article 5th Region Tournament Preview

The 5th Region Tournament is here, and it looks to be an exciting Tournament this year. Hart County is hosting Region this year. There are two teams who are ranked in the top 10 of the state that will be playing in the 5th Region Tournament. By Saturday night we will know who will be representing the 5th Region at Rupp Arena.

1. John Hardin (32-0): The Bulldogs won the 17th district this last week as they remain undefeated. They beat North Hardin 82-54, and then beat Central Hardin 63-48 in the district championship. What a magical season it has been so far, but they still have more work to do. This is the most balanced team in the 5th Region as all 5 starters can be the leading scorer on any given night. Alex Matthews has been incredible all year and Aaron Scott has been there go to guard all year. They got a great draw and if they aren’t at least in the Region finals it would be a huge surprise. They have won in all ways this year so don’t be surprised if they end up cutting down the nets Saturday.

2. Larue County (25-4): The Hawks won the 18th district this last week. They opened the district beating Caverna 87-57 and beat Hart County 73-45 in the district championship. The Hawks have been waiting all year to get back to the regional tournament. They were one possession away last year from winning region and they want to make that nightmare go away this year. They have had a good year and they are led by big man Mark Goode and Anthony Adkins who overpowers most teams they play. Larue will be hoping that Saturday they get a regional final rematch with John Hardin and this time they end up cutting down the nets.

3. Central Hardin (19-9): The Bruins got runner up in the 17th district this last week. They beat Elizabethtown 67-54, and lost to John Hardin 63-48 in the district championship. The Bruins have had a good year and they have been a 5th region contender all year. They have lost three region games all year and all three has been to John Hardin. Jacob Hobbs is the guy for Central as he won region player of the year, however the Bruins have a lot of other nice pieces around him. Central plays Taylor first round which is probably the most anticipated first round match up. Centrals road is tough, but they are good enough if they play their best ball to have a chance to win the region.

4. Taylor County (21-7): The Cardinals won the 20th district this last week. They beat Campbellsville 79-75, and beat Marion County 71-58 in the district championship. They have had a great bounce back year after last year. They are a team with seniors who have played in the big moments, and three of the starters have won a region title. Trevon Smith is their best player as he is their go to guy when they need a bucket. They did get a very tough draw as they would most likely have to play Central Hardin, Larue County, and John Hardin to win region. They do have a great first round match up, and the Hobbs vs Smith match up will be awesome to watch.

5. Marion County (21-8): The Knights got runner up in the 20th district this last week. They beat Adair County 89-50 and lost to Taylor County 71-58 in the district championship. Losing the district championship at home is disappointing but the Knights have had a good year. They are a junior led team as their three best players are all Juniors. Tyshay Epps has been the guy and has improved a lot this year. They will play Bardstown again who they beat first game of the year, but if they beat them they will most likely have to play the region favorite John Hardin.

6. Bardstown (15-15): The Tigers won the 19th district for the sixth straight year this last week. They beat Thomas Nelson 76-57, and beat Washington County 72-62 in the district championship. The Tigers have been up and down all year but the past two weeks they have played their best basketball. They are led by JaRel Montgomery but lately they have got more help from Jayden Traynor as well. They will play Marion County who they lost to earlier but if the Tigers play like they have the Knights will have their hands full.

7. Washington County (19-12): The Commanders got runner up in the 19th district this last week. They beat Nelson County 63-60 and lost to Bardstown 72-62 in the district championship. The Commanders have struggled to end the year, but this has been a great year still. This is a senior led team who has done a lot for the Washington County program. They are led by their two senior sharpshooters Cameron Willis, and Drew Yates. Bad news is they drew Larue County, for them to have a chance they will have to make a lot of threes to cancel out LaRue’s easy buckets.

8. Hart County (10-18): The Raiders got runner up in the 18th district this last week. They beat Green County 79-72 and lost to Larue County 73-45 in the district championship. Harts record is misleading because of the injury to their best player in which they lost all seven games he was out. Since Shoulders has been back they have played well and have had a good year making region. They are hosting region, but they drew the region favorite John Hardin.

5th Region Draw

Monday:

5:00 CST Washington County vs Larue County

7:30 CST Central Hardin vs Taylor County

Tuesday:

5:00 CST Marion County vs Bardstown

7:30 CST Hart County vs John Hardin

Friday:

5:00 CST Semifinal #1

7:45 CST Semifinal #2

Saturday:

6:00 CST Championship

Yeah, I just don’t think Central can get it done. It’ll be either John or Larue. I know the Dawgs feel a bit disrespected by a lot of Larue County picks.

Central Hardin has had a glaring weakness all year. Every game that I have watched Central Hardin play, I come away with the impression that although they are long ( 4 of the starting 5 are 6'3" or taller), they do not rebound well on either side of the ball. I see them standing around under the basket while the other teams are flying to the boards and out-rebounding them. I would be curious to see how many games they have been outrebounded in? Once teams like John Hardin turn up the pressure on defense and go full court press, Central Hardin starts turning the ball over and they don't seem to be able to match the increased intensity level of teams like John Hardin in the second half of games. I find it hard to believe that they can just turn on a switch now that it is regions. They are what they are, and in the end that is not good enough. All Central Hardin fans, just imagine if they brought some effort attitude and toughness on the boards? They would be a tough out. Taylor County to start the region tournament is not going to be easy.

If I had to predict I would say it will be Larue vs John. I would be very surprised if it didn't come down to the end once again.

I think the Central Taylor game tonight could be a good one. I am really excited to watch that game tonight.

I am taking Taylor County in this one.

I am taking Taylor County in this one.

I'm taking Taylor County as well. Central just looks a bit out of whack right now. John didn't even play a good game on Friday and Central still couldn't take advantage of it.

Central Hardin has had a glaring weakness all year. Every game that I have watched Central Hardin play, I come away with the impression that although they are long ( 4 of the starting 5 are 6'3" or taller), they do not rebound well on either side of the ball. I see them standing around under the basket while the other teams are flying to the boards and out-rebounding them. I would be curious to see how many games they have been outrebounded in? Once teams like John Hardin turn up the pressure on defense and go full court press, Central Hardin starts turning the ball over and they don't seem to be able to match the increased intensity level of teams like John Hardin in the second half of games. I find it hard to believe that they can just turn on a switch now that it is regions. They are what they are, and in the end that is not good enough. All Central Hardin fans, just imagine if they brought some effort attitude and toughness on the boards? They would be a tough out. Taylor County to start the region tournament is not going to be easy.

If you can't handle ball pressure and rebound on the defensive end; then you have no chance against John. Matthews and Harris feast on offensive rebounds and put backs. Matthews had 26 points in the district champ game; 21 of them came on layups and put-backs.

Taylor County will be as tough of an out as anyone with having two backcourt players who started on the Region Championship team 2 years ago.