Wednesday: 6:00Ballard Memorial (17-12) vs. Carlisle County (19-8):

 

Ballard Memorial -3rd District Runner-up, defeated Mayfield 76-62 and lost to Graves Co. 58-44.

Carlisle County-1st District Champion, defeated Hickman County 69-54 and Fulton City, 59-50

 

Previous Games:

January 3rd: Ballard Memorial 49 Carlisle County 44

February 13th: Ballard Memorial 71 Carlisle County 53

 

 

Ballard Memorial has been much improved this year. They had won 10 games the past two years combined. They got to the regional by beating Mayfield and losing to Graves County in the 3rd district tournament. The leadership of their seniors have been big for them. The steady play of Tolar Terrell at the point and his ability to score has made a huge difference. The increase of production from Clay Newton down the stretch has increased the versatility of this team. Balance is key as well. They have 8 players averaging between 4.7 and 13.6. Each of them have had big scoring games.

They are led by Keagan Cooper at 13.6 by followed closely by Cody and Clay Newton. Cody averages 9.5 and his brother Clay at 9.1. They have 3 other players averaging 7 points a night, Tolar Terrell, Dre Bledsoe, and Zach Parson. Then you have Lee Chandler a deep threat from threes averaging 6 a game and backup PG TJ Wray averaging almost 5 a game. This team is deep and can score a variety of ways. Their defense is much improved this year as Coach Botner has used a 2-2-1 press back into a 2-3 zone. They struggled at man the past couple of years and he has found a solid defense this year. This group is long and athletic. Where they struggle with at times is outside shooting and turnovers. If they can hit enough threes and take care of the ball they are a tough out.

 

Carlisle County has been a solid team all year with a few bumps in the road. They got to the regional by beating Hickman County and Fulton City to win the 1st district championship. The Comets are led in scoring by three juniors, Ethan Weatherspoon, 16 PPG, Paxton Crider, 14 PPG, and Noah Norworthy, 10 PPG. They get steady PG play in Trey Carrico. Coach O’Neill has been starting the four guards since mid-January. The key maybe the play on the inside. The Comets have four post players Bailey Morefield, Jordan Kellett, Austin Bailey, and Codie Bailey. Codie Bailey came up big in the district tournament with a double double in the 1st game and 12 rebounds in the 2nd. They have depth in the post with these four players. The key for the Comets will be on the defensive end. They have been real good at times and not so good at other. They will need to be solid because Ballard has so many weapons. They will also have to handle the 2-2-1 that the Bombers will throw at them.

 

 

 

Prediction: Comets finally break through and win a close one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday: 7:45

St. Mary (14-15) vs. Calloway County (26-3)

 

St. Mary- 2nd District Runner-up, beat McCracken County 62-57 and lost to Paducah Tilghman 55-46.

Calloway County- 4th District Champion, defeated Murray in OT, 49-45.

 

Previous games:

NONE

 

 

This is the 1st meeting for these two teams this year although Coach Greg Overstreet and Coach Terry Birdsong are familiar foes. When Coach Birdsong was at Graves these two were in the same district.

St. Mary has balanced scoring led by Ben Hooper at 13.2. He is followed by Austin Hubert at 12.4, Davis Sims, 9.3 and Peyton Smith at 8.0. These four are capable of putting up big numbers. The key maybe the post players in John DeNeve and Brian Johnston not in the scoring column but defending Skyler Hunter and Parker Adams of Calloway. The key for St. Mary besides containing those two will be scoring against the Lakers. The Lakers defense is much improved and very stout half-court wise.

 

The Lakers are led by KABC POY Parker Adams at 17.7 PPG. The play of Skyler Hunter in the paint has been huge for the Lakers on the defensive end. Hunter is one of the best three point shooters in the area at 43.8%. He is a match-up problems for opposing teams. Not many 6’7 can step out and hit the three as consistently as Hunter can. Conner Wagner is averaging 11 a game and gives a solid third option. He shoots 41.6% from threes. As a team, Calloway shoots 42 from the three point line making them a very tough team to defend. The team is ran by PG Wade Carter. He is a steady playmaker but capable of scoring as well. He puts in 8 a game. Rounding out the rotation is Clay Smotherman and Hunter Smith. These six seniors have been waiting for this year since their freshman year.

 

 

 

 

Prediction: Calloway by 8. Inside play will be too much for the Vikings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday: 6:00

Fulton City (8-18) vs. Graves County (18-11)

 

Fulton City, 1st District Runner-up. They defeated Fulton County 51-43 and lost to Carlisle County 59-50

Graves County, 3rd District Champions, they defeated Ballard Memorial 58-44a

 

Previous Games:

January 10th, Graves County 70 Fulton City 41

 

The Bulldogs were on a roll until they lost 5 in a row right before the District tournament. They avenged one of those losses in the 1st round of district beating Fulton County. They are led in scoring by Stephen Houston at 11.6 and Brandon Walker at 10.4. The emergence of Walker and Michael Thomas has given the Bulldogs an inside presence this year. Thomas is averaging 9 PPG and 7.4 rebounds. However, the key maybe the play of PG Areon Ferrell. He doesn’t score much but he is the one that gets them going. His ability to break down defenses and distribute the ball is important. Zach Howard, Queshon Ward, and Nick Ware all average 5-6 points. The key for the Bulldogs will be getting good shots against an Eagle team that scouts opposing teams very well. They will also have to avoid foul trouble with Thomas and Walker against the bigger Eagles.

