40th District Tournament Preview

 

Bourbon County is the host for the 2015 40th District Tournament. While the bracket is set up exactly as it has been the last 2 seasons, there seems to be much more parity this year.

Top-seeded Montgomery County lost its first district game to Paris by a score of 54-51 on December 9th. But the Indians won their last 5 district contests, including a couple of nail-biters against rival George Rogers Clark, and then avenged the Paris loss with a road victory two weeks ago. Four Indians have double-digit scoring averages, led by 6'3" junior Art Walker's 12.9 ppg. Fellow junior Caswell Fuller averages 11.4 ppg and is an excellent floor general. Senior Sam Hodgsen averages 10.8 ppg, while junior big man Shelby Combs is at an even 10 ppg, also pulling down a team-high 5.7 rpg. Montgomery and first-year head coach Matt Daniel butter their bread beyond the arc, having hit nearly 200 3's on the season.

 

George Rogers Clark is looking to reclaim the 40th District crown for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Scott Humphrey's club has that trademark defense that is problematic for most opponents, and much of that D comes from the dynamite senior back court duo of Damion King (18 ppg) and Braxton Greene (15.1 ppg). Junior guard Jyles Anderson has had a nice season at 9 ppg and sophomore big man Jerryd Jones has played well of late. The Cardinals lost both matchups with Montgomery, but the two games were decided by a total of 3 points--with one going to overtime.

 

Terence Brooks and the Paris Greyhounds started the season on fire, sporting an 8-2 record by the time the calendar turned to 2015, but the Hounds have gone 7-7 since. Junior forward Koebe Garrard is a monster, averaging 20 ppg & 8.3 rpg. Garrard's physical strength and athleticism make him arguably the toughest defensive assignment in the district. Sophomore wing Jekobi Wells averages 13 ppg and shoots 53.5% from the floor in the process. Junior point guard James Clark comes in at 9.4 ppg and is a steady hand in the back court. The Greyhounds gave GRC all it wanted in last year's tournament, losing in overtime, but will hope to reach the next step this year. Paris has not been to the Regional Tournament since 2002 when it was in the 37th District.

 

Bourbon County dealt with an abrupt coaching change early in the year when Nick Sosby took over for Bob Eades. While the Colonels' 8-18 record doesn't seem impressive, the team is at least within striking distance of an upset in 2015. Landon Sexton, a 5'10" senior, leads the team in scoring at 14.8 ppg and is a deadly perimeter shooter, connecting on 50% (62-124) of his 3-point attempts this year. 6'0 sophomore Ameryon Blackburn (10.5 ppg) and senior guard Michael Baker (9.5 ppg) have made solid contributions throughout the season. Bourbon hasn't been to a Regional Tournament since 2005 when it was in the 37th District.

 

The Pairings (all games at Bourbon County)

 

#1 Montgomery County vs. #4 Bourbon County- Feb. 24th 6:00 pm

#2 George Rogers Clark vs. #3 Paris- Feb. 24th 7:45 pm

 

Championship Game- Feb. 26th 7:00 pm

 

Our Predictions

 

gold sunrise's picks:

 

Montgomery County 68

Bourbon County 55

 

George Rogers Clark 65

Paris 55

 

 

George Rogers Clark 72

Montgomery County 70 (OT)

 

mcpapa's picks:

 

Montgomery County 72

Bourbon County 59

 

Clark County 74

Paris 58

 

 

Clark County 65

Montgomery County 61

 

Randy Parker's picks:

 

Montgomery County 67

Bourbon County 57

 

George Rogers Clark 71

Paris 60

 

 

George Rogers Clark 58

Montgomery County 56

I predict Paris over Bourbon County in the District Championship game.

I predict Paris over Bourbon County in the District Championship game.

 

I hope you are predicting like LRCW in the KY games.....:lol2:

I hope you are predicting like LRCW in the KY games.....:lol2:

 

I believe that Paris will win the district.

No disrespect to Paris, but that ain't gonna happen. Their shot was last year.

 

Garrard can and probably will get his, but lock down Wells and you're in like Flint.

We have got to play well all 4 quarters to make a run in the post season.

This should be a very good championship game. Might have to make the trip to see it!

No disrespect to Paris, but that ain't gonna happen. Their shot was last year.

 

Garrard can and probably will get his, but lock down Wells and you're in like Flint.

 

It could but unlikely.

 

Just a feeling.

I predict Paris over Bourbon County in the District Championship game.

 

Being honest here...I thought this was an absurd prediction.

 

Great call, Cardinals2745. Great call.

No doubt.

I predict Paris over Bourbon County in the District Championship game.

 

Outstanding.

Being honest here...I thought this was an absurd prediction.

 

Great call, Cardinals2745. Great call.

 

He jinxed us and MoCo.....:lol2:

I predict Paris over Bourbon County in the District Championship game.

 

So far my gut was right.

Being honest here...I thought this was an absurd prediction.

 

Great call, Cardinals2745. Great call.

 

Thank you

Thank you

 

My apologies for making you seem stupid. Lol