article 10th Region Week 12 in Review; District tournament Preview

The regular season is now a thing of the past. It's time for the 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th Districts to get the postseason underway. Let's take a quick look back at the final week of the regular season and look ahead to the four district tournaments.

1. Campbell County (24-4, 10-0 region, 3-0 37th District). The Camels ended the regular season on an 11-game win streak, coasting by Boon County and Ryle on the road in last week's action. Reid Jolly and Drew Wilson combined for 57 points; although shooting an uncharacteristic 2-13 from distance against Boone; then poured in another 46 at Ryle; with Jolly grabbing 16 boards for good measure.

2. Clark County (22-7, 8-1 region, 6-0 40th District. The Cardinals got by Frederick Douglass at home 61-53; then got 11th region powerhouse Henry Clay to overtime before eventually succumbing by 8. Brennan Canada recorded another double-double against Douglass as the Card hit over 60% from the field. Four Cardinals reached double figures against Henry Clay, led by reserve K.J. Rucker as the Cards fought back from double digits to reach the extra stanza; but 8-15 team free-throw shooting played a big part in the loss.

3. Scott (17-10, 7-2 region, 2-1 37th District). Coach Fromeyer's Eagles finished the regular season on a high note, defeating North College Hill (OH); then dispatching always-tough Cooper in overtime. Hunter Smith led the team with 16 points and Avi Allen snatched 10 boards against NCH; and Chad Ohmer returned to the lineup in the Cooper contest; chipping in 11 to help Nathan Joyce, Trey Meister (a double-double), Kyren Simpson and company get by Coach Sully's defensive-minded Jags. Scott becomes the third tenth region squad to make an appearance in the Cantrell rankings.

4. Bourbon County (20-9, 10-4 region, 2-4 40th District). Bourbon routed Pendleton 78-53 in their only contest in week 12. No stats posted by Bourbon since their February 2 game with Paris. The Colonels' only four region losses have been at the hands of 40th District competition.

5. Montgomery County (18-11, 8-6 region, 3-3 40th District). Don't look now, but Coach Daniel's Indians have quietly amassed 18 wins and have taken seven straight. Powell County and Harrison County fell last week. Myron Walls had 18 points and Pharoah Davis pulled down 12 boards against the Pirates.

6. Bishop Brossart (18-10, 8-3 region, 0-3 37th District). The Mustangs bounced back nicely from the week 11 loss to Calvary Christian; beginning with a dismantling of Mason County on the road. Ethan Eilerman poured in 34; while J.D. Schumacher notched a 21/11 double. The final game of the regular season was a 60-19 thrashing of Bellevue that saw nine men in green hit the scoring column.

7. Robertson County (21-7, 10-4 region, 3-1 38th District). Coach Kelsch's young Black Devils took one on the chin at Bracken County last Monday; dropping a 71-70 thriller. Justin Becker and Alex Schalch scored 24 and 23. Robertson rebounded with easy wins over Menifee County and Dayton to reach the 20-win plateau for the second straight season.

8. Paris (9-18, 8-7 region, 1-5 40th District), The Greyhounds split a pair last week; beating Pendleton County on the road by 18 and falling by 15 to Tates Creek at home. Jalen Byars scored 20 and Caleb Johnson had 15 and 12 in the Pendleton game; while Byars netted 23 in the loss to Creek.

9. Harrison County (9-18, 3-10 region, 1-3 38th District). Harrison played just one game last week, falling 72-62 in Mount Sterling.

10. Mason County (12-15, 4-8 region, 2-0 39th District). After getting thumped by Brossart on Tuesday while shooting 3-19 from behind the arc; the Royals responded with a 71-51 defeat of 23-win Rowan County Friday on Danny Weddle night; with three Royals scoring 16 or more.

11. Calvary Christian (20-10, 7-5 region, 3-2 37th District). Calvary coasted to a pair of easy wins in the season-ending KCAC tournament and reached 20 wins.

12. Bracken County (13-16, 6-8 region, 2-1 39th District). The Bears pulled off a major upset over Robertson County on Tuesday behind the strength of Tad Fisher's double-double; followed up by a romp over Frankfort Christian and a 33-point loss at West Carter.

13. Pendleton County (10-17, 6-11 region, 3-1 38th District). The Cats fell by a combined 43 points in their two week 12 games to the 40th's Bourbon County and Paris. Tredyn Thomas poured in 30 against the Colonels; and added 16 in the Paris matchup.

14. Augusta (10-17, 6-8 region, 3-1 39th District). The Panthers played a good Lewis County squad tough on the road before falling 75-69; then took care of business at Ludlow. Stephen Cordle and Blare Reed combined for 46 in Vanceburg as Augusta connected on 29 of 46 from the field; and hit 10 of 20 from three-point land against Ludlow.

