One Big Night Done

The 3rd and 6th regions have set their regional semifinals...

3rd Region
Apollo vs. Muhlenberg North
Meade County vs. Owensboro

6th Region
Fairdale vs. Pleasure Ridge Park
Central vs. Butler

The big surprise here is the elimination of Doss in the 6th region. The Dragons fell, albeit not that surprisingly, to PRP in the first round. Doss closes their great season on two disappointing losses. I'd say the winner of the first semifinal will win the 6th region, while any of the four remaining teams could win the third.

Also, the 15th region played two more semifinals, as Allen Central and Shelby Valley advanced and join Belfry in the regional semifinals. Magoffin County and Pikeville will play tonight.

Speaking of tonight, let's rank the top ten regional tournament games...

10 Newport Central Catholic vs. Holmes
9 Mayfield vs. Calloway County
8 Pulaski County vs. Lincoln County
7 Bethlehem vs. John Hardin
6 Mason County vs. Montgomery County
5 Warren Central vs. Russellville
4 Magoffin County vs. Pikeville
3 Henderson County vs. Hopkinsville
2 Ballard vs. Manual
1 Jeffersontown vs. Trinity

Congrats to the District Champs!

But what I'm interested in here today is what interesting things came from the regional tournament draws...let's go through them region by region...

1st Region
It was a pretty fair draw, all things considered. The only top regional contender that didn't make it here was Graves County. Paducah Tilghman looks to be the favorite, but they'll likely have to see Calloway County in the semifinals. Marshall County and Heath square off in the first round, and the winner will likely make the finals. St. Mary, however, sits in the bottom of the bracket; it was them who defeated Graves County in the district tournament.

2nd Region
Tough draw for Hopkinsville, as the Tigers must face Henderson County in the opening round. Caldwell County is the sleeper in this tournament, and the Tigers will likely make the semis to face the winner of that opening game. Christian County received the best draw possible and should waltz into the finals. Madisonville-North Hopkins could play spoiler in the bottom bracket though.

3rd Region
This one is wide open. Winning the district tournament was the best thing Owensboro could have done, as the Red Devils get Edmonson County while Apollo must play Grayson County. Meade County and Muhlenberg South will likely be a great opening round game. Muhlenberg North avoided a tough opening round game by sliding past South in double overtime in their district championship game.

4th Region
The road could not be tougher for Warren Central. Russellville will present the toughest challenge the opening round could pose. Allen County-Scottsville lurks in the semis, much as they did two years ago. The finals will likely be the winner of the opening round Greenwood-Franklin-Simpson game, unless Clinton County surprises much the way Metcalfe County did a season ago.

5th Region
Who's left here? North Hardin, the surprising 17th district champ, now appears to be the favorite to go to Rupp, but the road is ridiculously difficult. The Trojans open with Bardstown and will likely see Adair County in the second round. The top bracket will be wide open, as district champs Bethlehem and Hart County, along with John Hardin, all pose threats. With no Central Hardin or Elizabethtown, this tournament will be crazy.

6th Region
Here's where the draw screwed us over. Thanks to Butler stunning Doss, the Dragons will face PRP in the first round, and the winner will become the overwhelming favorite to win the tournament...at first it would appear. Fairdale, Western and Bullitt East all have nice records, and Butler is coming off a wonderful run in the 22nd District where they beat both DeSales and Doss. However, the 6th region will play second fiddle once more to the 7th...

7th Region
The first game will be the first round's best, as J-Town faces a tough Trinity squad. Also, Ballard will take on Manual to close the first round. But the Bruins appear to be the team to beat. They have won 29 of their last 30 and haven't been beaten by a 7th region team. Jeffersontown, you would believe, poses the greatest threat, but the Chargers will have difficulty escaping Trinity and Male in the top bracket.

8th Region
Like the 6th region, a horrendous draw. Shelby County, surprise losers to Anderson County in the district finals, draws Gallatin County. Simon Kenton also sits in the bottom of this bracket. Oldham County, on the other hand, must be rejoicing with their draw, although Anderson County and Henry County could both challenge in the semis. However, it's Oldham that's sitting pretty after this draw.

