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2016 10th Region Tournament Preview

Randy Parker
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Randy Parker

Randy Parker

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Of the 8 teams that took part in the 2015 10th Region Tournament, 7 of them return for a chance at the title in 2016. The one newcomer just so happens to be this year's host, as Montgomery County takes its third turn as the site for the 10th's annual March showdown. Two-time defending champion Campbell County is back, joining the Indians as one of the favorites. The two schools have won the last 3 tournaments. 40th District champion Paris is another favorite, as the Greyhounds have won a Region-leading 23 games thus far. Augusta is arguably the hottest team in the 10th, winners of 9 straight contests. Last year's runner-up Scott is back again and looks to win one more game than it did last year. Pendleton County is perhaps playing its best ball of the season right now, while Mason County will be hungry to rectify the disappointing ending to the 39th District Tournament. Harrison County enters as the field's greatest underdog, but the Thorobreds provided plenty of shock value last season.

 

The Pairings

 

Wednesday, March 2nd (6:00 pm) - Campbell County vs. Mason County

Wednesday, March 2nd (7:45 pm) - Paris vs. Harrison County

 

Thursday, March 3rd (6:00 pm) - Pendleton County vs. Montgomery County

Thursday, March 3rd (7:45 pm)​ - Augusta vs. Scott

 

Monday, March 7th (6:00 pm) - Semi-Final #1

Monday, March 7th (7:45 pm) - Semi-Final #2

 

Tuesday, March 8th (7:00 pm)​ - Championship Game

 

The Teams

 

Campbell County Camels

Head Coach: Aric Russell

Record: 19-12 (37th District Champions)

Key Players: Matt Wilson - 6'9" Sr. (19.9 ppg & 11.9 rpg), Cole Hegyi - 6'3" Jr. (12.2 ppg), Trent McGovney - 5'11" Sr. (8.2 ppg)

The Camels are the 2-time defending 10th Region Champions and for a third straight year, Aric Russell's club will play the tournament's first game. The team leader is undoubtedly senior big man Matt Wilson, an Army signee, who has averaged a double-double for three consecutive seasons. Fellow senior Trent McGovney has been running the point for 3 seasons now, and brings plenty of experience and leadership to the table, while junior swingman Cole Hegyi is the team's #2 scorer. Lanky junior forward Garren Bertsch leads Campbell in 3-pointers made (57) and had an outstanding District Tournament. The Camels have won 11 of their last 12 games and seem primed to make another run at the Regional crown.

 

 

Mason County Royals

Head Coach: Buddy Biggs

Record: 20-10 (39th District Runner-Up)

Key Players: Antwavon "Pig" Williams - 6'0 Sr. (19.6 ppg), Conner Sweeney 6'6" Sr. (14.7 ppg & 6.8 rpg), Isiah Garrison 6'0 Soph. (12.9 ppg & 47.8% FG's)

 

First-year Royals coach Buddy Biggs brings his squad into the 10th Region Tournament with somewhat of a limp. Mason County lost 3 of its last 5 regular season games, including a heartbreaking loss to Augusta in the 39th District finals. Pig Williams is a sensational point guard who leads the team in scoring and is one of the 10th's top overall defensive performers. Sophomore Isiah Garrison joins Williams to form an excellent back court. The duo combined to score 40 of the team's 61 points in the District championship. Conner Sweeney and Darren Williams, a pair of 6'6" seniors, give the Royals some versatility and size in the front court. It will be interesting to see how Mason responds to the District loss, but if this team is clicking, watch out.

 

 

Paris Greyhounds

Head Coach: Terence Brooks

Record: 23-5 (40th District Champions)

Key Players: Koebe Garrard - 6'3" Sr. (16.8 ppg & 7.7 rpg), Jekobi Wells - 6'3" Jr. (12.3 ppg & 53.2% FG's), James Clark - 5'10" Sr. (8.9 ppg)

 

The Greyhounds claimed their 2nd straight 40th District crown by beating Montgomery County for an impressive third time this year, and now the team that won the most regular season games will play the team in the field that won the fewest games: Harrison County. Terence Brooks' team is likely the deepest in the entire Region, but senior Koebe Garrard is the roster's unquestioned leader. Garrard is the #1 scorer and #2 rebounder for the Hounds, while junior wing Jekobi Wells is the #2 scorer and #1 rebounder. Sophomore guard Eric Johnson has had a strong season at 9.4 ppg, while the back court tandem of James Clark (5'10" Sr.) and Marcus Ashford (5'7" Soph.) will frustrate opposing guards. Paris came up just shy in its goal of winning the 10th Region Class "A", but hopes to reach the mountaintop this time around.

