article 64th District Tournament Preview

[Tom Terrific]

The pairings are set now that district play has been completed and the post season schedule has been "flipped".

 

Game Schedule for 64th District (games held at Boyd County Middle School)

Tuesday Feb. 19th

6:00 (1)Ashland vs. (4)Rose Hill

8:00 (2)Boyd vs. (3)Fairview

 

The Skinny

 

Both Ashland and Boyd finished the season with a 5-1 record and split the games with one another, each winning on the other's floor. The tie resulted in a coin flip that was won by Ashland who by virtue of the flip assumes the #1 seed in the tournament.

 

Ashland - The Tomcats have reeled off 7 straight wins since their loss to Boyd on their floor nearly a month ago. With 2 big wins at Rowan on the road and vs. Johnson Central at home, Ashland has the most momentum in the district, perhaps the region. Led by standout sophomore Dikembe Dixson who has been a double-double machine and the hot shooting of Logan Salow, the Tomcats look to cruise thru the opening game and be rested for the final on Friday. The point guard play of Ross Thompson has been key and with consistent play from both Stephen Friley in the post and Nick Miller's versatility, the Tomcats are solid. If Zach Hart contributes like he's able, the Tomcats will be tough to beat.

 

Boyd County - Coach Randy Anderson has to like the position he's in at this point considering the loss of big man Brandon Lowe with a season ending ACL injury. What have the Lions done since? They've won 7 of 8, largely in part to the consistent production of senior Austin Hunt. He gets his teammates involved and the distribution has been even and effective. Todd Stacy, Grayson Griffith, and Tristan Burgess have all been effective beyond the arc, and Brandon Taylor has been consistent down low. Another key has been the 2-headed point guard play led by senior Jesse Wallace and frosh Bobby Anderson. If Boyd distributes it and shoots it well, they will similarly difficult to deal with.

 

Fairview - The Eagles have had a couple of games lately where they just couldn't finish. They gave Boyd and Ashland both fits in the firs halves of their games but couldn't hang on to the lead in either. Currently they've lost 4 straight and 7 of the last 10. That doesn't mean that Boyd will overlook them in the first round. Senior Elijah King can score in spurts and has been aggressive on the glass. The absence of Devon Turner, who quit to concentrate on football, has put the ball in Isaiah King's hands much more and he's been very productive. Tanner Dolen has been stout on the glass and effective down low also. The question is can the Eagles put 4 quarters together to upset Boyd and send them home in the first round?

 

Rose Hill - Rose Hill has one win on the season, and it was no secret that both Ashland and Boyd would have preferred to win the coin toss and get this one out of the gate, essentially guaranteeing a trip to Morehead. However, it needs to be said that first year head coach Justin Maynard has his kids playing better as the year has progressed. They've developed as a team and have improved. Not yet ready for prime time competition, but headed in the right direction.

 

How We See It

Ashland should cruise past Rose Hill obviously in the first round. Barring a significant upset, Boyd should win the nightcap against Fairview setting up a rubber match for all the marbles in the district. A district championship will be vital for seeding and making a run at a regional title.

 

Prediction: Ashland 68 Boyd 64 for the district title.

[mcpapa]

Should obviously be Ashland/Boyd in the district final, and it should be a dandy.

[spindoc]

The final will be Friday the 22nd.

[Randy Parker]

Bump