"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown". That's been my theme for the 11th all year. Now we're down to 8, and we see why that's even more true.

 

For one, district play eliminated the team who wore last year's crown, as Henry Clay defeated Scott County.

 

It also eliminated a team that many had crowned the best in the region at one point in LCA.

 

Finally, the weight of the crown as my Preseason #1 ranking was also apparently too heavy for Dunbar, who led most of the way against Lexington Catholic before faltering late.

 

Whoever wears the crown now, whether it be district winners Henry Clay or Lexington Catholic, or teams coming off a close loss like Bryan Station or Lafayette, you can tell that there's no firm hold on it.

 

With all signs pointing to the regional winner coming out of the 42nd or 43rd districts, which still gives credence to the fact that a Madison Central, Woodford County, Franklin County, or Model could upset someone on a given night, then the draw didn't even do any huge favors to those who were able to secure their own district crowns, as the 42nd/43rd won't meet until the semi-finals at earliest and Madison Central's reward for winning their district was an early match-up with Bryan Station.

 

Let's breakdown the games one-by-one, and I'll link back my complete team previews from last week HERE.

 

 

Game 1 - Madison Central vs. Bryan Station - Wednesday @ 6:30:

 

The Defenders had a bit of a letdown in district play and are without Ronnie Carson. Still that, might not be a killer, as they performed well before him. Madison Central knows a thing or two about missing players as well, as Cameron Thomas, one of the top juniors in the State is also out for the remainder of the season. The Defenders were down early in their contest against Henry Clay in the District Final, but still made a big comeback late and are a team that I'll still have my eyes on as one of the favorites, despite their having the toughest road through the tournament.

 

Central will be playing in their own backyard, but the Defenders can throw a couple of big bodies on the Indians' Sam Jones in Tequan Claitt and DeAndre Dishman. For the Indians to have a chance, they'll really need their shooters to be dialed in.

 

 

 

Game 2 - Franklin Co. vs. Lafayette - Wednesday @ 8:15:

 

Lafayette looked really good against both LCA and Lexington Catholic. Though Harrison Lane struggled with his shot against Catholic and saw a number of looks that he'd usually hit in cold blood rim out, I thought he showed a nice ability to drop dimes, especially once he gets inside and sees an alley to dump off to Ross Jenkins, is quite underrated. Carpenter is starting to play more like the Carpenter I thought we'd see this season. TJ Downey is a spark plug off the bench. Lafayette runs a lot of "four corner" (or four out-one-in, two guard "hi", etc.) sets where they run weaves for a number of kids, and you really can't get caught sleeping or being too aggressive on the traps, otherwise, it's someone coming off of a dribble handoff with a full head of steam and heading down the lane where a defender need commit to them or Jenkins. Not the easiest looks to stop.

 

Franklin County's Ryan Schneider is a gamer and a kid I'd take on my team any day. He'll have to be on big time in this one though, as he and Coach Tony Wise's Flyers will be the decisive underdogs. It will take a big game from Schneider, seniors Demarcus Kennedy, Michael Clark (who had 16 in the district championship win over Woodford County), and Cooper Giles. The talent of 8th grader Diablo Stewart will also have to shine through as well, as you have to think Lafayette will be getting after the Flyers with some intense pressure defense.

 

 

 

Game 3 - Henry Clay vs. Model - Thursday @ 6:00:

 

This one will probably be expected to be the most lopsided of any of the first round games. That's not a knock on Model, who has some kids in Alex Chen and Ephraim Otieno who can do some things, but overall, I think they really struggle with the depth and athleticism that the Devils present.

 

For Henry Clay, things begin and end with Isaiah Tisdale. I cannot say enough good things about this kid's game and think he's a surefire D1 talent. His blood runs cold, and he's not afraid to seize the moment by taking, and making, big shots.

 

Around him you've got guards Felix Wilson and Dakahari Campbell, who are each capable of getting hot, as well as Jordan Houston, and, one of my favorite Devils, Colby Barnes. Henry Clay is a bit undersized, so you'll likely see them mix a lot of zone, including a 1-3-1 that they have been known to extend out and play fairly aggressively, and will likely try to rely on their quickness to offset a lack of size.

