Yeah, that's a problem for Hoptown. Some around Hoptown think Trinity is the tougher matchup for Hoptown than Ballard. Lot's of teams in the west tried to play this strategy against them. UHA did it really well the last two times they played and it almost worked in the district final. You have to win the boards and not turn it over against them. If you do that you have a shot.

Over the last two seasons, Ballard scored over 85 points per game. In the five games against Trinity in that span, the Bruins have averaged 59. Trinity's defense is extremely frustrating for teams that like to get out and run.

Region By Region:

 

1. McCracken County will pack the house for their first trip. Caleb Stonecipher, Jared Burnett, and Kam Chumbler are all guards who are listed under 6'2, so the Mustangs will need the trio of All Region performers to "play big" if they want to live to play another day.

 

2. Hopkinsville will be the favorite until they're beaten out. I don't know if there's been less that has been known about a team who: made a deep run in the Sweet 16 the previous year, was highly ranked all year going into the tournament, and

 

3. "Big Daddy" Rod Drake might be nostalgic and wish he could coach a player of the caliber of himself at that age when facing Trinity.

 

4. Nacarius Fant will make some amazing plays and make people realize that Knott County Central might not have a good answer for him if they are forced to go man.

 

5. Bardstown will be small, quick, and press relentlessly. Has anyone seen a Bardstown team that wouldn't fit that description?

 

6. If Lamontray Harris gets to show his stuff, he'll combine with D'Angelo Hunter and Antonio McDaniels to show why they are one of the top trios in Louisville. If all three are on, wow... watch out. I'm not sure that PRP has had as talented a trio in awhile (maybe it's the squads with Spillman, Crutcher, and Frazier/a young Benson.... more likely, it could be all the way back to an ultra-talented group with some kids named Paschel, Griffith, King, and a young Blake Downing who were better and just an unfairly stacked team).

 

6th - Bonus for hardcore fans: We know Dale Mabrey is a basketball genius.

But did you know,

I'd give a 100% chance of the Panthers getting in the half court and him signaling in a well-timed set that calls for Drew Glass to break to the high post, then drop a pinpoint bounce pass to a back-cutter that will make UK fans wish he could tutor James Young???

 

7. Trinity's Raymond Spalding will continue his breakout. A state title on his resume (or even some dominating performances) makes me think a high major with an even bigger profile might pull the trigger with an official. If Trinity wins it all for the second time in three years, a pit of hell may open up and engulf the crowd, as the world is doomed. Nah, seriously, a few people's heads will probably explode and that'll be the most drastic thing that happens.

 

8. South Oldham fans will play Pick 6 tickets all week. They won't pick #2 on any cards. After all, how many times could they draw the #2 in a row? Kyle Young is the only major contributor back from last year's squad, which was drilled by Hopkinsville in the opening round. That could be a testament to the type of coaching Steve Simpson has pulled out this year. It could also be a reminder of how much worse the Dragons could get rolled.

 

9. Covington Catholic's Nick Ruthsatz will show the rest of the State what the people in NKY already know. Spectators will fall in love with his game. The elder Ruthsatz will devise game plans that show why he coached at St. Anthony.

 

10. Campbell County will have a chance to knock off Johnson Central in what should be one of the better first round games. I won't write much about them because I know someone from BGP who is far more familiar with them than I will get my back and cover it in the responses (which I welcome for any of these teams).

 

11. Trent Gilbert will be a kid that someone unfamiliar with the team won't pick out as a starter. Looks can be deceiving though. Kid is an ASSASSIN. Coach Hicks will probably need more production from the supporting cast of Mr. Gilbert and Martini if he wants to become a three-time State Champion though.

 

12. PurplePride92 won't have to tell me how the 12th isn't overrated because one of the few teams from the region I liked (as far as matching up against top teams in the state), Wayne County, made it. Rodney Woods is a great coach who'll have his team ready. His son, Peyton Woods, is another in the line of Cardinal greats who'll try and lead them to what's eluded the school since 1989-- a deep run at State.

