article 41st District Tournament Preview (11th Region)

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Matchups come to us from the Frankfort Civic Center. By virtue of winning a coin toss, Woodford County is the #1 seed in a district where anything could happen.

 

#1 Woodford County plays #4 Western Hills, and #2 Frankfort plays #3 Franklin County. The winner of each moves on to the finals and secures a slot in the regional tournament. The losers go home. Here's a quick glance at each contest.

 

 

 

 

 

#1 Woodford County vs. #4 Western Hills:

 

Woodford County has been the team who has had a stranglehold on this district for a few years now, but that could be changing this season, as the pack seems to be gaining some ground on them. Still, they are the champions until someone beats them out, and with kids like senior forwards Colton McCrady and Keenon Laine, and senior guards Michael Shelton and Christian Rameriez leading the way, they know what it takes to win. Add in the talent of sophomore guard Keegan Stromberg, who is one of the team's leading scorers, and it's easy to see why the Jackets look to continue their winning ways. Look for Zach Blaydes is a great athlete and will play soccer at the next level. Joining him in the reserves are Tucker Sly, Mason Robinette, Dalton Rose, Austin Burruss, and Chandler Stewart, all of whom will be asked to provide depth for Coach Hundley's squad.

 

While there's lots to like about the Jackets, don't count out the Wolverines though. Western Hills already put quite a scare into them once this season, and are likely to be improved. The last contest was actually 1 point decision, which Western Hills led by 2 within :30 ticks remaining before Woodford County made a huge shot to pull out the W.

 

The Wolverines start Keaton Anderson (Jr., G), Dylan Jones (Jr., G), Cameron Barton (So., G), Matthew Peal (Jr., F), and Bryan Litteral (Sr., F). Anderson was one of the team's primary scorers coming into the season, but their scoring is balanced at the top, with four players in close proximity of one another for the leading PPG average on the team. Bryan Litteral averages around 9 boards per game to lead the way on the glass. Patrick Foley and Treyvon Bleasdell are a pair of juniors who've each had their moments this season, bursting out with big games of 15+ points, and their play off of the bench could be a factor.

 

The Wolverines motto is that "if you want what you've never had, you've got to be willing to do what you've never done". For the team to achieve a district championship would be a huge momentum builder for a program that has already taken steps to improve.

 

Woodford County has won each of the team's previous two meetings, one a complete blowout early on and the other the above mentioned one point contest.

 

 

#2 Frankfort vs. #3 Franklin County:

 

This one should be an exciting contest as Franklin County looks to avoid going 0-3. Frankfort won the first meeting at home on Dec. 16 by a final score of 70-67. The Panthers also took the second meeting on Jan. 13 at Franklin County, 60-55. This crosstown rivalry has seen some doozies over the years, and this one could be no different. Franklin County is better than their record indicates and they have had 2 really good games with Frankfort. Frankfort keeps finding a way to win though and they were tied for first in the district for a reason, as Coach Barton has done a great job with his team this year.

 

For Frankfort, things begin with a talented trio. Junior forward Anthony Robinson and junior guard Malik Frank join senior guard Jalen Washington, who has committed to the University of Louisville on the gridiron and has the athleticism you'd expect from a big time D1 wide receiver, to form one of the more unheralded groups in the region. They are joined in most lineups by a combination of seniors Travis Skelton, Rontez Mitchell, and Matthew Smith, as well as junior Jeff Quire.

 

When the Panthers are playing well, they can be dangerous. Anthony Robinson is a solid rebounder, and they have the athleticism to hang with many teams when they are on. If you don't believe me, just ask Lafayette, who survived a 76-72 overtime scare in their visit to Frankfort in January.

 

For Franklin County, look for a lineup of four seniors to form the core of the starting unit in guard Ryan Schneider, center Demarcus Kennedy, and forwards Michael Clark and Giles Cooper. They'll be joined by 8th grade sensation Diablo Stewart, one of the more promising young prospects in the area.

 

For the Flyers, Schneider's steady hand leads the way, as he averages 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1 block per contest. As you can tell, Schneider is a guy who can fill the stat sheet, and his ability to shoot the basketball makes him a threat from anywhere on the floor. Clark, Kennedy, and Cooper each average between 4 and 6 boards as well. Stewart averages 6.4 ppg, 2.4 assists, and a steal per contest. Jackson Lewis, Ryan Staples, Ben Nolan, Bailey Smith, and Jhany Rodriguez will provide depth for the Flyers.

 

Franklin County has steadily improved throughout the season under the direction of new head coach Tony Wise, and I wouldn't be shocked to see them pull this one off.