ApolloFan98

Owensboro is rated way to high in this poll.

CAL wins the game but the Catholic defense is for real. Their linebackers are as good as any in the State and they love to hit. They bottled up OHS and Carbon all night long. Atwell is a QB that is growing with each game. They will have to be reckoned with come 2A playoff time and next year this team will be really scary as they return just about every major player next season.

We will have the audio stream on WVJS. https://owensbororadio.com/player/?playerID=603

Don't sleep on Hancock County.?

I can't claim to know a lot about Ryle but looking at their strength of schedule and results, this is going to be a tough match up for Daviess County. I have heard they are a little banged up after the Owensboro game. I have to admit, their defense impressed me against the Devils but I am curious to see if they can keep it up. They have a ways to go on offense. Especially in the passing game. That said, Decker Renfrow is an absolute stud. The kid has averaged over 100 a game receiving and has 5 picks on D, 2 coming back for touchdowns. I am a big big fan of this Daviess County coaching staff, so for that reason alone, I think DC can hang in. I'm just not sure they can do enough to steal one on the road. I'll take Ryle by 2 touchdowns.

Henderson is solid up front on both sides but I just don't see a path for them to compete in this game being extremely one dimensional. Jordan Wright is a solid back but I feel like Jaheem Williams is the more explosive of the two. Henderson has been using him more on defense to start the year. I would think he would get more looks this week due to the matchup and Henderson needing a game breaker on the offensive side of the ball. They have only thrown it 19 times in 2 games and with little success. I think Boyle rolls in this one.

OHS has to play much better offensively and I would like to see them open the play book up a little. Way to much talent on the outside to have the vanilla play calling they had against DCHS last week. Rogers, Pendleton, Goodwin are too good to get a combine 5 touches in a week.

I got to call that one and I agree. DC really struggled to consistently move the ball on offense. Renfrow and Floyd are both great weapons but both DC QB's struggled to get the ball down the field. If DC can't get their run game going tonight, they are going to be in big big trouble. Catholic got after them up front last week and Parm looked indecisive at times. That cannot happen tonight. On the other side, I came away very impressed by DC's front 7. Clark and Cunningham were solid on the DL and Beehn and Blue were very good at LB. Speed will be the issue for DC. Do they have anyone on the edges who can contain Carbon? Keep an eye on Ball at Safety coming down to try to help take him away. I'm just not sure I see a path for DC. OHS 49 - DC 7

My favorite part of the thread was completely overlooking this game and the next one to preview Henderson Co vs Central Hardin. Central may win this game, but I could certainly see a path to victory for Apollo. After the first two games, I do not have much of a pulse on the Eagles, but they at least flashed some fight against Owensboro in the first half last week. I know they're missing some guys in the trenches for the first 3 weeks and that has no doubt had an impact on them. The trenches will be the key to the game. If Apollo can't stop the run, it's going to be a long night. If they can at least slow down the run, I think they can have enough success in the passing game to keep this game close and possibly steal it. One area that needs to drastically improve for Apollo is the kicking game. The PAT's have looked so bad thru the first 2 weeks that I would probably just go for 2 every time. That could be the difference in this game or any close game Apollo is in this season for that matter. Lastly, there is no way you can convince me that Central Hardin's defense is on the level of the Devils. I'll go homer here and side with Coach Edge in most toss up situations. Apollo 32 - CH 28

Carbon goes for 250 and 5 TDs in this one as Devils roll and Carbon keeps climbing up the Mr. Football list.

It all depends on that RPI.

Russellville most certainly lost a ton from last year but I still feel like this is a good win for Butler County. We had Coach Embry on "Live at 5" last week to preview the Bears and I came away as impressed with him as any Coach we spoke to around the 3rd Region area. They had some kids move into their program and could be a team to watch in that 2A district.

