3rd Region Boys Basketball Week 10 Review & District Tournament Preview

1. Muhlenberg County Mustangs (15-1) SAME – The Mustangs have already punched their ticket to the regional tournament and will await the winner of Ohio County, Mclean County in the 10^th district championship.  They closed their season with an impressive road win at Warren Central.

2. Owensboro Red Devils (9-5) UP 1 – Owensboro is red hot entering district play.  They knocked off Catholic in their only game this past week and will face Apollo in the 9^th district tournament.

3. Owensboro Catholic Aces (15-8) DOWN 1 – The Aces suffered devastating injuries down the stretch and appear to be without the services of Brian Griffith the rest of the way.  Griffith led the region in scoring in the regular season, but went down with a knee injury against Owensboro this past week.  The teams 2^nd leading scorer, Ji Webb also suffered a leg injury against Owensboro but he could return for the district game against Daviess County.  Catholic had already lost Gray Weaver for the season with a hamstring injury.  In a matter of a week, the Aces went from regional contender, to just trying to get out of the 9^th district.

4. Mclean County Cougars (17-8) - SAME –  Mclean enters 10^th district tournament play on a bit of a skid, losing its last 2 games of the regular season to Paducah Tilghman and Crittenden County.  They will face Ohio County Tuesday.

5. Grayson County Cougars (11-7) UP 1 – Grayson County lost their season finale against Barren County but had won 2 games in a row prior to the final week of the season.  They will face Trinity in the 12^th district tournament.

6. Ohio County Eagles (11-9) DOWN 1 – The Eagles appeared to be playing better as of late but have dropped 3 games in a row as they enter tournament play.  They will face Mclean County in the 10^th district tournament this week.

7. Meade County Greenwave (7-10) UP 3 – Meade enters district play on a 2 game winning streak.  They defeated Owensboro Catholic to close the season.  The Waves are the 1 seed in the 11^th district and will be a heavy favorite against Cloverport.

8. Hancock County Hornets (7-10) DOWN 1 – The Hornets did not play this past week as they are gearing up for an 11^th district showdown with Breckinridge County.

9. Daviess County Panthers (5-13) UP 2 – The Panthers have lost 4 in a row and 7 of their last 8 but will have an opportunity against Owensboro Catholic this week.  The Aces are wounded and the Panthers can erase a disappointing regular season with a win on Tuesday.

10. Apollo Eagles (5-12) – DOWN 1 – Apollo enters district play having won 2 of 3.  The Eagles are playing their best basketball of the season but will be heavy underdogs against Owensboro in the 9^th district tournament.

11. Butler County Bears (4-8) SAME– The Bears did not play in the final week of the season.  They will play Edmonson County in the 12^th district tournament.

12. Breckinridge County Tigers (7-10) UP 1 – The Tigers did not play this past week.  They will face Hancock County in the 11^th district tournament.

13. Whitesville Trinity Raiders (5-12) – DOWN 1 –  The Raiders have lost 10 of their last 11 heading into district play.  They will face Grayson County in the 12^th district tournament.

14. Edmonson County Wildcats (6-12) SAME – The Wildcats closed the season on 6 game losing streak.  They are set to take on Butler County in the 12^th district tournament.

15. Cloverport Aces (1-21) SAME – The Aces enter district play having lost their last 5.  They will face Meade County in the 11 district tournament.

DISTRICT PREVIEWS

 9^th District Preview – #1 Owensboro vs #4 Apollo, #2 Owensboro Catholic vs #3 Daviess County

The unfortunate injuries to Owensboro Catholic have made the 9^th district more interesting than it seemed a week ago.  The Aces defeated Daviess County by 4 a few weeks ago in a hard fought battle.  It appears they will now be without the services of the region’s leading scorer, Brian Griffith.  If Ji Webb can’t go, the Aces are going to have an uphill battle. Owensboro will be heavily favored against Apollo, as they just beat the Eagles by 35 on March 2^nd.  DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: OWENSBORO OVER OWENSBORO CATHOLIC

 10^th District Preview – Bye #1 Muhlenberg County, #2 Mclean County vs #3 Ohio County

Mclean County defeated Ohio County by 15 back on January 19^th but the Eagles are playing much better as of late.  Q Jennings has came on strong down the stretch and Elijah Decker has also been cleared to return.  Mclean is very well coached and will be a tough out.  This matchup is the most interesting elimination game in the region.  DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: MUHLENBERG COUNTY OVER OHIO COUNTY

 11^th District Preview - #1 Meade County vs #4 Cloverport, #2 Breckinridge County vs #3 Hancock County

The Waves will be the overwhelming favorite to defeat Cloverport.  Meade had lost 9 straight games before closing the regular season strong with 2 wins.  The 2 vs 3 matchup should be a good one, as Breck County looks to continue its streak of regional tournament appearances.  They will have to overcome a Hancock County team playing its best basketball of the season.  Breck won the regular season matchup by 2 back on February 5^th. DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: MEADE COUNTY OVER HANCOCK COUNTY

 12^TH District Preview - #1 Grayson County vs #4 Whitesville Trinity, #2 Edmonson County vs #3 Butler County

Grayson County has been a streaky team all season long and have a dangerous opening round matchup against home standing Whitesville Trinity.  The Raiders have competed well against good competition all year, but don’t have the wins to show for it.  The Cougars held off the Raiders in Leitchfield back in January, winning by 4.  If the Cougars can find a way to limit Landon Huff, they should be the favorite in this one.  The 2vs 3 game is also a toss-up.  The Bears enter district play having only played 12 games on the season, while Edmonson limps in, having lost their last 6.  Chaz Wilson is the only player in the region averaging a double double and will be a factor in this one.  Edmonson won the regular season matchup by 6 back in January.  This entire district is wide open to any of the 4 teams.  DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: GRAYSON COUNTY OVER BUTLER COUNTY

TOP PLAYERS OF THE REGULAR SEASON

1. Brian Griffith (22.6 ppg) – Owensboro Catholic

2. Kenyatta Carbon (19.2 ppg) - Owensboro

3. Amari Robinson Wales (18.6 ppg) - Owensboro

4. Nash Divine (17.9ppg) – Muhlenberg County

5.Chaz Wilson (17.4 ppg & 13.1 rpg) – Edmonson County

6.Landon Huff  (16  ppg & 8 rpg) – Whitesville Trinity

7.Brady Dame (15 ppg & 9 rpg) – Mclean County

8.Keegan Sharp (14.6 ppg) – Grayson County

9.Devyn Powers (14.5 ppg) – Hancock County

10.Q Jennings (14.4 ppg) – Ohio County