District Tournaments around the area brought surprising results.  Maybe none bigger than Muhlenberg County, who closed last weeks poll ranked 14th out of 15 teams.  The two time defending champs pulled not just one, but two upsets in route to the another 10th district title.  In the 9th district, Owensboro looked like the team we had been waiting for all season, as they were never in danger against Daviess County or Owensboro Catholic.  Even with the big wins, the regional draw did the Devils no favors, as they pulled Ohio County in round 1.  If the district tournaments were any indication, the region is completely up for grabs!

Wednesday - Breck County(11-17) vs Muhlenberg County(8-22) - The Cinderella Mustangs will look to keep it rolling against a Breck team that won and lost on late buckets in the 11th District Tournament.  Kaden Ray comes in averaging a double double and should be a great matchup with Breck big man Hunter Barr.  Madox Jernigan powered the Mustangs to the regional title with his shooting on Thursday.  He had 27 in the regular season meeting between these two that saw the Mustangs win by 6.  On the other side, Mercer Rogers scored 22 in the loss.  He should play a big factor if the Tigers find a way to win.  This matchup is even on paper, but the Mustangs are the two time defending champs and have all the momentum.  PREDICTION - Mustangs by 3

Owensboro Catholic(26-5) vs Edmonson County(18-12) - This is a low key interesting matchup.  The Aces did not look sharp in their two games in the 9th District Tournament.  They are led by Brian Griffith, who comes in 3rd in the region in scoring at 21.1 ppg.  He will need help from his supporting cast, Tutt Carrico, Parker Gray and Luke Bikeman.  For Edmonson, Braxton Highbaugh comes in with 14.3 ppg and 7.6 boards per contest.  Braden Wall and Will Alexander are putting up double figures and will need big games to pull the upset.  It will be interesting to see what kind of defense Coach Johnson brings against Griffith and the Aces.  While the Aces are on upset alert in this game, Tim Riley doesn't get upset very often.  PREDICTION - Aces by 2

Thursday - Butler County(21-10) vs Hancock County(18-11) - These two teams did not play in the regular season.  The biggest story coming into the game is the health of Ty Price.  He has been nursing an ankle injury that slowed him during the district tournament.  Meanwhile, the Hornets come in hot, having on 7 of their last 8 games.  Devin Powers has been putting together huge games lately, and Kaleb Keown is one of the more underrated players in the region.  It will be interesting to see if the Hornets have an answer for Lawson Rice in the post.  He is pulling almost 12 rebounds per game.  This is a game that features a group of super sophomores against a team full of experienced seniors.  In this spot, that experience usually pays off.  PREDICTION - Hornets by 4

Ohio County(23-8) vs Owensboro(16-10) - Without a doubt, this is the game of the first round.  Owensboro saved it's best 2 games of the season for the district tournament.  Coach Drake settled on a good rotation, and the Devils played their most consistent defense of the season in the 2 wins.  Ohio County on the other hand did not bring its best after a week layoff.  These two teams just met 2 weeks ago and saw Ohio County put together a huge second half to pull out the win.  For Owensboro, can they show the consistency to make a run??  For Ohio County, can they handle the ball pressure the Devils will bring?  Look for big games out of Kenyatta Carbon AND Elijah Decker on both sides.  Which supporting cast does enough to pull out the win??  PREDICTION - Eagles by 2

TOP SCORERS IN 3rd REGION TOURNEY...

1. Ty Price - Butler County - 30.9 ppg

2. Kenyatta Carbon - Owensboro - 21.6 ppg

3. Brian Griffith - Owensboro Catholic - 21.1 ppg

4. Lawson Rice - Butler County - 18.3 ppg & 11.6 rpg (Leads Region in Rebounding)

5. Elijah Decker - Ohio County - 17.4 ppg

6. Kaleb Keown - Hancock County - 15.4 ppg

7. Hunter Barr - Breck County - 15 ppg / 9.4 rpg

8. Devyn Powers - Hancock County - 14.6 ppg

9. Braxton Highbaugh - Edmonson County - 14.3 ppg

10. Madox Jernigan - Muhlenberg County - 14 ppg

Double Double Avg - Kadin Ray - Muhlenberg County - 12.3 ppg / 10.5 rpg (2nd in region in rebounding)

The 2 teams I expected in the finals were Ohio County and Owensboro.  Owensboro just hammered Ocath by 14.  Webb back in at full capacity now (not sure that he was against Ohio County a few weeks ago.  The Devils have rallied around #6 (rest in peace).  I think they are playing at a new level. 

Somehow 7-win Muhlenburg beats Ohio???  

Any way you cut it, this most likely would have been the championship game until the loss to Muhlenburg.

1-3.... ouch!!  Semi-finals are set!  Owensboro Catholic vs Breck County and Owensboro vs Butler County.  The Devils have officially turned the corner and are playing defense at a championship level.  Ty Price put on a show against Hancock County and should be a very fun matchup against the Devils.  Owensboro Catholic is a heavy favorite against Breck County but they have not been real sharp over the last few weeks.  Everything is setting up for an Owensboro vs Owensboro Catholic final, but you never know in tournament games.