9th Region
It seemed this tournament has become Covington Catholic's to lose, but Holmes came within three points of beating the Colonels in the 35th District Championship. Of course, they are set on opposite sides of the draw, and St. Henry lurks in the semifinals. Many of the region's top teams during the season failed to make it this far, so be surprised if it isn't Cov Cath and Holmes playing for the right to roll at Rupp.

10th Region
It's all about where Mason County is, and for George Rogers Clark, it could not be better. The Cardinals would only be tested by Scott (it seems) in the bottom half of the bracket. Mason County must go through the gauntlet to reach the finals again. Montgomery County serves as a tough test in the opening round, and Bishop Brossart won the All 'A' State Tournament this season. But the Royals should be good enough anyway.

11th Region
With so many solid teams left out here (Dunbar, Henry Clay, Lafayette), one would wonder if any drama could be left in this region. Oh yes, there will be. Scott County and Lexington Catholic will meet in the semifinals (barring a fantastic upset), while Bryan Station should await the winner of the Madison Central/Tates Creek death match. For Central's Indians, the road could not be tougher to repeat as regional champions.

12th Region
The best two teams (record wise) will meet in the first round, as Pulaski County will entertain Lincoln County. Remember, the Patriots slipped in the district final against Boyle County. Southwestern sits in fantastic shape in the bottom bracket; they were the main beneficiaries of Lincoln County dropping their district final. But both Jessamine County school bear watching throughout this tournament.

13th Region
We all want to know: South Laurel and Bell County? It would happen in the finals. This bracket is remarkably balanced, with the region's best facing the region's fourth or fifth best in the second round (South Laurel vs. Clay County/Cumberland). Bell County should be wary of Corbin should they see them in the second round. All in all, this regional tournament looks a lot more wide open than it did earlier this season.

14th Region
No Perry County Central makes this field quite worse than what it could have been, but the bottom of the bracket is stacked. Breathitt County has a sterling record, Powell County has a solid seasonal mark, and June Buchanan makes as good a regional runner-up in the state. The winner of those three should see Hazard in the finals.

15th Region
Paintsville's loss to Magoffin County proved costly, as the Tigers dropped the opening game of the regional round to Belfry. They will likely see Shelby Valley in the second round. Magoffin County's Cinderella run will have to go through Pikeville and Allen Central, but if the Hornets can take out Paintsville, they could probably make another magical run to the finals. Should be a competitive tournament.

16th Region
The fun will take place in the bottom of the bracket, where Russell, Elliott County, and Boyd County will have to duke it out. Ashland Blazer and Rowan County will be the teams to fight out of the top of the bracket. It will be a good tournament, especially with the bottom bracket games in the first round.

My regional tournament champs...

1 Paducah Tilghman d. Marshall County
2 Christian County d. Caldwell County
3 Owensboro d. Apollo
4 Warren Central d. Franklin-Simpson
5 Adair County d. John Hardin
6 Doss d. Butler
7 Ballard d. Male
8 Oldham County d. Simon Kenton
9 Covington Catholic d. Holmes
10 Mason County d. George Rogers Clark
11 Scott County d. Madison Central
12 Lincoln County d. Southwestern
13 South Laurel d. Bell County
14 Hazard d. Breathitt County
15 Shelby Valley d. Magoffin County
16 Elliott County d. Ashland Blazer

Chaos in the 5th Region

Well then, I didn't see this coming...

--5th region favorite Central Hardin won't even have a chance at the regional tournament, as the Bruins were upset by John Hardin 67-51. Central started their season 21-1, but they lost three of their last six. Also in the 5th region (17th district, even), my preseason pick to win the 5th region (and the state tournament, sadly), Elizabethtown, fell to North Hardin 64-58. So it will be John vs. North in the 17th district final.

District Champions...

