Both teams were front-runners in their region all season. McCracken enters the tournament with a 29-5 win record.  Elizabethtown enters with a 23-9 record.

My pick is McCracken County. The 5th Region was down this year in talent level. I will stick to my original prediction that whomever came out of the 5th Region would be 1 and done in the Sweet Sixteen.  

On 3/11/2023 at 2:37 PM, Hardin County Preps said:

My pick is McCracken County. The 5th Region was down this year in talent level. I will stick to my original prediction that whomever came out of the 5th Region would be 1 and done in the Sweet Sixteen.  

I concur.

Bump.

McCracken’s health has improved greatly the last 2 to 3 weeks. They have a decent shot at the semis. Hope to see them take care of business with Etown!

I've seen both of the teams, giving a slight edge to E"town.

McCracken County wins 55-49.

Hi it's D Wolf from the 1st Region.  I don't know anything about Elizabethtown, but I thought it might be good if I told you about some of the Mustangs' top players.  These are in order starting with the top scorers:

• Jack McCune - 6-4 Senior.  18 ppg, 7.4 rpg.  This was the Purchase Area Region 1 Player of the Year and I don't think it was close.  One of the Region 1 coaches called McCune a "matchup problem" and I totally agree.  He can dominate smaller defenders down low, and if you put a bigger/slower defender on him he can drive the ball very well too.  He shot 41% from 3, and he makes about 1.5 3s per game.  An all-around solid player.
• Ian Hart - 6-6 Senior.  12 ppg, 6 rpg.  He's 6-6 but he's really primarily a jump shooter from when I watched him (didn't see him do much in the post).  Shoots 37% from 3, and made about one per game.  A very good defender.  Riherds doesn't include blocks stats, but I think he had quite a few of them this season.  Hart has had some injury issues both this year and last, but I believe he is totally healthy right now.
• Carson Purvis - 6-1 Senior.  11 ppg, 42% from 3.  A shooter.  I might should just stop there.  He's a very good shooter, and if you help off of him then he's going to knock down jump shots.
• Connor Miller - 5-11 Junior.  9 ppg, 4 rpg.  Unfortunately I did not get to see him play this year, but I have heard that he is very good.  He battled a lower-leg injury this season, but I believe he is healthy now.  Miller shoots 37% from 3 and makes about one per game.
• Jack Bradley - 5-11 Senior. 5 ppg.  He's an excellent ball handler and also a very good perimeter defender.  Doesn't shoot it like Purvis does, but he still can make outside shots at a decent clip.
• Jackson Klope - 6-5 Freshman.  5 ppg, 5 rpg.  Not your average Freshman because he has excellent size.  For the longest time the KHSAA roster said he was 5-7 (some sort of practical joke I assume).  Klope is tough to keep off the boards!  There are times when McCracken has McCune, Hart, and Klope on the floor together and with 6-4, 6-6, 6-5 - that's good size for a high school team.

Hopefully that will let you know what you're looking at.  Both Venable and Bridges also give them some energy off the bench and they typically will rotate 8 players.  It's important to note that 6 of their top 8 scorers are Seniors (a veteran team!)

I have a feeling it will be a great game.  What an awesome time of the year!

8 to 6 Etown in the 1st.

Elizabethtown 14

McCracken County 12

End of 1st Quarter

Just now, LCDAWGS19 said:

Elizabethtown 14

McCracken county 12

End of 1st Quarter

Thanks @LCDAWGS19, I am on tape delay.

McCracken County 19

Elizabethtown 17

4:00 2nd Quarter 

Elizabethtown 25

McCracken County 24

Halftime

We have another tight game, so far, so good this Sweet 16.

How about that NBA 3 to end the half.

That counted right, I didn't see the score change?