We are finally here.  The most exciting time in KY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL.  The regionals are a special place where boys around the state dream of playing in and hitting a big shot to help their team win.  Will there be upsets?  Who will step up and make the plays necessary to win late in the game?  I have no idea, but I know it will be fun to watch.

 

BRACKET:

Where:  THE ROY at Henry County High School

Dates: Quarterfinals  March 10/11, Semi Finals March 17, Championship March 18

 

First Round Matchups:

 

North Oldham vs Gallatin County (19-11)-  I am sure the Wildcats are not thrilled with drawing the Mustangs in the first round.  The  two teams did not match up in the regular season which always makes it fun when opponents play each other in the tourney for the first time.  Gallatin had a great season winning 19 games.  They are lead by 4 seniors who all avg in double figures-- Matthew Griffin 19ppg, Andrew Brinker 17ppg, Ian Wilson 12ppg and Landon Smith 12ppg .  All 4 of these boys can shoot the ball well.  It will be fun to see how they attack the zone of North Oldham.  The Mustangs are the #1 team in the region and have been for the last month of the season.  They are a well coached team that can defend and they can score.  The team is ran by their backcourt. Austin Sears (16ppg) and Brooks Cargould (12ppg) are the best back court in the region and its not even close.  Both of these dudes can create their own shot and they shoot the three ball at a high percentage.  However, this team has some other guys that make them go.  Colin Daniels is the glue to their defense.  They play a great zone that is a little of a match up with a stagger guard up top.  But when someone gets it down low Mr Daniels is a wall and doesn’t allow easy layups.  A couple more key pieces are Tommy Gregg 9ppg and Gray Schmittel 9ppg, both of guys can make plays on both ends of the court to help their team.  Obviously, everyone is going to pick North to win this game and I am not different.  The only chance Gallatin has is to take care of the ball and the Seniors shoot lights out from deep.  Anything can happen in March!

 

Anderson County vs Walton Verona- This matchup will be a great one.  Both teams have had moments this year that they looked like a true contender to cut the nets down.  On the other hand they both have had games that shows they are not a top tier team.  I feel that Anderson Is playing the best basketball as of today.  Their Senior leaders Carson Sutherland and Treyton Hart are not ready to go home.  Both are averaging in double figures this season although with freshman, Noah Beasley.  Those three have to play big to beat Walton.  Speaking of the team up north, Walton Verona has had a great season.  They are led by region player of the year runner up, Aaron Gutman. Aaron is averaging 24ppg and has carried the team all season.  He will need help and that help comes in the form of Aiden Kerns who has had some big games this season.  If those two guys come to play they will be hard to beat. However I am going to give the edge to Anderson County in this game.  They are going to slow the pace down and put two guys on Aaron at all times. 

 

Simon Kenton vs South Oldham

This should be the best matchup of the quarterfinals. Simon Kenton is hungry to get to Rupp Arena, but South Oldham is also hungry to do the same. South Oldham is led by region player of the year Julian Miles (23ppg), but he is not the only dragon that can score Jake Fithian (14ppg) has been filling it up as of lately and they will need a big game from him.  Julian Miles has been scoring alot of points all season but he doesn't mind setting his teammates up for buckets.  The X factor for the Dragons is getting a great game from William Burnside (11ppg).  He is a player that is up and down at times.  Simon Kenton has been pretty consistent all season.  They are just a good solid team that knows how to play.  They can play a lot of different styles but their key is their team defense vs South Oldham.  Their goal will be to keep the ball out of Julian‘s hands. Simon Kenton is a team led by Seniors that are ready to cut down the nets. Jay Bilton(12ppg) could be the most underrated kid in the region.  The kid is a winner.  He will do whatever it takes to win on both ends of the court.  Coach Steiner has been in Henry Countys gym alot and he wants to win this year more than any other year.  He will need big games from Jordan Bach, Bode Stone and Bryalon Polly.  Those are all guys capable of scoring in double figures.  This is going to be an AWESOME game.   I’m going to give the edge to the Pioneers from Simon Kenton in this game that could really go either way.

 

Henry County vs Spencer County

The last game of the quarterfinals is the hometown team Henry County. The Wildcats are still on a high from winning their district championship but their reward for winning is drawing the reigning regional champs. Obviously, Henley Henry County has a kid that can put the ball in the hole with high frequency. Baylor Nolin is averaging 25ppg and has had a great season.  The Wildcats will need him to score over 30 to have a chance.  Also, Traevon Wright (13ppg) will need to step up if the Wildcats are thinking about an upset. They will need to play the best game of their season in order to advance. Spencer County has been there before and they have a coach who is confident and is knowledgeable on how to win in March. It will be a tough game for the home team . Jack Armstong (14ppg) and Samuel Seawright (13) loved the feeling they had last year at the ROY. And they want to experience it again.  They have overachieved this year in my opinion and I mean that as a compliment.   I will have Spencer County winning this game and advancing to the Semi-Finals

 

 

Rankings

1)      North Oldham

2)      Simon Kenton

3)      South Oldham

4)      Spencer County

5)      Walton Verona

6)      Anderson County

7)      Henry County

?      Gallatin

 

The 4th quarter on Friday night was the best basketball I've seen the Bearcats play the last two seasons. 50 years ago I watched Noah Beasley's GrandDad, Joey Milburn, play some awful good basketball for old Mercer County HS. Cool to watch his grandson play at such a high level. 

