We sit here on the eve of the postseason looking at what truly is a wide-open 12th Region. Last year's postseason was outrageously competitive and exciting. The sheer number of overtime periods was dizzying. The postseason in the 12th may not produce as many OTs as last season, but we should expect nothing less than a slew of razor-close results, a few upsets, and some exceptional individual performances.

Rankings:

1. Wayne County - What a long, hard fight to the top it has been for the Cardinals. Last week they took down previous number 1 DCA by 6 before outlasting McCreary Central by 4. I would like to think we would see that DCA - Wayne game again, but who knows when you have this much parity in the region. Wayne starts their postseason journey against a struggling Somerset Christian team in the district semifinals.

2. Somerset - Something special is brewing in the Briar Patch as Somerset enters the postseason on a four game winning streak after most recently defeating Southwestern. They have the east matchup with Casey in their district semifinal.

3. Danville Christian Academy - The Warriors stumbled a bit, losing to Wayne County and Bryan Station though they did get an impressive 2 point win over Lexington Catholic. DCA now awaits the winner of Lincoln County and Danville, two teams they have already beaten twice this year. Can they defeat their opponent for a third time to advance to the district finals and the regional tournament?

4. Pulaski County - The Maroons got solid wins over Lincoln County and Monroe County. They now face Rockcastle County in what should be one of the best district semifinal games in Central Kentucky. Pulaski has beaten Rockcastle twice, once by 10 and once by 8. It is so hard to beat a quality team 3 times in a year. Can Pulaski contain Walker Craig and the Rockets and advance to the regional tournament?

5. West Jessamine - The Colts fell to GRC but took care of business in district play, blowing out Trinity Christian and Burgin. They actually now await the winner of the 4/5 game between those very 2 teams. 

6. Rockcastle County - The Rockets defeared Madison Southern and Western Hills but fell to Dunbar. They now have that intriguing game against Pulaski County to hopefully extend Walker Craig's high school career and the Rockets' postseason.

7. Garrard County - The Golden Lions fell to Knox Central and Madison Southern. The large wave of momentum they had after the Boyle and Lincoln wins seems to be diminishing. Can they recover that poise and beat Boyle County yet again to advance to the regional? Also, they first have to beat the Kentucky School for the Deaf.

8. Boyle County - Here are those two-seeded Rebels who are awaiting Garrard County. They fell to LaRue County by 1 to end their regular season. 

9. Southwestern - The Warriors played two crosstown foes this week, defeating Somerset Christian but falling to Somerset. They now need to defeat McCreary Central for a third time if they want to keep playing.

10. Lincoln County - The Patriots lost three games last week to Evangel Christian, Pulaski County, and Lexington Catholic. They seem to be headed in the wrong direction. They play Danville in the 4/5 game and if they win that they get to face down DCA.

11. McCreary Central - The Raiders are on a 3 game skid as they lost to Clinton County and Wayne County. Can they recover to pull off the upset over Southwestern?

12. Somerset Christian - It has been an up and down season for the Cougars. They collected some impressive wins earlier in the season but have fallen short of that same success on the back end. They are currently on a 3 game losing streak headed into their district semifinal game against the redhot Wayne County Cardinals. 

13. Danville - The Ads have a challenging, yet doable, road to the regional tournament as they must defeat Lincoln County and then Wayne County. This past week they defeated Shelby County and Marion County.

14. East Jessamine - The Jaguars defeated Burgin and Mercer County, though that win over the Titans was really tight, the final difference being just two points. They finished the regular season with a blow out loss to Powell County. They now get a rubber-match with Mercer in the district semifinals as each team has a win against the other.

15. Mercer County - And here are those Titans. They have not laid down this season even though it has been a year full of adversity. They of course play East next. 

16. Burgin - The Bulldogs fell to West Jessamine, East Jessamine and Taylor County before defeating Bluegrass United. They play Trinity Christian in the 4/5 game.

17. Casey County - The Rebels have lost 5 in a row headed into their really difficult district tournament game against Somerset.

18. Trinity Christian - The Titans finished the year without a win. Can they stun Burgin and get their first of the year?

19. Kentucky School for the Deaf - KSD fell to their Ohio counterparts by 15. They now face Garrard County in the 3/6 game in the 45th.

I’ll take my shot at picking the 8 to represent at the region:

45th- Danville Christian and Boyle Co.

46th- West Jessamine and East Jessamine 

47th- Somerset and Rockcastle Co. (Torn on this one, but I think it’s due) 

48th- Wayne Co. and McCreary Central

17 minutes ago, LethalPG said:

I’ll take my shot at picking the 8 to represent at the region:

45th- Danville Christian and Boyle Co.

46th- West Jessamine and East Jessamine 

47th- Somerset and Rockcastle Co. (Torn on this one, but I think it’s due) 

48th- Wayne Co. and McCreary Central

Only one I would pick differently is Mercer over East.

15 minutes ago, se7ens said:

Only one I would pick differently is Mercer over East.

Yes, there are four of the semifinals I could see going either way.  A lot of upstart teams looking to push through to the regional tournament this season.  Their time is now to breakthrough.  I gave McCreary the edge playing at home, but I could easily see Southwestern size being too much for them once again.

1 hour ago, LethalPG said:

Yes, there are four of the semifinals I could see going either way.  A lot of upstart teams looking to push through to the regional tournament this season.  Their time is now to breakthrough.  I gave McCreary the edge playing at home, but I could easily see Southwestern size being too much for them once again.

I think Southwestern is just a shadow of where they were at the start of the year. I think these two are basically at the same place now.

I think Rockcastle is my most sure pick. I just don't see this Pulaski team beating them for a third time.

2 hours ago, se7ens said:

I think Southwestern is just a shadow of where they were at the start of the year. I think these two are basically at the same place now.

I think Rockcastle is my most sure pick. I just don't see this Pulaski team beating them for a third time.

I wouldn't be surprised with the history of the series.  Also, Coach Fraley has a proven track record this time of year.  Carson Fraley could control the game with his playmaking, and they're very capable shooting the basketball.  Rock has to step up and win one of these types of games, and they've yet to do it. 

Given PC’s lack of size they depend heavily on their three point shooting.  If they get hot like they did against Lincoln (over 60% on threes) they can beat a lot of teams.

4 minutes ago, 24Rocks said:

Given PC’s lack of size they depend heavily on their three point shooting.  If they get hot like they did against Lincoln (over 60% on threes) they can beat a lot of teams.

They've shot it well for the majority of the season.  

Are the 45th district games being streamed?

44 minutes ago, 24Rocks said:

Are the 45th district games being streamed?

I’m looking for one too. Let me know if you find something.

33 minutes ago, 12th Region Fan said:

I’m looking for one too. Let me know if you find something.

This looks like the link to the Danville game:  https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/danville-high-school-danville-ky/gam543c53f812

 

Danville game is on YouTube. 
 

 

Looks like it’ll be Blue Blood Lincoln vs New Blood Danville Christian in an elimination game Wed. Night.  

41 minutes ago, LethalPG said:

Looks like it’ll be Blue Blood Lincoln vs New Blood Danville Christian in an elimination game Wed. Night.  

Lincoln/DCA and Boyle/Garrard should make for a fun night of basketball.

12 over 1. Insane.