By Jeremy Wright
2020-21 MSC Standings
(7) Shawnee State (Ohio)(14-2,10-1)- The Bears are the hottest team in the nation, as they extended their win streak to 10 games last week in wins over Bethel (Tenn) and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn). In the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, the Bears made a jump from being unranked to #7 in the nation. Shawnee State Head Coach Delano Thomas was named NAIA Coach of the Week last week as the Bears continue their longest winning streak in program history. On Thursday against Bethel (Tenn), the Bears overcame a late game deficit to edge out a six-point win behind a 25-point performance from three-time MSC Player of the Week, James Jones. On Saturday, as 6’11 EJ Onu shot 5/5 from beyond-the-arc in a 29-point performance as the team edged Freed-Hardeman 76-72. This week, the team puts their 10-game winning streak on the line against Lindsey Wilson (Ky) on Thursday and against Cumberland (Tenn) on Saturday.
(16) Martin Methodist (Tenn)(10-2,6-2)- The Redhawks jumped eight spots in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll to #16 after being ranked #24 earlier in the season.Both conference losses for the team have come in lopsided fashion. An early season loss to Shawnee State, and last week the team dropped their lone contest of the week to (17) Georgetown (Ky) 81-58. Reigning MSC Player of the Week Darrin Jenkins had 22 points in the loss to Georgetown along with Adarion Hudson, who added 15 points in the loss. This week the team will visit red-hot Thomas More (Ky) on Monday, Cumberlands (Ky) on Thursday and Pikeville (Ky) on Saturday to conclude a three-game road trip.
Thomas More (Ky)(8-3,6-3)- The Saints are one of the hottest teams in the nation as the team stretched their winning streak to five games last week after going 3-0 on the week. The Saints took care of Lindsey Wilson (Ky) to start the week on Monday, handled (RV) Freed-Hardeman on Thursday and separated from Bethel (Tenn) to conclude a three-game road trip. Reid Jolly was exceptional last week as he had 18 points and 12 rebounds against Lindsey Wilson, 32 points against Freed-Hardeman and 28 points against Bethel. Ryan Batte also had a stellar week, as he posted a 19-point and nine-rebound performance against Lindsey Wilson, 15 points against Freed-Hardeman and 20 points against Bethel. Sharpshooter Luke Rudy shot 6 for 12 from beyond-the-arc against Freed-Hardeman for 20 points, and 7 for 11 from deep against Bethel for 21 points. The trio of Jolly,Batte and Rudy proves to be chaotic for teams to defend, along with a strong supporting cast, as the Saints continue to be a problem in the MSC. This week, the team is scheduled to take on (16) Martin Methodist on Monday, Cumberland (Tenn) on Thursday and Lindsey Wilson (Ky) on Saturday as a part of a three-game homestand.
(17) Georgetown (Ky)(8-3,5-3)- The Tigers took a stumble in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, as the team went from #6 to #17 in the poll. However, the team responded well with a top-25 win over (16) Martin Methodist 81-58. Chucky Wilson, Derrin Boyd, and Brodericks Jones all scored in double-figures in the win. This week, the team is scheduled to host Cumberland (Tenn) on Monday, and visit Bethel (Tenn) on Thursday and (RV) Freed-Hardeman on Saturday.
(RV) Freed-Hardeman (9-4,4-3)- The Lions are still receiving votes after the latest Top 25 poll. After starting MSC play 3-0, the team has lost three of the last four contests, after going 1-2 last week. The team started out the week with a road win over Campbellsville and losses against Thomas More and (7) Shawnee State. Injuries have plagued the team this season as Wanya King, who is tied with Kortland Martin as the team’s leading scorer made his return to the Lions lineup on Thursday against Thomas More after a three-game absence. King put together 20-point performances against Thomas More and Shawnee State in his return to play. Martin suffered a significant eye injury early in the first half against Thomas More after scoring 14 points in six minutes. That eye injury held him out of Saturday’s game against (7) Shawnee State, which resulted in a four-point loss. This week, the team is scheduled to visit in-state foe Bethel (Tenn) on Monday, host Campbellsvile (Ky) on Thursday and (17) Georgetown (Ky) on Saturday.
(RV) Cumberlands (Ky)(12-5,6-5)- The Patriots took a major fall in the latest Top 25 poll, as the team went from #11 to receiving votes in the poll. The team split their two-game slate last week with a win over Cumberland (Tenn) and a loss to Lindsey Wilson (Ky). Two-time MSC Player of the Week Tevin Olison had a stellar week, scoring 17 points against Cumblerand and 29 points against Lindsey Wilson in a loss. Steven Fitzgerald also shined last week with a 24-point performance against Cumberland and 13 points against Lindsey Wilson. This week, the team is scheduled to host (16) Martin Methodist on Thursday, and Life (Ga) on Thursday for a two-game homestand.
