[The King]

Here are this year's Coaches' Top 25 High School Basketball teams per the Courier-Journal:

(First-place votes in parentheses)

Rank Team Region '07-'08
1. Scott Co. (97) 11th 20-12
2. Holmes (7) Ninth 34-3
3. J'town Seventh 26-6
4. Elliott Co. (1) 16th 26-4
5. Manual Seventh 23-9
6. Clark County (1) 10th 22-8
7. Lex. Catholic (1) 11th 32-4
8. Mason County 10th 34-4
9. Ballard Seventh 20-11
10. Male Seventh 22-7
11. North Hardin Fifth 21-8
12. Hazard 14th 31-5
13. Warren Central Fourth 11-17
14. Paul Dunbar 11th 21-8
15. Christian Co. (1) Second 12-19
16. Bryan Station 11th 30-3
17. Madisonville-N. Hopkins Second 22-10
18. Fairdale (1) Sixth 22-11
19. Franklin Co. 11th 20-10
20. Shelby Valley 15th 24-5
21. Eastern Seventh 28-6
22. PRP Sixth 25-5
23. Corbin 13th 25-8
24. Adair County Fifth 27-6
25. Bardstown Fifth 23-8

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...0502/811230383

[BlackcatAlum]

Elliot County 4th?

I'm sorry, but this team isn't as good as everyone puts them out to be and most people from the 16th region will agree with me. They always play a cupcake schedule and when they do play somebody they get defeated easily. They didn't even win their region last season.

[Memorial Gym #5]

I thought Elliott Co. won the 16th region the last two years? I know they did lose the All "A" 16th region to Rose Hill. Correct me if I am wrong.

[BlackcatAlum]

I thought Elliott Co. won the 16th region the last two years? I know they did lose the All "A" 16th region to Rose Hill. Correct me if I am wrong.

Your right, I got All "A" and region mixed up.

[PC_You_Know]

Elliot County is not what they are made up to be, 4th in the state? Hopefully they can at least win their region.

[OffTheHook]

EC waaaaay over rated.

[FBALL]

Elliott County is better than any of you are giving them credit for. Don't forget that they lost a close game to Mason County 66-62 in the sweet 16.

Top 5 in the state is no stretch for them.

[Warriors23RJ]

I for one believe that Elliot is as good as advertised. They return their whole team who gave Mason County all they wanted. They have a DI recruit(Ev Falkner), a DII recruit(Et Falkner), and two potential DI prospects(Knipp & Fergason). Not to mentio a good strong supporting cast. They'll be really good.

[Warriors23RJ]

The only Complaints I have is Corbin and North Hardin being rated I don't think they should be there yet and Bardstown should be higher. But besides that it looks perfect. Hazard shouldn't be that high probably more like 23-24 range.

[PC_You_Know]

Yes Hazard shouldn't be that high, SV already beat them in a scrimmage so we see how the top 25 is playing out already.

[blackcat_mc]

Shelby Valley? Why in the world are they so low

[kybaseball]

Shelby Valley? Why in the world are they so low

No offense I wondered why they were so high:confused: .

[Panther Thunder]

Yes Hazard shouldn't be that high, SV already beat them in a scrimmage so we see how the top 25 is playing out already.

SV beat them in a scrimmage when they were missing players. :howdy:

[PC_You_Know]

SV beat them in a scrimmage when they were missing players. :howdy:

Well umm they had Whittaker there, isn't he supposed to be a potential D-1 player? You would think having a D-1 player on your team you could beat lil ol Shelby Valley.

From what I heard about the game Devan Adams wasn't allowed to play because the refs kept him in foul trouble from tip off.

Don't make excuses for Hazard. Elisha guarded Whittaker in an all star game and shut him down, this boy isn't going to win the game for Hazard, and I don't think it mattered who was out, SV is the better team.

[More Cowbell]

Well umm they had Whittaker there, isn't he supposed to be a potential D-1 player? You would think having a D-1 player on your team you could beat lil ol Shelby Valley.

Don't make excuses for Hazard. Elisha guarded Whittaker in an all star game and shut him down, this boy isn't going to win the game for Hazard, and I don't think it mattered who was out, SV is the better team.

Elisha Justice isn't going to win games for SV by himself, he still needs good players around him. It makes no sense for you to expect any more out of Whitaker. He is a great player, yes, but Hazard was still missing some key players. SV would have been in similar shape if, say, Hatfield and Bryant were out.