15. Nicholas County (6-20, 2-11 region, 1-3 38th District). The Bluejackets fell by 30 to Model before ending the regular season on a high note with an 88-55 win over St. Patrick with Dalton Davenport and Brady Switzer scoring 21 and 20.

16. St. Patrick (1-29, 1-12 region, 0-5 39th District). After dropping their Thursday tilt with Nicholas County; the Saints nearly pulled one out against Villa Madonna in the regular-season finale but came out on the short end of a 72-70 score. 8th-grader Riley Mastin netted 20 points and was 4-4 from the line; finishing the season 76 for 80; a 95% clip. However, Mastin needed one more attempt to qualify for inclusion in the KHSAA final statistical standings for the year (and would have easily been the official state FT percentage leader).

17. Silver Grove (9-17, 0-4 region, 0-2 37th District). The Big Trains won 2 of three games last week - B3 home school and Covington Latin; while falling to SCPA (OH).

District Tournament Capsules

37th District - all games played at Campbell County Middle School.

#4 Bishop Brossart - #5 Silver Grove; Monday, 6:00 PM

While I've learned to never say never over the years; this one is the closest thing to a lock as any district tournament game in the region this time around. The Mustangs have given up fewer than 1500 points in their 28 regilar-season games; and are paced by junior forward Ethan Eilerman and senior guard J.D. Schumacher. Schumacher is also the team's leading rebounder from the guard position. Free-throw shooting is a bit suspect at under 70%, but the 'stangs should handle the undermanned Big Trains; whose only wins this year have come against Latin (X3), Piarist, Big Bone Baptist home school (X2), SCPA (OH), Dayton and Heritage. Spence Macke is the closest thing to a one-man show (since Dontaie Allen went down) in the region.

Brossart/Grove winner - #1 Campbell County; Tuesday, 6:00 PM

I think we can safely call this one Brossart - Campbell. The Camels manhandled the Mustangs 60 to 37 in a January 5 matchup, with Reid Jolly doing what Reid Jolly does - 23 and 11. Until February 9th, pretty much everyone had penciled this game in as Calvary vs. Campbell; but instead the Camels get a much tougher semifinal matchup. Campbell is currently ranked 5th in the Commonwealth by Cantrall, and Jolly is ably supported by Drew Wilson (18.8 PPG). Shooting is a strong suit as usual for the Camels, who connect on nearly 55% from the field.

#2 Scott - #3 Calvary Christian; Tuesday, 7:30 PM

Scott is now ranked #24 in the state on the strength of a 5-1 finish to the regular season; and played Campbell County tough in their early February district seeding game before dropping a 74-068 decision. Trey Meister scored 23 in that one, and paces a quartet of Eagles scoring in double figures for the season (with fifth starter David Hunter at 9.6). Calvary Christian, after edging by Brossart in their district seeding game, comes into the tourney as a Cinderella of sorts; and is led by new 2,000-point club junior Mason Rusch, Scott won the regular-season matchup 62 to 48.

Finals; Thursday, 7:00 PM

38th District - all games played at Robertson County.

#1 Pendleton County - #4 Harrison County; Tuesday, 7:00 PM

In a bit of a strange twist, Pendleton County gets the #1 seed; having defeated three district foes very early in the season before University of Kentucky signee Dontaie Allen's (42.9/14.2) injury. Tredyn Thomas, Cody Sullivan and Brett Booth will be relied upon against the favored Harrison County squad. Harrison is paced by the reliable Spencer Free (nearly 88% from the line) and Quenton Turley. Pendleton won the first matchup with Allen by 36 and lost by 19 without him - a 55-point turnaround.

#2 Robertson County - #3 Nicholas County; Wednesday, 7:00 PM

The Black Devils are the prohibitive favorites to take the district crown; and it is unlikely that Nicholas will make things tough; with Robertson cruising to 49 and 37-point wins ove the Jackets already this season. Robertson is paced by big man combo Alex Schalck and the Becker boys with a combined 47 points and 21 boards per game; while sophomore guard Sebastian Dixon adds 14 per game and hits over 40% from three. Nicholas County boasts a trio of double-digit scorers in Davenport, Morgan Planck and Switzer.

Finals; Friday, 7:00 PM

39th District - all games at Mason County

Mason County - Augusta; Monday, 8:00 PM

While Augusta got blitzed by the Royals 70-29 before Christmas; the Panthers have reason to be much more optimistic this time around. They've won 2 of their last 3; and 7th-grader Blake Reed is complementing senior big man Stephen Cordle and junior guard Preston Philpot and has blossomed into the team's second-leading scorer. Mason County has been inconsistent this year and first-year coach Brian Kirk hopes for increased intensity in the postseason. Senior Jaylen Lofton at 14+PPG; but poor shooting has been a bugaboo all season - 41% from the field, 27% from distance and a mere 56% from the line.