Cumberland (Tenn)(5-5,4-4)– The Phoenix come into the week on a two-game losing streak after falling to (RV) Cumberlands (Ky) 77-74 in their lone contest last week. This week the team is scheduled to have a three-game road trip starting with (17) Georgetown (Ky) on Monday, Thomas More (Ky) on Thursday and (7) Shawnee State on Saturday.
Pikeville (Ky)(6-7,4-6)- In their lone contest last week, the Bears got a big win over Lindsey Wilson (Ky). Darius Love had a strong outing, as he posted 21 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Korbin Spencer had 17 points in the win. This week, the team is scheduled to host Life (Ga) on Thursday and (16) Martin Methodist on Saturday.
Campbellsville (Ky)(6-8,4-7)- The Tigers have gone through a rough stretch in their season, as they currently are on a five-game losing streak. The team went 0-2 last week falling to (RV) Freed-Hardeman and Life (Ga). Taiveyhon Mason had 21 points in both contests last week for the Tigers. The team is scheduled to visit (RV) Freed-Hardeman on Thursday and Bethel (Tenn) on Saturday.
Life (Ga)(5-3,1-3)- The Runnin’ Eagles picked up their first conference win last week against Campbellsville by 18 points. The team got good play out of Jordan Hernandez, who had 22 points, Isaiah Hart with 20 points, and Lorenzo Ferrell with 11 points and eight rebounds. This week, the team is scheduled to visit Pikeville (Ky) and Cumberlands (Ky) for a two-game road trip.
Lindsey Wilson (Ky)(4-9,2-8)- The Blue Raiders put an end to their seven-game losing streak with a win over (RV) Cumberlands on Saturday. The team dropped two contests last week at the hands of Thomas More and Pikeville. Elijah Jordan had a stellar week, with an 18-point performance against Thomas More, 23 points against Pikeville, and 18 points against (RV) Cumberlands. The team is scheduled to visit (7) Shawnee State on Thursday and Thomas More on Saturday.
Bethel (Tenn)(6-8,1-8)- The Wildcats picked up a non-conference win on Monday against Crowley’s Ridge (Ark) and dropped two MSC contests to (7) Shawnee State and Thomas More. Kamron Rose had 20 points against Shawnee State, and 13 points against Thomas More. Jamarious Mayberry posted a 21-point performance against Thomas More and 12 points against Shawnee State. This week the team hosts (RV) Freed-Hardeman on Monday, (17) Georgetown on Thursday and Campbellsville on Saturday.
Power Rankings
1.Shawnee State
2.Thomas More
3.Georgetown
4.Freed-Hardeman
5.Martin Methodist
6.Cumberlands
7. Cumberland
8.Life
9.Pikeville
10.Lindsey Wilson
11.Campbellsville
12.Bethel
Players of the Week
(10/28): Tevin Olison/Cumberlands
(11/04): Isaiah Hart/Life
(11/11): Jordan Perry/Pikeville
(11/18): James Jones/Shawnee State
(11/25): James Jones/Shawnee State
(12/2): Colen Gaynor/Lindsey Wilson
(12/9): Tavon King/Cumberland
(12/16): EJ Onu/Shawnee State
(12/23): Tevin Olison/Cumberlands
(1/06): James Jones/Shawnee State
(1/13): Darrin Jenkins/Martin Methodist
(1/18 or 1/20 Prediction): Reid Jolly/Thomas More. Jolly was exceptional last week as he had 18 points and 12 rebounds against Lindsey Wilson, 32 points against Freed-Hardeman and 28 points against Bethel, leading Thomas More to a 3-0 week.
MSC Schedule
Monday,January 18th
(RV) Freed-Hardeman @ Bethel
Cumberland @ (17) Georgetown
(16) Martin Methodist @ Thomas More
Thursday, January 21st
(17) Georgetown @ Bethel
Campbellsville @ Freed-Hardeman
Lindsey Wilson @ (7) Shawnee State
Life @ Pikeville
(16) Martin Methodist @ Cumberlands
Cumberland @ Thomas More
Saturday, January 23rd
(17) Georgetown @ Freed-Hardeman
Campbellsville @ Bethel
(16) Martin Methodist @ Pikeville
Lindsey Wilson @ Thomas More
Cumberland @ (7) Shawnee State
Life @ Cumberlands (Ky)
