The 11th Region tournament is upon us and expect it to be a good one! We have some newcomers this year and a couple of teams who haven't seen the regional tournament in many years. Before, we get into the tournament preview lets look at the all region team.

 

Player of the Year - Taveion Hollingsworth - Paul Laurence Dunbar

 

Coach of the Year - Rob Goodman - Sayre

Shane Buttry - Madison Southern

First Team

Taveion Hollingsworth - Paul Laurence Dunbar

Michael Moreno - Scott County

Luke Johnson - Lexington Catholic

Jake Duby - Sayre

Kyle Rode - Lexington Christian Academy

 

Second Team

Zan Payne - Lexington Catholic

Carter Hendrickson - Lexington Christian Academy

Eric Boone - Bryan Station

Cooper Robb - Scott County

Michael Jefferson - Madison Southern

 

Third Team

JuJuante Carpenter - Lafayette

Justin Mitchell - Henry Clay

Diablo Stewart - Franklin County

Isaiah Cozart - Madison Central

Dustin Geralds - Madison Central

 

Tournament Preview

 

Game 1 - Franklin County vs. Lexington Catholic

The first game of the tournament features the Flyers coming off their 3rd straight 41st District Championship and the Knights making their return to the region stage after a year absence. On the surface this looks like an easy win for the Knights but I expect it to be a little closer, at least early, then most expect. The Flyers feature tough guard Diablo Stewart who will be a lot to contain on a bigger floor for the Knights. If the Flyers can handle the traditional Catholic pressure and control the pace in the half court I expect it to be a close game through the first half. As for the Knights, they showcase one of the better guards not only in the region but in the state in Luke Johnson and two good bigs in Zan Payne and Peter Whitman. Expect the Knights to have a field day on the inside and the glass against the Flyers. All in all I expect Lexington Catholic to win going away in a game that's much closer then the final score will indicate.

 

Game 2 - Madison Southern vs. Sayre

Ok lets be honest, how many people had Madison Southern or Sayre sitting in the semi finals of the 11th region tournament at the beginning of the season. The answer is 0. This to me is the best matchup of the first round without a doubt. First you have Sayre who hasn't been to the region semifinals since 1998 and then Madison Southern who have never made it that far in school history. Sayre features do it all guard Jake Duby who single handedly willed his team past Henry Clay and into the regional tournament. Also, guard RJ Smith has been playing well for the Spartans as late. The Eagles are led by guard Caleb Miller and forward Michael Jefferson. In my opinion this is the best Madison Southern team in school history and I don't think they are quite done yet. I'm going with the Eagles to pull out a close one in front of a good crowd in Richmond and move on to the region semi finals for the first time in school history.

 

Game 3 Scott County vs. Frankfort

The Panthers of Frankfort High are making their first trip to the regional tournament in 10 years, their reward.....Scott County. The Cardinals look to be playing like a well oiled machine anymore these days and don't expect them to let up any against Frankfort. Michael Moreno and Cooper Robb are as good as anyone when they get it going and the rest of the Cardinals supporting cast would be stand outs on any other team in this region. The Panthers are a young bunch who primarily play 4 sophomores. Expect Frankfort to play hard and use this trip to the regional tournament as great experience for future years. As for the game, I expect a running clock by the middle of the 3rd quarter as the Cardinals march on.

 

Game 4 - Lexington Christian Academy vs. Madison Central

The Eagle of LCA are making their first trip ever to the regional tournament after winning the 43rd District in impressive fashion. I would be willing to bet this isn't the draw they were hoping for. Also, for the first time in 22 years the Indians of Madison Central will be coming in as a runner up. This is another great first round matchup. LCA is being led by the trio of Hall, Rode, and Hendrickson who are playing as well as anyone right now. The Indians are a scrappy bunch led by Dustin Geralds and Isaiah Cozart. I expect this to be a close game all the way. The Indians will try and control the pace of the game while the Eagles will look to continue their dominance on the interior. Cozart will provide a lot of trouble for the Eagles interior but at the end of the day I think LCA has a little bit more overall and I look for the Eagles to pull out a 6-8 point victory.

 

Final Thought

Look for Lexington Catholic to find its way into the finals after a hard fought victory over a tough Madison Southern squad. The second semifinal potential matchup of Scott County and LCA could be an all timer if LCA continues to play the way they have of late. At the end of the day I just think this is Scott County's year to regain the 11th region championship. The Cardinals will avenge their only loss to an in state team in the finals and get by Lexington Catholic in a matchup of the two most traditionally successful teams in the region!

Great write-up as always:thumb: I agree, I think Scott is the best in the region and it should be theirs to lose.

 

Central has its hands full against a very good size LCA squad. The last couple of games, CCH and Southern, they looked like the Central at the beginning of the season, instead of the Central that went 9-1 toward the end of the schedule. Coach defiantly let it be known that the Southern effort and execution was lousy and it best not be repeated on Thursday. If both teams show up ready to play it should be a great game.