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2013 10th Region Tournament Preview


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2013 10th Region Region Tournament Preview

 

The storied Mason County Fieldhouse will play host to this year's 10th Region Tournament, which kicks off on Monday night, February 25th. Two-time defending champion George Rogers Clark is back in the field to defend its crown, albeit with a less talented roster. Happy Osborne's Montgomery County Indians will enter the tourney with the "favorite" label, having earned a 28-4 record including 14 wins without any blemishes in Region play. The only team with a better in-Region resume is Mike Code's Bishop Brossart Mustangs, who are 15-0 in the 10th & 25-5 overall.

 

Trying to find a third ranked team among the tourney field might be best accomplished by playing a game of Paper, Rock, Scissors. Perhaps it would be Brad Carr's Scott Eagles, who always seem to be tourney ready. Or maybe we could go with 38th District champion Harrison County & its first year head coach Larry Kendall. How about tiny Augusta, who notched the most eye-opening victory in District play by beating host Mason County in the semi-finals of last week's 39th District Tournament? And don't sleep on the aforementioned Cardinals & head coach Scott Humphrey. Bracken County has played its best basketball of the season at just the right time, while Nicholas County seems to be the consensus #8 team in the tourney.

 

We're looking forward to what has always been an outstanding tournament, so enjoy this preview, enjoy the games, & by all means, enjoy yourself some Fieldhouse popcorn.

 

The Pairings

 

February 25th (6:30 pm)- Bishop Brossart vs. Bracken County

February 25th (8:00 pm)- Montgomery County vs. Nicholas County

 

February 26th (6:30 pm)- Augusta vs. Scott

February 26th (8:00 pm)- Harrison County vs. George Rogers Clark

 

March 1st (5:00 pm)- Semi-Final #1

March 1st (8:30 pm)- Semi-Final #2

 

March 2nd (7:30 pm)- Championship Game

 

Ranking The Teams

 

#1- Montgomery County Indians (28-4)

The Indians have been considered by most everyone as the top team in the 10th since the pre-season. Mr. Baskeball candidate Omar Prewitt is a big reason for Montgomery's success, scoring just over 23 points per game. The 6'5" senior is not alone, however, as Happy Osborne's roster has talent to boot. Point guard Tyler Jones is the best player at his position in the 10th & is joined in the back court by the team's #2 scorer, 5'11" junior Bryan Wallace (16.4 ppg). Forward Darius Jones also averages double figures at just over 10 ppg. No matter the opponent in the tournament, the Indians will have the best player on the floor as well as the best starting five. They aren't invincible by any means, but it's going to take somebody's best shot to prevent Osborne's group from making a trip to Rupp.

 

#2- Bishop Brossart Mustangs (25-5)

Did you see that part where I said, "It's going to take somebody's best shot to prevent Osborne's group from making a trip to Rupp"? Well, Mike Code's Bishop Brossart team is that somebody. The 'Stangs have the best shot at preventing what a lot of people think is an inevitable Montgomery title run. The top team in the 37th District boasts the Region's premiere front court, with 6'6" juniors Alex Trentman (12.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg) & Drew Burns (10.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg). The former is an athletic, run-the-floor type of big man while the latter is more your traditional back-to-the-basket guy. Brossart is led, though, by swingman Justin Saunders & his 16.6 ppg. The 6'3" senior has been the go-to-guy in big games all year, most recently when he poured in 32 points in the 37th title game. The straw that stirs the Mustangs' drink is savvy senior point guard Ben Uebel, who might headline a 10th Region All-Unsung Hero team. Defense is the calling card for Code's crew & if they are hitting shots, as well as free throws, who knows what might happen in a potential semi-final round clash with Montgomery?

 

#3- Scott Eagles (14-14)

Up and down is the most fitting description for Brad Carr's 2012-13 Eagles. The runners-up in the brutal 37th District have been as good as anyone when they're at the top of their game, but they have also succumbed to lengthy spells of mediocrity throughout the season. However, as they have often done, the Eagles were "up" when it mattered--namely in a crucial 37th District semi-final round game with Campbell County. Led by standout forward Nick Jackson & his eye-popping 37 points & 13 rebounds, the Eagles were in control from start to finish, punching their ticket to the Region. Jackson, a 6'3" senior forward, averages 16.6 ppg (55.5% FG shooting) & also leads the team with 7.1 rpg. Fellow senior Josh Felts is the only other double-digits scorer at 10.9 ppg. After Jackson & Felts, the Eagles are pretty balanced, receiving contributions from another senior guard Tyler Buckner (5.4 ppg), junior forward Kameron Crim (5.1 ppg), & senior guards Kevin Jehn (4.1 ppg) & Eric Pouncy (4.8 ppg).