 

13. Clay County's overall talent will surprise some folks who see the 13th by their name and immediately dismiss them. They have a solid group of kids who've come together. Allen is a Senior and McDaniel, a UK golf commit, might not be at Clay County next year if he chooses to go to a top flight golf academy, but both have been to Rupp. So have sophomores Blake Smith and Wes Wolfe; their sophomore counterpart, Trey Farmer, hasn't been there yet, but he was MVP of the 13th Region Tournament.

 

14. Knott County Central could be the team that breaks the 14th's long drought of deep runs. Play the cards right, and they might even come out on top. Camron Justice can light up the scoreboard. Evan Hall, who is the grandson of a former Wayland Wasp, is a kid who I thought was highly underrated as a sophomore but has gotten some recognition as a junior. Simon Christon is a warrior and will do anything he can to help the team win.

 

15. Shane Hall missed some time from AAU ball while nursing injuries. He committed to Marshall, but with the upheaval on the coaching staff, he might open some eyes by making up for lost time with a solid performance throughout the week.

 

16. Fleming County will show some people that records can be deceiving. Darion Burns missed most of the year with injury, but is now back. Troy Steward stepped up in his absence, and is a kid I am genuinely excited to see play. I haven't gotten the chance to see him in person as of yet, but more than a few people whose opinions on the game I really respect make me think he could be a real steal for the right college. I'm intrigued. I also think that the Crisp kid they have is a senior who doesn't get a ton of mention, but could be a kid that does some things to help them win some games in the big house.

Not sure why you needed to "jokingly" paint Trinity as the evil team this year when in fact the two teams that will be most cheered AGAINST will be Scott County and PRP.

Not sure why you needed to "jokingly" paint Trinity as the evil team this year when in fact the two teams that will be most cheered AGAINST will be Scott County and PRP.

 

You know I go to a private Catholic school, right?

Not sure why you needed to "jokingly" paint Trinity as the evil team this year when in fact the two teams that will be most cheered AGAINST will be Scott County and PRP.

 

And no way that most will cheer against Scott County if they match up with Trinity. It might be close, but I'd still give the edge on neutral fans to Scott County. They aren't from Louisville and they are a public, which is two strikes against Trinity in the eyes of most fans. I don't think that the Shamrocks' dominance of football helps matters either, as people might think, "well, Trinity won 2/3 in football and basketball, GRRRRREEEEAAAAAATTTT".

 

Not saying I agree with that line of thinking, but you know there'd be that undertone for some.

And no way that most will cheer against Scott County if they match up with Trinity. It might be close, but I'd still give the edge on neutral fans to Scott County. They aren't from Louisville and they are a public, which is two strikes against Trinity in the eyes of most fans. I don't think that the Shamrocks' dominance of football helps matters either, as people might think, "well, Trinity won 2/3 in football and basketball, GRRRRREEEEAAAAAATTTT".

 

Not saying I agree with that line of thinking, but you know there'd be that undertone for some.

 

Respectfully, I totally disagree with you and we have two years ago as proof as the crowd (non-Scott County) was obviously cheering for Trinity when they met in the semifinals I think. I believe you are missing the boat and trying to compare apples to oranges. Football is much different than basketball and I will give you that Trinity football is the evil empire and pretty much everyone would want someone else to win just like this year went Scott County won. But for similar reasons in peoples mind they cheer against Scott County as we have been over and over again in "recruiting" threads on here many times.

 

Trinity (as would probably St. X and DeSales) while from Louisville and private catholic schools do not get the ire up like a Louisville public school at the sweet 16. The private school thing is not the issue for sweet 16 fans because it rarely happens.

Respectfully, I totally disagree with you and we have two years ago as proof as the crowd (non-Scott County) was obviously cheering for Trinity when they met in the semifinals I think. I believe you are missing the boat and trying to compare apples to oranges. Football is much different than basketball and I will give you that Trinity football is the evil empire and pretty much everyone would want someone else to win just like this year went Scott County won. But for similar reasons in peoples mind they cheer against Scott County as we have been over and over again in "recruiting" threads on here many times.

