article 14th Region Tournament Preview

It’s that time of the year again, time for regional tournament action. The 14^th region tournament is one of the more exciting region tournaments across the bluegrass and 2014 will be no exception, especially with the first round matchups. The Region tournament kicks off Wednesday March 5^th and will run through Tuesday March 11^th and will be held at Perry County Central High School. John C. Combs Arena.

 

 

FAVORITE:

KNOTT COUNTY CENTRAL:

The 14^th region runs through Knott County Central and will stay that way until someone knocks them off their throne. The Patriots finished the regular season 22-6 overall and 13-1 against region opponents. Knott County Central will be representing the 14^th region as 53^rd district champs and will have a tough first round opponent in Perry County Central, a team that the Pats defeated just a few weeks ago, 77-60.

 

Players to watch: Camron Justice (26 PPG, 3 boards PG), Evan Hall (16 PPG, 8 boards PG), Simon Christon (7 PPG, 5 boards PG), Chance Cornett (9 PPG, 7 boards PG)

 

 

CONTENDERS:

PERRY COUNTY CENTRAL:

The Commodores finished the season 21-8 and 8-4 against region opponents but the Dores are 6-0 at home this season with wins over; Hazard, Breathitt County, Powell County, Lakota East OH, Greenwich CT and Jackson County. The Commodores have the talent to win the region and go to Rupp but they also have the defending champs, Knott County Central, in their way.

 

Players to watch: Braxton Beverly (22 PPG, 5 boards PG), Justin Johnson (23 PPG, 18 boards PG)

 

 

CORDIA:

Since becoming the head coach at Cordia 3 years ago, Coach Rodrick Rhodes has turned that team into a 14^th region powerhouse, going to the regional tournament 2 of the 3 years he’s been on Lotts Creek. Cordia finished the season 23-8 overall and 14-3 against region opponents. Cordia already owns two victories over their first round opponent, Hazard.

 

Players to watch: JJ Catchings, Christen Cunningham, Richard Chapman, Josh Ortiz, Anthony Tagaloa, Felix Frimpong, Omuar Keita.

 

 

HAZARD:

The Bulldogs and coach Hollan are always have good teams and this year is no exception. The Bulldogs have the talent to win the region and nothing would make this year any better than to go on their district and crosstown rival’s home court and cut the nets down and leave with the hardware. The Bulldogs are hot at the right time, winning 8 straight and 9 of their last 10. Hazard, however, has lost two meetings this season against their first round opponent, Cordia.

 

Players to watch: Chris Hudson, Collier Mobelini, Josh Hollan, Matt Thompson, Griffin Wells

 

 

DARK HORSE:

BREATHITT COUNTY:

The Bobcats have surprised everyone this season, winning games that people that they’d be in a rebuilding mode. The Bobcats finish the season at 23-8 overall and 14-6 against region opponents. This will be the first time in two years that Breathitt County and Estill County have met.

 

Players to watch: Wes Noble, Glenn Campbell, Chris Baker.

 

 

 

SLEEPER:

ESTILL COUNTY:

This is the fourth straight years that the Engineers have made it to the regional tournament, two of those year’s, Estill County has won their first round game, one of the wins one of the losses came against Breathitt County, the team that the Engineers will meet in the first round of the region tournament.

 

Players to watch: Trevor Jones (17 PPG, 3 boars PG, 2 3’s PG), Trevor Jenkins (12 PPG, 3 boards PG), Trenton Jenkins (7 PPG, 8 boards PG), Kris Dennis (8 PPG, 6 boards PG).

 

 

 

Keep An Eye On:

POWELL COUNTY:

The Pirates are the 56^th district champs and will be playing in the regional tournament with a heavy heart and they have the talent to be playing on Monday night in the semi-finals.

Players to watch: Brett Goodwin, Austin Mullins, Caleb McCoy, Brad Smith.

 

 

WOLFE COUNTY:

The Wolves are 5-5 in their last 10 games, one of those 5 wins, was against their first round opponent, Powell County. The Wolves have defeated the Pirates twice this season, both by double digits.

 

Players to watch: Bradley Lawson (14 PPG, 4 boards PG), Jeffrey Terrill (11 PPG, 8 boards PG), Garrett Dunn (10 PPG), Corey Conway (8 PPG, 5 boards PG)

 

 

The Pairings:

Wed. March 5...6:30 PM...Breathitt County vs. Estill County

Wed. March 5...8:15 PM...Knott County Central at Perry County Central

Thurs. March 6...6:30 PM...Cordia vs. Hazard

Thurs. March 6...8:15 PM....Powell County vs. Wolfe County

Monday March 10...6:30 PM...Semi-Finals #1

Monday March 10...8:15 PM...Semi-Finals #2

Tuesday March 11...7 PM....Championship

 

 

MY PREDICTIONS:

Estill County over Breathitt County, 57-55

Perry County Central over Knott County Central 63-59

Hazard over Cordia 61-58

Powell County over Wolfe County 59-55

 

Perry County Central over Estill County 77-53

Hazard over Powell County 69-52

 

Perry County Central over Hazard 61-59

Anyone agree/disagree?

Breathitt County over Estill County

Knott County Central over Perry County Central

Cordia over Hazard

Powell County over Wolfe County

 

Knott County Central over Breathitt County

Cordia over Powell County

 

Knott County Central over Cordia