D4: Marshall County
D7: Caldwell County
D25: Male
D39: Mason County
D60: Belfry
D61: Rowan County

Also, 12th region power McCreary Central fell to Wayne County in the first round of district play. Central ends the year at 20-8.

Now, for tonight's big Championship games...

1st Region
D1: Fulton City vs. Fulton County
D2: Paducah Tilghman vs. Heath
D3: St. Mary vs. Mayfield

3rd Region
D9: Owensboro vs. Apollo
D10: Muhlenberg North @ Muhlenberg South
D11: Meade County vs. Hancock County
D12: Grayson County vs. Edmonson County

4th Region
D13: Russellville vs. Franklin-Simpson
D15: Barren County vs. Allen County-Scottsville
D16: Russell County vs. Clinton County

5th Region
D18: Hart County @ Larue County

6th Region
D21: Western @ Pleasure Ridge Park
D22: Doss @ Butler
D23: Shawnee @ Central

7th Region
D26: Moore @ Fern Creek
D27: Ballard vs. Trinity

8th Region
D30: Anderson County @ Shelby County

9th Region
D34: Dixie Heights @ Lloyd Memorial
D35: Holmes @ Covington Catholic

10th Region
D38: Deming @ Harrison County
D40: Montgomery County @ George Rogers Clark

11th Region
D41: Frankfort vs. Woodford County
D42: Bryan Station @ Scott County
D43: Tates Creek @ Lexington Catholic
D44: Model vs. Madison Central

12th Region
D45: Lincoln County vs. Boyle County
D46: West Jessamine @ East Jessamine
D47: Somerset @ Pulaski County

13th Region
D50: Corbin @ South Laurel
D51: Pineville @ Knox Central

14th Region
D54: Buckhorn vs. Hazard
D55: Breathitt County @ Wolfe County

15th Region
D57: Magoffin County @ Paintsville
D58: Allen Central vs. Betsy Layne
D59: Shelby Valley @ Pikeville

16th Region
D62: Elliott County vs. East Carter
D63: Lewis County vs. Russell
D64: Ashland Blazer @ Boyd County

Thursday!

From last night...

--Christian County wins the 8th District Championship
--Ohio County, my preseason pick to win the 3rd region, dismissed by Muhlenberg South
--Greenwood defeats Bowling Green, keeping the Purples from the region two years running
--DeSales beat Butler by 18 during the season, but lost to them last night
--Gallatin County wins over Owen County in a contest of 20-game winners
--Dunbar sent packing by Tates Creek
--Perry County Central is walloped by Buckhorn
--Jenkins nearly pulls huge upset over June Buchanan

So, tonight will have a championship feel to it...

D3: Mayfield vs. St. Mary
D4: Marshall County @ Calloway County
D7: Madisonville-North Hopkins vs. Caldwell County
D25: Male @ Manual
D29: Oldham County @ South Oldham
D39: Augusta @ Mason County
D60: Phelps vs. Belfry
D61: Bath County @ Rowan County

And for the top semifinal games (winners are in regional tournaments)...

District 17 Funpalooza
--John Hardin @ Central Hardin
--Elizabethtown vs. North Hardin

D33: St. Henry vs. Boone County
D44: Madison Central vs. Madison Southern
D52: Bell County vs. Middlesboro

Midpoint

Any upsets last night?

--St. Mary d. Graves County 49-32
--Frankfort d. Franklin County 64-59
--Boyd County d. Rose Hill Christian 54-43

Unexpectingly impressive large wins by...

--Henderson County...by 89!
--Allen County-Scottsville...by 42!
--Covington Catholic...by 59!

And now tonight, the top semifinal games...

D10: Muhlenberg South vs. Ohio County
D14: Greenwood vs. Bowling Green
D31: Gallatin County vs. Owen County
D43: Tates Creek vs. Paul Dunbar

And now the District Championships on tap...

D8: Christian County vs. Hopkinsville
D25: Male vs. Manual

The Games Continue

Winners from last night which claimed a position in their respective regional tournaments include...