If we are going off past history, the Devils are going to have their work cut out for them on Friday. I believe Coach Wallace has won his last 14 matchups against OHS. Their record in high profile games over the past 5-6 years hasn't been great even though they did rise to the occasion against Douglass a few years back. This would be a perfect game to hush the critics because a win over St. X to open the season would instantly change that perception. The biggest questions I have offensively for OHS would be Kasey Boone and can their O-Line run-block St X? Kenyatta Carbon is an absolute game breaker, and if the big guys up front can give him some lanes, lookout. Carbon is the one guy that I feel can change this game for Owensboro. I expect Coach Wallace will be more than prepared to key on him. If X can slow down the run, I don't know that Boone can make enough plays to beat a team of this caliber even with a very good WR corps. I am a big fan of this Owensboro defense. They have a ton of playmakers on that side of the ball. Guys like Hines, Goodwin and Clark can dominate their spots. The Devils will be replacing 2 really good corners in Taylor and Moorman, but seem to have some solid depth stepping in. In this matchup, the biggest worry I would have if was Owensboro, would be the middle LB core. Can Gough and Early fill the gaps and slow down St X's run game? If they allow, 5-6 yards per carry, its going to be tough. In the end, I just think this is too high of a mountain for the Devils to climb. I think the physicality up front will be enough for X to control the game and in the end, they'll put up enough points to win it. Prediction: ST X 21 - OHS 7

Should be a good one in the John Edge Bowl! Since coming over to Apollo Coach Edge is 2-0 against his former school. Owensboro Catholic made a nice run to close the season and into the playoffs last year, playing Lexington Christian very well for a half. The Eagles took another step in building a winning culture last year but ended in a close playoff loss to Henderson. Apollo returns a ton of skill position players that should be the difference in this one. Expect QB Christian Combs to be even sharper this season in year 2 of Coach Edge's system with weapons like Noah Rhinerson, Eli Masterson and Carter Contratto. The Eagles feature a nice run game to compliment the pass with returning RB Donte Dixon. Catholic will counter with a very strong returning front 7 led by the Carrico brothers. Vince and Tutt combined to average about 22 stops per game last season. The biggest question for the Aces in this matchup will be their secondary vs the Eagle weapons. If Apollo controls the line of scrimmage, they could put a big number on the board on Friday. For the Aces offensively, they will start Sophomore QB Brady Atwell. Atwell comes in with a ton of hype and most certainly has all the tools to be the Aces next big time signal caller. Catholic will have to find a way to spread the production lost by All-State swiss army knife, Braden Mundy, amongst several guys. For Apollo defensively, expect Morgan Eans to step into a bigger role and thrive at LB. While Devon Parm will bring the heat off the edges. Apollo has some inexperience in the secondary and it will be interesting to see how they match up with the inexperienced Aces skill spots. You can listen to the stream of this game here: https://owensbororadio.com/player/?playerID=606 Prediction: Apollo 40 - Catholic 13

Appreciate this! That's how I thought it was but it seems there are still some that are confused by it. This should clear it up. Thanks!!

There seems to be a ton of confusion around the playoff format in my area. I can't seem to find the updated information on the KHSAA website either? Some coaches have told me they play inner district for round one, then cross with the sister district in round 2 and RPI in round 3. Others have said first 2 rounds are cross and then RPI. There is also some confusion about which districts are going to be sister districts. Seems like this information should be on the KHSAA website since its game week but unless I am overlooking it, it's not there??

The sad part about all this lawsuit, which in my humble opinion is frivolous, is that schools will now start to really limit access and restrict what can be done to cover these types of sporting events. There is not a reporter or camera man out there that doesn't know the risk when they take to the sidelines, but now these schools will start to cover their own butts and not let people cover games from the sidelines.

FD will be right in the hunt for their 1st state title again this year but it is going to come down I think in the end to quarterback play. 2 of the top 4 teams in the state in 5A are finally trying to get that proverbial monkey off their back with FD finally taking home a title and Owensboro trying to end that long streak of not winning one since 1986.