Bracken County - St. Patrick; Tuesday, 8:00 Pm

The 1-win Saints have shown better in recent games, but lost to Bracken County by 29 and 40 earlier this year. Kason Hinson led the Bears in scoring in both games with 24 and 20; and Bracken more than doubled up the Saints on the boards in the two games. Jhace Cummins and Tad Fisher lead a balanced scoring attack, The Saints have taken their lumps this year; their only win over Silver Grove. Patrick McKay is the team's lone double-digit scorer at 11,8; although Jack Gallenstein and Riley Mastin are right behind.

Finals; Thursday, 8:00 PM

40th District - all games at Bourbon County.

#1 George Rogers Clark - #4 Paris; Tuesday, 6:00 PM

The Cards sit comfortably in Cantrell's top 25, and for good reason. A challenging schedule has Coach Cook's guys well-prepared for what looks to be an entertaining tournament. Clark handled Paris with ease in both regular-season games; and this one should be no exception. Brennan Canada nearly averages a double-double at 14.8 and 9; while Jordan Graham and Jared Wellman are close behind in the scoring column. The Cardinals' only 10th region loss was to Campbell County in the opening game of the season. Paris gets nearly 15 points per game from Jalen Byars, with four other Hounds at over 7 PPG.

#3 Bourbon County - #2 Montgomery County; Tuesday, 7:45 PM

This could be the most intriguing first-round matchup in the 10th this week. Although I have had Bourbon consistently ranked above Montgomery all season, the Indians defeated the Colonels in both regular-season games. As noted earlier, MoCo has won seven straight and is led by the trip of Myron Davis, Will Cockrell and Pharoah Davis (who also pulls down 9 RPG). However, it was Hagen Harrison who erupted for 22 in the Indian's second win over Bourbon back on January 23. Bourbon has gone 4-1 since that game; the only loss a 1-pointer to Clark County. Senior swingman Jace Wallace paces the Colonels at over 14 points per game.

Finals; Thursday, 7:00 PM

Ten Players to Watch

They don't have to be the region's best - some will and some may not - but these guys will be impactful nevertheless:

Reid Jolly, senior, Campbell County. The 10th region player of the year by all accounts after Dontaie Allen's season ended. A double-double machine.

Chad Ohmer, senior, Scott. Will his ankle hold up? He will be needed if the Eagles are to hang with Campbell County.

Jordan Graham, senior, Clark County. The Cardinals' point guard can take over a game, but the free throws need to fall if he has the ball in his hands in a tight game.

J.D. Schumacher, senior, Bishop Brossart. Multitalented guard will have to have a solid game against Campbell in the (presumptive) semifinal.

Sebastian Dixon, sophmore, Robertson County. Can the young sharpshooter keep the defenses honest?

Jace Wallace, senior, Bourbon County. Will need a pair of big games to advance in the 40th.

Jaylen Lofton, senior, Mason County. In the weakened 39th, Augusta and Bracken will present problems for the Royals. Lofton must stay out of foul trouble or Mason could get bounced early.

Blake Reed, 7th grader, Augusta. Keep an eye on this up-and-coming talent.

Spencer Free, senior, Harrison County. The steady Free always impresses with his cool-headedness and consistency.

Pharoah Davis, senior, Montgomery County. Solid forward has the best name in the region. I like saying it and I like typing it.

Excellent work, oh ancient one. :thumb:

Myron "Duce" Ralls from Montgomery County scored his 1,000th point Friday night against Harrison Co. It came during a 30 point performance for Duce.

I really enjoyed watching the Royals Friday night versus Rowan and all that went with honoring Danny Weddle. I am most definitely a football guy, but have to admit, postseason basketball is special in the Fieldhouse. It is never a surprise to see the Royals making a run in March, regardless of the regular season, especially in the Fieldhouse.

I am opposite of most Mason County fans... I would tell those kids there ABSOLUTELY is a home court advantage in the Fieldhouse when the Royals take the floor! I believe it and if the Mason County players believe it, great!

Myron "Duce" Ralls from Montgomery County scored his 1,000th point Friday night against Harrison Co. It came during a 30 point performance for Duce.

Congratulations to Duce!

Excellent work, oh ancient one. :thumb:

Perhaps I’ll stumble into you at some point during the next couple of weeks. I took the liberty of procuring some taffy just in case.

Perhaps I’ll stumble into you at some point during the next couple of weeks. I took the liberty of procuring some taffy just in case.

Region Tournament is likely. District is unlikely.

Myron "Duce" Ralls from Montgomery County scored his 1,000th point Friday night against Harrison Co. It came during a 30 point performance for Duce.

Congrats young man.

Papa, thank you so much for all your hard work on posting for the 10th region this year. Greatly appreciated.:thumb: Hope to see you and Randy and Sumo at the regional tourney.

Congrats young man.

 

Papa, thank you so much for all your hard work on posting for the 10th region this year. Greatly appreciated.:thumb: Hope to see you and Randy and Sumo at the regional tourney.

You are most welcome for the updates. I enjoy doing them, but will probably “retire” soon.