North/SK final, North wins. 

South Oldham & Simon Kenton is one of the most anticipated first-round matchups that I can remember in a long time.

The Dragons, extremely hungry and looking for redemption of their district loss last week to North Oldham, a team full of seniors that are fighting each night for their basketball career. Also, a veteran coach with possibly his last chance at a regional title. Potentially even he is fighting each night for one more game in his career?

Simon Kenton, the largest school in the 8th that has been mocked continuously for never being able to win the big one. Coach Steiner has spent too long fighting for one appearance at Rupp Arena. Coming up just short last year after leading by double digits in the championship game, there is no doubt this team is dying for another shot in that championship game. 

These are the two most tenured coaches in the region, 8 to 9 players on the court will be seniors, and both teams with great postseason experience. There is no doubt that we are in for a good one next Tuesday. Not to mention, the winner has a great chance at that championship game on the 18th. 

Predictions

North Oldham vs. Gallatin County
North Oldham by double digits, but it could be closer than some would imagine. If the senior-led wildcats can hit some shots, they can make this a ballgame, but they must be disciplined with the ball. The Mustangs are very disciplined and are known for forcing other teams into mistakes. 

Anderson County vs. Walton-Verona
Wow, talk about the definition of polar opposites. This matchup is intriguing, but give me Walton in a low-scoring tight contest. I think this game could go either way, but the Bearcats have by far the best player on the court, normally resulting in that team prevailing in March. Anderson will always slow the game down, which could throw WV off their rhythm, but I don't know if they have the scorers to keep up with Walton. 

Simon Kenton vs. South Oldham
Ugh, this is a tough one. A game so good I already made an entire post for it, but I am stuck between the two. I think Simon Kenton is the better team, resulting in them being my pick for this game by a very small margin. However, I would not be surprised if the Dragons of South Oldham move on. 

Spencer County vs Henry County
Henry County last played in the regional tournament in 2021, losing to North Oldham by 4 points. Playing on your home court is, without a doubt an advantage, and I expect this fanbase to pack The Roy. These two matched up just a few weeks ago, with Spencer County winning by 17. I will take them again, but I expect this one to be much closer than the last. 

Thanks for picking against AC again.  It's worked out real well for the guys from Lawrenceburg the last 2 games in the post season.

On 3/4/2025 at 10:32 AM, Polar Bearcat said:

Thanks for picking against AC again.  It's worked out real well for the guys from Lawrenceburg the last 2 games in the post season.

I have Anderson winning. They are playing great ball 

I expect Henry vs Spencer to be a competitive game this is the most hyped the community has been about a Henry County basketball team in some time and I expect the ROY to be packed Tuesday night. Henry county will need two big performances from Traevon Wright and Baylor Nolin which are in my opinion  gonna be one of the best duos in the region in the coming years both of them sophomores that can flat score. And I know the boys are confident and ready to tip it off in their own gym Tuesday night. 

On 3/4/2025 at 8:08 AM, LLS10 said:

North/SK final, North wins. 

This is what you predicted last year.

8 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

This is what you predicted last year.

Thanks for the reminder. Will not be my last miss for sure! 

26 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

This is what you predicted last year.

And once again- all I am saying is whoever North plays in the region, they will be MASSIVE favorites.

its almost like 8 days ago, North made South look like a Freshman team. When North is clicking, no one is touching them. If South plays their A+ game and North struggles, sure. But… don’t act like we didn’t watch what happened literally last week.

12 minutes ago, LLS10 said:

And once again- all I am saying is whoever North plays in the region, they will be MASSIVE favorites.

its almost like 8 days ago, North made South look like a Freshman team. When North is clicking, no one is touching them. If South plays their A+ game and North struggles, sure. But… don’t act like we didn’t watch what happened literally last week.

I was there, saw South go 3 for 30 from downtown Goshen.

To be fair I think it is extremely unlikely South shoots that poorly again regardless of how good defensively North is. I have no doubt the second round matchup will be much closer.

I really think North had a lot to do with the 3/30 night. Sure South missed some open shots but there was a ton of rushed, contested 3s as well.  I have been really impressed with Norths defense this year. They have went from a matchup zone type team to a get in your shorts man to man team.  They will be tough to beat .  They are deep too. Their second 5 could beat most teams in the 8th region. 

On 2/8/2026 at 5:19 PM, 4 Quarters said:

I was there, saw South go 3 for 30 from downtown Goshen.

If I have learned anything in my time around sports, it is that usually when a team shoots 3/30 from 3, it is typically for a reason, not just a bad shooting night. North's defense is suffocating.