Glad to see Carbon on the list as 5 more to remember. If he can stay healthy he could be poised to have a huge breakout season for the Devils. He is a great safety but took his offensive game to another level last year for 681 yards on just 69 carries and 12 TDS while adding another 103 yds on just 6 catches with 2 more TDs. If he can stay healthy and the Devils give him enough touches then the numbers he could put up would at least get him in the conversation.

As soon as the 3rd Region Tournament ended, I have been out traveling for work so I missed the thread. While I think North Oldham is the slight favorites coming in, I like that Muhlenberg is making their second straight trip to Rupp. They have a handful of super seniors who played in the Sweet 16 last year and I think that will give them an advantage here. They have 3 lock down defenders in Trey Lovell, Brayden Lovan and Davion Summers who should be able to be difference makers on the defensive end. Cole Vincent is the name to watch. If he is able to knock down shots, I'll take Muhlenberg to get the 3rd Region their first win at Rupp since Owensboro's championship in 2015.

Meade County (11-16) vs Mclean County (19-10) - Mclean County won the early season meeting between these two by 16. Mclean is led by a nice guard/forward combination of Jaxon Floyd and Brady Dame. Both players are scoring right at 14 points per contest. Most of success that Meade has had this season has came inside the 11th district where they scored 8 of their 11 wins. Mclean County hangs their hat on playing tough defense and winning the rebounding battle. Expect this to be a tough, hard fought opener. PREDICTION: Mclean over Meade Owensboro (21-7) vs Whitesville Trinity (16-15) - As far as draw's go, the Raiders could not have gotten a worse one. Owensboro's speed is a horrible match-up for Trinity. Landon Huff and Nathan Hernandez will give the Raiders a punchers chance, but it is hard to see a path for a Raiders upset here. Kenyatta Carbon has been unstoppable in the postseason and brings a 21 points per game average into the tournament. Amari Robinson Wales is the 2nd leading scorer in the region, to only Carbon. PREDICTION: Owensboro over Trinity Muhlenberg County (15-11) vs Owensboro Catholic (17-12) - This is, by far, the best game of the first round. A rematch of last years regional championship, expect this one to bring a tremendous crowd into the Owensboro Sportscenter. Muhlenberg will bring a tremendous team effort, led by Cole Vincent and Trey Lovell. The Mustangs are one of the best defensive teams in the tournament. Owensboro Catholic comes in featuring two first team all region locks in Ji Webb at nearly 20 points per game and Brian Griffith at 18 points per game. The Aces fought hard for a tough road win over Muhlenberg a little over 2 weeks ago. In that one, they were without the services of Parker Gray and Ji Webb. Expect this game to look much different with everything on the line. Not only is this a great match-up from a players perspective, it's a great coaching match-up as well. Tim Riley vs Kyle Eades will also factor into this one. This should be a tremendous high school basketball game. PREDICTION: Owensboro Catholic over Muhlenberg County Grayson County (14-14) vs Hancock County (14-16) - These two teams did not meet during the regular season. Both teams come in hot. Grayson County showed a ton of toughness in battling back from double digit deficits in both district tournament games. Hancock County had won 7 straight games before losing in the district title game to Meade County. This game is going to come down to which teams star players show up and have the best game on the regional stage. Grayson County is led by River Blanton's 14 points per game while Hancock's Kaleb Keown is a top 5 scorer at 15 points per game and the region's top rebounder at 9 boards per game. PREDICTION: Grayson County over Hancock County

Boys Top Scorers 1. Kenyatta Carbon 21 (48th in the state) 2. Amari Robinson Wales 19.9 3. Ji Webb 19.6 4. Brian Griffith 18.6 5. Austin Hedges 15.5 6. Devin Powers 15.4 7. Kaleb Keown 15.3 8. Ryan Ogle 14.8 9. Landon Huff 14.6 10. Trace Taylor 14.4 Boys Top Rebounders 1.Kaleb Keown 9.2 (40th) 2. JI Webb 9 (48th) 3. Elijah Decker 8.8 4. Landon Huff 8.7 5. Kenyatta Carbon 8.1