 

The Eagles have played well down the stretch. They are on a 5 game winning streak. It has been an up and down season for 1st year coach Josh Frick but it was too expected with them losing so many players to graduation. Andrew Smith has been one of the region’s best players this year averaging 18.4 and taking the younger players on his back. Eamon Hannan has been solid inside and out averaging 13.2. The big key in this year and I do mean big is 6’9 Chris Vogt. He has improved dramatically as the season as progress. He is averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds, and set a single season block record with over 125 this year. The steady play of Hunter Grant at the point and in the paint with Christian Gough has led the Eagles down the stretch as well. Coach Frick was playing up to 10 players early in the year but has settled with a shorter rotation down the stretch. I think the Eagles win this game fairly easy but their semifinal game will be a tough one.

 

 

 

Prediction: Eagles by 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday: 7:45

Murray vs. Paducah Tilghman

 

Murray, 4th District Runner-up, defeated Marshall County 50-44 and lost to Calloway Co. in OT, 49-45

Paducah Tilghman, 2nd District Champions defeated CCA 91-29 and St. Mary 55-46.

 

Previous Games:

December 12th, Murray 72 Paducah Tilghman 68.

 

These two teams are probably 2A and 2B if you were to rank the teams in the regional. One of the favorites will be eliminated in the quarterfinals. The Tigers roared out of the gate and have been steady all year. The won the All A regional and look to be only the 2nd boys’ team to win both regionals. Carlisle County in 2004 is the only boys’ team to pull off the double championships. The Tigers are a very balanced and deep team. Sharp shooter Preston English leads them in scoring at 11.5 but guards Duane Curtis, 10.3 and James Boone, 9.6 get the Tigers going. Curtis maybe one of the most improved players in the region. Depth is the key in the paint as well. Tandyn Sheppard, 6.1, Tre Hornbuckle, 5.7, and Ethan Clark, 4.4 give Murray several options in the middle. Zach Flener is has come off the bench maybe the best 6th man in the region. He gives a jolt of energy with his constant motion play. He is a solid defender and a great passer. This team plays hungry and if they can get by Paducah Tilghman I see them making the finals.

 

Paducah Tilghman has won 6 in a row and seem to be playing their best ball right now. This team has so many offensive weapons that it doesn’t seem fair to the other teams. Devon Hart, 15, Sayveon McEwen, 12.8, Jerome Reed, 9.8, Brannon Warfield, 8.2, Jesse Dunnigan, 5.7, Rodriquez Thomas, 5.6, Nathan Hawkins, 4.6, and Jordan Prather, 4.0. They can score in bunches because of the ability to hit the three. Because of the three it opens driving lanes for their quick guards. If there is one weakness is on the boards. They are not very big but still rebound well.

 

The key for both teams will be three point shooting and rebounding. Both teams shoot a lot of threes. PT is 33.8% and Murray is 37.6% from the three point line and both teams like to let them fly.

 

I expect the winner of this game to make the finals to battle Calloway County.

 

 

Prediction: The Tigers lack of regional experience will hurt them. The Tornadoes in a close one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record against the field:

Calloway County: 5-0

Paducah Tilghman: 7-1

Murray: 6-3

Graves County: 4-3

Carlisle County: 4-4

Ballard Memorial: 5-7

St. Mary: 3-7

Fulton City: 0-9

I agree with you on Calloway in the finals and the winner of Murray-Tilghman from the other side.

 

Calloway over Tilghman but if the other scenario would occur Murray over Calloway.

Regional Tournament Update:

 

Games for Wednesday and Thursday Boys have been postponed until Saturday.

 

If the girls get their games on Friday then the boys will be continue on Saturday with the following schedule:

 

2:00: Ballard Memorial vs. Carlisle County

3:45: St. Mary vs. Calloway County

 

6:00: Fulton City vs. Graves County

7:45: Murray vs. Paducah Tilghman

 

 

 

If the girls can't play Friday night then they will play Saturday and they will have 3 sessions. I am getting two different schedules so not sure which is correct.

 

 

One is the girls play first followed by two boys' sessions.

the other is a boys session followed by a girls' session and then finish the day with a boys' session.

 

 

If Boys can play on Saturday then the semifinals will be Monday and Finals on Tuesday.

I agree with you on Calloway in the finals and the winner of Murray-Tilghman from the other side.

 

Calloway over Tilghman but if the other scenario would occur Murray over Calloway.

 

so you think that Murray can get them on their 4th try?

 

you may be right.

I just like the underdog. Calloway now knows they can be beaten. That should be enough to carry them to Rupp. Calloway got a great draw. Murray did not. Murray should have gotten them in the district. It can play out both ways; Tilghman is good also and they could win it all. I just think if Calloway does not win it, Murray will.

Games are changed yet again

 

Sunday staring at 1:30, Carlisle/Ballard followed by Calloway/St. Mary

 

Monday starting at 6:00, Graves/Fulton City then Paducah Tilghman/Murray

 

TUesday. Semifinals at 6

 

Wednesday, finals at 7

PLay continues tonight

 

6:00 Graves County vs. Fulton City

7:45 Paducah Tilghman vs. Murray

Last night games:

 

Carlisle County 65 Ballard Memorial 57

Calloway County 61 St. Mary 46

Most people thought a Murray v Calloway 4 would make a great regional Championship. But who really wants to see 2 teams play for the 4th time...

Let's see March Madness at its best and have a Carlisle and Graves regional Championship!!! Bring on the Madness!!!

Region 1 Basketball, What is your breakdown and predictions for tonight's games?

Just now saw your other post, Thanks

Edited March 10, 201511 yr by lovin_war