article 10th Region Tournament Preview

District tournaments were held last week, the draw was Saturday and the pairings are set. Games are at the Mason County Fieldhouse.

Campbell County vs. Clark County, Wednesday, March 1, 6:00 PM

Campbell County (37th district champion, 28-4, 12-1 region, 5-0 district). Campbell County enters the tournament as the top-ranked team in the region. The Camels cruised past Calvary Christian in the 37th district semis 87-35 before hooking up with Scott in a memorable district final that wasn't decided until Cole Hegyi's traditional 3-point play at the end. That play generated much discussion here - was the shot a prayer, was it a foul, etc. In any event, Hegyi finished with 18, Garren Bertsch with 20 and Tanner Clos chipped in another dozen. Pretty much a mirror image of the trio's season stats; the three average 18.3, 18.1 and 8.9 PPG. Hegyi leads the team in rebounds at 5.4, Betsch contributes another 4.9 and averages nearly 87% from the line.

Clark County (40th district runnerup, 20-12, 10-4 region, 5-3 district). Coach Josh Cooks's squad looks to be much improved since being trounced by the Camels by the score of 91-65 in the second week of the season, and returns to the regional tournament after a 2-year absence. The Cardinals dispatched Montgomery County 57-44 in the district semis behind the steady trio of Ryan Cooper, Jordan Graham and Will Philpot. All three average in double figures, with Cooper shooting a nifty 44% from behind the arc and Philpot pulling down 9 rebounds per game. The Cards fell to Paris for the third time this season in the district finals by a dozen, surrendering the ball 23 times on turnovers. The Cards have no seniors on this season's roster, but they aren't waiting 'till next year just yet.

Papa's peerless prediction: Campbell County 64 Clark County 57, but Clark is capable of pulling the upset.

Harrison County - Bracken County, Wednesday, March 1, 7:30 PM

Harrison County (38th district champs, 6-25, 4-13 region, 2-3 district). Harrison picked the right time of year to put things together, snapping a 9-game skid in the district semifinal win over heavily-favored Pendleton County, 63-55. The Breds then dispatched Robertson County 58-44 in the finals. Harrison and Bracken split their two previous games this season; Harrison on their home court and Bracken on a neutral court. Harrison relies heavily on the backcourt of Spencer Free (12.7 PPG, 42% from distance) and Quinton Turley (12.4 PPG). However, it has been reported that Free suffered an elbow injury and will not be available to play on Wednesday.

Bracken County (39th district runner-up, 16-14, 11-8 region, 1-2 district - (not a misprint, refer to the eleventy-billion post thread about 10th region draw/seeding/Bracken County/Augusta/St. Patrick)). The senior-laden Polar Bears struggled against St. Patrick in the first half of the district semis before prevailing 68-53 behind POY candidate Austin Crawford and forwards Brady Jones and Cooper Engnes. A much-anticipated district final saw Crawford erupt for 45 in what was ultimately a 5-point loss to Mason County. Crawford is one of the newest members of the Commonwealth's 3000-point/1000-rebound club, and comes in averaging 25.2 and 8.2. Jones and Engnes contribute 10.5 and 9.5 respectively.

Papa's peerless prediction - Free's absence will make what could have a close contest not so close. Bracken County 74 Harrison County 54.

Paris vs. Robertson County, Thursday, March 2, 6:00

Paris (40th district champs, 25-7, 18-1 region, 8-0 region). Coach Terrance Brooks and the Greyhounds come into the regional tournament with a state All-A championship trophy, a 40th district championship trophy, and have won 16 of their last 17 games. The Hounds raced past Bourbon County 75-46 in the district semis, then defeated Clark County 68-56 behind Jekobi Wells' 21 in the finals to keep their district record unblemished. Wells (17.0/6.0) and floor general Eric Johnson (14.7/4.3) have propelled Paris to the region's number 2 spot, and should take care of surprising Robertson County.

Robertson County (38th district runnerup, 16-14, 6-8 region, 1-4 district). The Black Devils avenged a pair of regular-season losses in the district final, then fell to Harrison County 58-44 in the final. Robertson is paced by prolific junior Mason Burden, but also relies on Alex Schalch, Dakota Moore and Austin Dugan for support. This will be Robertson's first meeting with Paris this season.

