In a first round 11th Region game, Paul Laurence Dunbar meets Henry Clay at 6:30 PM at EKU tonight. Dunbar reward for their first district title in 16 years is a matchup with a team that has been ranked in the Top 10 all season. These two split their regular season contests, with Dunbar winning the most recent contest 64-62 three weeks ago. Henry Clay won the first meeting 64-61.

 

Dunbar (19-9) has four that average double digits on the year, led by senior guard Mike Smith at 14 points per game. Fellow seniors William Gary, E.J. Floreal and Eric Trigg join Smith in leading the Bulldogs. Floreal adds 10 rebounds per contest, and has really picked up his play as of late in his first season in Kentucky after transferring from California when his father took the UK track coaching position.

 

Henry Clay (22-9), coming off a 19-point loss to Scott County in the district finals, has been up-and-down all season. Juniors Jordan Green (15 points per game), Christen Cunningham (12 ppg) and Trey Grundy (11 ppg) lead the Blue Devils, but senior Darien Tinchenor (seven points and seven rebounds per game) must come to play for HC to win the region.

 

Expect a hard fought battle in this one and the season matchup suggest it going down to the last minute.

 

Keys to the game:

1. Which Henry Clay team shows up? The one that has lost lopsided games to Scott County and Lafayette in recent weeks or the one that swept their Christmas tournaments in impressive fashion.

2. Who wants it more? The rebounding stats may answer this question. HC boasts the taller group, but doesn't always work the hardest and Floreal and company could dominate inside.

3. Will Dunbar attack the basket or settle for outside shots? If they attack, can Henry Clay keep Smith and company out of the lane.

4. Grundy -- will he be a dominate force on the inside or let the big occasion get to him?

 

My gut tells me HC by 5 because they more talent, but I think Dunbar may want it more and pull it out in the end. Either way, I expect a heck of a game.

 

Who you got and why?

I am going with HC.

Henry Clay 78

PLD 70

I'm feeling bold, so I'll take Dunbar in an upset.

PLD 71 HC 65

PLD 69

HC 53

PLD 69

HC 53

 

Do you know anything about Henry Clay other than their recent 2 blowout losses? I am figuring you can't to make a prediction like that if you know anything about HC and the 11th Region. There is no way Dunbar wins by 16.

Do you know anything about Henry Clay other than their recent 2 blowout losses? I am figuring you can't to make a prediction like that if you know anything about HC and the 11th Region. There is no way Dunbar wins by 16.

 

I feel like Henry Clay has been the most inconsistent team in the state. I think anyone who has followed them wouldn't be surprised if they lost by 20 or won by 20. I have reached the point where I will not be surprised by any score for a game they play.

I have seen them look like the best team in the state, and I've seen them look like a team who isn't worthy of being in the top 20.

HC by 5. The Blue Devils lost their last game, they'll win this one.

This game is a toss up.

 

Dunbar wins their district and is rewarded with a regional first round game with Henry Clay and with a win, the right to play Madison Central. Something isn't right.

 

Each team beat the other on their home floor by nearly identical scores, in their two games this season.

 

Henry Clay is playing about .500 basketball since the middle of January. Dunbar has a little momentum after defeating Henry Clay a couple of weeks ago and then winning their district.

 

My heart says Henry Clay, everything else points to Dunbar.

 

Go Devils!