 

 

Harrison County Thorobreds

Head Coach: Larry Kendall

Record: 12-17 (38th District Runner-Up)

Key Players: Zack Pulliam - 6'4" Sr. (12.5 ppg), Jovon Williams - 6'2" Sr. (10.8 ppg), Spencer Free - 6'2" Fr. (7.8 ppg & 78.1% FT's)

 

Larry Kendall's Thorobreds enter the Regional Tournament in a bit of a slump, owning a 2-7 record since the start of February. The Breds gave Pendleton County a battle, but eventually finished runner-up in the 38th for a second straight season. Long, agile forward Zack Pulliam is the team's scoring leader, while Jovon Williams is the team's #2 scorer. Williams is also one of the 10th's most elite defenders. The Breds have an experienced senior running the point in Brock Jenkins, but the youth movement is strong as well with freshman wing Spencer Free. The Thorobreds pulled a stunner in last year's opening round by defeating favorite Mason County, but they will have their work cut out for them in duplicating that this year.

 

 

Pendleton County Wildcats

Head Coach: Keaton Belcher

Record: 16-16 (38th District Champions)

Key Players: Dontaie Allen - 6'5" Fr. (22.4 ppg & 9.4 rpg), Hunter Wood - 5'9" Sr. (7.6 ppg), Mason Dennie - 6'0 Jr. (8.7 ppg & 47.4% FG's)

 

Belcher's Bombers cut down the 38th District nets for a second straight season, but even before the post-season success, the Wildcats were playing as well as most 10th Region squads. Of their final 4 regular season wins, the Cats won at Campbell County, at Paris, and at Mason County. While Belcher's bunch has some experienced talent, it is led by fantastic freshman wing Dontaie Allen, who is one of the 10th's top individual players. Savvy point guard Hunter Wood is the senior catalyst running the point, and junior wing Mason Dennie has come on strong in the second half of the season. Pendleton isn't the perimeter power it was last year, but the club isn't far off either. When the Cats are hitting from beyond the arc, they're capable of beating anyone.

 

 

Montgomery County Indians

Head Coach: Matt Daniel

Record: 20-11 (40th District Runner-Up)

Key Players: Caswell Fuller - 5'10" Sr. (13 ppg & 50.3% FG's), Art Walker - 6'3" Sr. (14.5 ppg & 41.8% 3pt. FG's), Jerryd Jones - 6'4" Jr. (14 ppg & 59.7% FG's)

 

The host Indians put their disappointing 2015 post-season behind them and finished runner-up in the 40th District Tournament. Matt Daniel's squad is the most lethal from beyond the arc, draining 227 treys on the year. Senior Caswell Fuller leads a balanced attack from the point guard position as an able scorer and superior distributor. His senior back court mate Art Walker is one of the deadliest perimeter shooters in the 10th and versatile forward Jerryd Jones is an efficient scorer at nearly 60% field goal shooting. Freshman forward Brennan Canada has been impressive despite his youth, while senior Cody Parsley can both score and defend well. 6'7" senior center Shelby Combs rounds out Daniel's usual 6-man rotation at 7.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg. With above average talent and playing at home, Montgomery is among the favorites to reach Rupp.

 

 

Augusta Panthers

Head Coach: Brian Kirk

Record: 22-6 (39th District Champions)

Key Players: Connor Maddox - 5'11" Sr. (22.1 ppg), Camryn Snapp - 6'3" Sr. (11.8), Owens Crawford - 6'1" Sr. (10.7 ppg)

 

In his first year as the head coach of his alma mater, Brian Kirk continued the post-season magic of his predecessor. The Panthers scored an improbable come-from-behind victory over Mason County to claim their 3rd 39th District crown in 4 years. The senior trio of Connor Maddox, Camryn Snapp, and Owens Crawford have been through the battles, cut down the nets, and they are looking forward to adding the big title to their large collection of hardware. Junior Jared Shoemaker is a crafty left-hander who has enjoyed a fine season and senior transfer Tanner Pugh hit the shot of his life to win the 39th. What Augusta lacks in depth it makes up for with grit and a never-say-die attitude, and Kirk's kids hope to turn their current 9-game winning streak into 12 by tourney's end.

