39th District Tournament Preview

 

The tradition rich Mason County Fieldhouse is the venue for the 2015 39th District Tournament. This annual February get-together has drawn statewide attention for the last two years, thanks to Augusta twice knocking off Mason County in the opening round. There will be no first round matchup between the two this year, as we'll see county rivals square off to start the tourney. The two-time defending champ Panthers will take on Bracken County, while the heavy-favorite Royals entertain St. Patrick.

 

Undefeated in the 10th Region, and with only 2 blemishes all season, Chris O'Hearn and Mason County will undoubtedly be expected to cut down the nets for the first time since 2012. The Royals not only boast the 10th's best team, but its best player as well, in 6'6" senior Dorian Henry. The state's field goal percentage leader (71.5%), Henry averages 21.7 ppg & 9.8 rpg. No other Mason County player averages double figures, but junior point guard Antwavon "Pig" Williams (9.3 ppg) has been the team's catalyst all year long. Senior forward Jake O'Mara (7.7 ppg) joins Henry to comprise a formidable front court, while Ryan Johnson (9.5 ppg) and Dee Johnson (8.2 ppg) supply sufficient back court strength.

 

Jason Hinson's two-time defending champs at Augusta suffered a severe blow in the Class "A" State Tournament when junior forward Camryn Snapp (15.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg) suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The Panthers have lost both games they've played since Snapp's injury, including a 22-point loss at home to Bracken County on February 13th. Junior guard Connor Maddox leads the team in scoring at 19.1 ppg, while fellow junior guard Owens Crawford averages 11.1 ppg.

 

Bracken County and first-year coach Jeremy Miles enter the tournament on a hot streak, winners of 5 straight games. Sophomore Austin Crawford, a 6'3" guard, has been one of the 10th's top players this season, averaging 24.3 ppg, which is good for 8th in the Commonwealth. Crawford also pulls down a team-leading 9.8 rpg. Swingman Jacob Hamilton nets 12.8 ppg, while shooting a team-high 48.4% from the field. The 6'1" sophomore also shoots 83.1% from the charity stripe, getting almost 30% of his points from the free throw line.

 

St. Patrick faces an uphill battle in drawing Mason County, but head coach Matthew Taylor has a dandy player in 6'6" senior forward Andrew Sticklen to help with the cause. Sticklen leads the team in scoring at 18.6 ppg and his 11.7 rpg is good for #8 in Kentucky. Freshman forward Ben Swolsky ranks second on the team in both scoring and rebounding with 7.4 ppg & 4.7 rpg. The Saints are looking to make their first trip to the Regional Tournament since the 2008-09 season.

 

The Pairings (all games at Mason County)

 

Augusta vs. Bracken County - February 23rd 8:00 pm

St. Patrick vs. Mason County - February 24th 8:00 pm

 

Championship Game - February 26th 8:00 pm

 

Our Predictions

 

gold sunrise's picks:

 

Bracken County 60

Augusta 50

 

Mason County 85

St Patrick 50

 

 

Mason County 75

Bracken County 49

 

mcpapa's picks:

 

Winners of their last five contests, Bracken County comes off a 22-point drubbing of Augusta, breaking a ten-game skid of losses to the Panthers in the process. Look for Coach Hinson to make adjustments and keep this one much closer, but the Polar Bears are peaking at the right time and should come out on top.

 

Bracken County 60

Augusta 50

 

 

A huge underdog on paper, the Saints will need a monster game from post man Andrew Sticklen and plenty of help from the supporting cast to stay in this one. Royals bench should see significant action and cruise to the win, with Dorian Henry having his way down low.

 

Mason County 72

St. Patrick 46

 

 

The final should pit a Polar Bear squad that has traveled light years since a 73-38 whitewashing at the hands of the Royals early in the season. Mason County won't duplicate the 25-0 run to start the game this time around, but should prevail with the size mismatch inside.

 

Mason County 68

Bracken County 54

 

Randy Parker's picks:

 

Bracken County 54

Augusta 50

 

Mason County 81

St. Patrick 55

 

 

Mason County 73

Bracken County 50

Danny Weddle @DannyEWeddle

Mason Co. has announced that tonight's 39th District Tournament games will be played as scheduled