1. Owensboro Red Devils (19-7) SAME - The Devils have been the most consistent team in the region from start to finsh. They have several impressive wins over solid Indiana schools and are 10-2 against regional competition. They are led by Kenyatta Carbon 20.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg. Amari Robinson Wales was the regions 2nd leading scorer at 19.8 ppg. 2. Owensboro Catholic Aces (16-11) SAME - The Aces are playing their best basketball of the season, having won 5 of 6. They are led by Ji Webb at 19.6 ppg and 9 rpg. Brian Griffith is at 18.6 ppg and Parker Gray is at 13.8 ppg. 3. Muhlenburg County Mustangs (14-11) SAME - The Mustangs have the deepest roster in the region and will look to defend their 3rd Region Championship. They have earned the 1 seed in the 10th District which gives them a bye into the region. Most of their losses have came against very good competition. They are led by Trey Lovell at 12.5 ppg and Cole Vincent at 12 ppg. 4. Ohio County Eagles (18-7) SAME - Without their best statistical player, the Eagles have still been very strong in the 2nd half of the season, going 13-4 since Christmas. Elijah Decker is unlikely to join the team during the district tournament, meaning they will be led by Parker Culbertson's 12.4 ppg. 5. Mclean County Cougars (18-9) SAME - The Cougars started the season strong and after short rough patch, have been back on track lately, winning 6 of their last 7 games. For the Cougars to make a run they will need Brady Dame to lead the way. Dame and Jaxon Flloyd lead the Cougars with 14 ppg this season. 6. Butler County Bears (16-10) – SAME – The Bears put 4 players in double figures this season. Brody Hunt 14.1, Jagger Henderson 12.5, Lawson Rice 12.2 & Solomon Fleener 10.5 ppg. 7. Edmonson County Wildcats (15-12) UP 1 – The Cats are led by Trace Taylor's 14.5 & Braden Wall's 12.3 ppg/ 7.4 rpg. 8. Whitesville Trinity Raiders (15-14) DOWN 1 - The Raiders had a great regular season but ran out of gas a bit over the last week, losing their final 3. They are led by Landon Huff's 14.6 ppg and 8.7 rpg. Nathan Hernandez is also in double figures at 10.5 ppg. 9. Hancock County Hornets (13-15) – UP 3 - Up until 2 weeks ago, the Hornets were having a pretty disappointing season. Since then, they have won 6 straight games. They put 4 players in double figures with Devyn Powers at 15.4, Kaleb Keown at 15.3, Ryan Ogle at 14.8 and Evan Ferry at 10ppg. Keown also leads the region in rebounding at 9.2 boards per game. 10. Grayson County Cougars (12-14) SAME - Grayson County had a disappointing regular season and will be looking to the postseason to right the ship. They are led by River Blanton's 14.3 ppg. Keegan Sharp is in double figures as well, at 11.9 ppg. 11. Daviess County Panthers (11-14) DOWN 2 - Due to injury, Daviess County will be without their leader in Cole Burch as they head to the postseason. They are led by Devonte McCampbell's 11ppg and 7 boards per game. 12. Meade County Greenwave (9-16) DOWN 1 - 6 of the Waves 9 wins have came inside the 11th District. They will take the #1 seed into the tourney and