 

#4- Harrison County Thorobreds (19-12)

Though stumbling somewhat down the stretch, Larry Kendall was able to bring the 38th District championship trophy back to Cynthiana in his inaugural season at the program's helm. Excluding a 34-point home loss to Montgomery County, the 'Breds have shown they can play with anyone in the 10th. Kendall's squad is perhaps the field's most balanced in how it goes about its business, although the team's top two players are junior wing Dillon Pulliam & senior point guard Scott Kendall, the coach's son. The two combine to score a little over 26 points per game & Kendall is an outstanding floor general for the 'Breds. Senior big man Tyler Wagner brings almost 8 ppg & over 5 rpg. It's not uncommon for Kendall to give significant minutes to 10 players, so depth is a huge advantage for Harrison.

 

#5- Augusta Panthers (21-10)

 

As entertaining & fun as Jason Hinson's Panthers have been all season long, the one thing missing from the resume had been a signature win in Region play. That all came to a screeching halt this past Tuesday in The Fieldhouse, as the tiny school with an enrollment barely eclipsing 100, made headlines with a 72-61 victory over mighty Mason County. Hinson's squad eventually won its first District championship since 1982 & looks now to make even more noise in the Regional tournament. The Panthers are led by the Region's #2 player in 6'0 junior Brent Bach, whose 27+ points per game rank him among the state's top scoring leaders. 6'0 Senior swingman Tanner Kelsch does a little bit of everything & has superior basketball instincts. A trio of freshmen--forward Camryn Snapp, along with guards Connor Maddox & Owens Crawford--round out the starting five. Keep an eye on 6'6" senior big man Cody Staggs, who just gained his eligibility toward season's end & adds much-needed post presence for the Panthers.

 

#6- George Rogers Clark Cardinals (9-20)

 

Everyone expected a down year for the two-time defending Regional champions. The mass exodus of talent from last year's dominating squad left head coach Scott Humphrey basically having to start from scratch. The Cards have certainly struggled to win games, but they have also proven to be a very difficult out whomever the opponent. As expected, the team's staple is on the defensive side of the ball, but the Cards boast one of the Region's top post players in 6'4" junior Khmarkis Blanton, who put up 19 points & pulled down 14 boards in the 40th District championship game. A pair of sophomores, Malachi Israel & Luke Sharrock have been fairly steady for the Cards all season. For GRC, the "D" will always be there. If the offense can produce on a more consistent basis, the Cards might have more of a say in the tourney than most would imagine.

 

#7- Bracken County Polar Bears (13-18)

 

The boys from Brooksville proved their end-of-season victory over Newport wasn't a fluke by very nearly winning the school's first District championship since 1999. But it was not meant to be, as Bracken fell to its cross-county rival Augusta 46-43. Like Harrison County, Chad Persinger's squad presents a balanced offensive attack, but the leading scorer is senior guard Philip Jefferson, who played very well in the District. Senior center Eli Florer has come on strong in the last couple of weeks, including an 11 points & 12 rebounds performance in the 39th's title game. Brothers Grant & Austin Crawford are above-average athletes. Grant, a senior, is a lock-down defender while Austin, an 8th grader, is a pure scorer & seems destined for stardom. The Polar Bears do a pretty decent job at making up for their lack of size with sticky defense & relentless effort.

 

#8- Nicholas County Bluejackets (10-20)

 

For the first time since the 2000 season, the Jackets find themselves as one of the final eight 10th Region squads standing, but it hasn't been an easy path to this point. Kevin Reinhardt's crew are 1-7 in the month of February, but the one win was all it needed to secure a Regional tourney birth. The 38th District runners-up are led by 6'1" sophomore guard Landon Sexton, a consistent scorer who has a very bright future. Senior post man Zack Howard & junior forward Scott Keaton are also consistent contributors. The Jackets face the unenviable task of taking on Montgomery County in the first round, so their stay is expected to be short-lived. But it's good to see Reinhardt & company end a twelve-year tourney drought.

