Well Saturday was a sad day across the Bluegrass as regular season's came to an end, and some of our best seniors were recognized along the way. It's a week that gets overlooked by many as we approach the tourney, but some coaches make sure they are tested in that week to see if they are tourney ready, as we witnessed that in the 8th region this week.

 

1. Owen County- This team has been in this spot all year, pressure of performing each week has not overwhelmed the Rebels. They have taken on all opponents and really been in every game they have played, even their couple losses. A win over Oldham on senior night where their supporting cast shined.

 

2. South Oldham- This team has been #2/#3 all season as well. They definitely have what it takes to win the region. KABC COY in Steve Simpson who has (2) regional titles, something Duvall and Zerhusen seek, give his Dragons the edge. Maybe one of the best passing/ball movement teams I have watched in the 8th. Wins over Henry, Walton and Woodford round out their season.

 

3. Oldham County-Lost a tough one at Owen, and beat a very good Meade team that can win the 3rd region. Also the region that will play the 8th in Rupp. The Colonels have played a tough schedule and played a lot of kids. They are hopeful that all of that pays off down the stretch.

 

4. Shelby County- The Rockets are heating up, getting good guard play, and finding ways to win. They beat Desales, Grant County, and Gallatin County. Their schedule was alot more favorable than the gauntlet at the beginning of the year, but the coaching staff kept them focused on improving and that is what they have done.

 

5. Collins- Don't overlook the team that won this region last year. Yes they have been inconsistent most of the season, but they have encountered injury's along the way and have really struggled replacing Kidwell. Ending their season with wins over GRC, CAL, and North Oldham impresses me. Its an ugly game to watch with them but they find ways to win.

 

6. Anderson County- Still some inconsistency with the young Bearcats. They lost at Franklin but it was how they lost that scares me, (2) technical fouls and one ejection to my understanding, I could be wrong about that. Being young means keeping composure and learning from the experience. District tourney is in the BURG.

 

7. North Oldham-Wins over Desales and Henry County this week, and a loss to Collins where they had the lead late show that the Mustangs are dangerous in this district tourney. Coach Burton will have them competing for a regional berth.

 

8. Walton Verona- Lost to Carroll County which is a head scratcher for me, and South Oldham impressed me in the 2nd half against the Bearcats for the other loss. They are wanting to crack the regional tourney but losing 2 in a row to end the season is not a good sign.

 

8. Williamstown- Wins over Carroll, Trimble and Eminence this week move the Demons up my list.

 

9. Carroll County- The biggest movers this week after wins against Walton, Collegiate and Bellevue. The Panthers are eyeing a regional berth as well.

 

10. Simon Kenton-The Pioneers are glad the regular season is behind them, because post season is new start to a new season. The Pioneers have to handle adversity better, when things are going good they can beat anyone but when it start getting bad they seem to pout and stop playing. They are still capable of beating anyone if they play for 32 minutes.

 

11. Gallatin County-Beat Trimble, Villa Madonna and Grant County this past week. Lost to Shelby County on senior night in Shelbyville, but played well. Wildcats are improving.

 

12. Spencer county- Has improved all season and can give Anderson County all they can handle in the tourney. Beat Bethlehem, and lost at Bullitt Central.

 

13. Henry County-Have lost 4 of 5, most against good teams but that is who you have to beat this time of year. Wildcats are dangerous for sure, they have to get back in sync to do so.

 

14. Grant County- You never know what Braves team is going to show, lost to Gallatin County and beat Beechwood. They host the districts and have won it 2 years in a row.

 

15. Eminence- The warriors can score points but they also give alot up. Lost to Williamstown and beat Burgin

 

16. Trimble County-Lost to Evangel and Lloyd Memorial. Off season lifitng, working and playing to improve will happen with this Raider team.

 

DISTRICT TOURNEY PRE-VIEW

 

29th- This district has 2 of my top 3 teams in it, and another team that could win some of the other districts in the 8th. Unfortunately (1) really good team is being left out of post season. This District has been won by the Colonels (5) straight times, and 1 of these teams have won 4 of the last 5 regional titles. Games are being played in Bedford Ky, home of the Trimble County RAIDERSSSSSS! If it is Dragons vs Colonels, they will have to turn people away for capacity.

 

Predictions

Tuesday Feb 24th 7:30 South vs. Trimble (Score: Dragons 82- Raiders 35)

Wednesday Feb 25th 7:30 Oldham vs. North Oldham (Score: Colonels 68-Mustangs 60)

Friday Feb 27th 7:30 South vs. Oldham (Score Dragons 68- Colonels 65)

 

30th District Tourney

The 30th also has overall the best district in our region from top to bottom, so do not be surprised if any of these 4 teams win it. It has last years regional winner, and 3 coaches that have been on Rupp Arena's floor, and a young coach that I really like to do that one day himself. The District Tourney is in Lawrenc "the Burg"

 

Predictions

Tuesday Feb 24th 7:30 Anderson vs. Spencer (Score: Bearcats 62- Bears 55)

Wednesday Feb 25th 7:30 Shelby vs. Collins (Score: Rockets 52- Titans 51)

Friday Feb 27th 7:30 Anderson vs. Shelby (Score: Bearcats 74-Rockets 68)

 

31st District Tourney

The battle of the smaller schools, and I promise they will have some great games to watch. These teams know each other so well that it makes for a great district tourney. It is also one of our states districts with 5 teams, something KHSAA needs to address in due time. This district appears to be Owen's to lose. This tourney is being played in Warsaw, Ky. Home of the "Wizard of Warsaw" nick name I have given to Coach Jones

Predictions

 

Feb 22nd Eminence vs. Gallatin ( Score: Wildcats 76- Warriors 60)

Feb 24th TBA vs. Owen County (Score: Rebels 74- Wildcats 62)

Feb 24th Carroll County vs. Henry County (Score: Wildcats 58-Panther 56)

Feb 27th Owen County vs. Henry County (Score: Rebels 76- Wildcat 58)

 

32nd District Tourney

This District is the weakest I can remember it ever being. There is not alot of difference in these (4) teams. I would not be shocked to see any of them win this thing and advance to the Regional Tourney. The Grant County Braves have won this region the last couple years, and Walton Verona is wanting back to the Region. You have a Williamstown team that will play as hard as they can for 32 minutes and a Simon Kenton team that can fix a lot of wrongs down the stretch. How will it pan out is a mystery. This tourney is at Grant County so maybe they are a slight favorite. The Braves had some injury's in their game against Gallatin, and I have not heard how serious they are.

 

Predictions

 

Feb 22nd 8:00 Simon vs. Williamstown (Score: Pioneers 58- Demons 54)

Feb 23rd 8:00 Grant vs. Walton (Score: Braves 49- Bearcats 48)

Feb 26th 7:00 Simon vs. Grant (Score: Braves 51-Pioneers 50)

Good job with this article. The 8th Region is going to be enjoyable to watch. My long-shot sleeper in this? Simon Kenton. I watched them twice and think they could be a big factor. I don't think they can win the region, but they can win their district, get a great draw and advance to the finals if they can pull together. They don't have the best shooters, but I like their size and competitiveness.

 

In the end, it might come down to Owen County vs. either South Oldham or Oldham County. That's assuming the regional draw doesn't put two of them against each other in the opening game.