This game is arguably the marquee matchup in the state Friday.

 

Elizabethtown (#2 BGP, #1 Cantrall and Litratings) is the defending region champ, a state semifinalist from a year ago, and has won 14 in a row. They feature EKU-bound Alex Jones, one of the best seniors in the state.

 

Nelson County (#13 BGP, #9 Litratings, #3 Cantrall) is riding a 13-game streak, and fell to the veteran Panthers in last year's 5th Region semis, finally pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 51-38 win in a knock-down, drag-out affair. The Cardinals feature the front-runner for 2010 Miss Basketball, UK-bound Samantha Drake.

 

The teams have not played this season, unfortunately. The game is at Nelson County High School, which adds some extra drama to it, as the Cardinals have not lost at home this season. Should be an outstanding game.

Edited March 6, 200917 yr by Jim Schue

Nelson County pulls the upset tonight and here are the reasons why.

1) Team speed - Nelson Co. is much quicker up and down the floor than E-town. They will not be impacted by E-town press and will get several easy buckets in transition.

 

2) Improving perimeter shooting - Prior to the past two games Nelson Co. had made vast improvement in perimeter scoring. Lacy Hagan, Sara Beth Gillis leading way with Kelsey Robinson, and Emily Hogan picking up points here and there. The past two games against subpar opponents they did not shoot well but I am willing to write that off as being flat. The previous 3 games were against much better opponents (Henderson,Marion, and Central Hardin)

 

3) Home court advantage and intagibles. Sara Beth Gillis and Kelsey Robinson refuse to lose. Each have been involved with winning programs their entire athletic careers and have competed at high levels of play. Each have started on a varsity team since the 7th grade and know what it takes to win.

 

4) Samantha Drake comes into her own. This is her opportunity to show why she is the highest touted recruit in the 5th region.