R1: Fulton County, Mayfield
R2: Madisonville-North Hopkins, Christian County, Hopkinsville
R3: Muhlenberg North
R4: Russellville, Russell County
R5: NO GAMES PLAYED
R6: NO TEAMS
R7: Male, Manual
R8: Simon Kenton
R9: Lloyd Memorial
R10: Harrison County, Augusta
R11: NO TEAMS
R12: NO TEAMS
R13: South Laurel
R14: NO TEAMS
R15: Belfry
R16: Elliott County, Lewis County

Tonight's semifinal games of note:

D3: Graves County vs. St. Mary
D4: Murray vs. Marshall County
D7: Hopkins County Central vs. Caldwell County
D17: Fort Knox vs. North Hardin
D22: Doss vs. Iroquois
D35: Covington Catholic vs. Beechwood
D35: Holmes vs. Covington Holy Cross
D42: Scott County vs. Henry Clay
D43: Lexington Catholic vs. Lafayette
D43: Tates Creek vs. Dunbar
D57: Paintsville vs. Johnson Central
D64: Rose Hill Christian vs. Boyd County

UPSET PICK(S): Covington Holy Cross over Holmes, Lafayette over Lexington Catholic

OK, forget what happened this weekend

Cause the fun starts tonight...

1st Region
D1 Fulton County @ Carlisle County
Prediction: Fulton County 61-53
D2 Community Christian @ Reidland
Prediction: Reidland 71-56
D3 Mayfield @ Ballard Memorial
Prediction: Mayfield 80-49

2nd Region
D7 Dawson Springs vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins
Prediction: Madisonville-North Hopkins 87-56
D8 University Heights @ Christian County
Prediction: Christian County 76-71
D8 Hopkinsville vs. Fort Campbell
Prediction: Hopkinsville 56-50

3rd Region
D10 Muhlenberg North vs. McLean County
Prediction: Muhlenberg North 76-60

4th Region
D13 Russellville @ Todd County Central
Prediction: Russellville 59-51
D16 Russell County vs. Cumberland County
Prediction: Russell County 71-58

5th Region
NO GAMES

6th Region
D21 Beth Haven vs. Valley
Prediction: Beth Haven 67-66
D22 Evangel Christian vs. Iroquois
Prediction: Iroquois 80-68
D24 North Bullitt vs. Bullitt Central
Prediction: Bullitt Central 58-43

7th Region
D25 St. Xavier @ Manual
UPSET Prediction: St. Xavier 65-63 (OT)
D25 Male vs. Collegiate
Prediction: Male 89-55

8th Region
D32 Williamstown @ Simon Kenton
Prediction: Simon Kenton 77-61

9th Region
D33 Conner vs. Heritage Academy
Prediction: Conner 64-42
D34 Ludlow @ Lloyd Memorial
Prediction: Lloyd Memorial 60-54
D36 Newport @ Dayton
Prediction: Newport 71-67

10th Region
D37 Silver Grove vs. Calvary Christian
Prediction: Silver Grove 55-42
D38 Pendleton County @ Harrison County
Prediction: Pendleton County 55-52
D39 St. Patrick vs. Augusta
Prediction: Augusta 78-68

11th Region
D43 Dunbar vs. Lexington Christian
Prediction: Dunbar 101-75

12th Region
D45 Kentucky School f/t Deaf vs. Danville
Prediction: Danville 65-43

13th Region
D49 North Laurel vs. Jackson County
Prediction: Jackson County 54-47
D50 Williamsburg @ South Laurel
Prediction: South Laurel 88-55

14th Region
D53 Cordia @ Jenkins
Prediction: Cordia 66-45

15th Region
D57 Johnson Central @ Sheldon Clark
Prediction: Johnson Central 65-50
D60 Belfry vs. Piarist School
Prediction: Belfry 60-41

16th Region
D62 Elliott County @ West Carter
Prediction: Elliott County 76-52
D63 Greenup County @ Lewis County
Prediction: Greenup County 77-63