The district’s played out pretty close to seed. 3 of the 4 #1’s won the district. 1 #2 seed won a district and two #3 seeds advanced as district runners-up.

District winners:

17^th District- Elizabethtown (20-9)
18^th District- Larue County (21-7)
19^th District- Bardstown (11-15)
20^th District- Taylor County (24-6)

District runner-up

17^th District- Central Hardin (19-13)
18^th District- Green County (16-15)
19^th District- Washington County (22-9)
20^th District- Adair County (23-9)

Ranking the teams 1-8

1.       Larue County

2.       Elizabethtown

3.       Taylor County

4.       Adair County

5.       Central Hardin

6.       Washington County

7.       Green County

8.       Bardstown

Injuries, suspensions and momentum will all play a role in this regional tournament that appears to have 3 clear favorites but anything could happen. Elizabethtown will be without point guard Obian Howard for at least 2 games, should they keep playing that far. Central Hardin will be without guard Nolan Stith for at least 2 games. Howard and Stith were ejected during the 17^th District Championship. Washington County is without point guard Noah Reynolds due to injury.

Bardstown is down more than most seasons but they have played great during the district tournament and they also played a tough schedule. Their record may not indicate it but they are definitely a team that will be a tough out and could be a sleeper team.

Taylor County had an excellent win against Adair County in the district championship for the 20^th district. Taylor shot the ball well that night and if they shoot well, you could easily see them playing on Tuesday night.

Green is an underdog for sure. But momentum is big and although they lost to Larue County in the 18^th district finals, they played much better and have played much better the last few weeks of the season.

Adair County is the team that I wouldn’t want to face in the first round. Connor Loy has the ability to take over a game singlehandedly. The Indians led Taylor County with 5.8 seconds to go in the game before Jackson Wise made two free throws to seal the deal and that was after trailing 16-2 early in the game.

The Actual Games

Bardstown vs Green County

Bardstown comes in as the 19^th district winner. Tyleeq Williams has been impressive for Bardstown so far in the postseason. Nobody told him he’s undersized. He plays with a tenacity and grit that very few will match in the region. He had 23 in the win against Bethlehem that sent Bardstown to the finals. Grant Bowling has to have big games in the regional tournament. He doesn’t have to do it all on the scoring end, but he has to alter shots and control the rebounding game.

Green County is 5-3 in the month of February and things seem to finally be clicking for the Dragons and first year head coach Jordan Gilbert. Haydon Blakeman and Kelson McKinney are the heartbeat for Green County and will have to have good games for Green County to advance.

Green County defeated Bardstown 64-58 on December 10^th.

Elizabethtown vs Adair County

The Panthers have been one of the top ranked teams in the region all year. Coach James Haire is without a doubt one of the best coaches in the region. Elizabethtown has many weapons, Ayden Evans, Alex Evans, JQuan Williams, JuJuan Williams and Obian Howard. Howard would be eligible to play in the regional championship game. Etown has won it’s last 4 games and 7 of its last 10 games.

Adair County, I think is often overlooked because they are the outskirts of the region, geographically. Thus, they don’t always play lots of region competition. They played 13 games against region opponents (8-5) but 8 of those games were against district opponents (4-4).  Other regional games played include, Green County (w) Thomas Nelson (w), Nelson County (w), Caverna (L), and Hart County (w). Connor Loy is just a sophomore but is one of the most talented players in the region. He will be a strong candidate for player of the year as a senior.

Adair County and Elizabethtown did not play during the season.

Taylor County vs Washington County

Taylor County has spent much of the season as the #1 team in the region. The Cardinals 24 wins is the best in the region. Layken Lyons has been the guy all season for Taylor County. He had 25 points in the win against Adair County in the district finals. But he’s had lots of help. Jackson Wise has been a steady point guard and Keeton Clements has had some monstrous games scoring down low and rebounding. He’s a big body that alters shots.

Speaking of big bodies that alter shots, Washington County has two of them. Beau Baker and Gabe Weiss. Baker is the name everyone knows, but Weiss, just a freshman is making sure that people start learning his name. Point Guard Noah Reynolds is injured and is unlikely to return for any of the regional tournament. That will most likely cause Riley Brown to have to handle the ball. Brown is much better at coming of screens and getting shots, so it will be interesting to see how Coach Woodson makes the adjustment and still get Brown plenty of shots. When Brown is on target, his outside shooting is a game changer.

Taylor County defeated Washington County in each other’s first game of the season, 52-47.

Larue County vs Central Hardin

Larue County finishes the season atop KHSAA regional standings with the strongest RPI. Larue is playing as well as anyone in the region right now. Since the start of January, Larue is 13-2 and have won 6 games in a row. Daniel Allen and Carson Childress are difficult matchups. Allen is long but plays well on the wings. And he’s just a force on the offensive boards. Childress is within range from anywhere on the floor. Then add in Jagger Mardis, a freshman, who can shoot from anywhere on the floor and Luke Trumbo, who does all the dirty work. He’s the guy that sets solid screens, rebounds the ball, dives for loose balls and takes charges. Every team needs a player like Trumbo who makes a difference in the game without scoring 10-15 points a game. But he’s also a capable shooter.

Central Hardin is led by player of the year Brett Decker, and while the Bruins have other scorers, Central Hardin goes as Decker goes. The Bruins will be without Nolan Stith until the regional championship, should they get that far. The Bruins will need big games out of Jakob Fredrickson and Adam Hobbs. They’ll be key in trying to slow Allen down. Ace Jaggers will have to take good shots and attack the rim. Decker will need 20 plus points.

1^st Round Predictions:

Bardstown def. Green County
Elizabethtown def. Adair County
Taylor County def. Washington County
Larue County def. Central Hardin.

Most people probably think it’s an Etown/Larue Final. It very well could be. From what I’m hearing, I think most people think Etown is the favorite to win. I think the winner of the Taylor/Larue game wins the region and advances to Rupp.

I could very well be wrong on that, but I know this, it will be rocking in Munfordville on Wednesday and Thursday! This tournament should be a lot of fun.

Sounds like Larue hasn't missed Boley a whole lot.  We played them just last year - and I don't even remember the Allen kid (which, yes, says more about me than him).  How big is he?  Can he play at the next level?

Hearing both players who was suspended for ejection from Etown and Central are now elgible. That it got overturned 

8 hours ago, Sportslover32 said:

Hearing both players who was suspended for ejection from Etown and Central are now elgible. That it got overturned 

It did get overturned. This obviously helps both teams, but I think it helps Etown considerably more.

9 hours ago, Mojocat said:

Sounds like Larue hasn't missed Boley a whole lot.  We played them just last year - and I don't even remember the Allen kid (which, yes, says more about me than him).  How big is he?  Can he play at the next level?

He’s 6’5ish. Good kid. Multi sport athlete and excels at them all. I would think a D2 or NAIA school would certainly give him a long look. Although he might be more interested in playing baseball at the next level.

Expect a really nice crowd for tomorrows first session especially the Adair and Etown game. Adair will need to keep the game in the 50's to win and they showed against Taylor in the district final they can do it. Should be a very good game. 

Question for anyone at the games tonight at Hart County. Are tickets sold at the door? I do not see anything on GoFan?