I had a great time at the Sweet 16 this year and figured I'd share 16 thoughts/reflections I had from this year's Sweet 16. I attended every game and enjoyed every second of it.

 

Here goes:

 

16. I have had multiple discussions and I wouldn't change a thing about the postseason of high school basketball in our state of Kentucky. The Sweet 16 semifinals had two district champs(Covington Catholic, Bowling Green) and two district runner-ups(Owensboro, Boyle County). The Sweet 16 Champion was a district runner-up. Owensboro. Don't. Change. A. Thing.

 

15. The sense of pride felt as a fan/parent watching your team/kids play on the floor at Rupp Arena is a feeling words cannot describe. I cherished every minute and will never forget a thing.

 

14. It's always cool to see a middle schooler not only play at Rupp Arena but hold his own. I remember seeing Braxton Beverly as a 7th Grader and this year I'll remember seeing 8th Grader Korbin Spencer of Elliott County.

 

13. Williamsburg gave Doss all they wanted in what proved to be the best game of opening day. It was much closer than expected in a game no one expected to be close.

 

12. I enjoyed watching Quentin Goodin of Taylor County play and I'll be surprised if he isn't back at Rupp Arena next season.

 

11. This tournament was wide open but the margin of victory in a majority of the games was surprising. I expected much closer games than what we got.

 

10. I love the semifinals and finals on separate days. It doesn't matter to me what days they are on just keep them on separate days. Please and thank you.

 

9. The Boyle County/Lexington Catholic game and the Calloway County/Knott County Central games were the two most exciting games of the tournament.

 

8. Favorite players to watch in this year's tournament: Jacoby Harris-Owensboro, Deangelo Wilson-Bowling Green, Camron Justice-Knott County Central, Cole Vonhandorf-Covington Catholic, Jalen Perry-Ballard, Kyle Gullett-Johnson Central, Parker Adams-Calloway County and the Colonel Crazies.

 

7. WKY basketball is for real and the state as a whole needs to do a better job of letting the rest of the state know.

 

6. Parker Adams of Calloway County is the state's best kept secret.

 

5. Jalen Perry of Ballard was the best offensive player I saw play all week.

 

4. Covington Catholic is a machine. Supremely coached, well disciplined and true competitors. The Matthew Shumate three pointer to send the game to OT was a thing of beauty and arguably the most clutch shot of the tournament. It was amazing to watch in person. It looked like a perfectly drawn up play that was executed with precision and confidence. Truly amazing to see in person. I'm always impressed with the play of Coach Ruthsatz's Colonels.

 

3. The Boyle County Rebels draw was the toughest draw in the tourney. Thrilling come from behind victory over Lexington Catholic. Surprising blowout of Ballard. Ultimate demise to a Bowling Green team tailor made to end their tournament run. The argument of best backcourt in the state was possibly settled as Jeremiah Bell and Hagen Tyler proved to be a duo that was fun to watch and follow. With Bell's ability to penetrate and Tyler's breathtaking jumper they provided excitement and memories for all Rebel fans to cherish forever. As a Rebel fan I enjoyed every minute of the season and I am grateful to have been a part of it.

 

2. The youthful Bowling Green team that has a bright bright future. Seniors Tucker Sine and Malik Carothers guided a team that was led by sophomores Terry Taylor, Kyran Jones and Deangelo Wilson. Junior Perry Ayers was a perfect fit to this BG team that dominated the paint, dominated the boards and shot extremely well from the free throw line. Their sophomores played like seniors and they feasted on the Boyle County Rebels in the semifinals on Saturday night. This team may not have won the Sweet 16 but they all gained a ton of experience as they made the semifinals last season and the finals this season. I would not be surprised at all to see this team cut down the nets at the Sweet 16 next year.

 

1. The Sweet 16 Champions, the Owensboro Red Devils. Easily the best team of the tournament, obviously. Not many teams in the state outside of WKY see a combo as big and as skilled as Justin Miller and Aric Holman. Miller was pretty much unstoppable when he got the ball down low and Holman was the same way. Both have a soft touch at the rim and both pass the ball extremely well for big men. When you add in the steady play of point guard Jacoby Harris and the ability to score from deep that Dylan Sanford and Darion Morrow brought to the team and you have all of the ingredients of a Sweet 16 Champion. Truly a great run by Owensboro and truly a great team to watch for any fan of high school basketball. Congratulations once again to the Red Devils on a fantastic week of basketball.

EXCELLENT, PP92. Loved this. You captured it all so well, I thought I was there!

Very good article.

Excellent write-up! :thumb:

Great article, but IMO Cameron Justice was the best offensive player in the tournament (with Jalen Perry being a close second). Other than that, spot on and Keep up the great work!

I didn't mention this as a thought but it was easily one of the best highlights of the week. Looking forward to more CoCo next year!!!!!

 

Colton Elkins DUNKS On Ballard Defender In Sweet 16 - VIDEO | KyBasketball.TV

Good stuff as always PP92.

Great job! point 15 has to be the best feeling ever!

Great perspective.

Really well written article.

15. The sense of pride felt as a fan/parent watching your team/kids play on the floor at Rupp Arena is a feeling words cannot describe. I cherished every minute and will never forget a thing.

 

I've gotten to do this twice now. I'm with you - cool stuff!!!!!

Purple Pride Perfect my friend!

Great job PP92!

Great article PurplePride!!! Thanks for all the work you've put in on BGP. You're right. WKY athletics is on the upswing, and it's a pleasure to see.

Nice job.

 

I'm envious you got to watch the entire tournament.