 

Ranking The Players

1. Omar Prewitt- 6'5" Sr. (Montgomery County)

2. Brent Bach- 6'0 Jr. (Augusta)

3. Justin Saunders- 6'3" Sr. (Bishop Brossart)

4. Alex Trentman- 6'6" Jr. (Bishop Brossart)

5. Tyler Jones- 5'11" Sr. (Montgomery County)

5. Nick Jackson- 6'3" Sr. (Scott)

7. Bryan Wallace- 5'11" Jr. (Montgomery County)

8. Khmarkis Blanton- 6'4" Jr. (George Rogers Clark)

9. Dillon Pulliam- 6'3" Jr. (Harrison County)

10. Tanner Kelsch- 6'0 Sr. (Augusta)

10. Drew Burns- 6'6" Jr. (Bishop Brossart)

 

Our Picks

Here are the picks made by gold sunrise & myself.

 

gold sunrise's picks

 

Bishop Brossart over Bracken County

Montgomery County over Nicholas County

Augusta over Scott

George Rogers Clark over Harrison County

 

Bishop Brossart over Montgomery County

Augusta over George Rogers Clark

 

Bishop Brossart over Augusta

Randy Parker's picks

Bishop Brossart over Bracken County

Montgomery County over Nicholas County

Augusta over Scott

Harrison County over George Rogers Clark

 

Montgomery County over Bishop Brossart

Harrison County over Augusta

 

Montgomery County over Harrison County

Edited by Randy Parker
Keep finding little errors that drive me bonkers
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Some tough ones to call in this one. Here's papa's take (but I've been wrong before):

 

First Round - a couple of easy picks.

 

Bishop Brossart vs. Bracken County. The Mustangs aren't the consensus #2 in the region for no reason. Too much size and too much defense for the Polar Bears (who are playing their best ball of the season). 'Stangs jump out early and cruise in the second half.

 

Brossart 64

Bracken County 46

 

Montgomery County vs. Nicholas County. An M&Mer - Indians won the (early) regular-season matchup by 50. Happy will probably call off the dogs early and let the starters rest up for the (very probable) semi against Brossart.

 

Montgomery County 80

Nicholas County 44

 

Second round - a couple of tight ones.

 

Augusta vs. Scott. While papa will be rooting for the little engine that could, I see Scott setting the tempo and winning a nail-biter.

 

Scott 64

Augusta 61

 

Harrison County vs. Clark County. The Cardinals lost the regular-season matchup on the road by 11. If they can avoid the 3rd-quarter woes I see them winning a defensive battle.

 

Clark County 54

Harrison County 52

 

Semifinals

 

Montgomery County vs. Bishop Brossart. Probably the most anticipated matchup of the tournament. Montgomery is 17-1 in calendar 2013; the only loss to defending state champion Trinity. The battle-tested Indians pull away late.

 

Montgomery County 74

Bishop Brossart 66

 

Scott vs. Clark County. Scott took the regular-season tilt by 19. They win again but this one is much closer.

 

Scott 58

Clark County 52

 

Finals.

 

Montgomery County vs. Scott.

 

Indians live up to the pre-season hype and Mr. Basketball candidate fills the stat sheet.

 

Montgomery County 80

Scott 66

 

 

 

But hey - I could be wrong!

Edited by mcpapa
fumble fingers
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I recommend Pasquale's anyway, if you like Italian. Great Calzones & Steak hoagies. :thumb:

 

Shameless plug for Pasquale's ahead.

 

Wednesday evenings (not a tourney date) are almost always Pasquale evenings for papa and clan. Special is spaghetti with one topping, garlic bread, salad and drink for $5.50.

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Well done folks!

Hope gas prices go down, I plan on making several trips to the field house this week. Does DeShays take reservations?

 

I've never needed them, but then again I've not gone there at tourney time. Could be a different story.

 

And don't I owe you a chicken dinner from a while back?

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I've never needed them, but then again I've not gone there at tourney time. Could be a different story.

 

And don't I owe you a chicken dinner from a while back?

 

Matter of fact you do!

Will you be around tonight?

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