Hopkinsville

 

Even with a young squad, Hopkinsville was still projected as the 2nd Region preseason favorite. But coach Tim Haworth still sees this as a pie-in-the-sky season.

 

"Coming into the year, I never thought we would be 32-2, as young as we are," Haworth said. "We have a sophomore point guard, but we've handled everything well. We're just five points away from being 34-0 I never dreamed of a season like this. They don't come along too often."

 

The Tigers haven't been to the Sweet 16 since a semifinal appearance and a loss to eventual champion Mason County in 2003, but the Tigers have one player who's seen the big floor and bright lights of Rupp Arena.

 

Keyon Wheeler, who was a starter earlier in the season, was a role player for state champion Christian County last year before transferring across town to Hopkinsville last fall. And the Tigers practiced a couple of times at nearby Austin Peay to get the feel of a college-size court.

 

Hopkinsville features a young, athletic squad that starts just one senior, 6-6 center Laurence Smith, and a talented group of underclassmen led by 6-4 freshman forward Jaqualis Matlock, who averages 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

 

"He's been an unbelievable player for us," Haworth said of Matlock. "He has a 6-10 wingspan, so he plays bigger and he can block shots and rebound. And his effort every day in practice has been really pleasing. He's a freshman with the maturity of a senior and he's been our most consistent player and worker. I can count the bad practices he's had on one hand."

 

Sophomore Trey Edwards (6-2) runs the point and 6-2 junior guard Jordan Majors is a dangerous long-range shooter (35 percent from 3-point range) and the Tigers' leading scorer with a 16-point average.

 

T.J. Elam, a 6-2 junior, missed much of the first half of the season with a stress fracture in his back and provides another perimeter threat.

 

"He might be our best athlete and he's a kid that can take the ball to the basket," Haworth said. "He gives us an extra shooter and ballhandler."

 

Hopkinsville has plenty of depth. Haworth said 13 different players have scored in double figures at least once this season. Sophomore Javonte Davis (6-4) had 30 points and 16 rebounds in one game this season and 6-2 junior Robert Bell chipped in with 14 points as the Tigers beat Henderson County in the regional semifinals.

 

"We can't be satisfied with just getting there," Haworth said. "I want to get to Saturday, and we'll see what happens if we get there."

 

 

 

Southwestern

 

First-year Southwestern coach Steve Wright has been to Rupp Arena before. He led South Laurel to the state title in 2005, but none of his current players know what it's like to play on the big stage of the Sweet 16.

 

How will his players handle the experience?

 

"It's nice to have that question asked, because it means you've been there before," Wright said. "The first time I was there as a coach, it was overwhelming for me, and I was 33 years old.

 

"These kids have played so many games, in a lot of different places, tournaments in the summer and stuff. Boys on our teams have played in middle school state championship games and AAU tournaments. Our football kids were one game away from the state finals. The experience is not the same, but it will help, and I hope I can give them some insight."

 

Southwestern (27-8) has been buoyed by several newcomers, including 5-9 sophomore guard David Kapinga, who grew up in Canada and leads the team with a 15-point scoring average.

 

"He plays the point and the two, and he's pretty versatile," Wright said. "He's fairly quick, not explosive, but he's steady and changes directions really well.

 

"When I got here, I hired Mike Collier from North Laurel as an assistant when I came over here, and his son is a freshman and starts for us, too. That was a 2-for-1 deal that really helped us. We added those two to what was already here."

 

Southwestern changed course during the season and went with a smaller lineup, with 6-4, 272-pound center Robby Lewis (an all-state offensive lineman who will play at Morehead State) and forward Justin Epperson exchanged for wing players.

 

"A lot of it depends on who we play," Wright said. "In the regional, against West Jessamine, we went with a smaller lineup."

 

The Warriors can go up to 10-deep, and several in the rotation are underclassmen. Sophomore Justin Edwards, a 6-5 sophomore, averages 13 points per game and leads the team in rebounds. Also, freshmen Dylan Gaskin and Adam Isaacs will see time off the bench.

 

Hopkinsville's athletic club probably ensures that Wright goes with a smaller, quicker lineup in the opening-round game.

Awesome preview!!!

Whoever wins this game should make it to Saturday morning.