I have seen most of the better teams in the 14th Region this year and I think that either June Buchanan or Hazard should win the Region with Letcher Central and Perry Central having an outside chance. Here are my reasons:

 

• June Buchanan
  

June Buchanan has all of the tools to repeat as champs. If you'll remember, they went through a similar drought last year right before tourney time. The big weakness that they have is that they don't play very good man defense and if they get down in a game they may have a difficult time coming back because of this.

 

 

• Hazard
  

Hazard also has all of the tools. They can compete at the state level with their interior players. Their biggest weakness may be ballhandling. Whitaker is pretty much having to play 32 minutes every game and no one else seems to want the ball at crunch time.

 

• Letcher Central
  

Letcher Central is big inside and play with a lot of heart. Their big weakness is lack of tournament experience. This is a must at tournament time.

 

• Perry Central
  

Perry Central is a team that I had written off a month ago but they seemed to pull it together and are playing good basketball now. Plus, the district and regional tournament are on their home flor where they have only lost once.

Id say it will be Hazard or JBS. They will have to go thru one another to get to Rupp. Should be a fun tourney!

Nice summary Q-Man.

 

I agree these are the top 4 teams in the region. However, I could see Knott and/or Cordia knocking out JBS, Letcher or both. I am not sure Knott or Cordia could string together 3 games to win the region but for one night they have proven they can play with and in some cases beat the top teams in the region. That is one tough district and any way it plays out 2 of the top six teams in the region will be eliminated in that district tournament.

Hazard

Nice summary Q-Man.

 

I agree these are the top 4 teams in the region. However, I could see Knott and/or Cordia knocking out JBS, Letcher or both. I am not sure Knott or Cordia could string together 3 games to win the region but for one night they have proven they can play with and in some cases beat the top teams in the region. That is one tough district and any way it plays out 2 of the top six teams in the region will be eliminated in that district tournament.

 

I agree that Knott or Cordia could beat JBS and/or Letcher just as Buckhorn could knock off Hazard but I think that these are the only 4 teams that have a legitimate chance to win it all.

June Buchanan or hazard

Hazard has the players and the coach to make it to the big dance in Lexington. I guess it remains to be seen if they have the internal fortitude and desire to withstand an onslaught of lesser teams stepping up to the plate and putting their heart out there to defeat Hazard. It seems JBS is really struggling, as they had another loss tonight against KCC, so if the Stepps can pull it together and get back on track, I believe it will be Hazard or JBS even though the regional is at PCC athis year and this puts more heat on Hazard to defeat the Commodores in their own home gym.

 

Go Bulldogs!

Hazards to lose.

LCC and Cordia are one of those "lesser" teams.

Don't anyone be surprised if Buchanan ends winning the 14th again. They have had problems lately for sure, but last year they lost their district and still righted the ship. They still have a lot of talent.

Don't anyone be surprised if Buchanan ends winning the 14th again. They have had problems lately for sure, but last year they lost their district and still righted the ship. They still have a lot of talent.

 

I agree, Andy Blank is supposed to be back for the 1st round game against Hazard in the district. If they dont bring there A game, its a possibility Buckhorn will beat them. If you have ever seen Buckhorn play you know they will give it 100% every second of every game.JBS doesent have an easy road out of district either. Wouldnt that be funny, the 2 most talented teams dont even make it to region?

But with JBS sliding latley the favorite is obviously Hazard but they are far from unbeatable. JBS has beat them once, Lee Co, and Letcher have got close. Perry Co played them close for most the game the first time they played. Perrys been on fire latley and at a good time, but they was last year too before district and we all know what happend.

I agree that Knott or Cordia could beat JBS and/or Letcher just as Buckhorn could knock off Hazard but I think that these are the only 4 teams that have a legitimate chance to win it all.

 

 

I agree Q man! Buckhorn shouldn't be overlooked.

Cordia and Estill County are my upset picks. JBS and Hazard will both have to play flat to be beaten.

JBS and Hazard are still the favorites. But Buckhorn, LCC, Cordia, and Estill County should not be overlooked.

Cordia and Estill County are my upset picks. JBS and Hazard will both have to play flat to be beaten.

 

Estill and Cordia have alot of good guards but there lack of big man is going to hurt them if they have to play Hazard.