Region 1 Semifinals

Semifinal #1

Carlisle County (20-8) vs. Calloway County (27-3)

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

Regional defeated Ballard Memorial 65-57.

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

Regional defeated St. Mary 61-46.

Previous Games:

February 10th: Calloway County 59 Carlisle County 42

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 and stopping Calloway’s multiple sets that they run. Can they contain Calloway’s big 3 in Adams, Hunter, and Wagner? Also, can they score enough against Calloway’s solid man to man defense? Boards could be key. St. Mary outrebounded Calloway and Carlisle was solid on the boards against Ballard.

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.

Key for the Lakers maybe overlooking the Comets. The Lakers are heavy favorites. Coach Birdsong has battled the Comets in past regional tournaments so I don’t see him allowing his team to overlook the underdog Comets. The Lakers have been solid on both ends of the court this year so I look for that to continue.

Prediction: I think this game is closer than people think but see the Lakers pulling out a close one.

If the Comets can hang tight until the 4th quarter the pressure will shift to the regional favorite Lakers.

Semifinal #2

Graves County (19-11) vs. Murray (22-9)

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

Regional defeated Fulton City 63-28

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

Regional defeated Paducah Tilghman 55-53.

Previous Games:

NONE

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.

Key for the Eagles will be containing James Boone. Boone has been a top player but an injury slowed him down this year but his emergence was big in last night’s win. The Eagles will have to win the battle of the boards. Vogt, Hannon, and Gough will have to battle Hornbuckle, Sheppard, and Clark on the boards. Murray will also come with pressure. Can the Eagle guards handle it?

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.

Key for the Tigers will be coming down from their amazing comeback last night. Will their pressure bother Graves County? I think it will. Another key for the Tigers is containing Andrew Smith and the interior against Vogt.

Prediction: Tigers by 6