It's down to four in New Castle:

 

South Oldham (26-5, 29th District runner-up) vs. Collins (15-17, 30th District runner-up) 6 pm

 

Regular season: South Oldham 77, Collins 61 January 11, 2016 in Crestwood

 

SOUTH OLDHAM: The 2013 and 2014 champs are back with a vengeance after enduring an injury-plagued 11-win season in 2015 that saw a rarity - a Steve Simpson team missing the region. As always, the Dragons are a great three-point shooting team - this squad set a KY State record for most made threes in a season - and it's not over yet. Essentially a five-guard offense, South has to scrap and claw on the glass, but they seem to always keep the rebounding wars at least competitive enough. They are a nightmare for defenses: a deep squad with talented reserves, South leads the region in scoring at nearly 75 ppg. Yet the three isn't always the story; if defenses come out to challenge, South simply attacks off the dribble and either scores a layup or shoots free throws. As the state's top free throw shooting team at over 78%, that in and of itself is problematic for opponents. There is no single scorer to key on. Defensively, South runs so many different defenses, it's difficult to prepare for them.

 

COLLINS - Coach Chris Gaither is one of the bright young minds in the 8th, and his teams always finish well. The Titans had a dramatic come-from-behind win over SK in round 1, showing great poise for a fairly young team. Dominique Turner has improved by leaps and bounds since early in the year, and seems to be growing comfortable with his role - and his athleticism is such that he's a matchup problem. Grant Clarkson's return has taken the pressure off some of the other players, and Jakson Test is now more free in the offense thanks to Clarkson's return. Collins may be better next year - but anyone counting out Collins THIS year need only remember the Titans' huge upset of Oldham County in last year's final - after losing the regular season matchup by over 30 points.

 

Oldham County (23-8), 29th district champs vs. Anderson County (17-13), 30th district champs approximately 7:45-8 pm

 

Regular Season: Oldham County 79, Anderson County 53 12/8/15 in Buckner

 

Oldham County If South Oldham is "hungry" after last year's disappointing season, Oldham County may be borderline "ravenous" after being upset in last year's 8th region final. The Colonels have responded with a terrific season under third year Coach Coy Zerhusen, winning their sixth straight district crown, and making a strong run through a regular season littered with ranked opponents. Oldham has wins over North Hardin, Male, and Eastern, and competed well against Trinity (5 point OT Loss) and Ballard (8 point loss). Outside of Owen's all-everything Carson Williams, the Colonels have one of the region's premier big men in 6'5" senior Jacob Bates (12 ppg), a mobile big man who can drive or shoot the jumper, and who is an accomplished shot-blocker. Brandon Johnson, another senior, also averages over 12 ppg and is arguably the most athletic player in the region, capable of highlight-reel plays. Defensively, the Colonels feature a pressure defense derived from Zerhusen's playing days at Scott County HS, and the Colonels are at their best when the defense is forcing turnovers and allowing them to get out in transition. This has been a very good shooting team, and Oldham is one of the more productive offenses in the region this year.

 

Anderson County A familiar name has surfaced in Lawrenceburg - PENNY. Cobe Penny is nothing like his older brother, C.J. Penny, who led the Bearcats to their last title in 2009, but he's every bit as exciting, averaging 19.9 ppg and always a threat to make a game-changing play. Gunner Gillis (8.5 ppg, 7.6 rebounds) and John Paul Garmon (13.5 ppg) probably don't get the credit or press across the region that they deserve; both are hard-nosed blue-collar players who just find a way to get it done. And Dillon Harper (8.1 ppg / 6.5 rebounds) is capable of lighting it up at any time; his performance in the first round was huge as he simply kept making shots that kept Walton-Verona at bay. At the end of the day, though, defense is what will either drive AC to the finals or not....coach Glen Drury, in his 28th year in Lawrenceburg, expects - and demands - great defensive effort, or you don't stay on the floor. Drury - the longest-tenured of the 8th region coaches - is a great game preparer, and AC is always a tough out as a result.

 

ALL GAMES will be broadcast live on The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN (also archived indefinitely)

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Collins vs Anderson in finals. I have dogged the 30th all hear so they might as well make me look good

First time at Henry Co. nice gym, however the one basket on the end opposite the stage end is at least one inch or more too low. The front is bent down.