By Les Dixon

The Times-Tribune

Corbin, KY

 

The 91st Annual National City Bank/KHSAA Sweet 16 has two clear-cut favorites, while everyone else is hoping to pull off an upset here or there.

That above mentioned might be the belief of some, but you won’t get an agreement from 11th Region champion Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman or 10th Region champion Mason County coach Chris O’Hearn.

“We don’t look at it that way at all,” Salsman said. “We know we’re going to have our work cut out for us. There are 16 great teams in this tournament and each team has a good shot at winning the state championship.”

Many are tagging the Knights as the team to beat after Lexington Catholic demolished Model, Scott County and Bryan Station by an average of 24 points a agme during last week’s 11th Region Tournament,

“Playing in the 11th Region this year, no doubt, made us a better team,” Salsman said. “The 11th Region had the basketball this season, but we know we’ve still got a lot of work to do ahead of us.

“To be honest, the best way you could probably pick a favorite is to draw a name out of a hat,” he added. “We can’t look past our first round game. University Heights is very good and if we do that, then we could be in trouble.”

Randy McCoy’s Blazers, along with Mason County (who beats the Knights 74-73 earlier in the season) are two of the other teams many are talking about heading into the tournament.

“Right now, we’re just appreciating the fact that we’re back at the state tournament,” O’Hearn said. “This year’s Sweet 16 is going to be an outstanding tournament. There are a lot of good players, teams and coaches in this.

“As for us being the favorite, we’re just taking things one possession at a time,” he added. “We can’t worry about who’s going to be playing on Saturday because we have a good Elliott County team in front of us. The key for us is defense. If we can make it to where our opponents shoot a low-percentage, then I like our chances. Lexington Catholic has a boat load of talent and they’re going to be hard to beat, but they’re also a lot of other good teams in this.”

Just ask McCoy.

“You look at it on paper and then you can see why Lexington Catholic and Mason County are mentioned as the favorites,” he said. “But, they’re a lot of good teams in this Sweet 16. And, I believe we are one of those teams. But the thing for us is that we’re playing Lexington Catholic right at the start.

“We’ve been tested, though,” McCoy added. “I believe we had the toughest road in the region and we still managed to come through. The big key for us is to win the first game. You can’t get to the state finals if you don’t win your first game. There is no easy game this year.”

Joining Lexington Catholic, University Heights in the rough and tough upper bracket are Central, Owensboro, Jeffersontown, Paintsville, Covington Holmes and Bardstown.

Despite not being mentioned as a favorite, Paintsville coach Bill M. Runyon believes his team can’t be ruled out.

“You normally have to pencil in a couple of teams as favorites, but you can’t rule out the other teams, either,” he said. “There are 16 teams that can win this thing. That’s just my opinion.”

Runyon, who will be retiring as head coach at the end of the tournament, said it would be nice to see his team make a run.

“I think we’ve got a legit chance to reaching Saturday morning and once you get that far, anything can happen,” he said. “If I could go out with a bang, that would be great and if I don’t, then that would be fine, too.”

One team no one is going to look over and underestimate is Covington Holmes.

David Henley’s Bulldogs enter with a tournament-best 31-2 record.

“Mason County and Lexington Catholic are the two obvious favorites, but there are four or five other teams that might have a final say, too,” Hensley said. “And, I believe we’re one of those teams.

“Obviously, for us to be successful, we have to play good defense and make good shots on offense,” he added. “This should be a fun time for everyone.”

Joining Mason County in the bottom bracket are: Elliott County, Greenwood, Paducah Tilghman, Shelby County, Lincoln County, South Laurel and Hazard.

Despite not being mentioned as one of the teams to beat, South Laurel coach Steve Wright said he’s not counting his Cardinals out.

“This is a determined group of kids, Wright added. “They believe in themselves and they know to be successful and you’ve got to take things one game at a time. You can’t get to the Final Four until you get to the Elite Eight and the kids realize that. We’ve got to take things step by step.”

Hazard coach Al Holland agrees.

“I really like the chances of whoever comes out of our game,” he said. “The upper bracket has a lot of talented teams, but they’re talented teams in the lower bracket, too.”

 

* First Round Games

University Heights (30-4) vs. Lexington Catholic (30-3)

Lexington Catholic enters as the tournament favorite and should be after dismantling every team the Knights faced in the 11th Region Tournament.

Lexington Catholic has put together an impressive 23-1 record since Dec. 19.

