Yesterday's Boys' Basketball Scores

Fourteen big games yesterday, so only 19 teams are left.  We lost some famous names, including Louisville Trinity (the 2012 Champion), and Lexington Catholic (the 2002 Champion).  On the other hand, it was a big day for those of us who remember the 1980s -- the state champs from 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989 all qualified for the State Tournament.  Here were the results:

2d Region Final (at Hopkinsville):
Hopkinsville 59, Henderson Co. 46

The Tigers had a tougher time than anticipated, but they are back at Rupp for the second year in a row.  They won it all in 1985.

3d Region Final (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Ohio Co. 49, Owensboro Catholic 38
As Eric noted last night, the Eagles are going to State for the first time since 2005.

5th Region Final (at Hart Co.):
John Hardin 65, N. Hardin 51

The Bulldogs are returning to Rupp for the second consecutive year.

6th Region Final (at Louisville Valley):
Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park 53, Lou. Butler 44
Remarkably, the Panthers -- one of the great programs in the commonwealth -- will be appearing at the State Tournament for the first time since 2006.  PRP has been to State on 12 prior occasions, but they won the title only in 1989.

7th Region Final (at Louisville Valley):
Lou. Ballard 57, Lou. Trinity 46
The Bruins, who  yesterday beat the only KHSAA school to defeat them all year, are back in the State Tournament for the first time since 2010.  Ballard won the State Title in 1977, 1988, and 1999.

8th Region Final (at Henry Co.):
S. Oldham 58, Oldham Co. 48
The Dragons have been in existence since 1989, and this will be their first trip to the state tournament.

9th Region Semi-Finals (at N. Kentucky Univ.):
Cov. Catholic 63, Newport 48
Cov. Holmes 40, Cooper 39 (Overtime)

10th Region Final (at Mason Co.):
Montgomery Co. 68, Scott 37

This is the first time since 2005 that neither Mason County nor George Rogers Clark won the 10th Region.  It will be the Indians' first trip to State since 1995.

11th Region Final (at E. Kentucky Univ.):
Madison Central 67, Lex. Catholic 46
The Indians are going to State for the first time since 2006.  This breaks a streak of six years in which either Scott County or Lexington Catholic had won the 11th Region.

12th Region Final (Lincoln Co.):
Wayne Co. 61, Somerset 48
The Cardinals last went to the State Tournament in 2011.

13th Region Final (at Harlan Co.):
Clay Co. 84, Harlan Co. 76
Back in the 1980's, Clay County dominated the 13th Region -- but this is the Tigers' first trip to State since 2001.  Their only State Title came in 1987.

14th Region Final (at Letcher Co. Cent.):
Knott Co. Cent. 52, Perry Co. Cent. 32
The Patriots are back at State for the second year in a row.

15th Region Final (at E. Kentucky Expo Center):
Johnson Cent. 59, Sheldon Clark 48
The Golden Eagles are going to State for the second straight year.

So only the 1st, 4th, and 9th Regions remain to be decided, and they will be wrapped up today.  Based on what we have so far, the first round of next week's State Tournament looks like this (all games at Rupp Arena):

Wednesday, March 6:
Noon:  Wayne Co. v. Madison Cent.
1:30 P.M:  Cov. Holmes or Cov. Catholic v. Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park
6:30 P.M:  Graves Co. or Calloway Co. v. Ohio Co.
8:00 P.M:  Hopkinsville v. S. Oldham

Thursday, March 7:
Noon:  Warren Cent. or Russell Co. v. Montgomery Co.
1:30 P.M:  Fleming Co. v. John Hardin
6:30 P.M.:  Johnson Central v. Lou. Ballard
8:00 P.M.:  Knott Co. Cent. v. Clay Co.