12th Region Boys Basketball Weekly Postseason Review

After Rockcastle County pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year to end Somerset's season, the 12th Region really didn't see another although plenty of times threatened to upend a contender. We currently are down to the final four in the region. Let's take a look at how we got there.

45th District

One of the first themes we will see is Lincoln County, after a somewhat inconsistent year, finding their best version of themselves as they rattle off close win after close win. That started with the district semifinal win over Danville, Patriots 57 Admirals 54. Tramaine Alcorn scored 20 and had 10 rebounds for the double-double. 

In the other semifinal Boyle County cruised to an 80 to 47 win over Garrard County. Jagger Gillis scored 21, including 12 on 4 made three pointers.

In the finals Lincoln avenged an earlier loss to Boyle County by 16 with a five point victory lead by another stellar performance by Alcorn, who had 17 points and 6 rebounds, as well as Jaxon Smith who also scored 17. Lincoln as a team went 8 of 20 from three point range. Jagger Gillis was held under control with only 5 points though the Rebels were buoyed by 13 point performances by Owen Barnes and Hagan Webb.

46th District

Mercer County nearly pulled off a mammoth upset of East Jessamine, a team who beat them 54 to 28 earlier in the year. Sam Baughman scored 17 and Evan Hart had 12 in the losing effort as East squeaked by 49 to 47, lead by Zion Thomas with 20 points.

West Jessamine cruised to a 61 to 26 win over Burgin.

In the finals West and East met for the third time and the Jaguars got the rubber match win at a score of 69 to 55. DeAjuan Stepp had 21 for the Colts, and both Ben McNew and Devin Johnson had 21 for East. The Jaguars went 9 for 19 from three point range.

47th District

After the massive upset of Somerset in the district semifinals, Rockcastle County fell to Pulaski County in the finals 64 to 51. Barek Williams had 18, Zach Travis had 14, and KJ Combs had 14 in the win.

48th District

The Cardinals of Wayne County had struggled all year, finding themselves near the bottom of the regional rankings. However, they came three points short of a trip to the regional tournament. Southwestern defeated Wayne 74 to 71. Gage Gregory scored 20 in the loss.

One seed McCreary County Central won the championship game 79 to 69 over Southwestern. Three Raiders scored over 20 - Kyle Stephens with 24, Trent Conatser with 22 and Trey Davis with 21.

Regional Tournament - First Round

In an opening game that was back and forth and powered by scoring runs, the Patriots of Lincoln County survived the challenge of the West Jessamine Colts 52 to 50. Brady Weaver stepped up and scored 15 for the Patriots. 

Pulaski County defeated Southwestern 49 to 40 in the second game, much closer than their previous win over the Warriors 85 to 57.

East Jessamine put an end to Rockcastle's run 61 to 54. Zion Thomas had 21 and Ben McNew had 20. 

Boyle County, coming off their district finals loss, returned to form, easily dispatching the McCreary Central Raiders in the first round's biggest scoring difference, 63 to 49. 

Regional Tournament - Semi-Finals - Preview

Lincoln County takes on Pulaski County in the first game Tuesday on the Patriots' home court. The Patriots' first game of the year was a 67 to 55, also at home.

The second semi-final, also at Lincoln County, sees the surging East Jessamine Jaguars square off against the mighty Boyle County Rebels. This is the first time this year that they will face off.

The championship game is set for March 27th at Lincoln County.