Rez

Also 1999 Rick Jones-Scott Co 2000 Scott Hundley-Scott Co

They will add the High School line to the court, but typically will still have the college one on their as well. I think having the college line also on the court hurts shooting percentages as you will see a lot of players subconsciously setting up and shooting from behind that line where they are used to setting up and shooting behind the high school line.

I'd lean toward Paris as the top team.

I'm really looking forward to watching Christian Co, especially Ware. South Laurel isn't bad, but I expect Christian Co to roll in this one. As was mentioned, the Cardinals have the size, but I don't think they have the quickness to match up. They really need to control the tempo and pound the ball inside to have a chance.

Lawrence Co for sure. I'm picking them to spring the upset.

11 Murray Bowling Green Taylor Co Trinity Newport Central Catholic Mason Co Dunbar Mercer Co South Laurel Lawrence Co Elliott Co

Opening Round: 1-Murray 1-Trinity 1-Dunbar 1-Bowling Green 1-Lawrence Co 1-Taylor Co 1-Christian Co 1-South Oldham Quarterfinals 2-Trinity 2-Bowling Green 2-Taylor Co 2-Christian Co Semifinals 3-Bowling Green 3-Christian Co Champions 5-Bowling Green TB- 129

There are three notable Computer Ratings for Ky High School Basketball that I am aware of: Cantrell, Maher and Litkenhouse. At the beginning of the region tournament I filled out a bracket for each of them based solely on who they had as the higher rated team for each game to see how they compare to each other, and how I compared in my picks. (Note I did not update the bracket each round, so if their highest ranked team lost in the first round, they would miss the game in subsequent rounds as well) Cantrell: First Round: 53/64 Region Semis: 23/32 Region Finals: 9/16 Total through region finals: 85 Litkenhouse: First Round: 54/64 Region Semis: 20/32 Region Finals: 7/16 Total through region finals: 81 Maher First Round: 57/64 Region Semis: 22/32 Region Finals: 10/16 Total through region finals: 89 I will update after the Sweet 16, but Cantrell and Litkenhouse have both lost their State Champion (Covington Catholic)

Interestingly, 5 "All-A" teams made the State tournament, but 3 of those teams lost in the first round of their All-A Region tournaments.

I don't think anyone (certainly not me) is asking anyone to feel sorry for them, and while there may be questions about some strategy/decisions I don't believe people have issues with the coaching staff. From everything I have seen Coach Daniel appears to be a great role model and well respected by his players. I have never seen him degrade a player, but he is always complimentary and supportive of his kids. You will see nothing but support for Coach Daniel and his staff from me as long as he stays the positive example that he has been thus far.

That's not at all what I said. They should be thankful that the two games he is going to have to miss are ones they should still be able to win despite his absence.

BG should be thankful they have two straight games that they should be able to win even without Jones.

This Montgomery Co team wasn't built to come from behind. They've struggled each of the past two years to be able to guard a team that can spread the court and drive, and once they had to turn up the pressure defensively they left themselves too vulnerable on the back side to open layups. Last year in the District, Bourbon spread them out, got to the basket and created several three point opportunities. This game Augusta spread them out, and got to the basket, but Montgomery Co didn't help off the shooters which allowed layup after layup. Augusta did a great job of finishing once they got to the basket. They rarely played any zone, despite the fact that it was not unusual for them to have a difficult match-up in man to man defense. They didn't use their length to their advantage on defense. Size wise they were similar to the 2002 Indian team that was one of the better zone defensive teams I've seen, but they never really gave that a chance. I think Montgomery Co was arguably more talented at almost every position in this game, but not enough to overcome the fact that Effort, Composure, Game Plan and Execution all favored Augusta in this one. Congratulations to Augusta as they without a doubt earned this win, and good luck to them tonight!

That would be my though as well, but for these match-ups I doubt it will make as much difference. Saturday you had two schools that brought huge crowds on the same side while the other two schools brought a smaller crowd (Pendleton) and a tiny crowd (Scott) Today the likely two biggest crowds will be Augusta and Montgomery, and they play each other, so they're automatically opposite. I expect Mason Co will bring a bigger crowd than Paris, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's close as well. You could just put all the orange on one side and all the blue on the other.

I would argue that today is the best day of high school basketball in the state for the year. There are 23 elimination games spanning 14 of the 16 regions. 5 Regions will declare champions today. There are 7 match-ups between teams that are arguably top 25 in the state. No matter where in the state you live there is likely a game worth watching near you!

They've shot the ball well pretty much everywhere this year. They were able to get to the basket almost every possession. It seemed like Pendleton's plan may have included not letting the 3 beat them, but Montgomery also didn't force the outside shot. I think they had only attempted 2 or 3 by halftime. Walker averages making over 3 3's a game and only took 1 or 2 I believe.

Also, I believe the Indians didn't hit a 3 in this contest.

Indians never trailed. Pendleton cut it to 2 at 33-31 late in the third, but Montgomery got Jones an open dunk to end the 3rd, and the Indians started the first quarter well to regain control. Combs led Montgomery Co with 17 and Fuller controlled the ball and got his usual 8 assists (though it felt like more). Parsley did a really good job on Allen.

Snapp called for an intentional fan (terrible call) and then Augusta fan kicked out.

Augusta has no trouble filling up their side. Poor decision to sit Augusta and Montgomery Co fans on the same side.

Whalen made the plays down the stretch in this one to to give Rowan the win. He scored the Vikings last 8 points including 4-4 ft. He also had 2 steals and a block in the last minute or so. Any idea why Woods didn't play?

Based on their results, I agree. They have the results of a top 10-15 team, but nobody seems to be talking about them. They have a good chance to make a run at Rupp.

I saw that Snider hit a 3 at the end of regulation to force overtime.

I've said all along the winner will be one of Paris, Campbell and Montgomery. I'm picking Montgomery.

Yeah, it is bizarre. I've tried to look through old newspapers to find final AP Polls from years gone by, but sometimes it's tough because it seems like the final poll will sometimes come out before the end of the season.