BluegrassPreps.com 11th Region Tournament Preview

[mooremiller31]

We have finally made it to the best time of the year!! Its region tournament week in Kentucky. As always the 11th Region is STACKED with teams looking to compete for not only a region crown but the state championship as well. Lets check out the schedule and give some predictions for the week. 

11th REGION TOURNAMENT BRACKET

Frederick Douglass (17-1) vs. Madison Southern (11-11) 

Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-5) vs. Frankfort (16-7) 

Franklin County (14-9) vs. Henry Clay (12-7) 

Madison Central (18-9) vs. Lexington Catholic (20-2) 

 

Frederick Douglass (17-1) vs. Madison Southern (11-11) 

On paper this seems like no contest as Frederick Douglass should be heavily favored over Madison Southern. However, don't count the Eagles out. Madison Southern will be as prepared if not more then any team in the region Coach Newton does an outstanding job with the players he has regardless of matchups. Senior Trent DeVries has had an outstanding season for Madison Southern averaging 17.6 points per game along with sophomore Jay Rose who has chipped in 12.6 points per game. Madison Southern is a streaky shooting team but have shown they can get hot quickly in a hurry from deep. I think its going to take that to hold off Douglass. 

Frederick Douglass has had an outstanding season and for some reason not many have talked about this 17-1 team. The only loss was to Paul Laurence Dunbar in a game the Broncos led by 17 in the 3rd quarter. Its hard to list a 17-1 team as a "sleeper" but thats kind of the vibe you get anywhere outside of Lexington. FDHS has been led all year by senior All State guard DaShawn Jackson and his 21.9 points per game along with Tyson Barrett and a host of other athletes that come at you in waves. This team is good enough to play with and beat anyone in the state and it is going to take a lot to beat them this season. 

Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-5) vs. Frankfort (16-7) 

Frankfort did themselves no favors by losing in the finals of the 41st district tournament. When you come out of the 41st as a loser there is no "good draw" with the teams left. The Panthers happened to come across the hottest team in the region in Paul Laurence Dunbar. Frankfort has had an outstanding season with some impressive wins. Big man Jackson Twombly has put up solid numbers averaging 26 points and 9 rebounds per contest. Guards Blythe and Hack have put up solid shooting numbers and are going to need those to continue to have any shot against Dunbar. 

The Bulldogs are the only team in the state of Kentucky who can say they have beaten Lexington Catholic and Frederick Douglass. It seems that as time passed this season and the Bulldogs were able to practice and play on a consistent basis they showed their ability. Dunbar is led by Tim Hall and Nick Spalding but after the performance Max VanDyke put on in the district finals this team is primed and ready to take on anyone. At this point you have to mention PLD with Lexington Catholic and Frederick Douglass as a three team favorite to win this thing. 

Franklin County (14-9) vs. Henry Clay (12-7) 

This is quite possibly the most intriguing matchup of the first round of the 11th Region Tournament. The Flyers who have been fighting health issues all year, finally got to full strength and beat Frankfort Christian Academy and Great Crossing before absolutely blitzing Frankfort to win the 41st District. Phillip Pfiffer, Zac Cox, Fred Farrier, and Nick Broyles have finally started to hit on all cylinders. Franklin County has a group that is more athletic then you think and if they are hitting shots can cause a ton of problems. 

Henry Clay is not the Henry Clay of old but they have surprised a lot of people this year. The emergence of Kayne Henderson, Aziel Blackwell, and Darik Holman have helped lead the Blue Devils to a surprising good season this year. The Blue Devils had a late lead on Frederick Douglass and had a chance to beat them but just couldn't hold on and pull it off. I expect this game to be the tightest of the first round games. 

Madison Central (18-9) vs. Lexington Catholic (20-2) 

The Indians have won 25 of the last 26 44th District Tournaments, no that is not a typo. 25 of the last 26!!! If there is anyone that knows how to win in March its Coach Feldhaus and the Indians. Madison Central is led by Kole Brown, Braeden Ray, and Jaylen Davis. Earlier this season the Indians had a late 3rd quarter lead on the Knights after some hot shooting but Lexington Catholic was able to pull away at the end. 

Lexington Catholic, one of the top teams in the state, comes in as a runner up to the 11th Region tournament. This just goes to show just how deep and competitive not only this region is but the 43rd District in general can be. Ben Johnson continues to put up crazy numbers and I expect him to be names Mr. Basketball later this month. The Knights need to get some production from others if they want to make a run at the region title and avenge their only losses of the year to PLD.

PREDCITIONS

Frederick Douglass over Madison Southern

Paul Laurence Dunbar over Frankfort 

Henry Clay over Franklin County 

Lexington Catholic over Madison Central 

Paul Laurence Dunbar over Frederick Douglass 

Lexington Catholic over Henry Clay 

Lexington Catholic over Paul Laurence Dunbar