MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDIANS (31-4)

10th Region Champions

Head Coach: Happy Osborne

 

The Montgomery County Indians enter the 2013 Sweet 16 having steamrolled all competition in the 10th Region, both in the regular season & post-season. Twelve points was the closest any team in the 10th could come to Happy Osborne's squad, who finished 17-0 against Regional opponents & 31-4 overall.

 

With Regional play behind them, the Indians now set their sights on Rupp Arena for just the second time in the program's storied history (1995 was the other Sweet 16 appearance). Leading the charge will be Mr. Basketball finalist Omar Prewitt, a 6'5" senior who tops the team in both scoring (23.3 ppg) & rebounding (8.4 ppg). The William & Mary bound swingman has put up gaudy numbers all season, but it has been far from a solo performance in Mt. Sterling. The Montgomery back court gets lost in Prewitt's shadow, but you would hard-pressed to find a better duo than the lightning fast, assist-happy Tyler Jones (6'0 Sr., 5.1 apg) & the high-scoring Bryan Wallace (5'11" Jr., 16.1 ppg). Athletic forward Darius Jones, a 6'4" junior, pulls in averages of 10.5 ppg & 4.5 rpg. Sophomore forward Chase Hall, at 6'3", rounds out Osborne's starting five.

 

With athleticism galore, the Indians like to employ an up-tempo style of play (75.6 ppg as a team) & can put up a lot of points in a short amount of time. Prewitt & company are also accustomed to winning, having come out on top in 20 of their last 21 contests. Combine the talented roster, the individual superstar, & then mix in Osborne's coaching savvy & you have a legitimate title contender on your hands with the Indians.

Believe it or not but I've never been to a Montgomery County basketball game, been by their high school, never been in it and never been to a basketball game of theirs. How far does everyone think Montgomery will go?

Believe that have a challenging game against Warren Central, but believe they will win. Next game up will most likely be John Hardin which I could see that game going either way. Then most likely Ballard....if they get that far, tourney most likely would end there. But you never know.

I could easily see Montgomery playing on Saturday & I could also easily see them going down against Warren Central on Thursday afternoon. Fleming County would be the only team in that quartet I'd be surprised to see playing in the semifinals.

I could easily see Montgomery playing on Saturday & I could also easily see them going down against Warren Central on Thursday afternoon. Fleming County would be the only team in that quartet I'd be surprised to see playing in the semifinals.

 

Agree. I hope they go far in the tourney. Believe it will only help Omar in his quest for Mr. Basketball. What are others thoughts.

The MoCo review is spot on. They are very good at every position. I've not seen some of the teams down state, but must say they are the best team I've seen this year. Good luck to the Indians.

The MoCo review is spot on. They are very good at every position. I've not seen some of the teams down state, but must say they are the best team I've seen this year. Good luck to the Indians.

 

They also have some depth which will help. I hope they make some noise at the state tourney!!!!

 

Any projections of match ups of the first game?

I've seen them once in the District Finals. They are long, athletic, and can score from multiple positions so the preview is spot on. The only glaring flaw I saw was that during the GRC game they lost quite a few players in transition and that would have cost them a few baskets if GRC had been able to cash in. Has anybody else noticed this or was it a one time only thing?

I've seen them once in the District Finals. They are long, athletic, and can score from multiple positions so the preview is spot on. The only glaring flaw I saw was that during the GRC game they lost quite a few players in transition and that would have cost them a few baskets if GRC had been able to cash in. Has anybody else noticed this or was it a one time only thing?

 

The same thing happened in the first quarter against Brossart. They gave up 3 or 4 easy baskets in transition. I haven't noticed it as a consistent problem, but it certainly has the potential to be one.

I think Montgomery will struggle if they run into a team with equal athletism because I do not think Montgomery is very deep. In their regional run, they only went 6, maybe 7 deep if needed.

 

Also, if Montgomery runs into a good post player, they might have some trouble. They do not get much production from the 5 spot (on either end of the floor) and if Prewitt should end up in foul trouble having to gaurd a big, they might struggle.

I think Montgomery will struggle if they run into a team with equal athletism because I do not think Montgomery is very deep. In their regional run, they only went 6, maybe 7 deep if needed.

 

Also, if Montgomery runs into a good post player, they might have some trouble. They do not get much production from the 5 spot (on either end of the floor) and if Prewitt should end up in foul trouble having to gaurd a big, they might struggle.

 

Agree!! But it is my understanding that Warren Central does not have a good Big. If Omar gets in fould trouble they will struggle regardless.

Believe that have a challenging game against Warren Central, but believe they will win. Next game up will most likely be John Hardin which I could see that game going either way. Then most likely Ballard....if they get that far, tourney most likely would end there. But you never know.

 

If Montgomery County can make it to Sunday afternoon, the certainly will have earned it. That is an extremely difficult draw.

Montgomery County could get bounced in the first round or they could win it all, or anything in between. Keeping their starters on the floor is paramount.

Montgomery County could get bounced in the first round or they could win it all, or anything in between. Keeping their starters on the floor is paramount.

 

So true. Most of the year the Indians used a 7-8 man rotation with a few minutes from Lockridge on top of that. However in the semis and finals of region they basically only used 6 players.

 

It will be interesting to see if Happy keeps the bench shorter this week. I wonder if the college length court will play into a possibly expanded rotation.