JokersWild24

For the 13th, Rockcastle Co. shares a border with Jackson Co., and one wouldn't necessarily have to drive through Laurel Co. to travel from one to the other.

As for the 14th realignment, I don't see anyway that the proposed district powerhouse of Hazard, Perry Central, Knott Co. Central, and JBS goes into effect without some major complaints from all. This would really bring down the quality of the 14th regional tournament as a whole.

Grayson County, Bowling Green, & Anderson County will probably have big crowds (especially students) since neither have been in awhile. I remember Grayson's last trip, and they had a large following for that game (Patrick Sparks' senior year of HS).

Elliott County and/or Mason County will probably have the most overall. Corbin and Shelby Valley should bring quite a few.

Don't know about West Jessamine, they're a wild-card; if I were guessing, they'll have a pretty sizable number though.

Holmes win over Ballard at the Defenders of the Station; some nice highlight-reel dunks by Pittman.

Dowe and Thomas are two to watch for Eastern. Lile I said before, if Corbin can handle Eastern's speed then they'll win. If not, then Eastern will win. Rebounding is also a key for both teams.

I would include Remy Abell in this group. He led Eastern in scoring in the regional final with 23, and looked like he'd be tough for Corbin to match-up with (quickness) from what I've seen of the Eastern/J-town game (online).

I was in high school during the NBA to Louisville talk... if that were to ever happen, I couldn't imagine a bigger thrill for a high schooler than playing in the same arena as LeBron, Kobe, Wade, etc.

According to Cantrall's poll, two of the top four will automatically be eliminated in the first round; #1 Shelby Valley vs. #2 Mason Co. & #3 Eastern vs. #4 Corbin.

I don't put much stock into this year's ratings however.

I heard Hopson didn't do much

Put on a show early in warm-ups, played well in the game, and not too often you see a McDonald's All-American playing in the Sweet 16.

Lexington Catholic keyed on him heavily, and he still found a way to do his thing.

I've been the past 11 years, so I'll pick what's most memorable from each year:

1998 - Rick Jones' shot vs. Lexington Catholic

1999 - Paducah Tilghman gets screwed

2000 - 4th Quarter of E-town vs. Russellville

2001 - South Laurel falling short to Male / Robert Madison

2002 - Christian Co. hitting a 60-footer going into the half against Male

2003 - The OJ Mayo show in Rupp / Lofton's 9 threes in the Championship

2004 - Chris Lofton playing 4 total overtimes on Friday and Saturday / Dewalt's dunks

2005 - PRP's thrillers vs. Pendleton Co., Ballard, and South Laurel

2006 - Graves County upends South Laurel

2007 - Elliott County debuts / Mackey in the 4th of the finals

2008 - Paintsville upsets J-town / Scotty Hopson

Eastern

I put Lexington Catholic ahead because their first round game is against a group playing in Rupp for the first time, whereas Christian County has the Rupp experience which cannot be underestimated in first round games.

I'm usually not big on taking early upsets, but I think Christian Co. has a legitimate chance of beating Holmes (though the latter is certainly the favorite).

Further, I think that if matched head-to-head on Friday afternoon (with short prep from Thursday's game), Lex. Cath.'s precision will severely hamper Holmes, especially with the added motivation of avenging last year's elimination. NCC has seemed to be a thorn in Holmes' side, and the Knights are structured similarly yet with more talent.

Chance to win it all based on the draw:

1. Eastern

2. Lexington Catholic

3. Holmes

4. Elliott County

5. Shelby Valley

6. Christian County

7. Adair County

8. Corbin

9. Central

10. Mason County

11. Bowling Green

12. Hazard

13. Anderson County

14. West Jessamine

15. Anderson County

16. Graves County

I'll go with the experience factor and take Adair County.

Ball in...... PCC fouls..... :02 seconds left....... Hazard inbounds... misses the fall-away at the buzzer....

End of Regulation : Hazard - 39, Perry Co. Central - 39

HIts the second... the game is tied.... PCC gives a foul with 3 seconds left. Tied up. Time-out PCC... this is their last time-out.

Timeout with 9.6 Seconds left:

Maggard at the line with one shot left...

Hazard - 39 ; Perry Central - 38 ;

Horrible call to give Hazard 2 points...... I'm a neutral observer... but the call was just blown.

35.6 seconds left... Hazard calls a timeout will in bound the ball with the score tied at 37-37; No Hazard starters have scored in the 4th quarter.

Tied up at 37 with 1:09 left in the fourth quarter. PCC still has some fouls to give.

Turnover by Hazard; Amos scores... cuts the lead to 2.

37-35 Hazard leads. Under 2:00 to play.

Final Media time-out (and PCC only has one remaining) with approx. 3:00 left.

Hazard leads by 4; 37-33

Hazard 35 - PCC - 33 ; 3:44 left ; Perry with only 2 team fouls in the second half.

Game now tied at 31 with 7:10.... Combs puts Hazard back ahead by 2 with ~6:50.

The game can be seen online.

Going into the 4th Quarter, PCC trails Hazard, 31-29.

Insight Lexington customers can get Scott Co. / Lexington Catholic on channel 138 @ 8:00. WTVQM is the station.