article Inside the 12th Region Final Edition

12th Region Basketball

The 2016-2017 season started on November 28th and twelve weeks later the regular season has come to an end. The post season is upon us and it’s win or go home. This season has proven that there is no true favorite in the 12th Region. Although Pulaski County has held the #1 spot for most of the year, they have shown vulnerability down the stretch. Southwestern is picking up momentum at the right time and currently sits in the top spot to end the regular season. But, don’t count out Mercer County or Lincoln County because both of those teams are capable of putting together a run to win the 12th Region. You could probably pick either Southwestern, Pulaski County, Mercer County, or Lincoln County as the favorite to win the 12th Region. But, there are four other teams that are capable of beating any of those teams. Rockcastle County, Wayne County, West Jessamine, and Boyle County have all proven they can beat any 12th Region team on any given night. The question for them is can they be poised enough to win multiple games on the quest for the crown? But, let’s not forget about Casey County, Danville, Somerset, or Garrard County. All four of those teams could be spoilers for a team in the first round of the district if overlooked. So, if you follow the 12th Region, you know this region is wide open. Let’s get the postseason started!!

Final 12th Region Rankings:

1) Southwestern (23-5) - The Warriors finished the season as the state’s highest scoring team averaging 81.1 points per game. They also finish as the top free throw shooting team in the state averaging 82.2% from the line. The Warriors are the top seed in the 48th District which gives them an automatic bid to the 12th Region tournament. The Warriors look to go deep into the playoffs behind the scoring of Peyton Gover who is the 12th Region Player of the Year. Southwestern will play the winner of Wayne County and McCreary Central in the 48th District Championship game.

2) Lincoln County (21-9) - The Patriots finish the season as one of the better shooting teams in the state as they are ranked second in three point shooting averaging 41.9% from behind the arch as a team. They are also ranked #18 in field goal percentage with 50.1%. Plus, the Patriots are ranked #19 in the state in free throw percentage shooting 73.3% from the line as a team. The Patriots come into the postseason as the top seed in the 45th District and are led by Senior point guard Noah Young. They will play the winner of Garrard County and Kentucky School f/t Deaf in the 45th District semifinals this week.

3) Mercer County (21-7) - The Titans have put together a solid season for a team that was suppose to be in a rebuilding year. But, when you have Trevon Faulkner, one of the top juniors in the state, on your team it makes things easier to build around. The Titans finish the regular season tied for fourth in the state in scoring averaging 80.0 points per game as a team. They are also ranked #14 in scoring margin with a 15.1 difference. The Titans come in at #9 in the state in free throw percentage at 75.1%. Mercer County is the top seed in the 46th District and play Burgin in the first round of district play.

4) Pulaski County (22-7) - The Maroons came into the season as the favorite to win the 12th Region. But, Pulaski has lost to three of the last five 12th Region opponents they have faced. The Maroons also lost to their first round 47th District opponent Somerset a little over a month ago. But, Pulaski is loaded with talent and is a team capable of rolling off five straight wins. One question we will be waiting to see is if Danny Butt returns to the lineup and how effective will he be after fracturing a bone in his foot? Pulaski County is the top seed in the 47th District and will face Somerset in the first round Tuesday night.

5) Rockcastle County (19-10) - The Rockets are a senior led team that has the ability to beat anyone in the 12th Region on any given night.They are led by seniors John Cornelius and Carson Noble. They finish the season ranked #15 in the state in 3-point shooting averaging 39.7% from behind the arch as a team. They are the second seed in the 47th District and play Casey County in the first game. This will be a game to watch since they split the regular season 1-1.

6) West Jessamine (14-15) - The Colts have played one of the toughest regular season schedules in the 12th Region and are hoping it pays off in the postseason. West is the second seed in the 46th District and play East Jessamine in the first round. They have beaten East both times they have played but everyone knows a crosstown rivalry game in a win or go home situation will not be an easy task.

7) Boyle County (15-13) - The Rebels are on a three game winning streak and are playing pretty good basketball coming into the postseason. But, Boyle County has one of the toughest first round challenges in the 12th Region. The Rebels get to play crosstown rival Danville with a birth in the regional tournament on the line and the loser goes home. They split the two meetings they had with Danville this season but this meeting will be for all the marbles.

8) Wayne County (15-15) - The Cardinals have been playing pretty good as of late winning six of their last eight games to close out the regular season. They face McCreary Central for the right to move on to the 12th Region tournament. Wayne County beat McCreary handily both times they played this year and should move on to face Southwestern in the 48th District Championship game.

9) East Jessamine (12-18) - The Jaguars are an improved team this season and have won four games in a row heading into the postseason. East is the #3 seed in the 46th District and play West Jessamine in the first round. They have met twice this season with West winning both times but East is hoping the third time’s a charm this week.

10) Danville (11-17) - The Admirals have been an up and down team this year. They have beaten everyone in their region but have lost to those same teams. Danville is the #3 seed in the 45th District Tournament and face Boyle County. This is definitely a game to keep an eye on as the record is 1-1 with Boyle County and this is a rivalry rubber match with a region appearance on the line.

