8th Region All "A" Classic Tournament Preview

 

This region is up for grabs. All of the teams for the most part have beaten another team that has beat another team that beat that team. In the 13 years I have watched the 8th Region, I can't remember this much parity. This year, the tournament returns to Williamstown. The Demon Arena has great unobstructed viewing, but just one level of seating which might make for a packed semifinals and finals along with the first round game with Owen & Gallatin.

 

Here is the schedule:

 

Tuesday 1/15/13 - Gallatin County vs. Owen County - 7pm

Wednesday 1/16/13 - Williamstown vs. Carroll County - 6pm

Wednesday 1/16/13 - Trimble County vs. Walton-Verona - 7:30pm

Friday 1/18/13 - Semifinals - Eminence vs. Gallatin/Owen winner - 6pm

Friday 1/18/13 - Semifinals - Williamstown/Carroll Winner vs. Trimble/Walton winner - 7:30pm

Saturday 1/19/13 - Finals - 7:00pm

 

Notes:

Some injuries leading up to the tournament may have some significant impact on the outcome. Carroll County is down Brandon Stewart (arm) and Dallas Gibson (knee). Last I heard, Gibson's knee injury extent was an unknown until an MRI could be done. Owen County still has Jarrod Ball coming off the bench at last report. Some of the All "A" matchups have taken place recently as well already. Owen/Gallatin will have already played twice in district play before their matchup on the 15th. Owen defeated Gallatin 55-27 in the Wildcats lowest point output since 12/13/02 when they scored 27 against Carroll County. Trimble/Walton just played on 1/3 with Walton breaking the Radiers 6 game win streak with a 90-56 win. The last time Walton jacked up 90 was in 2004 against Williamstown.

 

Since the first game with Owen, Gallatin County has averaged 56.5 per game. A telling sign will be how the Wildcats rebound in the game on 1/10 at Owen. This is always a slugfest matchup. Williamstown/Carroll County is interesting with the Panthers potentially down two key players but depending on the severity of Gibson's injury. Walton-Verona will have a hard road before the tournament with Simon Kenton, Grant County and South Oldham. Will those games get the Bearcats ready for another run at Trimble? Eminence was playing very good ball but have had a hard week also and leading up to the tournament. District games with Gallatin & Henry along with CovLatin, Evangel Christian and St. Francis all before the tournament. Not sure if I wouldn't re-schedule the St. Frances game just to be fresh against either Gallatin or Owen, after getting a first round bye.

 

Team Rankings

1. Owen County

2. Gallatin County

3. Carroll County

4. Eminence

5. Walton-Verona

6. Trimble County

7. Williamstown

 

Predictions: Gotta go with the winner of the Owen/Gallatin game. If Gallatin gets back on track and Morgan gets going, it could go Gallatin's way. Owen County has all of the tools. Size/Post presence, outside shooting and speed. I think the winner of the first game goes all the way, but can't make the call on that game winner. In looking at the other games, again potentially, Williamstown with a possible upset of Carroll County if Gibson is out, if not, Carroll will be a hard out in the lower bracket. Carroll County vs. Owen/Gallatin winner for the Frankfort trip.

If I was predicting this one, I'd go with Gallatin.

8th Region All "A" Classic Tournament Preview

 

This region is up for grabs. All of the teams for the most part have beaten another team that has beat another team that beat that team. In the 13 years I have watched the 8th Region, I can't remember this much parity. This year, the tournament returns to Williamstown. The Demon Arena has great unobstructed viewing, but just one level of seating which might make for a packed semifinals and finals along with the first round game with Owen & Gallatin.

 

Here is the schedule:

 

Tuesday 1/15/13 - Gallatin County vs. Owen County - 7pm

Wednesday 1/16/13 - Williamstown vs. Carroll County - 6pm

Wednesday 1/16/13 - Trimble County vs. Walton-Verona - 7:30pm

Friday 1/18/13 - Semifinals - Eminence vs. Gallatin/Owen winner - 6pm

Friday 1/18/13 - Semifinals - Williamstown/Carroll Winner vs. Trimble/Walton winner - 7:30pm

Saturday 1/19/13 - Finals - 7:00pm

 

Notes:

Some injuries leading up to the tournament may have some significant impact on the outcome. Carroll County is down Brandon Stewart (arm) and Dallas Gibson (knee). Last I heard, Gibson's knee injury extent was an unknown until an MRI could be done. Owen County still has Jarrod Ball coming off the bench at last report. Some of the All "A" matchups have taken place recently as well already. Owen/Gallatin will have already played twice in district play before their matchup on the 15th. Owen defeated Gallatin 55-27 in the Wildcats lowest point output since 12/13/02 when they scored 27 against Carroll County. Trimble/Walton just played on 1/3 with Walton breaking the Radiers 6 game win streak with a 90-56 win. The last time Walton jacked up 90 was in 2004 against Williamstown.

 

Since the first game with Owen, Gallatin County has averaged 56.5 per game. A telling sign will be how the Wildcats rebound in the game on 1/10 at Owen. This is always a slugfest matchup. Williamstown/Carroll County is interesting with the Panthers potentially down two key players but depending on the severity of Gibson's injury. Walton-Verona will have a hard road before the tournament with Simon Kenton, Grant County and South Oldham. Will those games get the Bearcats ready for another run at Trimble? Eminence was playing very good ball but have had a hard week also and leading up to the tournament. District games with Gallatin & Henry along with CovLatin, Evangel Christian and St. Francis all before the tournament. Not sure if I wouldn't re-schedule the St. Frances game just to be fresh against either Gallatin or Owen, after getting a first round bye.

 

Team Rankings

1. Owen County

2. Gallatin County

3. Carroll County

4. Eminence

5. Walton-Verona

6. Trimble County

7. Williamstown

 

Predictions: Gotta go with the winner of the Owen/Gallatin game. If Gallatin gets back on track and Morgan gets going, it could go Gallatin's way. Owen County has all of the tools. Size/Post presence, outside shooting and speed. I think the winner of the first game goes all the way, but can't make the call on that game winner. In looking at the other games, again potentially, Williamstown with a possible upset of Carroll County if Gibson is out, if not, Carroll will be a hard out in the lower bracket. Carroll County vs. Owen/Gallatin winner for the Frankfort trip.

 

This shapes up to be on the most evenly matched All A regionals. Good luck to all the teams!

I am going to make a prediction that Walton-Verona comes out on top in the A. I think they are getting healthy and playing tough competition will have them prepared for the environment. It will be a Gallatin Co vs Walton-Verona final. IMO with Walton-Verona pulling the upset.

Walton is definitely in the easier bracket but I do not believe they will beat the Eminence vs. Gallatin/Owen winner. I really believe that Eminence could pull off a surprise victory here. Anyone else see that as a possibility?

Eminence lost to Gallatin at home by double digits and last night lost by 16 in Warsaw even though The Wildcats were without the services of Morgan due to illness. Not saying they can't win but if they play GC again they have a bit of work to do. Coach Nethery has done a great job and they will be a tough out no matter who they play.

Beating a team 3 times in a season is not easy to do which is why I mentioned Eminence in the first place. They sit in a good spot with the bye in the first round.

I'll take Owen County.