 

 

 

Game 4 - Lexington Catholic vs. Woodford Co. - Thursday @ 8:15:

 

In some ways, I think this could be a dangerous game for Catholic, though I do expect them to win. I think that Woodford County potentially matches up better with them than they do a Lafayette or Bryan Station in lots of ways, so it will be interesting to see how things pan out when there isn't such a huge disparity in terms of raw athleticism and what each team is trying to use it for.

 

On Catholic's end, they'll probably be considered by most to be the favorite until someone beats them out, and I think that's fair, though I'm still personally not sold on them winning it.

 

Some things you do like about Catholic: they make their free throws and don't really commit lots of turnovers, which is crucial, especially late. I liked what I saw from JJ Ogbogu, a junior who isn't really used a ton per se, but is an athletic, football WR type kid who can come in and defend and rebound his position on the wing. Most of all, I like the edge and chip on his shoulder that he plays with, as I think that it's something that Catholic is missing a bit at times.

 

Finally, shout out to Jarod Griffin for the performance he had against Lafayette in the District Final. I thought he was a huge difference in the game and will be one of the main reasons that the Knights are cutting down the nets, should that come to fruition.

 

 

Thoughts?

Semifinal Saturday will be the Fayette County Invitational with Bryan Station vs. Lafayette and Lexington Catholic vs. Henry Clay.

Go Bryan Station!!!!!!

Go Bryan Station!!!!!!

 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't wanna see them and Catholic draw the same side and get at one another. It's been said here before that Station apparently wants Catholic this year, at least that's what supposedly came from some of Station's kids and parents.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't wanna see them and Catholic draw the same side and get at one another. It's been said here before that Station apparently wants Catholic this year, at least that's what supposedly came from some of Station's kids and parents.

 

They better worry about Madison Central and one Allen Feldhaus.

They better worry about Madison Central and one Allen Feldhaus.

 

I haven't seen them all year but I was told that Cameron Thomas is gone and will not be coming back. Can they overcome that loss?

They better worry about Madison Central and one Allen Feldhaus.

 

Agree completely, and I'd imagine that's where their heads are. I was just speaking from a fan's perspective and repeating what's been said/heard back around Christmas.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't wanna see them and Catholic draw the same side and get at one another. It's been said here before that Station apparently wants Catholic this year, at least that's what supposedly came from some of Station's kids and parents.

 

Henry Clay kids have already been making noise on Twitter about wanting to play Catholic and both teams have a game before that one. Since you're talking about crowns already it's obvious who wears when it comes to Lexington sports...

Henry Clay kids have already been making noise on Twitter about wanting to play Catholic and both teams have a game before that one. Since you're talking about crowns already it's obvious who wears when it comes to Lexington sports...

 

I won't argue there, but the theme of the year has also been uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

"The Defenders had a bit of a letdown in district play and are without Ronnie Carson."

 

 

WHY are they without him?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't wanna see them and Catholic draw the same side and get at one another. It's been said here before that Station apparently wants Catholic this year, at least that's what supposedly came from some of Station's kids and parents.

 

What is the deal with Ronnie Carson and Cameron Thomas ?

What is the deal with Ronnie Carson and Cameron Thomas ?

 

They won't be expected to play in the regional tournament.

I understand that, did they just decide they did not want to play ?

Henry Clay kids have already been making noise on Twitter about wanting to play Catholic and both teams have a game before that one. Since you're talking about crowns already it's obvious who wears when it comes to Lexington sports...

 

 

Wanted to add, and this isn't a knock on Model, but... I do think Henry Clay is considerably better than them and that if they were upset by the Patriots, then it'd probably be the consensus on biggest upset in the 11th Regional Tourney.

 

Agree with you that Lexington Catholic is "the king" that everyone is trying to dethrone for now though with Scott County being down this season and having already exited. Over the past decade, those two have been the standard for excellence in the 11th.

I understand that, did they just decide they did not want to play ?

 

I don't know the specifics of either's situation and as such, think it's unfair to speculate, especially as they are both still high school kids. Neither has played the past couple of games for their teams, and the only thing that I think it's fair to say is that most of the chatter is that neither are expected to be back before season's end.