2014 38th District Tournament Preview

 

On paper the 38th District Tournament seems to be the most open-and-shut when it comes to determining who will take the title. Harrison County has been the 38th's top team all season long & has spent a large portion of the year ranked in the top 5 among 10th Region teams. Larry Kendall brought the title back to Cynthiana in his first head coaching season last year & his roster is easily the most talent laden. Harrison has played one of the most daunting schedules of any 10th Region teams & the competition they have faced this year should make them very tournament ready.

 

For the third consecutive year the Breds are opposite Pendleton County in the opening round. The Wildcats have taken their lumps this season with an inexperienced roster, but signs of life have begun to appear in Falmouth, as Ed Cravens' team went 3-3 in its final 6 games. Guard play will be a determining factor if the Wildcats want to pull off an upset in the Tuesday night semi-final.

 

Robertson County came out of the gate incredibly slow, starting the season at 2-10. With the ushering in of a new year, however, John Brown's club started to click. The Black Devils put together an impressive run, winning 10 of 12 games from January 4th-February 11th & in doing so earned a spot in the 10th Region Top 10 for a few weeks.

 

Nicholas County will again be Robertson's opening round opponent & Roger Newton's Bluejackets have had somewhat of a roller-coaster season. The Jackets were sitting at 7-4 in early January, but then losses became more prevalent than wins. Nicholas County's depth is a strength that first-year coach Newton hopes to utilize for postseason success.

 

The Pairings (all games at Pendleton County)

 

Robertson County vs. Nicholas County - Feb. 24th 8:00 pm

Pendleton County vs. Harrison County - Feb. 25th 8:00 pm

 

Championship Game - Feb. 28th 7:00 pm

 

Players To Watch

 

A trio of Thorobreds headline this list, beginning with 6'2" junior guard D.J. Jenkins who has been outstanding all season long. Jenkins is most effective in the open floor & he can get to the basket with the best of them. 6'3" senior swingman Dillon Pulliam is a steady veteran who has been producing for the Breds since forever. Junior forward Trenton Thompson, at 6'4", is solid down low, but also has ability to score from the perimeter. These are the three best players in the 38th District & they explain why the Breds are heavily favored.

 

Tyler Newton, the son of Nicholas County coach Roger Newton, is the Jackets' leading scorer at just under 15 ppg. The 5'11" junior is a highly effective perimeter scorer. A pair of senior forwards, Scott Keaton & Logan Fryman, give the Jackets good post presence to go along with a plethora of guards.

 

Robertson County is led in scoring by junior Dawson Cooper, but the 6'2" guard is also a top-notch defender. Senior point guard Tyler Burns runs the team effectively & also does his share of scoring. Two other seniors, forwards Darren Edwards & Justin Pilosky, both play front court positions but have guard abilities.

 

Pendleton County likely brings the most balanced scoring attack among the 38th's teams. Sophomore guard Hunter Wood has played well most of the season, as has senior sharpshooter Lance Jones. Senior big man Colton Pugh is a solid post presence for the 'Cats & another guard, sophomore Tanner Pugh, is another perimeter threat. Freshman guard Michael Antrobus might be the most talented player on the Pendleton County roster, so he is someone to keep an eye on.

 

Our Predictions

 

gold sunrise's picks:

 

Robertson County 65

Nicholas County 64

 

Harrison County 70

Pendleton County 57

 

 

Harrison County 70

Robertson County 55

 

mcpapa's picks:

 

Robertson County 54

Nicholas County 49

 

Harrison County 80

Pendleton County 54

 

 

Harrison County 77

Robertson County 49

 

Randy Parker's picks:

 

Robertson County 68

Nicholas County 66

 

Harrison County 72

Pendleton County 59

 

 

Harrison County 65

Robertson County 50

26-point game?? Thanks, papa.

Really like this in depth preview. Agree Harrison is the class of the 38th, but I do believe They are beatable in thier district. I don't foresee it but it could happen. Pace of the game will be the driving factor. HC wins in a track meet type game but if a team can slow the pace to a snails pace and take the best shot oppertunities and play lock down D. Then who knows.

 

With that said here are my predictions:

 

Robertson Co. 70

Nicholas Co. 62

 

Harrison Co. 83

Pendleton Co. 68

 

Harrison Co. 65

Robertson Co. 58

Harrison County 77

Pendleton County 53

 

Nicholas County 61

Robertson County 56

 

Harrison County 75

Nicholas County 59

26-point game?? Thanks, papa.

 

He usually gets things like this right. Drives me insane.

Harrison County 77

Pendleton County 53

 

Nicholas County 61

Robertson County 56

 

Harrison County 75

Nicholas County 59

 

I think this is going to be a great first round game. I gave the nod to Robertson Co by 1 point, but feel it could go either way.

What about Zac Pulliam for Harrison. I saw him play at Bracken and I think he lead HC in scoring on that night but didn't get much love in the preview does he play a lot?

He usually gets things like this right. Drives me insane.

 

I know he does. LOL

What about Zac Pulliam for Harrison. I saw him play at Bracken and I think he lead HC in scoring on that night but didn't get much love in the preview does he play a lot?

 

He's a good player & can certainly can have a big tournament, but the three HC players mentioned are the most consistent producers.

Harrison will have no problems at all in this tournament.

Harrison will have no problems at all in this tournament.

 

Agreed!! It is definitly theirs to loose!

I didn't think DJ Jenkins was a JR., thought he was part of that really good soph class that included him, Pulliam,Williams,etc.

I didn't think DJ Jenkins was a JR., thought he was part of that really good soph class that included him, Pulliam,Williams,etc.

 

Jenkins & Thompson are both juniors.