Third time this year and this is the one that counts. Winner will meet Christian Co in the Region Final with a trip to Rupp on the line.

Is this game Tuesday night?

It's hard to beat a good team thrice.

Hoptown has played UHA, CCHS, Owensboro, and McCracken in their last 4 games. That's 3 ranked(at the time) teams and maybe the best player in the state. They were the region 2 favorites and defending champs, but injuries and suspensions kept them from being full strength all season. Hoptown looks to be peaking at the right time, but they are facing a TOUGH matchup in the first game.

 

UHA has had a GREAT season. They pretty much handled Hoptown the first time around. Not the toughest schedule in the world, but they look the part of a team that can make it to Rupp. It starts and ends with Kyky Tandy. As good as Hoptown is as a team talent wise, they have NOTHING that can match Tandy. At the same time, UHA is completely reliant on Tandy. If Tandy does not score 30-40 points, they will be in trouble big time.

 

Hoptown has the large advantage in talent, depth, and coaching. But, they just have not looked locked in until the last week of the season. The more games they play together, the better they get as a team with their HIGH ceiling. UHA has probably improved over the season more than any team in the region this season and are playing better as a team.

 

A tough call to make as far as a prediction. Ric Flair said "to be the man, you gotta beat the man" and Hoptown is the man right now with 5 of 6 region titles. Grant Shouse needs this game to get his critics off his backs, but a loss would not be good for him and the program. A big opportunity for the Blazers tonight.