The Knights are led by Vee Sanford (12.7 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game), Jordan Smart (12.3, 3.5) and Nathan Novosel (13.3, 6.6).

“Our team is very balanced as far as scoring is concerned,” coach Brandon Salsman said. “We must continue to play great team basketball to be able to make it through one of the toughest fields at the Sweet 16 that I have seen.

All nine kids that we will play, know what their role is and if they continue to do their job we

should do well,” he added. “Offensively we will need to move the ball inside out and push it in transition. If our break is not there we must continue to move the ball to find the best shot that we can. Our defense is our calling card we will try to force turnovers with aggressive play and once we get into the half court we like to sit down and play very fundamental half court defense.”

University Heights has won 17 in a row - which includes capturing the All ‘A’ Classic State Tournament title.

The Blazers are led by Tyshwan Edmondson (18.2, 8.1), DaQuan Brown (12.8, 6.8) and Scotty Hopson (24.4, 11.4).

 

Owensboro (22-9) vs. Central (15-11)

Central finished the regular season out with a dismal 3-6 record, but somehow caught fire in the 23rd District and 6th Region Tournaments.

Owensboro, on the other hand, finished with the third best record in the 3rd Region and didn’t even win the 9th District Tournament, but still managed to find a way to reach the Sweet 16.

Central is led by Ridge Wilson (16.4, 10.3), Leevaughn Morris (13.6, 5.9) and Leland Banks (12.5 8.8), while the Devils are led by Brock Moorman (16.4, 75), Tyler Acton (13.8, 4.6) and Yorel Shemwell (12.9, 2.6).

This is the 40th trip to the Sweet 16 for Owensboro.

 

Jeffersontown (26-5) vs. Paintsville (29-3)

This is an interesting match-up.

The Chargers didn’t win the 28th District title, but managed to capture the 7th Region crown.

Jeffersontown has won 12of its last 13 games, while Paintsville has won ine games in a row after advancing to the semi-finals of the All ‘A’ Classi State Tournament.

The Chargers are led by Nick Gagel (14.5, 2.8), Tim Jackson (10.0, 4.4) and Thomas Jackson (10.0, 3.6), while the Tigers are led by Landon Slone (24.8, 7.3), Shane Grimm (20.2, 6.3) J.D. Vanhoose (12.4, 7.8) and Justin Murray (10.7, 3.0)

 

Holmes (31-2) vs. Bardstown (23-7)

Holmes is my pick to win the entire state tournament.

The Bulldogs are 25-1 during their last 26 games and don’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Bardstown has reeled off five straight wins, but has its hands full against Holmes.

Holmes is led by Arrez Henderson (16.5, 4.8) and Ricardo Johnson (11.1, 4.8), while Bardstown is led by Jordan Hickman (14.9, 7.6), Corey Hall (13.6, 3.0) and Demarco Phillips (12.1, 6.4).

“We have to continue doing the things that got us here and that is taking good, high percentage shots on offense and play good defense,“ Holmes coach David Henley said. “We also need to make sure we do a good job keeping our opponents off the offensive glass.”

 

South Laurel (27-7) vs. Hazard (30-4)

This is another solid match-up between two tradition-rich schools.

The Cardinals shocked everyone by coming back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter of the 13th Region finals to beat Corbin, while Hazard cruised to an easy 14th Region title game win over Perry Central.

Al Holland’s squad is led by Josh Whitaker (15.4, 2.7) along with guard Cory Martin (6.4, 3.7), center Justin Jones (7.8, 6.8), forward Michael Campbell (13.6, 6.9) and forward Robert Warren (8.0, 7.5).

Sophomore center Matt St. John leads South Laurel with a scoring average of 14.8 points per contest and 8.7 rebounds a game and is joined in the starting lineup with guard Matt Watkins (6.9, 1.3), guard Billy Jones (11.1, 3.8), Jordan Bortnem (9.0, 2.6) and Zack Smith (6.4, 4.4).

“This is a determined group of kids, South Laurel coach Steve Wright said. “They believe in themselves and they know to be successful, you’ve got to take things one game at a time. You can’t get to the Final Four until you get to the Elite Eight and the kids realize that. We’ve got to take things step by step.”

 

Shelby County (23-8) vs. Lincoln County (27-5)

This is a solid match-up.

I really believe Lincoln County is underrated.

The Patriots are coached by Jeff Jackson, who guided University Heights to a state crown back in the ‘90s.

