Fourth Region Roundup

I feel like I should post the audio of ABC's horse race announcer, Dave Johnson, saying, "And down the stretch they come!" Only his voice -- with that sense of excitement -- can summarize how the basketball season and the hunt for the championship is shaping up in the Fourth Region this season. It's a horse race with no clear favorite and only a couple or three 99 to 1 shots breezing at the back of the field.

It's February, and this is the point during the season when the games mean a lot more, the crowds are bigger and louder, and the intensity level is ratcheted up to a very high level. Teams have played in the holiday tournaments, and they have faced several regional opponents and, in most cases, all their district rivals.

I just don't see anyone challenging Franklin-Simpson in the 13th District. Other coaches in the district probably go to bed hearing "Catch Us If You Can" because no one's going to catch this "Dave Clark Five." They had an eight game winning streak going until they ran into Warren Central's buzz saw press on a stormy night in Bowling Green. With players like "Sir" Rayco Bryant, Courtney Dalcourt (a player so nice they called him "Court" twice), and Colby Clark, the Wildcats can make a serious challenge for the regional title. They attack the basket better than any team I've seen this year. I'm considering the game at Central a hiccup for the Wildcats.

The 14th District is one of the toughest ones in the state. Bowling Green, Warren Central, Warren East, and Greenwood make up this one, and each of those teams have the talent to make a run at and win the region.

Greenwood has the guard combo of Thing 1 and Thing 2 with Mark Lacy and Austin Reed, who drive opponents crazy. They also have Dee Anderson who can drive around nearly any player and slash into any zone to score. He may be the best in the region at creating shots, and he has regained most or all of his mobility after a serious knee injury in the summer. Throw in players like Bret Barrick and J.J. Smith, and that's a recipe for a regional championship.

Warren East has a fast paced attack laced with deadly perimeter shooting. Jordan Ellis and DeAngelo "Captain" Kirk make this Raider squad a tough match up for their 14th District foes. Ellis is an excellent perimeter shooter and most people fail to recognize his athletic ability. DeAngelo Kirk can drive holes through any type of defense like a high speed drill punches holes in cheap plywood. East is not a two man team. They have a balanced attack and like to play a full court game.

Bowling Green is a team with a high flying offensive team and an in-your-face man-to-man full court defense. The Purples, when they commit to playing their tough nosed defense can take anyone down on any night. They have great offensive threats with Jerron Nixon and D.L. Moore, but I've watched them several times this season and have decided that they create victories on the defensive end of the floor.

Lookout for the Warren Central Dragons! Teams from the 14th District and the Fourth Region have chased the dragon so much over the past six years that law enforcement agencies are going to start checking their arms for track marks. The Dragons have played a tough schedule, and like a something out of the Nevada Skunk Works they are flying under the radar of everyone in the region. They are as lethal as anything Lockheed or Grumman has produced for the U.S. military, too. At the right time of the season, Tim Riley, has everything clicking for his team. Just ask the Purples and the Franklin-Simpson Wildcats about their recent losses at the Dragon's lair on Morgantown Road. The district tournament is at Central. Fear the Dragons!

The 15th District is another tough one. The two entries in the regional from this district have the capability of playing multiple nights on the Diddle Arena court.

Barren County is the favorite and could be the favorite to win the region. Steve "The Other" Riley has a balanced attack on the court every night, and the Trojans have better ball movement than anyone in the region. They force teams to play defense or fail. Lee Hubbard is a superb basketball player, who could very well lead his team out of the district and to the regional championship. Matt "Yet Another" Riley handles full court pressure well and finds his teammates when they are open.

Allen County-Scottsville, Glasgow, and Monroe County are chasing the Trojans, but those teams can't seem to put together a serious run at Barren County. The young Scotties are led by Charlie Mudd, a tough-nosed ballplayer who knows how to score in tough situations. The Patriots have one of the best guards in the state with Jay Starks. He breaks down defenses like they were used Yugos.

Metcalfe County is the team to beat in the 16th District. That's even with their star shooting guard Trey Shirley sidelined with a spinal cord infection. Will Warf has taken over as the capable leader of this swarm of Hornets. They dropped back-to-back games to Warren East and Franklin-Simpson right after losing Shirley, but they responded by playing their way into the All-Classic in Richmond, where Eighth Region contender Gallatin County swatted them by 16 points. The big question with Metcalfe County is, will Shirley make it back?

Cumberland County and Russell County could challenge the Hornets. I've seen Cumberland County play, but I just don't see knocking Metcalfe County out of the district. Russell County? Who knows? I've not seen them play, and their schedules make it seem they are wanting to lean out of the Fourth Region. Last season, Coach Willie Feldhaus guided the Lakers to the regional semi-finals after -- if I remember right -- a sub .500 regular season record. I have no idea what to expect from these guys.

There's just a handful of games left before the district tournaments start, and there is still no clear favorite to win the Fourth Region Derby. It's anybody's horse race. I have no pick to win this one. It's exciting, though, and I encourage everyone to grab up the kids, call the neighbors, and go enjoy some of the great basketball around this area.

Happy Hoops!