article 11th Region Week Final Regular Season Review and Postseason Preview

A chink in the armor? Is it possible that the previous untouchable might have opened the door this week for some of the contenders? Another regular season has come and gone in the BEST region in the state of Kentucky, the mighty 11th!! All year long it seemed as if the region was an open and shut case but maybe just maybe that isn't the case anymore. One thing is for sure the postseason is always special in the 11th and this year should be no different.

TEAM RANKINGS

1. Scott County (28-2) - The week started of about as normal as it has all year for the Cardinals as they disposed of Covington Holy Cross by a score of 106-55 on senior night. The real story of the week is the end of the week when Scott County traveled to PLD and came home with their first in state loss of the season and first regular season in state loss since December of 2016! A crazy stat for this senior class at Scott County, in 4 years they are a combined 125-16 and 3 of those losses have come to PLD. Not sure anyone would think that. The good news for Scott County is senior big man Michael Moreno will return this week during the 42nd District tournament. The Cardinals will play the winner of Frederick Douglass and Sayre to open up postseason play.

2. Henry Clay (24-5) - The Blue Devils finished the week 2-0 against two quality opponents with a blowout win over Lafayette and an overtime thriller over George Rogers Clark on the road. Henry Clay is primed for a big postseason run and at this time seem like the top challenger for Scott County. Henry Clay will host the 42nd District tournament this week and that should be a big advantage for them. Henry Clay will open with rival Bryan Station who they have beaten twice already this season.

3. Frankfort (25-5) - The Panthers finish the season with 25 wins for only the 3rd time in school history and the first time since the 1969-70 season. This week Frankfort picked up wins over Bryan Station, Madison Southern, and Nelson County. Frankfort is playing about as well as anyone in the region right now and does own a victory over Henry Clay back in December. The Panthers will open up 41st District play against rival Franklin County who is 1 of the 5 teams to beat the Panthers this season. Should be a great game and great atmosphere.

4. Woodford County (19-9) - Only one game on the schedule for the Yellow Jackets this past week as they blew out home school team Wellspring Guardians out of Richmond. The Yellow Jackets are the 1 seed in the 41st District tournament and the host. Woodford County will open up with Western Hills in the 41st District Tournament.

5. Lafayette (18-11) -The Generals started off the week with a huge blowout loss to crosstown rival Henry Clay but bounced back with a win over over Frederick Douglass. Lafayette will be the 1 seed in the upcoming 43rd District Tournament and will play the winner of the Tates Creek/Paul Laurence Dunbar play in game. Lafayette at times has looked like one of the best teams in the region and at other times not so much. This week will really show us where they stand as the always tough 43rd District tournament begins.

6. Lexington Catholic (14-15) - The Knights finished their regular season with a losing record for the first time since 1986. This past week they lost in overtime on the road and picked up a huge win at home over 12th region favorite Wayne County to end the week. Although the regular season wasnt the best for the Knights they have a chance to right the ship when they take on LCA in the first round of the 43rd District tournament, a team Lexington Catholic beat twice this season.

7. Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-16) - The Bulldogs started off the week with a loss on the road to West Jessamine but finished the week with quite possibly the biggest win in the state of Kentucky when they beat previously undefeated in state Scott County 91-84 on Friday night. Up next the Bulldogs will host the 43rd District tournament and open with Tates Creek where the winner will advance to play #1 seed Lafayette.

8. Madison Central (15-13) - Another absolutely brutal week for the Indians where they took on 13th Region favorite South Laurel and won then traveled to defending State Champion Covington Catholic and fell by 12 points. The Indians can make an argument they have played the toughest schedule in the state this season. They do however get a small break as 44th District play opens up and they will face off with Model in the first round.

9. Lexington Christian (20-10) - Its hard to see a 20 win team like LCA at 9 but as things stand in the region right now this is where they fall. This week the Eagles got blown out at home by Trinity and then struggled but finally pulled away for a 6 point win over Bryan Station also at home. Senior Kyle Rode passed Mike Allen for 2nd all time on the Lexington scoring list and now sits 42 points behind Taveion Hollingsworth for 1st all time. LCA will likely need to beat Lexington Catholic in the opening round of the 43rd District tournament for him to accomplish that feat.

