With basketball season in full swing and district play ramping up, UCR’s Rusty Ellis and Michael Lindsay have graded each team’s performance to this point. Grades were decided upon using multiple factors including win-loss records, quality of wins and preseason expectations for each school.
Lady Bulldogs: B
Overall Record: 9-6 (0-1)
Key Wins: Van Buren County, Smith County, East Nashville
Reasoning: It’s been a really solid start to the Terra Pryor era at RBS, as she’s got her team competing against some of the bigger schools in the area and looking extremely competitive. Though they ended in losses, the Lady Bulldogs performances against White County and Warren County in the Frank’s Christmas Shootout in December were impressive. If they had beaten Clay earlier this week, they would’ve earned an easy A.
How to Improve: Win the district. It’s a four-team race with RBS, Clay, Pickett and Clarkrange, and RBS will have just as good a shot as any to win the league. It’ll be tough, but it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see the Lady Bulldogs hoist the gold plaque at the end of the district tournament.
Bulldogs: C-
Overall Record: 1-10 (0-1)
Key Win: White House
Reasoning: Sometimes, you are what your record says you are, and unfortunately, only one of the Bulldogs’ losses has been close. It’s easy to believe that the Bulldogs definitely had higher expectations before the season began, but a 1-10 start through 11 games is a tough pill to swallow for any team.
How to Improve: Constant growth and improvement, and maybe they can knock off a team in the district tournament like they did last year. It’ll likely come down to them and Clarkrange for a region tournament spot, and as a friendly reminder, RBS defeated the Buffaloes 64-33 in the play-in game last year. Playing as many games as possible is key for younger teams.