Bottom line, SV won a game they should have won, but it means nothing. The real test will be if the two play later in the season when both teams have their full rosters. That, I think, would be a toss-up.

[DortonWildcat5]

Elisha Justice isn't going to win games for SV by himself, he still needs good players around him. It makes no sense for you to expect any more out of Whitaker. He is a great player, yes, but Hazard was still missing some key players. SV would have been in similar shape if, say, Hatfield and Bryant were out.

Bottom line, SV won a game they should have won, but it means nothing. The real test will be if the two play later in the season when both teams have their full rosters. That, I think, would be a toss-up.

I agree, any game between the two would be a toss up. The scrimmage was fun because both teams played hard and watching the two guards go head to head was a treat, but it wasn't a true barometer of what either team will do during the regular season.

[More Cowbell]

Elliott County is a great team, probably the best in Eastern Kentucky, but #4 is a bit high. I would put them more in the #9-10- range.

Hazard is probably a bit high as well, and SV is definitely too low. I don't see how they have so much of a gap between two evenly matched teams. I'd say put Hazard and Valley both around #15-16.

SV seems to be getting penalized an awful lot for not winning their region last year. Valley may not have won the region, but only because they were beaten by Paintsville in overtime in what amounted to the de facto 15th region championship game. Mind you, this was a talented, senior-laden Paintsville team that would go on to beat Jeffersontown and advance to the final 8 at state tournament.

[BardstownTigers]

The only Complaints I have is Corbin and North Hardin being rated I don't think they should be there yet and Bardstown should be higher. But besides that it looks perfect. Hazard shouldn't be that high probably more like 23-24 range.

finally someone giving bardstown some hope!!! i agree 100%

[theflash]

elliott has 3 players in the top 25 in state and another that is good also in knipp..they are def. a top 5 team in the state and will do good

[letthebighogroot]

Well, I've probably seen Elliott's current team play more than anyone on here, and I agree with most posters here that they are ranked a little to high.... I will give them a slight edge over SV and Hazard based on the fact they start 4 Seniors that have played many, many games together. In fairness to Elliott though.......If their defense is getting turnovers and they are hitting the long ball........Then they can compete with and possibly knock off any team in the state. JMO

[mjballer23]

Elliot county is not overrated. They played the state champions to the wire last year at Rupp Arena. They bring back the same team execpt one decent three point shooter i cant remember his name but i dont see how u can say there overrated. They also have 3 D1 players.

[rojas]

Northern Kentucky is Division II.

Elliott will be a state contender because of two reasons. #1 and most importantly they have a very talented and experienced team. #2 and almost as important, they have a cake walk through the 16th getting to Rupp. While many of the other top teams will be eliminated in district or regional play getting beat in the 16th will be highly unlikely for Elliott Co,

[TheRealVille]

EC and SV are probably a little closer than shown, although I think EC comes out on top between the two. This is a pre-season rating and probably takes last season into account, as is noted in the 07/08 record included in the lineup. SV lost their region and EC won theirs. Notice EC got one 1st place vote.

[RavenBoy]

If you cant win the All A, then you shouldnt be in the Top5 in state.

[cuppett777]

looks like the maroons are a bit to high

[HazzBeen]

I personally think Elliott is an excellent team. They really should have beaten Mason County last year and could have possibly won state. They should be ranked that high until someone beats them.

[Impressive]

I have seen Elliott county play at least 20 times the past couples seasons.. they definately should be ranked in the top 3.. They are talented and play harder than any team i have seen play..It seems like the other team comes down and hits a 2 and EC fires a 3 and before you know it, they have a 20 point lead

This season will be special in SandyHook .. its not often you see a school with about 300 students even in the talk for a championship.. and all of the players are actually from Elliott County, No transfers...

East Carter has some significant size and they can play with Elliott too.. An Elliott/East Carter region final would be crazy IMO

[Kentucky97]

Elliott is not over rated , not at all. They are a good team that has played good teams and their schedule is not at all weak. Go Lions ! ! !

[PC_You_Know]

So how good is Christian County? 12-19 last year, ranked in the top 15 and received a 1st place vote, anyone know anything about this team?

[letthebighogroot]

So how good is Christian County? 12-19 last year, ranked in the top 15 and received a 1st place vote, anyone know anything about this team?

Led by Shaquille Wilson.....Who is a very good player, as best I remember from last season they also had a good little guard... They are quick and athletic, were very young last season, look for them to be ranked all year this season, IMO.