Region2Fan

What level do the NKY Stealers play! 14u A? 16 Gold?

Henderson took care of business tonight by beating Hopkins Central, but only after things were getting interesting on a Lyric Campbell steal and layup. Unfortunately, Lyric came down and sprained her ankle and had to leave the game. Without her, Central was unable to pressure Hendo and the game was effectively over when she went out. Henderson ended up winning by 20 plus. Also, Hopkins Central had no answer for Owens and Gilbert inside whenever they could get the ball down low. In the second game, as I predicted it was Webster over Madisonville 51-39 to establish a 6th district rematch for the Regional Tourney Championship. Madisonville lead by 6 at the half, but Webster used its depth on the bench to help stay in the game as they battle serious foul trouble in the first half. Webster held Madisonville to 6 points in the second half and only one field goal! Looks like Henderson is set for another trip to the Sweet Sixteen if they can just manage to get by a very young but scrappy Webster squad one more time!

To answer your questions about who will prevail Friday night, first, of course, I believe Hopkins Central has a chance. Remember anything is possible in post season play and in March Madness! Having said that, HC definitely will have to control tempo and force Henderson to play a very uptempo style. I just don't see that happening for two reasons! One being HC can't force Hendo to turn the ball over repeatedly and the two guys on the sideline are going to not allow that to happen with adjustments and use of timeouts. Also, HC has no answer for the inside game of Owens and Gilbert. In my opinion, it has been Gilbert's play and Landers that have elevated their chances of winning the Regional Tourney. Advantage is certainly the Lady Colonels! It is their game to lose. As for the second round matchup, I believe Webster has an excellent chance of beating Madisonville after watching them out rebound and play effective defense on Hopkinsville both inside and out. All the pressure is on Madisonville to win and face Henderson in the finals! I believe Madisomville may be overlooking Webster as they eye a rematch with the Lady Colonels in the finals. Ultimately, the second game should be a good one that comes down to who plays hardest defensively, makes outside shots, and plays together! Slight edge to Webster in those areas.

So far your predictions are right on including point spread! Very impressive! But, after watching all the games to this point, I believe it will be a Henderson vs Webster rematch in the finals!

Gilbert was sensational! She plays like that the whole tourney, Henderson will be unbeatable in the region tourney this year!

Can't wait to see Hendo versus Butler tonight!

The technical foul against coach Haile was very strange! Not sure what it was even for! But, Cols was right it didn't really affect the game. Overall, it was a very physical game. In my opinion, the Officals were not very good either way. Called a lot of jump balls. And, Hendo struggled to score entire game. Webster played man to man and zone. But zone bothered Henderson the most. Lander was really the only threat to score from floor. Nobody from Hendo could make an outside shot except Lander. Gilbert played well inside during first half, but without Owens in the game Webster doubled her in the post in second half and she had to kick it back out. Webster handled Henderson's pressure well most of time. Had a few lapses late in game when Hendo turned up the heat and tried to double down on Duncan! Duncan played great and led webster with 22 and Winders played strong inside with 14 points and several rebounds. I'm sure Webster won the rebounding war. Gibson did play some but really didn't do much expect rebound. Maybe scored once or twice on put backs. Webster's freshman Keeney played the point and handled the ball most of the game. With Payne out she is having to move over from 2 guard. Held her composure and passed the ball well and set up teammates for some easy baskets against tough Hendo man to man! She didn't shoot much. But, missed several Layups and a couple of open shots on perimeter. Think she only shot one three. Not sure she scored! However, without her ball handling and passing, webster doesn't win!

Me too! Should be interesting to see who is healthy enough to play and if Webster can handle Henderson's pressure without Payne! Wish both teams could have the same starters healthy that they had last time the two played! That would be best for all Region 2 Fans!

I see we have another Region2Fan named TheRegion2Fan! Noticed the user name is very similar to mine! Welcome to the discussion! Just didn't want folks to get confused like I did! How do you know she is out tonight for sure?

Totally agree!

First, I agree coach Haile wouldn't jeopardize any player's long term health for any reason! That's not what I meant. I just mean that Owens was dressed and on the bench last night so more than likely she will play tomorrow night. Sorry if it seemed like I meant otherwise. As for webster's starting line up against Central being two freshman, two sophomore and a junior, the Austin kid is an 8th grader and did start recently and has played a lot the last several games. I figured she would start again in K. Payne's place as she did before and the other 8th grader A. Payne would also start instead of sophomore Winstead! Again you are right either way super young inexperienced group to take on Hendo! I also agree Webster's program is certainly on the rise and one to watch in the next few years! I expect to see them win the region in a year or two! But in my opinion Henderson is still 3x defending Regional Champion. They are most experienced group and believe they are the best team in the region and will repeat this year unless Hoptown knocked them off!