10. Tates Creek (14-13) - For the first time since 2010 the Commodores have finished the regular season with a winning record. Congrats to them on that accomplishment. This past week Tates Creek picked up wins over Madison Southern and Paris. Up next the Commodores will open with PLD in the opening round of the 43rd District tournament which is also hosted by PLD.

11. Franklin County (15-13) -The Flyers won both games this past week over Ryle and Anderson County. The Flyers open up 41st District tournament play against Frankfort High. The Flyers split with the Panthers this season and the opening round district matchup should be another good battle between these two old rivals.

12. Bryan Station (6-21) - The Defenders dropped both games this week to Frankfort and Lexington Christian but played tight with both teams the majority of the game. Up next Bryan Station will face off with Henry Clay in the first round of the 42nd District tournament. While the Blue Devils will be heavy favorites you can throw the records out the window when these two old rivals get together.

13. Frederick Douglass (12-18) - The Broncos dropped both their games this week to George Rogers Clark and Lafayette. This team is full of athletes and one of the best young players in the region in DeShawn Jackson, but just cant seem to put it together. The Broncos will open up with Sayre in the 42nd District tournament and the winner will face Scott County.

14. Model (18-10) - The Patriots have won 7 in a row to finish off the regular season and picked up 2 wins this week over Nicholas County and Jackson County. Model has had a nice season but unfortunately for them they play in a district that draws instead of seeds and they got the unlucky fortune of drawing Madison Central in the first round of the 44th District tournament.

15. Madison Southern (15-15) - The losing streak for the Eagles continues this week after dropping games to Tates Creek and Frankfort which makes it 5 in a row for the Eagles. Luckily for Madison Southern they drew Berea in the first round of the 44th District tournament which should ensure them making it to the Regional Tournament.

16. Berea (18-12) - The Pirates finished off their regular season with two wins over Western Hills and Lee County. Another successful season for Coach Swords considering the talent level he has. Berea will open up 44th District play against Madison Southern.

17. Western Hills (11-18) - The Wolverines finished the week 2-2 with wins over Frankfort Christian Academy and Wolfe County and losses to Berea and Garrard County. Western Hills opens up 41st District tournament play against Woodford County.

18. Sayre (9-20) - The Spartans ended their season with 2 wins over Kentucky Country Day and Fleming County. This week Sayre will open 42nd District play against Frederick Douglass with the winner facing Scott County.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

41st District at Woodford County

1. Woodford County vs. 4. Western Hills - 2/19

2. Frankfort vs. 3. Franklin County - 2/20

Championship - 2/22

42nd District at Henry Clay

4. Frederick Douglass vs. 5. Sayre - 2/18

2. Henry Clay vs. 3 Bryan Station - 2/19

1. Scott County vs. 4/5 Winner - 2/20

Championship - 2/22

43rd Distritct at Paul Laurence Dunbar

4. Paul Laurence Dunbar vs. 5. Tates Creek - 2/18

2. Lexington Catholic vs. 3. Lexington Christian Academy - 2/19

1. Lafayette vs. 4/5 Winner - 2/20

Championship - 2/22

44th District Tournament at Eastern Kentucky University

Madison Southern vs. Berea - 2/18

Madison Central vs. Model - 2/19

Championship - 2/22

The 11th Region tournament field is now set.

Frankfort

Woodford County

Henry Clay

Scott County

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Lexington Christian Academy

Madison Southern

Madison Central

Looks like a great 11th region tournament! All district championship games will be good and exciting.

11th will be a little different this year due to the scheduling conflict with EKU the first round games will be at the district winners home court. So that will put a little more emphasis on being a district champion this season.

11th will be a little different this year due to the scheduling conflict with EKU the first round games will be at the district winners home court. So that will put a little more emphasis on being a district champion this season.

Yes it will!

I personally think the semifinals of the 11th region year in and year out is better than some sessions at the state tournament. I really enjoy going over to EKU each year to take it in. I'm looking forward to watching the 42nd final tomorrow night between Henry Clay and Scott Co.

I agree about the 11th region semi finals. They seem to always be exciting.