Here we go…Regionals are right around the corner with the Chase for the Championship immediately after that.
 

Let’s here your thoughts!  Who are the favorites?  Name a darkhorse or two.  What is the most interesting matchup in round 1?

-CardinalsFan

Okay I’m going WAY outside the box here and declaring that either Notre Dame Academy or Assumption will win State. Crazy, right?  Here’s my ranking:

1. NDA - they’ve beat everyone (the “usual” top five)  at least once, and Assumption twice. Only in state loss was  16-14 in fifth to SHA at the beginning of the season.

2. Assumption - they’ve beat everybody except NDA. Their first loss to NDA was in Chicago 0-2. Their second loss was at NDA 2-3, and they served poorly. And, you can’t EVER go against Coach Kordes. 
 

3. Mercy -  they get the edge over SHA here based on how they’ve played common opponents

4. Sacred Heart Academy - They have gotten better throughout the season and will likely give AHS everything they can handle during the Region Tourney. 
 

5. St Henry - can’t count out the defending State Champs. They’ve had a bit of a roller coaster season. Almost beat AHS at AHS early on. Played well against the best Florida had to offer. Dropped in state matches to AHS, NDA, and one to Mercy at LIVT. 
 

Dark Horses - Dunbar and Manual. Those two teams both have studs and great coaches. Public schools are closing the gap!

Hard to disagree with any of that assessment vbtalk.

How about the potential of a Paintsville (All "A" Champs) vs. Notre Dame Academy in Round 1 of the state tournament?  Do you think the Lady Tigers could wrestle a set away from the Pandas after that LOOONG 3+ hour drive they will have to make to get there?  LOL...how silly.

-CardinalsFan

8 hours ago, CardinalsFan said:

Hard to disagree with any of that assessment vbtalk.

How about the potential of a Paintsville (All "A" Champs) vs. Notre Dame Academy in Round 1 of the state tournament?  Do you think the Lady Tigers could wrestle a set away from the Pandas after that LOOONG 3+ hour drive they will have to make to get there?  LOL...how silly.

-CardinalsFan

Anything is possible! But seriously, how crappy is the RPI that what should be #1 overall seed has to drive 3+ hours on a Monday night?! 

While I’m complaining about the format…. How about two of the five best teams in the state (NDA and St Henry) playing each other in what is essentially the round of 64?! Also have a top 5 and a top 10 (SHA and Manual) playing in the same round. Meanwhile, you’ll have teams that wouldn’t be in the top half of the 9th Region that will go on to the final 16, or maybe even the final 8!

3 hours ago, vbtalk said:

While I’m complaining about the format…. How about two of the five best teams in the state (NDA and St Henry) playing each other in what is essentially the round of 64?! Also have a top 5 and a top 10 (SHA and Manual) playing in the same round. Meanwhile, you’ll have teams that wouldn’t be in the top half of the 9th Region that will go on to the final 16, or maybe even the final 8!

Agree totally with this take!  To think Cooper ranked in upper middle of the state doesn't even get out of districts! You would think there would be a better way but not sure what it would be, there will always be some left out!

18 hours ago, vbtalk said:

While I’m complaining about the format…. How about two of the five best teams in the state (NDA and St Henry) playing each other in what is essentially the round of 64?! Also have a top 5 and a top 10 (SHA and Manual) playing in the same round. Meanwhile, you’ll have teams that wouldn’t be in the top half of the 9th Region that will go on to the final 16, or maybe even the final 8!

Boys' soccer has the same situation, this year exactly, in the 7th Region.  It happens.

The KHSAA has stated that the State Tournament is not supposed to be a tournament of the top teams, but a tournament with equal geographic representation. So it’s not that they are unaware of the issue, they just don’t think that it is an important issue. They also want everything to be like basketball. Except football. Football gets to do their own thing. 

9th region SemiFinal

Set 1

St. Henry - 26

Notre Dame - 24

 

Set 2

Notre Dame - 25

St.  Henry - 23

 

-CardinalsFan

Set 3

Notre Dame - 25

St. Henry - 16

SET 4

Notre Dame - 36

St. Henry - 34

?

Next up, Holy Cross vs. Ryle

13 hours ago, CardinalsFan said:

SET 4

Notre Dame - 36

St. Henry - 34

?

What an amazing game. Felt like the state finals. Both played their hearts out.

Incredible set regardless where they these two teams end up! Wow Wow Wow! 

Bishop Brossart defeats Scott in 4 sets for the 10th region championship and advance to the first state tournament in school history.