Three weeks until the post-season; time to get serious about who gets to Rupp.

 

While the 5th doesn't have a bunch of "household names", the region is shaping up as a very competitive one. Here's papa's take, feel free to tell me why I'm wrong.

 

The favorites:

 

1. John Hardin (16-2). I give JH the edge here; only because of the recent win over E'town on the road. Jeff Richard is a man down low but needs to stay out of foul trouble. The Bulldogs did not look good the only time I've seen them (against a Mason County team that by most accounts is way down this year); but they are rolling through the 5th. Final major test is at North Hardin tomorrow.

 

2. North Hardin (15-7). Only one loss in 2011, an eye-opener at Taylor County. They seem to match up well with E'town and have been playing better (except for the one hiccup) lately. The aforementioned contest with JH may tell us a lot.

 

3. Elizabethtown (11-8). WHen Mitchell Henry is dominating, the Panthers can be tough to beat. They need to figure out a way to win the close ones (lost by 2 to Taylor, by 1 to North, by 1 to JH).

 

4. Bardstown (14-3). Great record but some might question the SOS. Late home games against E'town and North Hardin will be telling.

 

Dark horse - Campbellsville, Central Hardin, Taylor County.

Wonder if Jim Schue has any take on this Bardstown team? Hard not to pick John Hardin to represent this region.