article 38th District Tournament Preview

[Randy Parker]

2013 38th District Tournament Preview

 

February has not been kind to the 38th District. The four teams have thus far combined for a record of 5-14, with Nicholas County & Robertson County going 1-9. Even the District's upper half (Harrison County & Pendleton County) has managed only a 4-5 record.

 

But the start of next week's District Tournament brings with it a collective mulligan for the quartet. Three-time defending champion Pendleton County hopes for a continuation of the post-season magic they have experienced over the last few seasons. Tournament host Harrison County has been the District's most successful team this season, particularly within the District where they own a 3-0 record, including a 55-52 win over the Wildcats in Falmouth. Nicholas County hopes to make its first trip to the 10th Region Tournament since the 1999-2000 season. Robertson County will bring its young team to Cynthiana, looking to play the role of spoiler.

 

With the District electing not to seed, the draw turned out this season the same way it did the last, with the top two teams drawing each other in the opening round. If history is any indicator of what will unfold in the 38th, basketball fans are in for some excitement. But more on that a little bit later.

 

The Pairings (all games at Harrison County)

 

Pendleton County vs. Harrison County- Feb. 18th 8:00 pm

Robertson County vs. Nicholas County- Feb. 19th 8:00 pm

 

Championship Game- Feb. 22nd 7:00 pm

Players To Watch

 

Mason Monroe of Pendleton County is the cream of the 38th's crop. The #2 scorer in school history has had an accomplished career as a Wildcat, scoring over 2,000 points. At 5'10", the left-handed point guard has great handles, distributes well, & has as sweet a mid-range jump shot as you'll see in the Region. Surrounding Monroe is a balanced supporting cast, but Ed Cravens has been getting consistent production from another senior guard, Aaron Gibson.

 

Harrison County junior forward Dillon Pulliam paces the Breds with 14.1 points per game & 5.3 rebounds per game. Senior point guard Scott Kendall, son of head coach Larry Kendall, is one of the Region's most underrated point guards. Fellow senior guard Jordan Stubbs averages 8.1 points per game & leads the team in 3-point shots made.

 

Kevin Reinhardt's Nicholas County team is led by 6'1" sophomore guard Landon Sexton, who scores right at 16 points per game. The rest of the Jackets bring a balanced scoring attack, with senior big man Zack Howard, junior post player Scott Keaton & junior forward Logan Fryman.

 

6'1" sophomore guard Dawson Cooper, 6'3" junior Darrin Edwards & 6'1" junior Justin Pilosky comprise the nucleus for John Brown's Robertson County Black Devils.

 

Our Predictions

Monday night should be a special environment when rivals & Regional hopefuls Harrison County & Pendleton County square off. The last time these two teams tangled in a District Tournament in Cynthiana was 2011. With the Breds leading the Wildcats 60-58 & just under 3 seconds showing on the clock, this happened:

 

[video=youtube;6m9NRtCc-eQ]

 

(There is a video with much better picture quality, but it didn't capture the crowd reaction quite like this one:

)

 

The last three seasons have seen the Breds fall to the Wildcats in District play, yet they hold a 3-1 record against them in the regular season (4-1 if you count this year's victory). For whatever reason(s), the Cats have had the upper hand when it comes District Tournament time. Expect the usual knock-down-drag-out battle that these games have become, in addition to a beyond enthusiastic atmosphere. Also look for Mason Monroe to do his thing, but we forecast a changing of the guard atop the 38th, as Larry Kendall's squad squeaks out an overtime win.

 

In the opposite bracket we also anticipate a close contest between Robertson County & Nicholas County. The teams went at each other twice this season, with the Bluejackets prevailing by 11 in Mt. Olivet & by 7 in Carlisle. We look for a good game for three quarters or so, but the Jackets pull away at the end for a 9 point victory.

 

In the championship game we look for Harrison County to come out a bit sluggish, but then eventually put away Nicholas County and claim the school's first District championship since 2009.

[Devilman]

It's gonna take a great effort for the boys from RCHS.