Papa's peerless prediction: Robertson is guaranteed to finish the season with a winning record, but Paris will be way too much. Paris 80 Robertson County 53

Mason County vs. Scott, Thursday, March 2, 7:30 PM

Mason County (39th district champs, 17-15, 9-6 region, 4-0 district). Coach Biddy Biggs' Royals have endured defections, suspensions and injuries but seem to be putting things together at the right time and are riding a modest 5-game winning streak. Sluggish early in their 54-36 district semifinal win over Augusta, they rode a 30/10 performance from Leevi Dunaway and major contributions from Tyrion Fox and Jaylen Lofton to the 73-68 win over Bracken County in the district final. Another young squad (Fox is the lone senior on the roster), the aforementioned trio all average double figures, with Dunaway leading the way at 22.3. Mason fell to Scott 85-72 in December.

Scott (37th district runnerup, 18-12, 7-2 region, 3-2 district). The only two 10th region defeats for Scott this year were a 2-point loss to Campbell County and a 1-point loss to Campbell in the district finals. All-region POY candidate Jake Ohmer - maybe as good a baseball player as a hoopster - averages 26.3 PPG and is adept at getting to the rim and the line as anyone in the region. 52% FG%, 40% from three and 85.6% from the line attest to the fact that Ohmer can score from anywhere on the court. Key supporters are "little brother" Chad, Vince Dumlao, Tim Jolley and Nelson Perrin, all of whom are capable of putting up double figures.

Papa's peerless prediction: One of the two really intriguing quarterfinal matchups (along with game 1). Papa sees a close one, with Scott ultimately hitting FTs down the stretch. Scott 76 Mason County 71.

Semifinals, Monday, March 6, 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Finals, Tuesday, March 7, 7:00 PM

Regional tournament recap, all-10th performers, POY and COY next week.

The draw was very kind to Bracken and Paris.

The draw was very kind to Bracken and Paris.

What would've been the ideal draw in your opinion? I agree that the draw was very kind to Bracken, but someone had to get Robertson so I'm okay with Paris getting them.

What would've been the ideal draw in your opinion? I agree that the draw was very kind to Bracken, but someone had to get Robertson so I'm okay with Paris getting them.

The draw was kind to whichever two teams ended up getting Harrison and Robertson.

The draw was very kind to Bracken and Paris.

Not so kind to GRC......

The draw was kind to whichever two teams ended up getting Harrison and Robertson.

So then

Campbell/Bracken

Harrison/GRC

Paris/Robertson

Mason/Scott?

Not so kind to GRC......

Nor Campbell my friend.

Sorry to hear that Free is out for Harrison.

I had almost convinced myself that Harrison, with late season momentum was capable of sending the Polar Bears to baseball season, BUT with the absence of 12.7ppg in the lineup, that dream seems to have left the building for the Thorobreds.

Nor Campbell my friend.

There is one issue the won't be a factor with this game, both teams will be playing on neutral court with each team being about an hour from home. Man the beauty of the central location.

There is one issue the won't be a factor with this game, both teams will be playing on neutral court with each team being about an hour from home. Man the beauty of the central location.

You said it! So glad not to be going over the river and through the woods and past GRC to get to the game site in Timbuktu. I think last year someone referred to it as "the other side of hell" or somesuch.

You said it! So glad not to be going over the river and through the woods and past GRC to get to the game site in Timbuktu. I think last year someone referred to it as "the other side of hell" or somesuch.

That drive wasn't so bad for me, but I couldn't imagine driving two hours, on a school bus, after school for a basketball game, on a school night. Just inconvenient and unnecessary.

If Spencer Free DOES play and can be effective, the Bracken-Harrison game will obviously be more competitive. Bracken 70 Harrison 60.

Anything can happen. Dont underestimate the breds

Why does everyone complain about travel? The way people stay on this site I would think they would wear gasoline drawers in hell to support their squad...it's not an ideal trip to Robertson/Bracken w 50 deer daring you to drive those silly roads...venue doesn't matter....play ball!!