BluegrassPreps.com 1st Region Week 12 Review and Rankings and District Finals preview

We now know the eight teams who will be in the First Region tournament as all of the district tournament finals are set.  Here are the district finals matchups:

1st District - Tues night - Carlisle County at Fulton County.  They split the regular season.  I give the Comets a slight edge, but the game is in Fulton and could go either way.

2nd District - Tues night - McCracken Co vs Paducah Tilghman (at St. Mary) - McCracken won both meetings.  The first one was very close, and the second one was a big Mustangs win at home.  McCracken is a definite favorite here.

3rd District - Mon night - Mayfield at Graves County.  Mayfield swept the season series, but both wins were in Overtime.  I think this one is honestly a toss up - especially at the Eagles Nest.

4th District - Tues night - Murray at Calloway Co. - the Tigers are a definite favorite here, but the Lakers are the host.  I think this one could be close, but the Tigers should pull this one out.

Final rankings:

1. McCracken Co. (24-2) - W 48-47 at Murray, W 57-21 at St. Mary (2nd District tourney)

McCracken was down 47-44, but was able to score the final four points of the game at Murray.  McCracken is the definite favorite to win the 2nd District and 1st Region tournament.  It looks like one of their top scorers and rebounders (Hart) has been out again, but even without him I think the Mustangs are the favorite in the 1st region.

2. Murray (22-5) - L 47-48 vs McCracken, W 70-64 at Carlisle Co., W 81-42 CFS (4th District tourney)

Narrow loss to McCracken Monday night.  One item to note - Murray has gotten healthy, and also have a transfer from Graves County who has joined their team mid-season.  I think a McCracken/Murray final in the 1st Region could be a barn burner.

3. Paducah Tilghman (18-8) - W 83-75 vs Calloway Co., W 83-64 CCA (2nd District tourney)

Defense optional in Tilghman's win over Calloway.  Remember the first game against the Mustangs came down to the wire.  Can PT end their losing streak to McCracken?  I think it will take one of their guards having a huge night (Shaw, Powell are the most likely).

4. Calloway Co. (16-13) - L 75-83 at Tilghman, W 60-43 vs Marshall Co. (4th District tourney)

Great win for the Lakers over the Marshalls.  This team has been improving all year and I think they are a sleeper pick for the 1st Region tournament.

5. Marshall Co. (17-12) - L 49-58 vs Webster Co., L 43-60 at Calloway

Tough loss to end the Marshalls season.  But they have a lot of young talent, and should make some noise next season.

6. Mayfield (16-6) - L 47-50 at St. Mary

Can the Cardinals complete the sweep of Graves on Tuesday night?  Should be a good one.

7. Graves Co. (14-14) - W 66-55 at Carlisle Co., W 66-53 vs Ballard Mem. (3rd district tourney)

Drew Thompson had been hurt, but I believe he's back.  This is Coach Frick's last tourney run with the Eagles.

8. St. Mary (15-15) - W 49-44 at Dawson Springs, W 50-47 vs Mayfield, L 56-57 vs CFS, L 21-57 vs McCracken (2nd District tourney)

Great season for Coach Denson and his team!

9. Carlisle Co. (15-10) - L 55-66 vs Graves Co., L 64-70 vs Murray, W 50-42 Fulton City (1st District tourney)

I think the Comets are a slight favorite for the 1st District title - Garrett Hayden needs to have a big game.

10. Fulton Co. (11-12) - W 69-64 vs CCA, W 57-35 vs Hickman Co. (1st District Tourney)

11. CCA (15-14)

12. Hickman Co. (11-15)

13. CFS (Christian Fellowship) (12-18)

14. Ballard Memorial (10-17)

15. Fulton City (2-24)