be a heavy favorite to make their way back to the Sportscenter. They are led by Grant Beavin's 12.9 ppg. 13. Breckenridge County Tigers (7-19) SAME - The Tigers come into postseason play losing their last 9 games. They will look for a quick turn around against Hancock in round 1. They are led by freshman Mercer Rogers & junior Hunter Barr's 10 ppg. 14. Apollo Eagles (2-25) – SAME - 2 wins is an all-time low for a once proud program. They Eagles will be searching for answers in the offseason after their 4th straight losing campaign. 15. Cloverport Aces (4-20) – SAME – Cloverport ended their regular season with 2 nice wins. They are led by Austin Hedges 15.5 ppg. DISTRICT BREAKDOWNS & PREDICTIONS... 9th - at Daviess County -- Owensboro vs Apollo - The Devils have beaten Apollo by sizable amounts in the regular season. This is just a match-up where you cannot see a path for an upset. Daviess County vs Owensboro Catholic - While Daviess County does hold a regular season win over the Aces, it was with Cole Burch and the Aces were without Webb and Griffith. The Aces will be heavy favorites to advance. It will be up to the guards of the Panthers to try to lead an upset. PREDICTION: Owensboro over Owensboro Catholic 10th - at Muhlenberg County - Ohio Co vs Mclean Co - this is the best first round game in the entire region. Both teams dominated the home meetings against each other so it is fitting to take the rubber match to a neutral floor. The Eagles are expected to be without Elijah Decker in this one, but the other Eagles have stepped up big in his absence. When Brady Dame is involved, he is one of the most unstoppable players in the region. Jaxson Floyd vs Josh Manning should be a great one on one match-up as well. PREDICTION - Muhlenberg over Ohio County 11th - at Breck County - Meade County vs Cloverport - the Waves will be the overwelming favorite here. They are undefeated in district play and defeated Cloverport by a large margin in both meetings this year. Hancock County vs Breck County - this game is a tale of two teams headed in different directions. Hancock has won their last 6, while Breck County has lost thier last 9. The first game, was an overtime win for the Hornets. The second meeting was a 14 point Hancock win. PREDICTION - Meade Co over Hancock Co 12th - at Butler County - Butler County vs Grayson County - the 12th is the most balanced district in the region with all teams in the first round match-ups, splitting regular season games. The Bears come in as the host and the 1 seed, but have only gone 4-4 over the last few weeks. Grayson has underachieved most of the season and have only 3 wins in their last 10 games. Both teams will be looking for a clean slate in this one. Whitesville Trinity vs Edmonson County - These two just hooked up in a double overtime classic less than two weeks ago with the Cats getting the win. Trinity had been playing very well up until their final 3 games, which they lost. Edmonson comes in as the hottest team in the district closing the season with 5 wins in their last 7 games. PREDICTION - Butler County over Whitesville Trinity

