Saint Xavier 75 Covington Catholic 61 (KHSAA Sweet 16®)

[DevilMayCare]

Covington Catholic 🇫🇮 (31-2, State #1)
vs. 
Saint Xavier 🐯 (27-7, State #3) 

🗞️ In a gathering worthy of the pomp, circumstance, and grandeur of a state final, the champions of Northern Kentucky and Louisville will convene on the hallowed hardwood of Rupp Arena.

It's a premature battle to survive and advance for the tournaments perceived two best teams, brought about by the luck of the draw, or more appropriately, lack thereof.

CovCath set fire to the 9th Region, winning all fifteen games against local competition by at least eighteen points. The flames spread throughout the schedule, as the Colonels led the state with a whopping 31 point average margin of victory. Both losses came against teams ranked #1 in the state at the time - Male and Madison Central.

St. Xavier's path to Rupp involved a little more resilience in a loaded 7th Region. The state's preseason #1 stepped on a few landmines along the way, falling to Male, Ballard, and CAL before ultimately outpacing them all in the end. 

The Tigers can hit you from all angles, with ball handlers and capable shooters all over the floor. Josh Lindsay’s (14.3 ppg) above the rim antics can steal the show, but the inside-out versatility of Mr. Basketball candidate Jeremiah Jackson (16.5 ppg/7 rpg) has been a bedrock of X’s success this season.

Their skill set and competitive edge will be challenged by CovCath’s backcourt tandem of fellow Mr. Basketball hopeful Athens McGillis (22.8 ppg) and Braeden Myrick (17 ppg). McGillis can score from anywhere on the floor, as evidenced by his 2,000+ career points and Myrick can fill it up from behind the arc with 102 threes this season, connecting at a 46% clip.

Additional valuable contributors include Chief Cameron, a vital component for the Tigers at both ends of the floor as a point guard and disruptive defender, and Donovan Bradshaw, CovCath's interior muscle who may be tasked with denying Jackson and Lindsay at the rim.

The ultimate goal for both teams is a state championship - CovCath's third in twelve years, X's first since 1962 - but it all starts with one of the biggest opening round matchups in recent memory.

Tip-off: Wednesday, March 18th at 11:00am

[Tigerpride94]

St. X played good defense on Ballard but will have to take it up another level against Cov Cath's sharp shooters. Jeremiah Jackson did a good job guarding Cole Edelen I would expect him to be matched up with McGillis. Should be a good game and this matchup is exhibit A why I'm no fan of random draw for the bracket. 

[StraightShooter]

41 minutes ago, Tigerpride94 said:

St. X played good defense on Ballard but will have to take it up another level against Cov Cath's sharp shooters. Jeremiah Jackson did a good job guarding Cole Edelen I would expect him to be matched up with McGillis. Should be a good game and this matchup is exhibit A why I'm no fan of random draw for the bracket. 

I'm not going out on even a tiny limb to say that these are the best 2 teams in the state at this time in the season. I'll go with CovCath in a close battle.

[4 Quarters]

1 hour ago, StraightShooter said:

I'm not going out on even a tiny limb to say that these are the best 2 teams in the state at this time in the season. I'll go with CovCath in a close battle.

Who are your two best teams?

[BIG BLACK JACK]

The winner will be crowned

**Private School Champion**
 

I’ll take Cov Cath by 6. 

[StraightShooter]

3 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

Who are your two best teams?

CovCath and St. X.  I'm sorry if my comment was confusing.

[Big East Zebra]

I watched the 7th region final at Valley, and I was impressed with St. X. I think St. X has something to prove and they pull out a win in the first round, and advance. 

[4 Quarters]

11 hours ago, Big East Zebra said:

I watched the 7th region final at Valley, and I was impressed with St. X. I think St. X has something to prove and they pull out a win in the first round, and advance. 

You are correct about having something to prove after their showing at Rupp last year.

[DevilMayCare]

CovCath is running away with the poll - currently 41-18 in favor of the Colonels.

Personally, I'm leaning X right now. I've praised their ability to generate offense in a variety of ways all season. I think their transition game plays a deciding factor in the outcome here.

[TheDeuce]

So stupid this is the first game of the tournament.

[BlueBloodedColonel]

It is sad one of these two teams is going home early.

[theguru]

4 minutes ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

It is sad one of these two teams is going home early.

You have to beat the good teams at some point.  

[Runcible Owl]

30 minutes ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

It is sad one of these two teams is going home early.

 

25 minutes ago, theguru said:

You have to beat the good teams at some point.  

Agree. Echos of the 2018 tournament: Trinity vs. Scott County in Round 1.

Three teams will be able to say, "we lost to the eventual state champion." The sub-text for a highly ranked first round loser is, "we deserved to be runner-up."

As much as I dig numbers, ratings, and analytics, I'm pretty meh on seeding. *I outed myself as a Trimble County fan years ago.*

[4 Quarters]

Echos  of 2016 tournament, Lex Dunbar vs Mercer County in round 1.

[kyag]

Cov Cath creates chaos then thrives in the chaos they create.  There is no team in the state that plays fast more efficiently than Cov Cath.  Teams pass ahead for a layup, Cov Cath passes ahead for a 3.

Run with them at your peril.