In the Lexington paper today it gave the top contenders by region:

 

http://www.kentucky.com/813/story/677630.html

 

 

Top contenders by Region

(Based on Dave Cantrall'sRating the State)

1st — Paducah Tilghman, Marshall Co., Calloway Co., Graves Co.

2nd — Christian Co., Henderson Co., Hopkinsville, Hopkins Central

3rd — Muhlenberg North, Grayson Co., Owensboro, Ohio Co.

4th — Warren Central, Bowling Green, Franklin-Simpson, Glasgow

5th — North Hardin, John Hardin, Adair Co., Taylor Co.6th — Pleasure Ridge Park, Bullitt East, Central, Fairdale

7th — Eastern, Ballard, Jeffersontown, Seneca

8th — Anderson Co., North Oldham, Shelby Co., South Oldham

9th — Holmes, Boone Co., Highlands, Ryle

10th — Mason Co., Clark Co., Scott, Campbell Co.

11th — Scott Co., Bryan Station, Lexington Catholic, Paul Dunbar

12th — West Jessamine, McCreary Central, Lincoln Co., Garrard Co.

13th — Corbin, South Laurel, Clay Co., Knox Central

14th — Hazard, Perry Central, Knott Central, Letcher Central

15th — Shelby Valley, Johnson Central, East Ridge, Lawrence Co.

16th — Elliott Co., West Carter, East Carter, Bath Co.[/quote

 

I know the 5th region pretty good and for the Herald-Leader to leave Bardstown out of the top 4 is a huge oversight. Take John Hardin out and put the defending champs in.

Great point. I am gong to watch them this morning in the All A.

If it plays out as the rankings show, you could realistically see any of those 4 bottom-bracket teams in the Saturday semis (Mason/Clark, Shelby Valley, Anderson Co., Elliott Co.). Should make for an interesting close to the 1st & 2nd rounds.

 

And the possibility of Scott Co. vs. Holmes in the quarters is interesting, to say the least.

I think the fact that the regions with the clear cut #1 and #2 teams in the state, (9th and 11th) are matched up in the second round is ridiculous. They need to wait until after the regioin tournamenets and seed them or something. Not to mention, either team will be dog tired after that game on FRIDAY NIGHT, then have to come back and play the early game saturday morning.

Ok I have few points I'd like to make:

 

1. Don't overlook Warren Central. Everyone always does and Tim Riley always has his team peaking at Tourn time. In my opinion he's the top coach in the state.

2. With that said this tournament might favor a team on the bottom bracket that has the most depth due to the tough draw, to me tha would be Scott Co??? Who else is very deep? I'm not convinced that Holmes is a deep as some think.

3. Holmes got a bad luck draw. Christian Co will even be a tough game if thats the first round matchup.

4. Look for a possible Anderson Co. vs Elliot Co rematch. But then again look for a possible "ALL A" rematch between Shelby Valley and Elliot Co. Both are good possible rematch games. So would be Holmes vs Henderson again if the first round.

5. Speaking of Shelby Valley....Did anyone see the performance of Elijah Justice in the "ALL A" This kid is the real deal. Reminds me a lot the PG from Apollo a few years back that led his team deep in Sweet 16, Doug Denton. Justice is a fine PG with shooting skills and ball handling as good as anyone in the state. They also have size.

6. Either way this looks to be a great tournament again. The bottom bracket could be very entertaining. But, with that said there is a whole lot of basketball still left to be plaid. Lots could happen.

That bottom half is a gauntlet. It's going to be very hard for any team on the bottom portion to win it, they will be dead by Saturday night IMO. With that being said, I think Holmes still wins it, they can match up favorably with any team in the bottom half IMO, Scott will be the toughest test, Elliott will be fairly easy IMO-Elliott Fans begin your bashing now.

 

Ec may not match up with Holmes very well but I can promise one thing they will not be easy out! The Faulkners alone will see to that!!!

How else would you go about drawing for the tournament?

 

I dont mind a blind draw. no matter how you look at it, to win it all you have to beat the best teams. So why not play them first and get it over with. you would face them soon enough anyway.