Harlan County (13th Region Champions, 31-4) vs. Warren Central (4th Region Champions, 17-11)

Series History: First Meeting

Harlan County enters winners of ten in a row, with their last loss coming February 3rd to Frederick Douglass at Lafayette.  They are making their second appearance in the Sweet 16, advancing last in 2017, when they fell to Scott in the first round.

Warren Central has won their last three, after losing their district title game to Bowling Green on March 1st. They are making their 19th appearance in the Sweet 16, and third in a row.  They are the defending state champions.

#Believe

Noteworthy Results

Warren Central - Lost to R2 Champion Lyon County by 13 | Beat R3 Champion Butler County by 4 | Beat R5 Champion Adair County by 6 | Lost to Lexington Catholic by 16 | Lost 2/3 to Bowling Green, but won the R4 final

Harlan County - Beat R16 Champion Ashland by 10 | Lost to Bowling Green by 11 | Beat R3 Champion Butler County by 19 | Beat Male by 6 | Beat Woodford County by 6 | Beat Boyd County by 18 | Beat Corbin twice, including the R13 final

 

Player Spotlight 

Warren Central - Kade Unseld (15.7 ppg/7 rpg/45% on 3pt FGs) | Elijah Starks (17 ppg/9.5 rpg/57.5% FGs) | Drevin Bratton (14 ppg/7 rpg/59% FGs)

It's been a rollercoaster season, but this formidable trio has the Dragons back on the same floor where last season ended. They're long, with a wide ranging skill set. Unseld's perimeter stroke has been dialed in during the season's latter stages, connecting on 56% of his threes over the last eight games.

Harlan County - Trent Noah (29.7 ppg/10.5 rpg) | Maddox Huff (17.6 ppg/46% on 3pt FGs)

The 6’6” Noah, a South Carolina commit, is a difficult matchup for anyone. He can handle, shoot, and has a full arsenal at the offensive end. Huff plays off of Noah well, and is capable of filling it up if a defense over commits to Noah. Exhibit A: the R13 final, where Noah got off eight shots, while Huff buried five threes and scored 24.

 

Warren Central knows how to win when the lights are brightest.  Their length will help contain Noah. 
 

Dragons by double digits. 

I like Warren Central here in a close one.

I expected that Harlan County would dwarf Warren Central supporters but as I watch the crowds fill in, I’m realizing it’s going to be absolutely absurd. 

I like Warren Cent. in this one they are playing good ball now and are in better health. I saw Harlan play Frederick Douglass at Lafayette. Douglass won by 10.

Harlan County starters:

Reggie Cottrell
Trent Noah
Maddox Huff
Caleb Johnson
Jaycee Carter

Warren Central starters:

Elijah Howard
Kade Unseld
Cadin Hammer
Drevin Bratton
Elijah Starks

Live Stats link:

https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?I'd=520946#

A audio version of all state tournament games is on the School Boy Network on Kool Hits 105.7. Below is the link they do an excellent job on the games.

Kool Hits 1057 (securenetsystems.net)

Black Bears is a Top 5 Kentucky High School mascot, in my opinion.

Drevin Bratton gets the scoring started with a long 2.

2-0 Warren Central a minute in.

Maddox Huff 2-2 FT's.

2-2; 6:42 1Q.

Trent Noah 1-2 FT's.

3-2 Harlan County; 6:15 1Q.

Warren Central has picked up 3 fouls in 2 minutes of play.