4. Allen County-Scottsville 10-3 6
Outlook: Allen County-Scottsville jumped up to #4 this week after an overtime win at 5th Region Taylor County. The Patriots are only scheduled to play once this week – a home date with South Warren on Tuesday. The game will be a fun one as Mason Shirley and Jax Cooper match up with the Spartans’ backcourt of Tayshaun Jones, Brandon Rowe, and Cooper Myers.
5. Warren Central 4-4 4
Outlook: Warren Central’s losing streak hit three games after dropping a tight one at Owensboro, 66-65. Jaiden Lawrence was a bright spot in defeat, nailing four three-pointers to lead the Dragons with 18 points. Chappelle Whitney scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Coach Will Unseld’s club is scheduled to hit the hardwood three times this week – a home game with Franklin on Tuesday, followed by a road game at Greenwood on Friday. The team is also scheduled to host Muhlenberg County on Saturday.
6. Franklin-Simpson 6-2 5
Outlook: Franklin-Simpson’s five-game win streak was snapped at Warren East on Tuesday; however, the Wildcats picked up another district victory over Russellville on Friday, 72-54. Kyjuan Stutzman averaged 24.5 points in Week 6, including a 32-point outburst against the Raiders. Coach Dee Spencer’s club will travel to Bowling Green twice this week – playing Warren Central on Tuesday and South Warren on Saturday. F-S will also host Todd County Central on Friday.
7. South Warren 8-4 7
Outlook: South Warren picked up arguably its best win of 2021 on Tuesday in a 40-36 win at Barren County. Luke Burton scored 13 points and Caden Veltkamp picked up nine rebounds in the victory. The Spartans are scheduled to play three meaningful games this week. Out-of-district matchups with Allen County-Scottsville (Tuesday) and Franklin-Simpson (Saturday) are sandwiched around a home date with Warren East on Friday that will have district tournament seeding implications.
8. Greenwood 8-7 8
Outlook: Greenwood went 2-1 in Week 6, including a 80-46 district win over Warren East. Cade Stinnett scored 24 points to lead the Gators, while sophomore Lofton Howard continued his midseason rise with 18 points (including 6-for-8 from the line). Stinnett went off for 32 points on Saturday in a one-point loss to Manual in Louisville. Coach Will McCoy’s club hosts Logan County and Warren Central this week before traveling to Ohio County on Saturday for a matchup with 2nd Region stalwart, Webster County.
9. Metcalfe County 11-6 9
Outlook: Metcalfe County went 2-1 in Week 6, picking up wins over Cumberland County and Wayne County. Brandon Brockman’s club is one of the most balanced in the region. Boston Devore led the Hornets with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting in a 62-61 win over Cumberland County, while Wyatt Blythe paced the club with 21 points in the victory over Wayne County. A big district game awaits Metcalfe on Friday as Russell County travels to Edmonton. The Lakers beat the Hornets by 17 points two weeks ago in Russell Springs.
10. Russell County 8-9 NR
Outlook: Russell County returns to the ST power rankings amidst a three-game winning streak that includes a 58-56 win over #2 Clinton County. Owen Loy hit six three-pointers in the win and led the Lakers with 22 points. Coach William Carson’s club started 2-6, but they have won 5 out of 6 games to get back to nearly .500 on the season. Wins over Metcalfe County and Clinton County have made the Lakers a dangerous team as we creep towards March.
Next Team Up: Russellville, Glasgow
