After so many district and regional games, it makes sense to take a broader view of where things stand in the Kentucky Boys' Basketball Tournament:
1st Region:
Teams left: Paducah Tilghman, Fulton Co., Graves Co., Marshall Co.
No surprises here. We are still headed for what should be a great showdown between Tilghman and Marshall.
2d Region:
Teams left: Christian Co., Henderson Co., Madisonville-N. Hopkins, Union Co.
The big story here is the elimination of University Heights. It would be stunning if any team other than Christian Co. wins this region.
3d Region:
Teams left: Muhlenberg Co., Daviess Co., Breckinridge Co.
Muhlenberg has scored over 80 points in its last two regional games. They will be very tough to beat in the final.
4th Region:
Teams left: Glasgow, Bowling Green, Warren Cent., Monroe Co.
This is probably headed to a Bowling Green-Warren Central rematch. They played last week, and it took four overtimes to decide the outcome.
5th Region:
Teams left: Marion Co., Bardstown, Elizabethtown, Bethlehem
With John Hardin eliminated, Bardstown is the only team left in this region with 20 wins, so they have to be considered the favorite.
6th Region:
Teams left: Lou. Butler, Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park, Lou. Western, Bullitt East
Bullitt East has the best record, but can they keep beating the Louisville teams?
7th Region:
Teams left: Lou. Seneca, Lou. Jeffersontown, Lou. Ballard, Lou. Eastern
Eastern and Ballard are the top two teams in the state, and whoever wins their game tomorrow night will be a heavy favorite to go all the way -- if they can get past J-Town.
8th Region:
Teams left: Henry Co., Oldham Co., Spencer Co., N. Oldham
On paper, this should come down to Oldham Co. v. Spencer Co.
9th Region:
Teams left: Ryle, Newport Cent. Cath., Dixie Heights, Boone Co.
Very odd to see this region without Cov. Catholic, Cov. Holmes, or Ft. Thomas Highlands. Dixie Heights is 27-3, and they are the favorite.
10th Region:
Teams left: Pendleton Co., Mason Co., George Rogers Clark, Harrison Co., Scott, Augusta
George Rogers Clark is 26-5, and the main question is whether they can beat Mason Co. on Mason's home floor.
11th Region:
Teams left: Lex. Tates Creek, Madison Cent., Lex. Catholic, Woodford Co.
Tates Creek has already beaten Lexington Catholic twice, but they will have to beat them again to reach the state tournament.
12th Region:
Teams left: Southwestern, Mercer Co., Pulaski Co., Wayne Co.
Pulaski Co. is 26-6, while Wayne Co. is 28-4. Whoever wins their semi-final will be favored to take the region.
13th Region:
Teams left: Bell Co., Knox Cent., Corbin, Clay Co.
This region is wide open, although Corbin may be a slight favorite.
14th Region:
Teams left: Perry Co. Cent., Letcher Co. Cent., Knott Co. Cent., Estill Co.
Perry Co. Central is 23-5, and 8-0 in games against other 14th Region teams.
15th Region:
Teams left: Pike Co. Cent., Shelby Valley, Pikeville, Betsy Layne
Betsy Layne won the All "A" tournament in February, and they are 25-6. Their game with Pikeville (21-7) should decide the title.
16th Region:
Teams left: Lewis Co., Rowan Co., Elliott Co., Ashland Blazer
Rowan Co. is 25-5, but Ashland Blazer is 23-6. Hard to tell who comes out of this region.
With Heath out I'll now sit and wait for the 16 to start play and root for whoever wins the 1st.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding report!
ReplyDeleteThat Fourth Region is nuts. Bowling Green and Warren Central needed four overtimes to determine their district champion; Glasgow and Monroe County needed five, and now those four teams are the semifinalists. I wonder if my writer friend, Trace, and his family are planning to go to Diddle Arena for the rest of the games. His wife went to the 14th District championship. Anyway, maybe we can some exclusive on-the-scene reports from there.