 

 

Scott Eagles

Head Coach: Brad Carr

Record: 13-16 (37th District Runner-Up)

Key Players: Jake Ohmer - 6'0 Jr. (26.3 ppg & 85.5% FT's), Vinnie Duimlao - 6'0 Jr. (9 ppg), Andrew Trame - 6'1" Sr. (7.6 ppg)

 

In the 11 years that Scott has participated in the 10th Region, the program has qualified for the 10th Region Tournament in every year but one (2014). The Eagles have never cut down the nets, but Brad Carr has led his group to runner-up finishes in 2 of the last 3 tournaments. Jake Ohmer is the field's top overall scorer, and does a lot of his damage at the free throw line, where he scores about 30% of his points. Vinnie Duimlao plays bigger than his size, and is second on the team in scoring. Senior Andrew Trame wears a lot of hats for the Eagles and 6'4" senior forward C.J. Seay played well enough to earn All-Tournament honors in the 37th District Tournament. Scott is very much a guard-driven club that plays with tremendous tenacity. And it seems that regardless of his personnel, Carr always has his squad ready for post-season success.

 

 

 

The Predictions

 

Papa's peerless predictions:

 

Campbell County - Mason County. Do the Royals have any answers for the 10th's POY Matt Wilson? Royals are reeling at the wrong time, losing 3 of their last 5, with the only wins in that stretch coming after a sluggish first half against a woeful Fleming County squad and a close one over a feisty Polar Bears team missing a starter. I'd like to see a different outcome, but the 2-time regional champion Camels prevail. 70-58, purple jerseys.

 

Paris - Harrison County. Paris has been hitting on all cylinders - excepting the senior night hiccup against Pendleton County - since Garrard's return. Hounds won this matchup in Cynthiana a week ago and I expect more of the same. 65-52, Greyhounds.

 

Pendleton County - Montgomery County. Wildcats need a typical Dontaie Allen game and major contributions from the likes of Wood, Dennie and Browning to hang with the Indians - the one district loser than nobody wanted to draw in the first round. In the end, too much Art Walker, Jerryd Jones, Caswell Fuller and company. Tribe 72, Cats 65.

 

Scott - Augusta. The most intriguing matchup in the opening round. Augusta handled the Eagles in the middle of the season, and seem to be a team of destiny. Jake Ohmer goes off for 35+, but I'll take the Panthers in a nail-biter; 70-69.

 

Campbell County - Paris. This would be the first meeting of the season for the Camels and the Hounds. Paris will have the crowd behind them in what could be a game talked about in 10th Region circles for a month of Sundays. Paris 80, Campbell County 77 in double overtime.

 

Montgomery County - Augusta. It's been a wild ride for the little town on the river, but the Indians use their size advantage to pound the rock inside to wear down the Panthers. 72 - 66, Indians.

 

Paris - Montgomery County. Ol' papa picked the Indians to cut down the nets in the contest, so there's no backing down now. Fourth time's a charm. Tribe 60, Hounds 56 in another classic.

Julius Randle's on-again-off-again-girlfriend's predictions:

 

Mason County defeats Campbell County

Paris defeats Harrison County

Montgomery County defeats Pendleton County

Scott defeats Augusta

 

Paris defeats Mason County

Montgomery County defeats Scott

 

Montgomery County defeats Paris

 

Randy's Kiss Of Death Predictions:

Campbell County 61

Mason County 58

 

Paris 60

Harrison County 46

 

Montgomery County 66

Pendleton County 58

 

Scott 62

Augusta 59

 

 

Campbell County 64

Paris 63 (OT)

 

Montgomery County 70

Scott 64

 

 

Montgomery County 63

Campbell County 59

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mcpapa

mcpapa

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Always look forward to your previews and predictions. And as always RP and Randels Girlfriend to the point with their picks and mcoldtimer is long winded as usual. But I have to agree with all of wind bags picks. MoCo Paris final with MoCo going to Rupp.

 

Time for me to reconsider.

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Randy Parker

Randy Parker

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Each of the opening round matchups will be rematches:

 

Campbell County won at Mason County 81-65 on January 5th. Camels scored the game's final 15 points in that contest. Matt Wilson finished with 24 & 13.

 

Paris won at Harrison County 51-42 on February 13th. Koebe Garrard scored 4 points on 1-11 shooting, but Jekobi Wells had 15 & Tayjin Cunningham 13.

 

Montgomery County blasted Pendleton County 81-50 on February 12th in Mt. Sterling, which was two days after the Wildcats had won at Campbell County. Indians shot 62.7% from the floor & 50% from 3 in the 31 point win. Eleven MoCo players scored.

 

Augusta won at Scott 67-58 on January 19th. Panthers trailed 37-31 at the half, but owned the 2nd half 36-21. Camryn Snapp had a big night with 24 points & 11 rebounds. This game started a nice streak for the Panthers. They are 11-1 from January 19th through today.

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