article 3rd Region Tournament Preview

Monday at 6pm - Breckenridge County (24-3) v Ohio County (15-15)

Breckenridge rolls into the 3rd Region Tournament with the best overall record in the region. The Tigers overcame upset minded Meade County in the 11th district title game on a last second game winner from Kobe Poole. Poole comes into the regional tournament as the top scorer, putting up 20.7 points per game. The Tigers knocked off Ohio County 76-58 back on February 1st.

Ohio County has been inconsistent all season, but they are dangerous. They have shown the ability to be a very physical team that can shoot the three. If they were to pull the upset, look for Trip Manning and Trey Lewis to have big games beyond the arc.

Breckenridge is a very senior laden team and you can expect them to be a very difficult out.

PREDICTION: BRECKENRIDGE COUNTY

Monday at 7:45pm - Grayson County (17-14) v Owensboro Catholic (17-11)

Grayson County comes into the regional tournament as one of the hottest teams. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a 20 point 2nd half comeback to win the 12th district title in Edmonson County. Q'Daryius McHenry brings a very athletic presence to the Sportscenter. He has been on the doorstep of several triple doubles over the past few weeks.

They will be facing an Owensboro Catholic team that showed a lot of heart in a district elimination game against Daviess County. The Aces got 3 consecutive 3 point FG's from freshman point guard Brian Griffith to power them to the win. Catholic defeated Grayson by 14 in an early season matchup but both teams look a lot different since then. The Aces will have a distinct size advantage with John Parker, Ty Vincent and Jai Webb.

Grayson County mostly runs a 5 guard offense and will need to find an answer in the paint if they want to move on. Tim Riley will have the Aces ready to take advantage of Grayson County's weaknesses.

PREDICTION: OWENSBORO CATHOLIC

TUE at 6pm - Owensboro (20-7) v Meade County (12-17)

Owensboro returns to the 3rd Region Tournament for the first time since winning the state title in 2015. They will return as the team to beat. The Devils have won 13 of 14 and are 13-0 against 3rd region competition. They are the best defensive team in the region and are nearly upset proof because of how well they can get to the rim. Darrion Wimsatt is the cog that powers the Devils. He comes in putting up 19.7 points per game. The guards for Owensboro simply don't turn it over often and in turn, they like to turn you over quite a bit. They are easily the best transition team in the region.

The recipe for Meade, or anyone for that matter will be to hit shots. That is often easier said than done vs Owensboro. The Waves have worked it a patchwork lineup for most of the season, but look mostly healthy coming into the tournament. They are very balanced in scoring, with 4 different players averaging double figures. If Meade is looking for somewhere where they may have an advantage, it may be in physicality. Coach Tripure's teams always bring a physical fight.

Meade will have to stay away from turnovers and work for high percentage shots to pull out a win. Expect the Devil's to win this one going away with extreme ball pressure and fast break points.

PREDICTION: OWENSBORO

TUE at 7:45pm - Muhlenberg County (15-10) v Edmonson County (12-17)

The Mustangs closed out the regular season and district tournament play on the right foot. They have won 6 of their last 8, including a tough district elimination game against red hot Mclean County. They went on to knock off Ohio County to win the 10th district championship. Sophomore guard Nash Divine is the only Mustang to average double figures in scoring at 12.2 points per game. They will need the supporting cast to bring their best game if they want to keep their season alive.

Edmonson County will face an uphill climb, having to recover quickly from a heartbreaking overtime loss in the 12th district title game. They blew a 20 point 2nd half lead before losing by 5. The Wildcats will bring one of the best players to the Sportscenter that 3rd Region fans don't know in Chaz Wilson. Wilson averaged a double double with 14 points and 10 boards a game.

If Edmonson can put the heartbreaking district loss behind them, they'll have a chance but looking at the way these two teams are trending, its Muhlenberg's game to lose.

PREDICTION: MUHLENBERG COUNTY

Check back for updated brackets and matchup breakdowns on Wednesday afternoon.

If I had to seed the Region...

1.Owensboro

2.Breckenridge County

3.Owensboro Catholic

4.Grayson County

5.Muhlenberg County

6.Ohio County

7.Meade County

8.Edmonson County

Semifinal Preview

Friday - 6:30 - Breckenridge County (25-3) v Owensboro Catholic (18-11)

This is the marquee semifinal matchup that everyone looked forward to when the draw took place. Breckenridge survived an upset bid from Ohio County in the first round and will need to get those Sportscenter jitters out of the way in this one. Catholic won the regular season game between the two, way back in the 2nd week of the season. The eye test tells you that these are two different teams right now. Across the board, the talent level seems to be pretty even on both sides. On the benches, both guys know how to win in tournament season. Coach Tim Riley has a state title ring with Warren Central, while Patrick Critchelow has a state title and an NCAA DII title as a player. Expect this one to come down to the final minutes. In crunch time you look to the big players to make plays. There are few in Western Kentucky better than Kobe Poole. After a slow game 1, expect Poole to be the difference maker in this one.

PREDICTION: BRECKENRIDGE COUNTY

Friday - 8:15 - Owensboro (21-7) v Muhlenberg County (16-10)

The Devils remain unbeaten against region competition and for the most part, it hasn't been close. Meade County played a very nice game on Tuesday, but in the end Owensboro was simply to much for the Waves to handle. On the other side, Muhlenberg has found its groove, navigating through a tough district and following that up with a blowout win against Edmonson County. What Muhlenberg does well is what Owensboro does well and while the young Mustangs are finishing their season strong, its difficult to see a path for them to pull an upset and the ultra talented Devils. Right now, this region is Owensboro's to loose.

PREDICTION: OWENSBORO

Finals - Sunday at 3pm

Breck over OC

Muhlenberg over Owensboro.

***Championship Game has been moved to today at 8:15 with the snow chances tomorrow***

Owensboro (22-7) v Breckenridge County (26-3)

Give both of their opponents credit in the semifinals, Muhlenberg and Owensboro Catholic both brought their best efforts to the table. That just proves to me, that the two best teams are going to be playing for a trip to Rupp.

Breckenridge County was preseason #1 and has been around the top of this poll all season. They are led by Kobe Poole (21 ppg) but make no mistake, he is surrounded by a great group of seniors who all play their roles very well. If Breck finds a way to win it, it will likely mean sharpshooter Tanner Whitworth had a big day from beyond the arc. The Tigers on the ball defense will give them a solid chance against the most athletic team in the region.

For the Devils, the recipe has been defense. They do a tremendous job in the half court and turn that into one of the best transition games in the state. Darrion Wimsatt leads the way for Owensboro at the PG spot, putting up 20 ppg. Freshman big man Gavin Wimsatt and sophomore guard Amari Wells have both had big time tourney runs. The transition game makes the Devils seem upset proof but this matchup wouldn’t be much of an upset.

Expect a big time atmosphere tonight at the Sportscenter!

PREDICTION: OWENSBORO