The boys’ 61st District has produced only one 16th Region champion in the last 20 years.

This year, the district champion might ultimately be the most prepared team by the time the 16th Region Tournament rolls around.

Menifee County leads the pack right now, with a 3-1 district record.

Wildcats junior Cody Peck was in the right place (under the basket) at the right time (at the buzzer) when teammate Blake Greene found him for the final two of his 25 points Thursday night in an 88-87 double-overtime victory over Bath County.

The win put Menifee County atop the district, ahead of Bath County, Fleming County and Rowan County, all of which are capable of contending.

Of the seven 61st district games played to this point, four of them have been decided by four points or less, including three one-point games.

It is the most competitive district, hands down.

Both the champion and runner-up that come out of the district tournament in Flemingsburg will be quite dangerous in March, that is, if they aren’t too exhausted.

Menifee County hosts Fleming County Thursday night.

The Dime

-The Point Guard is taking notice of a few up-and-coming freshmen girls. Ashland sharpshooter Kaylyn Gambill is a freshman, but she is already leading the region in 3-point shooting, at a 47 percent clip. She hit five of six treys in a Kittens’ win over Fairview this past week. A few other freshmen to take note of: Destiny Jones (Greenup County), Alicia Gunter (Fairview), Brooke Callihan (West Carter) and Arden Gross (Russell).

-Fairview played more home games in the past week than it had all season. The Eagles played a total of four games in five days, and won three of them, including a 2-1 home record.

-The only loss for Fairview in the span came against a hungry Ashland team that grabbed a spot in the region tournament, with the postseason ineligibility of Rose Hill Christian. The Tomcats used will and depth to outwork the Eagles to a much-needed win, coming after three consecutive road losses.

-Elliott County accounted for one of those losses for Ashland, at an impressive 91-78 mark. Timmy Knipp and Jacob Ison are the most lethal tandem in the region. The key to beating Elliott County is getting one of these two in foul trouble early.

-Greenup County’s girls have only six wins this season, but four of them have come within the 63rd District! Greenup County has locked up the No. 2 seed with Russell clinching No. 1. That means the Lady Musketeers will need to beat Raceland for a third straight time this season in the district tournament.

-I still believe Greenup County’s boys have the most talented group in the 63rd District. The Musketeers are cutting down on mistakes, but they still have to improve upon harnessing that talent. Dustin Linthicum, a sophomore, had a breakout game against Raceland, with 15 points. If he, Michael Hampton and Trey Williams can consistently contribute, Greenup County can do damage.

-Ashland coach Bill Bradley assembled a meeting with the Kittens’ seniors before a 53-35 defeat of Raceland. Evidently, it paid off. Seniors Chelsea Dietrich, Katelyn Connor, Amy Hanners and Paige Leaver led their team to two wins this week and are the nucleus that could make this top three team in the region the top one.

-When I saw that East Carter outscored Morgan County 28-0 in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game, I thought it was a typo. Unfortunately for the Cougars, it wasn’t. The Raiders had their way as it became more of a practice than a game.

-Regarding typos, we did commit an error this week. In Wednesday’s edition, we called Elliott County guard Daniel Fraley the wrong name in a photo. We apologize for the mistake.

-The Point Guard is ranking these teams knowing that it could be rattled immediately. East Carter’s boys travel to Fairview Friday, and one of the biggest matchups of the regular season takes place in Morehead, with Rowan County girls’ trying to avenge an early-season loss to East Carter.

Snyder’s Super Seven

Boys

1. East Carter (16-4)

2. Elliott County (17-6)

3. Ashland (16-6)

4. Fairview (18-4)

5. Fleming County (13-7)

6. Menifee County (11-6)

7. Bath County (11-8)



Girls

1. East Carter (19-3)

2. Rowan County (15-5)

3. Ashland (14-4)

4. Boyd County (12-6)

5. Russell (10-11)

6. West Carter (11-7)

7. Fleming County (10-11)

30-point Club

Natasha Kissinger, a Rowan County senior, joined the club by compiling an 11-of-17 shooting performance to tally exactly 30 points. She also had eight rebounds and five steals against Fleming County.

Elliott County’s Timmy Knipp eclipsed 30 points again, recording 36 against Ashland. Bath County senior Taylor Maze notched 30 against Menifee County.

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AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.