11) Casey County (9-20) - The Rebels were hoping for a better regulars season record but they are a team that comes to life when the playoffs roll around. Last year they had a losing record coming into the postseason but ended up in the 12th Region finals. Could the Rebels pull off another run in the 12th Region? We will find out in two days as they will have Rockcastle County in the first game of the 47th District Tournament.

12) Somerset (10-17) - The Briar Jumpers are a team of mystery this season. They have beaten Pulaski County once this year but have struggled to beat teams that are sub par. The Jumpers are the 4th seed in the 47th District Tournament and will get the opportunity to play Pulaski County for the fourth time this season.

13) McCreary Central (15-14) - The Raiders started the season strong but have lost ten of the last thirteen games they played. They will be playing Wayne County tonight in the 48th District Tournament which they lost both times they played this season.

14) Garrard County (8-22) - The Golden Lions got off to a slow start this season but gradually improved as the season progressed. They got a couple of good wins over Danville and Casey County and even took top seed Lincoln County into overtime in their last meeting. Garrard will play KSD in the first round and should win that one setting up another meeting with Lincoln County.

15) Burgin (14-14) - The Bulldogs struggled against 12th Region competition this season but put together a respectable record against equal caliber teams from across the state. The Bulldogs are the 4th seed and will play Mercer County in the 46th District Tournament.

16) Kentucky School f/t Deaf (2-18) - The Colonels have struggled this year but the kids have had the opportunity to travel to other states and have fun playing basketball. KSD will play Garrard County tonight in the play in game of the 45th District Tournament.

2017 12th Region’s Top Players:

1) Peyton Gover (Southwestern) - The senior point guard led the 12th region in scoring averaged 29.5 points per game and is the 12th Region Player of the Year.

2) Trevon Faulkner (Mercer County) - The junior athlete averaged a double-double for the season with 24.3 points per game and 12.1 rebounds per game for the Titans.

3) Steven Fitzgerald (Pulaski County) - The junior athlete averaged 25 points per game on 55.9% from the field. He also pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game.

4) Noah Young (Lincoln County) - The senior point guard averaged 24.3 points per game for the Patriots while shooting 50.2% from the field.

5) Jacob Smith (Casey County) - The senior guard averaged 21.5 points per game for the Rebels while shooting 42.8% from the field.

6) John Cornelius (Rockcastle County) - The senior guard averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 51.4% from the field for the Rockets.

7) Landon Powell (Pulaski County) - The senior guard averaged 19.0 points per game while shooting 52.4% from the field.

8) Isaiah Okesson (West Jessamine) - The senior guard averaged 19.4 points per game while shooting 47.8% from the field for the Colts.

9) Jakson Baker (Wayne County) - The junior forward averaged a double-double for the season with 17.0 point per game and 10.5 rebounds for the Cardinals.

10) Bryce Slone (Boyle County) - The junior guard averaged 18.9 points per game for the Rebels while shooting 47.4% from the field.

Great recap...Post Season should be awesome

Nice work SHS Future. I would not be surprised to see a couple of upsets in the 12 region this year.

82.2%?!?!?!?

That is crazy good! Are they on pace to set the state record? How many times has a team ever been over 80%?

I'm just pulling for a huge upset tonight!!!

It's a shame Southwestern couldn't travel Mercer last week (sickness). #1 scoring team versus #4 scoring team. Would have been a fun game and could have given us a better idea of what to think about that match-up!

82.2%?!?!?!?

That is crazy good! Are they on pace to set the state record? How many times has a team ever been over 80%?

Not sure the record but it seems like Wayne County shot a crazy figure a few years back. I'd have to look it up.

Tickets punched so far:

Pulaski County

Southwestern

Wayne County

Mercer County

West Jessamine

Lincoln County

Games remaining:

Danville/Boyle County

Casey County/Rockcastle County

Tickets punched so far:

 

Pulaski County

Southwestern

Wayne County

Mercer County

West Jessamine

Lincoln County

 

 

Games remaining:

 

Danville/Boyle County

Casey County/Rockcastle County

Looking forward to these two games tonight. Both have the potential to be really good games and possible upsets. I will be at the Rock/ Casey game but will be following the Boyle/Danville game on BGPs.

Region field is set. Just waiting on the seedings now.

Tickets punched:

Boyle County

Rockcastle County

Pulaski County

Southwestern

Wayne County

Mercer County

West Jessamine

Lincoln County

The top 8 teams in the weekly @SHS Future 12th Region article is a testament to the excellent work he has done this year! Job well done!!!! Thank you for the articles!!!

Biggest surprise for me (from preseason to now) is no Casey County in the region tourney.

District Champions:

45th - Lincoln County

46th - Mercer County

47th - Pulaski County

48th - Southwestern

District Runner-up:

45th - Boyle County

46th - West Jessamine

47th - Rockcastle County

48th - Wayne County