An Epic Friday

From last night, there were a few games worth noting...

--Covington Catholic d. Lafayette 67-58
This is a big win for the much-maligned 9th region, which has struggled mightily this season against out-of-region competition.

--Scott County d. Bell County 78-52
Not a surprise at all, but Bell County is a team that bears watching in the 13th region, which may not be a closed-South Laurel book after all...

And tonight, a plethora of great action...

--Eastern @ Ballard
The Bruins took control of the 7th region with a dominant showing at the LIT. Eastern is heading the opposite direction after falling to Shelby County earlier this week. Expect Ballard to cruise in this one.

--Warren Central @ Bowling Green
It was in this game last season that the Purples stunned the Dragons thanks to an incredible night from the perimeter. To defeat Central again, Bowling Green will have to play their best and hope for some luck as well.

--Male vs. Covington Catholic (Toyota Classic)
Now if Covington Catholic really wanted to garner some respect for the 9th region, the Colonels would defeat the Male Bulldogs tonight in Georgetown. But Male's playing pretty good at this point of the season, and it would be a difficult task to complete.

--Elizabethtown @ Doss
The Panthers seem to be turning their season around, as they've won six of their last seven contests. But tonight's game at Doss will be a true indication to see if E-town has it going in the right direction heading into February.

--Hopkinsville @ Henderson County
Is Hoptown a pretender or contender in the 2nd region? The Tigers were walloped by Caldwell County on Tuesday, and a rebound win at Henderson County surely isn't likely. Still, a win here, and the Tigers must be considered as regional championship contenders.

--Lafayette vs. Simon Kenton (Toyota Classic)
For these two teams, both considered to be on the fringes of the state's top 25 schools, this win would be a nice feather in the cap. Both teams also need to build some confidence as they head into the dog days of February as well.

--Montgomery County @ Mason County
Well here we go. Will Mason County run away with another regional title, or will Montgomery County serve notice that another trip to Rupp will not be a piece of cake for the Royals? The Indians are regarded as a dangerous team in the 10th region...we'll see after tonight.

--Southwestern @ McCreary Central
If Lincoln County has taken the lead in the 12th region, then these two teams are right on the Patriots' heels. They met only two weeks ago, and that one went to Southwestern in a big way.

--Shelby Valley @ Dunbar
Just how accurate is that 16-1 record of Shelby Valley's? Their one loss came to Hazard, a team that has beaten Lafayette, Madison Central, and Perry County Central, but at the same time lost to Dunbar by 43. Kentucky high school basketball...what a wild ride it is!

--George Rogers Clark @ Scott County (Toyota Classic)
It will be a fight among Cardinals, and don't be surprised to see George Rogers Clark hang with the state's number one team. GRC is 16-2 with losses to Madison Central and Male, so I'm not expecting Scott County to run away and hide with this one.

--Bryan Station @ Tates Creek
Perhaps the best two teams in Lexington will fight it out tonight. After such a fantastic start to the season, Tates Creek has faltered a bit of late. This contest with a game Bryan Station club will prove whether or not the Commodores deserve that top-five state ranking.

--Trinity vs. St. Xavier
Well it's not football, but still.