Bracken County vs. Mason County (39th District Final)

Thursday, February 22, 8:00 at the Mason County Fieldhouse.

A big mismatch on paper, but we found out last night that they play the games for a reason. Bracken County (5-23, 1-15 region) took advantage of the district draw (rather than seeding) and pulled a rabbit out of the hat against Saint Patrick. Trailing by 2, the game looked to be over on a ball out of bounds as the horn sounded at the end of regulation. After review, two-tenths of a second was put back on the clock, Tad Fisher converted a tip-in at the horn, and Bracken went on to win in overtime. The win gave the Polar Bears consecutive wins for the first time this season as well as its first win in the 10th region.

In the first district semi, Mason County had little trouble dispatching the Augusta Panthers; racing out to a 19-point lead at halftime and never looking back. Leevi Dunaway scored 38 points, including 3-6 from distance and 19-23 from the charity stripe.

This two teams met in mid-December, with the Royals winning at Augusta 69-45. A lot has changed since then for the Royals. Mason County led by just 6 at the half, but pulled away in the third quarter. Caleb Boyd scored 11 and Jayden Stewart had 15 in that one, and neither is now with the team. Center Dalton Perkins' availability (concussion) is questionable. The Polar Bears were led by Tad and Tanner Fisher with 14 and 9.

Mason County is led in scoring on the season by Leevi Dunaway (20.0, 5.5 RPG), Jaylen Lofton (11.4, 7.3 RPG) and Malcolm Devine (8.8, and now starting). Xylon Frey and freshman Jeremiah Jones are the other two projected starters if Perkins is unable to return, and 6th man Carson Brammer connects on over 40% from distance.

The Bears are paced by Tanner and Tad Fisher as well as Mason Tucker, while senior big man Trey Deaton has had a solid season in the post - connecting on nearly 56% of his field goals and averaging over 6 RPG.

Coach Hinson will almost certainly try to establish tempo much as he did in the St. Patrick game, while the Royals want to run and then press after made shots. Can Bracken slow the game down, stay in it and pull another rabbit out of the hat, or will Mason be able to speed things up? I look for the Bears to come out in zone and dare the Royals to make threes; and if they eventually force the Bears to abandon the zone, Dunaway and Lofton will penetrate to the basket. If Mason comes out cold, things may get interesting.

Mason County 63

Bracken County 55

I will go with the Royals on this one.

Mason by 10+.

Mason County and a running clock.

Royals by 19.

BC on a last second Mason Tucker 3

BC 52

Maco 51

BC on a last second Mason Tucker 3

BC 52

Maco 51

I hope.

He's been playing very well of late.

Thursday, February 22, 8:00 at the Mason County Fieldhouse.

 

A big mismatch on paper, but we found out last night that they play the games for a reason. Bracken County (5-23, 1-15 region) took advantage of the district draw (rather than seeding) and pulled a rabbit out of the hat against Saint Patrick. Training by 2, the game looked to be over on a ball out of bounds as the horn sounded at the end of regulation. After review, two-tenths of a second was put back on the block, Tad Fisher converted a tip-in at the horn, and Bracken went on to win in overtime. The win gave the Polar Bears consecutive wins for the first time this season as well as its first win in the 10th region.

 

In the first district semi, Mason County had little trouble dispatching the Augusta Panthers; racing out to a 19-point lead and never looking back. Leevi Dunaway scored 38 points, including 3-6 from distance and 19-23 from the charity stripe.

 

This two teams met in mid-December, with the Royals winning at Augusta 69-45. A lot has changed since then for the Royals. Mason County led by just 6 at the half, but pulled away in the third quarter. Caleb Boyd scored 11 and Jayden Stewart had 15 in that one, and neither is now with the team. Center Dalton Perkins' availability (concussion) is questionable. The Polar Bears were led by Tad and Tanner Fisher with 14 and 9.

 

Mason County is led in scoring on the season by Leevi Dunaway (20.0, 5.5 RPG), Jaylen Lofton (11.4, 7.3 RPG) and Malcolm Devine (8.8, and now starting). Xylon Frey and freshman Jeremiah Jones are the other two projected starters if Perkins is unable to return, and 6th man Carson Brammer connects on over 40% from distance.

 

The Bears are paced by Tanner and Tad Fisher as well as Mason Tucker, while senior big man Trey Deaton has had a solid season in the post - connecting on nearly 56% of his field goals and averaging over 6 RPG.

 

Coach Hinson will almost certainly try to establish tempo much as he did in the St. Patrick game, while the Royals want to run and then press after made shots. Can Bracken slow the game down, stay in it and pull another rabbit out of the hat, or will Mason be able to speed things up? I look for the Bears to come out in zone and dare the Royals to make threes; and if they eventually force the Bears to abandon the zone, Dunaway and Lofton will penetrate to the basket. If Mason comes out cold, things may get interesting.

 

Mason County 63

Bracken County 55

I know I'm in the early stages of alzheimers, but could have swore BC played MC at The Fieldhouse not long ago with Maco without Steward and Boyd. Of course I think I also used to golf with a young guy similar to an mcpapa, may be mistaken though

I know I'm in the early stages of alzheimers, but could have swore BC played MC at The Fieldhouse not long ago with Maco without Steward and Boyd. Of course I think I also used to golf with a young guy similar to an mcpapa, may be mistaken though

Mason County played bracken at the Fieldhouse on January 31,2018 and Mason County won 84-56 with players they had on Monday night against Augusta except Perkins, 2/19/18.

Interesting that @mcpapa mentions that Bracken must control the tempo and slow it down. Brossart, who is known to try to control the tempo of a game was averaging around 58 PPG before they beat Mason yet went off for a season high 84 against them.

Mason seems to have 2 teams, we will see which one shows up tonight. My guess is Mason will pull it out.

I know I'm in the early stages of alzheimers, but could have swore BC played MC at The Fieldhouse not long ago with Maco without Steward and Boyd. Of course I think I also used to golf with a young guy similar to an mcpapa, may be mistaken though

That guy had a brain.

Every other team in the region wishes they played in that district facing that weak competition year after year. Mason is so fortunate. Even in a very average season they are still favored.

Headed over in a few minutes. Free popcorn upon request.

Headed over in a few minutes. Free popcorn upon request.

Can I just have the dollar?

Can I just have the dollar?

always an opportunist.