With one week to go in the regular season, there is a little shuffle at the top. Muhlenberg County lost two overtime heartbreakers against Owensboro Catholic and Lyon Co. Owensboro Catholic is playing their best basketball of the season right when you would expect a Tim Riley team to be peaking. They battled Owensboro on Friday before coming up short in the end. Kenyatta Carbon had a tremendous week for the Devils, as he scored 38 against the Aces and 32 against the Purples. Owensboro is back in the top spot, as the Devils are rolling toward the post season. Muhlenberg may have the most complete team in the region but Owensboro with Wales and Carbon, and Owensboro Catholic with Griffith and Webb, have the star power. Ohio County continues to hang around and consistently win games and are a team to watch as they should be getting top scorer Elijah Decker back before tournament season begins next week. With only one week to go in the regular season, the 3rd is a 3, 4 team region at best. 1. Owensboro Red Devils (18-6) - (1-1 this week) – UP 1 – Bowling Green (L72-64 Kenyatta Carbon 32) & Owensboro Catholic (W 69-65 – Carbon 38) – Schedule – Ohio Co & Henderson Co 2. Owensboro Catholic Aces (14-11) – UP 1 - (2-1 this week) – Daviess Co (W 69-60 – Griffith 21, Webb 20/13), Muhlenberg Co (W 53-51- Griffith 21) & Owensboro (L 69-65 – Webb 31) - Schedule – Breck Co & Evansville Reitz, IN 3. Muhlenburg County Mustangs (13-9) – (1-2 this week) – DOWN 2 – Owensboro Catholic (L 53-51 OT), Lyon Co (L 72-69 OT) & Harrison Co (W 61-52) - Schedule – Apollo & Warren Central 4. Ohio County Eagles (17-6) – SAME - (3-0 this week) – Breck Co (W 66-47 – Culbertson 16), Butler Co (W 80-63 – Manning 21) & Henderson Co (W 56-48 – Manning 16) - Schedule – Owensboro & South Warren 5. Mclean County Cougars (16-9) – SAME - (2-1 this week) – Daviess Co (L 56-51), Dawson Springs (W 67-23) & Evansville Day (W 83-78) – Schedule – Butler Co, Whitesville Trinity 6. Butler County Bears (15-9) – SAME – (1-2 this week) – Christian Co (L 53-47), Ohio Co (L 80-63) & Edmonson Co (W 69-63 – Rice 15, Lawson 14/14) - Schedule – Mclean Co & Thomas Nelson 7. Whitesville Trinity Raiders (15-11) – SAME - (3-1 this week) – Christian Co (W 52-40 – Hernandez 15), Henderson Co (L 64-53), Grayson Co (W 49-46) & Bethlehem (W 82-65 Landon Huff scored his 1000th career point) – Schedule – Edmonson Co, Hancock Co & Mclean 8. Edmonson County Wildcats (13-11) – SAME – (1-1 this week) – Grayson Co (W 49-44 – Braden Wall 21) & Butler Co (L 69-63) – Schedule – Whitesville Trinity, Russellville & Green Co 9. Daviess County Panthers (11-14) – UP 2 – (2-1 this week) – Owensboro Catholic (L 69-60), Mclean Co (W 56-51 – Jack Payne 22) & Apollo (L 64-58 – Devonte McCampbell 24/13) Schedule – Grayson Co & Union Co 10. Grayson County Cougars (11-13) – DOWN 1 - (1-2 this week) – Edmonson Co (L 49-44), Breck Co (W 67-51 – Sharp 17) & Whitesville Trinity (L 49-46) – Schedule – Daviess Co & Hancock Co 11. Meade County Greenwave (8-15) – UP 1 – (1-1 this week) – Hancock Co (W 51-42 – Beavin 16), Central Hardin (L 72-41), Cloverport (W 74-25 – Lucas Hail 11) & CAL (L 88-62) - Schedule – North Bullitt & Moore 12. Hancock County Hornets (9-15) – UP 2 - (2-1 this week) – Meade Co (L 51-42), Apollo (W 70-33 – Ryan Ogle 24) & Breck Co (W 54-40) – Schedule – Henderson Co, Whitesville Trinity, Cannelton IN & Grayson Co 13. Breckenridge County Tigers (7-16) – SAME– (0-3 this week) – Ohio Co (L 66-47), Grayson Co (L 67-51) & Hancock Co (L 54-40) – Schedule – Central Hardin, Owensboro Catholic & LaRue Co 14. Apollo Eagles (2-23) – SAME – (0-3 this week) – Hancock Co (L 70-33), Daviess Co (L 64-58) & Monroe Co (L 60-50) – Schedule – Muhlenberg Co & Dawson Springs 15. Cloverport Aces (2-18) – SAME – (0-2 this week) – Meade Co (L 74-25) & Thomas Nelson (L 89-43) – Schedule – Foundation Christian, Fort Knox, Highlands Latin & LIGHT School PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Kenyatta Carbon – Owensboro – 35 ppg this week in games against Bowling Green & Owensboro Catholic

14. Apollo Eagles (2-20) – SAME – (0-2 this week) – Henderson Co (L 71-49) & Owensboro (L 94-35) – Schedule – Hancock Co, Daviess Co & Monroe Co 15. Cloverport Aces (2-16) – SAME – (0-1 this week) – Hancock Co (L 75-53) – Schedule – Meade Co, Thomas Nelson, Foundation Christian PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Ji Webb – Owensboro Catholic – 30/11 vs Thomas Nelson – 19 ppg & 8.8 rpg on the season