Ballard was definitely the most talented team in the state last year, probably in 2013 when they lost in the finals and I would make the favorite again this year especially since they put away Trinity. Can Renner get it done with this team that hasnt lost a game to a state school.

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Yes...can and will.

Gotta win region first.

Gotta win region first.

 

Quit being so logical. :bunny:

Can they? Yes, definitely.

 

Will they? I think they are the favorite and I don't know who beats them, but stranger things have happened.

Im thinking Ballard or Knott Co. This year. Knott Co is due

They should win it but how many times have they lost in the championship game? I know of at least three: Clay County, Shelby Valley, and Madison Central. I believe they were the favorites to win it in all three of those years. They get to the night of the Big Trophy and come up short. Maybe not this year, though.

IMO, Ballard, when there is usually one of, if not the, best team there. Problems arise, however, when they don't play to that level and/or when they run into a Clay County or Shelby Valley that is a crowd favorite who everyone wants to see win.

I hope Ballard's focus is on tonight's opponent and that they are not looking forward to the state tournament yet. Manual is a quality opponent with a stud player in Dwayne Sutton. Ballard is the better team and should win, but the better team does not always win.

I hope Ballard's focus is on tonight's opponent and that they are not looking forward to the state tournament yet. Manual is a quality opponent with a stud player in Dwayne Sutton. Ballard is the better team and should win, but the better team does not always win.

 

Hard to figure out Manual. They lose to Dunbar and Male and only have a handful of quality wins. Impressive against Central once, lose the next time they play them. Hoping Bruins don't suffer from Shamrock Shake hangover. If they shoot the three well- and they do (they've knocked down close to 300 of them this year)- they should win going away.

Hard to figure out Manual. They lose to Dunbar and Male and only have a handful of quality wins. Impressive against Central once, lose the next time they play them. Hoping Bruins don't suffer from Shamrock Shake hangover. If they shoot the three well- and they do (they've knocked down close to 300 of them this year)- they should win going away.

 

Manual has wins over Lafayette, Scott County, Central (2 times), Lexington Christian, Apollo, Waggener (2 times), Eastern (2 times), and Bullitt East. Their losses were to Henderson Co. by 2, Bullitt East in LIT by 3, at Central by 2. Dunbar, and Male were quality opponents that Manual didn't play well against.

 

If Manual shoots well I think they have a legitimate chance to pull the upset. They have yet to shoot well in Valley's gym since they have started having both the LIT and Regional tournaments played there. Here's hoping shots are falling for the Crimsons.

Ballard if they get there will be the heavy favorite just like they were the last two times they were runner-up. They seem to always find away to lose in the finals. There always seems to be a team in the sweet sixteen that no one looks at that steps up and wins it. Its what makes it the greatest show on earth. Cov Cath was an example last year. All the talk was about Trinity, Scott Co, and Hoptown.

Manual has wins over Lafayette, Scott County, Central (2 times), Lexington Christian, Apollo, Waggener (2 times), Eastern (2 times), and Bullitt East. Their losses were to Henderson Co. by 2, Bullitt East in LIT by 3, at Central by 2. Dunbar, and Male were quality opponents that Manual didn't play well against.

 

If Manual shoots well I think they have a legitimate chance to pull the upset. They have yet to shoot well in Valley's gym since they have started having both the LIT and Regional tournaments played there. Here's hoping shots are falling for the Crimsons.

 

Male and Dunbar are a combined 29-29.

If Ballard plays like they did against Trinity in their most recent game and Manual plays like they did against Waggener in their most recent game it will be a double digit win for Ballard. But it is a new day and should Ballard struggle shooting three's which can happen, then Manual has a chance. Manual must get an unbelievable performance from Sutton. He may be the best player in the 7th region, but he will need to carry his team on his back by getting a 30 point night in order for Manual to win. He can do it, but the Bruins have much more depth even within the starting lineups of players capable of having solid contributing scoring nights.

If Ballard plays like they did against Trinity in their most recent game and Manual plays like they did against Waggener in their most recent game it will be a double digit win for Ballard. But it is a new day and should Ballard struggle shooting three's which can happen, then Manual has a chance. Manual must get an unbelievable performance from Sutton. He may be the best player in the 7th region, but he will need to carry his team on his back by getting a 30 point night in order for Manual to win. He can do it, but the Bruins have much more depth even within the starting lineups of players capable of having solid contributing scoring nights.

 

Even if Sutton gets his 30+ points, 15+ rebounds (which he more likely will do).... Manual has to have others step up to the plate. Both teams rely on good shooting but Ballard has guys that does it more often that not... Ballard by 10+