article 16th Region Tournament Semi-Finals Preview

The Boys of the 16th region, after having 3 days off will pick back up at Ellis Johnson arena. The action tips off at 6:30 this evening. For those unable to attend, there is a web broadcast of both games at www.facebook.com/mytowntv

Boyd County vs Lewis County

The Regional semi-finals kicks off this evening at 6:30. The first game of the night features Boyd County and Lewis County. Boyd County is 19-14 overall and 15-4 against 16th region teams. Lewis County is 17-15 overall and 12-9 against 16th region teams.

These teams have played one time this year, on Jan 21 at Lewis County. In that games, Lewis County edged Boyd out 66-64. Lewis was led by Mr Everything, Sam O’Keefe, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds. Boyd County was led by their Mr Everything, Blake Stewart, with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams will look to get more from the charity stripe as both teams shot

For Lewis County to win, they will need O’Keefe to be his normal self and will need a solid effort from Kolby McCann and Logan Liles. In the last meeting, Lewis shot 29.4% from the 3-point line. They will look to create better shots from behind the arc to improve that percentage tonight.

For Boyd Count to win, they will need Blake Stewart to give the normal Blake Stewart play. They will also need Carson Webb to step up. Boyd County has an advantage in guard play and will need to get as much out of that as they can. Webb and Stewart can do that.

This should be a competitive game and one that is fun for the fans to watch. I will lay my prediction down that the Lion will win.  Cheesy, I know, but had to say it.

Boyd County 68 Lewis County 62

Ashland vs Rowan County

The last game of the night will feature the regional favorites and last remaining undefeated team, no matter what state the losses came in, Ashland Tomcats. Ashland is 31-0 overall and 17-0 against 16th region teams. They will be playing Rowan County. Rowan is 26-7 overall and 17-2 against 16th region teams. Rowan’s only regional losses are to Ashland and Boyd County.

These teams have played one time this year on Feb 11 at Rowan County. In that game, Ashland won 68-62. Rowan County was led by their one two punch of Mason Moore and Chase Alderman. Moore had 31 points and 13 rebounds. Alderman has 10 points and 8 rebounds. Ashland was led by Villers with 28 points. Hudson provided the rebounding with 8 rebounds. Hudson and Sellers each also had double digit scoring.

For Ashland, the last couple of weeks of the regular season, they looked like a tired team. That included the Rowan County game. Thus far in the tournaments, Ashland has shown no indication of fatigue. Thursday night, they played a Russell team that was within 5 points only a couple of weeks ago. Thursday, Ashland beat them by 20 and it could have been 30. To win, Ashland needs to be relaxed and their normal high energy. They will also need the shots to fall. In the previous Rowan County game, they were 52.6% from the 3-point line.

For Rowan County to win, Mason Moore will need to be Mason Moore and Chase Alderman will need to stay out of foul trouble and dominate the paint. He certainly has the potential for 10-15 rebounds and some of those giving put back points. If he is able to be a force in the paint for most of the game, it gives Rowan their best chance to move on.

Ashland 74 Rowan County 66