I'm a huge fan of the 8th region tournament. Every year that Henry County gym gets rockin! I've been around other regions as well, particularly the 11th, and nothing compares to the community support of teams from the 8th region.

 

I'm interested in two teams to see if they can finally get over the hump. The first team is South Oldham. They seem to be in this position year after year with great shooters, but not a whole lot of a post threat. Hopefully they have become disciplined enough to attack the rim and look for a good shot instead of settling for a contested 3 pointer like they have in years past. The other team that I'm interested in is Owen County. They always have the bigs to compete with anyone, but just can't seem to make it over the hump and get past the semi-finals. The talent is there for them to do it, just hope their mindset has changed to know that they can compete with the big boys.

 

Regardless of the outcomes, here's to hoping for another great tournament!

^

I believe Henry Co.

 

 

I knew when So Oldham lost they would somehow end up with Collins in the first round.

 

I did too. As soon as I found out they lost, I knew that they would draw Collins.

^

I believe Henry Co.

 

 

I knew when So Oldham lost they would somehow end up with Collins in the first round.

 

I did too. As soon as I found out they lost, I knew that they would draw Collins.

With these brackets, I definitely like my pick for SK to get to the regional championship game and a great chance to win it.

Lots of interesting storylines....

 

- Collins has been the favorite all year....can the third-year school take the next step, moving from 2012 runner-up to 2013 champs? Lots of size and talent, the 8th region player of the year, and a solid season....

- Can the Oldham County Colonels - ranked in the middle of this pack - keep their 11 game winning streak alive and three-peat? Jason Holland may be one of the region's best tournament coaches...

- Can South break through? The Dragons are deep, shoot the ball like nobody's business, and have one of the region's craftiest coaches in veteran Steve Simpson....

- Can SK and/or Grant County break the District 32 curse? OK, it may not be a curse, but no district 32 team has won a region tournament game in the last five tournaments, going 0-10... (looks promising for the 32nd; Grant features a powerful defense and SK owns victories some of the contenders such as Oldham, South Oldham, Owen County, and Grant County....(of course, they also lost to Grant twice....)

- Glen Drury, the dean of 8th region coaches, is at it again....winning another "Coach of the Year" award and guiding the Bearcats to a 21-4 record....Drury doesn't need much talent to win, and he's got plenty to work with this year.

-Owen County has slowly become one of the most consistent performers in the region under Devin Duvall. The Rebels have made the semi-finals three of the past four seasons....is this the year they take the next step?

- Eminence makes its return to the region tourney for the first time since 2000. Does anybody else remember the awesome teams of the 70s that featured Mont Sleets and company? Chris Nethery aims to bring back the glory....

 

CM

 

After tonight, the 32nd is 0-11 in the last 5 tournaments. Maybe SK can stop the curse tomorrow.

I like Anderson Co and Collins in the finals.

 

So far, so good....

The Colonel is back.

 

It's been a while, but I finally got back around to BGP. Missed you guys!

 

FYI, Pegasus Sports will be airing the complete 8th region tournament, as always:

 

The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

click on one of the Oldham logos, then click on the game listing under either "upcoming broadcasts" (for the live coverage) or under "Archived Broadcasts" (for the archives, which will be available indefinitely)

 

Monday 2/25/13 broadcast time 6 pm Oldham County vs. Grant County - could be a great first round game. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. Tyler Carr of Grant County leads the Braves at 19.9 ppg and 5.5 rebounds....and Grant Co is a stingy defensive squad at 47.4 ppg allowed. Oldham is the two-time defending regional champs and Oldham coach Jason Holland is a Gary Forrest disciple - Defense first. The Colonels give up barely 51 points per game, and surrendered just 52 to the high-flying South Dragons (averaging 71 ppg) in the district finals. Offensively, Oldham will counter with an "offense by committee" led by five starting seniors who all average between 9 and 13 ppg.

 

Monday, 2/25/13 broadcast time approximately 8 pm Owen County vs. Anderson County - another gem of a first-rounder. Anderson has won 9 of their last 11 under 8th Region coach of the year Glen Drury and they beat Owen by a dozen in Owenton just a couple of weeks ago. The Bearcats have lost a region-low 4 games this year.... Devin Duvall has another huge team in Owenton and the 31st District champs are region veterans. Freshman Carson Williams may be the region's best freshman. Owen also was the 8th Region All-A champs....

 

Tuesday, 2/26/13 broadcast time 6 pm Collins vs. South Oldham If Monday doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat, Tuesday promises to do so. Collins vs. South Oldham will matchup the two teams ranked 1-2 in the region all year....and their overtime battle earlier this year promises that this game could be one of the best first round region matchups around. South comes into the game averaging more points than anyone in the region at 71+; the Dragons starting five all shoot over 38% beyond the arc. Collins has played a top-tier schedule and features the 8th region player of the year in Dez Marshall. Collins owns out of region victories over powers such as Butler, Henderson County, St. X, and Scott County.

 

Tuesday, 2/26/13 broadcast time approximately 8 pm Simon Kenton vs. Eminence After losing four of their last 5 regular season games, SK rebounded to win the 32nd Andrew Sampson's 19.8 ppg leads the team....Sampson has also hit 71 threes this year. Eminence has roared into the post-season with a late surge; the Warriors have won 7 of their last 8 and are seeking to regain the glory of Warrior teams past....

 

The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

CM

 

I watched Williams play last night. If he isn't the best freshman in region, I'd love to know who is. The kid can flat out play.

The 32nd District curse is over, Simon Kenton won tonight!!