They definitely miss the point guard, but missing two starters with a big difference against Central. Gibson also handles the ball very well. I agree probably would not have made 21 point difference but certainly would have helped to have her as far as settling down a young team. When central plays together and pressures well defensively along with making outside shots, they can play with anybody in the region! Upset Daviess County earlier this year as an example!

Doesn't matter where the game between Hendo and a Webster is played or how many Hendo starters are missing, If Webster is without point guard and only senior Gibson it will be an a big upset if Hendo loses! Webster will struggle to replace 2 starters because they are still so young and don't have the depth or experience to match Hendo. You can't beat the Cols starting an 8th grader, two freshman, one sophomore, and a junior! At least not this year! And I would bet money Owens plays Thursday! Without Gibson to guard her, my guess is she will have a great game!

Madisonville plays Hopkins Central on Friday! Will be interesting to see which Storm team shows up! Big district match-up!

Webster bounced back and beat McCracken County on the road 58-51. And McCracken recently beat Hopkins Central which beat Webster last night!

Hoptown pulls off upset and beats Hendo at home by 3! Hendo Point guard Carter injures knee in game. Lady Cols still without Owens.

I agree! Hendo and webster are always tough physical games. I was just saying without Gibson and Payne last night against Central they really struggled with having anyone else ready to step up and play at the varsity level. They are very young! Really struggled against central pressure according to messenger they had 33 turnovers! Tonight's game against Hoptown and Hendo should be very interesting. Does anyone know if Owens will be ready to play?

I did expect Madisonville to win but also thought it would be at least by 10! As for Webster game, they also were without their senior, Gibson.

Surprised by both scores?

Any word on how she is doing? Great player, I hate to see her miss out on playing especially after the injury last year!

In my opinion, the ruling on Davis makes a joke out of KHSAA! Just like WKY said it is crazy a kid can play for 3 different hs's in 3 years all within the SAME COUNTY! I also agree with Cols post about earning playing time! Obviously Davis is talented but without even being cleared to practice she immediately gets on the court. Interesting? Maybe it was because of who they were playing?

Obviously, it is not likely that Union can beat Henderson when Hendo shoots the ball the way they did at home in the last game. And, Union has a 30 point loss to Webstee on the road, however, the district tourney is at Union and in hs basketball anything is possible. I don't see that being a likely outcome. It would be a MAJOR upset for Union to beat Henderson. Against Webster Country (without starting point guard) at home then a Union victory is much more plausible. It would still be an upset for sure! The big game coming up between Hendo at Webster will decide who gets automatic bye to regional tourney! With or without Owens should be a good game. As for writing Union off and missing the regional tourney, I just don't believe that is wise considering they host this year and with the injury to Webster point guard and their youth!

I think your rankings are correct as to the top 4 teams. However, I believe that with or without Owens, Henderson is still the best team in the region when you factor in the two guys sitting on the bench! Their improvement against a zone defense against Union County is proof of what they are capable of when given an opport to work in the gym. They are the defending region champs until somebody knocks them off. So, I would give Henderson the nod at 1 and then Hoptown at 2 with Davis now eligible to play. This is provided they don't self-destruct. Then Madisonville and Webster at 3! Among these top 4, I believe on any given night any one of these 4 have a shot at beating each other! Then Hopkins Central and Union are certainly capable of pulling off an upset.

I agree with comments about Blane and Patterson in Region 2. I watched a lot of games in the area over the last few years. I also think anothee top freshman that should be considered for this list is pitcher/1st base Karlie Keeney-Webster County. Even though Webster hasn't had a strong high school schedule in the past she still pitched over 170 innings and won 15 varsity games last year as an 8th grader. She also played travel ball last summer for a top team from Illinois. I saw where the team finished second in the 14u Kentucky State ASA tourney to eventual national champion Southern Force. I know her high coach also said she pitched well in several big showcases like Scenic City and Atlanta Legacy. And I have heard she is being actively recruited by several big DI schools. In my opinion, second best freshman in the region behind E. Blane from Chrisitan County. Should have an even better season this spring and summer.