 

Trinity (as would probably St. X and DeSales) while from Louisville and private catholic schools do not get the ire up like a Louisville public school at the sweet 16. The private school thing is not the issue for sweet 16 fans because it rarely happens.

 

 

Disagreement is fine. No need for apologies for disagreeing.

 

I do think that people would see Trinity's dominance in football and a sudden rise to prominence (they've only been to 3 Sweet 16's, the first in 2004 under Szabo, the next in 2012 when they won it, and assuming for purposes of our hypothetical, one in 2014 that they'd meet Scott County for a chance of playing in the finals in). I can see how people would think, "Trinity is going to start running basketball in the same way they already run football... they're going to have a monopoly on high school sports in Kentucky and it will no longer be fun to watch".

 

That isn't meant to be a slam on Trinity. It's a testament to how successful their athletics programs would have been in that span if all that happens.

 

I don't honestly think that you can say that that thought wouldn't be in people's minds if Trinity pulled out another State Title though.

 

 

I'm not acting like anyone loves Scott County. I know the exact opposite to be true. But, I also don't underestimate how hard the neutral fan would cheer against a Louisville private. I've seen how they cheer against Ballard. I've seen how they cheer against Lexington Catholic. In Trinity, you have a school that epitomizes the things that most are probably rooting against most vehemently rolled into one when you look at Trinity.

 

If you change 'Louisville Trinity' to 'Georgetown Trinity' while observers also thought that 'Scott County' was 'Louisville-Scott County', then we'd be in agreement. I won't underestimate the depths of discontent that the average fan probably has for a Louisville private winning their 2nd in 3 years though.

 

Fair or unfair, I'm not saying anything about that. I'm just telling you how my notions of attending the State Tournament from '98-'10 make me feel about that issue insofar as it would lead me to speculate as to how the average fan would cheer.

I hate to get off topic on your thread so this will be the last I have to comment on this one. I agree with your points in a "general" sense but if you take the games as they are bracketed out this is how the crowd will come down, IMO. Game 1 for Trinity. The majority of the crowd will be for the underdog in the Red Devils and that will have nothing to do with Trinity being private or from Louisville; however, with South Oldham playing the first game and being on the same end of the arena as Trinity it might seem equal as the South Oldham fans will cheer for the Louisville private. If Trinity wins and plays Hopkinsville the "neutral" fan will be for Trinity (and we dont wanna go into the reasons why). If they win again and play Scott County, again the neutral (although small in number as Scott will fill the gym) will pull for Trinity. If the final happens the neutral will cheer for anyone out of the bottom bracket aside from PRP.

 

have a good weekend.

I hate to get off topic on your thread so this will be the last I have to comment on this one. I agree with your points in a "general" sense but if you take the games as they are bracketed out this is how the crowd will come down, IMO. Game 1 for Trinity. The majority of the crowd will be for the underdog in the Red Devils and that will have nothing to do with Trinity being private or from Louisville; however, with South Oldham playing the first game and being on the same end of the arena as Trinity it might seem equal as the South Oldham fans will cheer for the Louisville private. If Trinity wins and plays Hopkinsville the "neutral" fan will be for Trinity (and we dont wanna go into the reasons why). If they win again and play Scott County, again the neutral (although small in number as Scott will fill the gym) will pull for Trinity. If the final happens the neutral will cheer for anyone out of the bottom bracket aside from PRP.

 

have a good weekend.

 

Fair enough. Same to you. Hope you enjoy the Sweet 16, it's the greatest show in hoops for a reason.

I always do and love it, will be number 26 in a row.......

I think Campbell Co. proved against MoCo that it'll take a lot more than 1 or 2 good players to beat them with the streak they're on - unless Johnson Central can really pull together as a team like CC has been I think it'll be camels by 5.

Scott Co and Hoptown in top and Wayne Co and PRP from other Side. Finals will be Hoptown vs Wayne Co with Hoptown winning Sweet 16.

 

nope

 

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Can Bardstown hang with PRP? Possibly spring the upset?

 

yes they can

 

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