Lincoln County is 20-2 since Dec. 18, while the Rockets are winners of five straight.

Jackson’s squad is led by Ryan Young (18.4, 3.7), Noah Keeton (17.4, 4.0) and Ethan Spurlin (15.0, 8.9), while Shelby County is led by Coty Minnis (16.8, 8.5) and Tim Sanford (12.6, 3.5).

“This year's team was able to repeat for the first time in school history,” Jackson said. “After making the state tournament last year for the first time in 27 years, after being ranked. No. 1 all year in the region and we were able to live up to that billing.”

 

Paducah Tilghman (27-6) vs. Greenwood (24-10)

The Blue Tornadoes are winners of 11 straight and are led by Stefon Perry (15.7, 9.2), Isaac McClure (14.9, 108) and Bryon Wright (12.6, 2.4), while the Gators are led Dee Anderson (12.3, 7.1).

 

Mason County (30-4) vs. Elliot County (26-3)

The Royals come into the game as one of the favorites, while Elliott County is looking for the upset.

Mason County is led by Darious Miller (20.0, 7.8), Russ Middleton (15.1, 2.8) and Trevor Setty (14.9, 5.6), while Elliott County is led by Jonathan Ferguson (24.9, 5.3), Evan Faulkner (16.7, 4.6) and Ethan Faulkner (15.7, 6.7).

 

* These kids can score

Leading scorers for each team

Bardstown - Josh Hickman, 14.9

Lincoln County - Ryan Young, 18.4

Hazard - Josh Whitaker, 15.4

South Laurel - Matt St. John 14.8

Paducah Wightman - Isaac McClure, 14.9

Greenwood - Dee Anderson, 12.3

Shelby County - Coty Minnis, 16.8

Mason County - Darius Miller, 20.0

Elliott County - Jonathan Ferguson, 24.9

Central - Ridge Wilson, 16.4

Lexington Catholic - Nathan Novosel, 13.3

University Heights - Scotty Hopson, 24.4

Owensboro - Brock Moorman, 16.4

Jeffersontown - Nick Cagel, 14.5

Holmes - Arrez Henderson, 16.5

Paintsville - Landon Slone, 24.8

 

* All Windex players

Bardstown - Josh Hickman, 7.6

Lincoln County - Ethan Spurlin, 8.9

Hazard - Robert Warren, 7.5

South Laurel - Matt St. John, 8.7

Paducah Tilghman - Isaac McClure, 10.8

Greenwood - Dee Anderson, 7.1

Shelby County - Cody Minnis, 8.5

Mason County - Darius Miller, 7.8

Elliott County - Ethan Faulkner, 6.7

Central - Ridge Wilson, 10.3

Lexington Catholic - Nathan Novosel, 6.6

University Heights - Scotty Hopson, 11.4

Owensboro - Brock Moorman, 7.5

Jeffersontown - Brandon Cason, 8.7

Holmes - Arrez Henderson and Ricardo Johnson, 4.8

Paintsville - J.D. Vanhoose,, 7.8

 

* Top 3-point shooters

1. Jamel Riley, Holmes - 21-of-35 60 percent

2. John Tribble, Lexington Catholic - 26-of-50 52 percent

3. Matt McGowan, University Heights - 39-of-78 50 percent

4, Nick Gagel, Jeffersontown - 77-of-159 48.4 percent

5. Tim Sanford, Shelby County - 58-of-135 43 percent

6. Chris Knipp, Elliott County - 15-of-35 42.9 percent

6. Landon Slone, Paintsville - 85-of-198 42.9 percent

8. Cory Martin, Hazard - 20-of-48 41.7 percent

 

* Top free throw shooters

1. Landon Slone, Paintsville - 149-of-172 86.6 percent

2. Matt McGowan, University Heights - 42-of-49 85.7 percent

3. Nick Gagel, Jeffersontown - 82-of-97 84.5 percent

4. Ethan Faulkner, Elliott County - 149-of-178 83.7 percent

5. Corey Hall, Bardstown - 64-of-77 831. Percent

6. Jordan Bortnem, South Laurel - 108-of-136 79.4 percent

6. Taylor Botkin, Lexington Catholic - 54-of-68 79.4 percent

8. Braean Avery, Holmes - 63-of-81 77.8 percent

Les Dixon will also be doing a live blog here on BGP from the Sweet 16 that everyone is encouraged to be a part of.