LYON COUNTY VS. NEWPORT SWEET 16 PREVIEW

 

Lyon County (30-5) vs. Newport (28-6), 1:30 pm Thursday first round at Rupp Arena

 

All eyes on Lyon County junior guard Travis Perry, who needs 21 points to become Kentucky's all-time leading scorer. Perry, who has scored fewer than 21 points just once this season, is averaging 32.2 ppg, second in the state. He has 4,317 career points. Leader Kelly Coleman scored 4,337 at Wayland from 1953-56.

 

The high-scoring Lyons are much more than Perry, although he's clearly the engine that makes them go. Fellow juniors Brady Shoulders (18.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg) and Jack Reddick (19 ppg) have had some big games for the Lyons and practically everybody is efficient when they shoot. The Lyons are hitting 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line. Bradin Nelson has averaged 6 ppg and 5.2 rpg and missed one free throw in 10 attempts since being ruled eligible four games ago, adding tough leadership as the only high-performing senior on the roster. The Lyons lead Kentucky in team scoring (83.9 ppg) and rank third in scoring margin (20.6 ppg). They rank 42nd in field goal shooting percentage (49.2).

 

Comparatively, surprise Ninth Region champion Newport is 13th in scoring defense (50.6 ppg), 14th in scoring margin (13.5 ppg) and 15th in field goal percentage (51.3). The Wildcats are led by Marquez Miller (15.8 pg), Taylen Kinney (14 ppg), Jabari Covington (12.2 ppg) and top board man James Turner (6.6 rpg), all of whom rank in the top four in scoring and rebounding.

 

Lyon County has won 16 consecutive games. Newport, making its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2010, has won 12 games in a row. That's two hot teams with a lot at stake. The winner plays the George Rogers Clark-North Laurel winner in Friday's quarterfinals. Lyon County beat John Hardin 82-65 in last year's first round before getting eliminated by Covington Catholic 59-57 in the quarters.

 

Lyon County and Newport have two common opponents this season: Covington Holy Cross and Harlan County. Lyon County beat Holy Cross by 16 (95-79) and Harlan County by three (76-73). Newport lost to Holy Cross by two (74-72) and beat Harlan County by 15 (73-58).

11 minutes ago, Basketball Jones said:

 

 

Lyon County and Newport have two common opponents this season: Covington Holy Cross and Harlan County. Lyon County beat Holy Cross by 16 (95-79) and Harlan County by three (76-73). Newport lost to Holy Cross by two (74-72) and beat Harlan County by 15 (73-58).

That really helped figure these two out. 

I got Newport in this one. Guard play matches up, but Newport has the more skilled posts.

I'm rooting for the Wildcats. They are tall and athletic down low. How does Lyon Co. match up?

Bump.

Photo credit to Wayne Litmer.

The question on everyone’s mind. 
Will Travis Perry score 21 or more?

2 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

The question on everyone’s mind. 
Will Travis Perry score 21 or more?

I would like to see Perry do it along with a Newport win.

17 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

The question on everyone’s mind. 
Will Travis Perry score 21 or more?

Yes he will, without a doubt.  If Newport can hold him at 21/22 they will have a chance to win.

The two teams I am pulling for the most.  I think Lyon outlasts the Wildcats 71-66.

3 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

The two teams I am pulling for the most.  I think Lyon outlasts the Wildcats 71-66.

Sorry, Newport. It was a nice run. 

Does anyone know where Lyon County played their regional tournament? Just curious if it was on a college floor and arena or not. Newport played in NKU, and normally this benefits teams that already have a few games under their belt on the bigger floor, and much larger arena. 

13 minutes ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

Does anyone know where Lyon County played their regional tournament? Just curious if it was on a college floor and arena or not. Newport played in NKU, and normally this benefits teams that already have a few games under their belt on the bigger floor, and much larger arena. 

They played the 2nd at Madisonville-North Hopkins.

I'm a little surprised at the poll (as of today) because I think Newport is the more likely winner here.  They have terrific depth and out of this world athleticism, and while they undoubtedly have some (fair) questions as well, I like them to win this one by 6-9 points. 

This should be a really good game. Both teams are very solid. I wonder if Lyon County having played at Rupp last year will be a slight advantage over a Newport team that hasn't been in thirteen years?