Runcible Owl

🛣️ The road to Rupp Arena continues after this week's District tournaments. Below is a one-stop statewide roadmap to see who's moving forward to Regionals.

🏀 12 of 16 Regions are pared down to their "Elite Eight" Regional qualifiers. Remaining participants from the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 11th will be decided tonight. 

🤠 Hat tip to @Randy Parker for starting us off with teams in the 10th Region.

☑️ Please remember to start a game thread for predictions/updates. 

📝 Teams listed by their current Massey Ratings rank. Link to the latest, below.

🔗 masseyratings.com/KY_Girls 

🏆 District Champion

1️⃣ 1st Region ~

McCracken Co, Marshall Co, Graves Co, Calloway Co, Carlisle Co, Fulton Co, Tilghman, Ballard Memorial. 

2️⃣ 2nd Region ~ 

Henderson Co, Madisonville, Christian Co, Lyon Co, Crittenden Co, Union Co, Hopkins Co Central, Hopkinsville. 

3️⃣ 3rd Region ~ 

Owensboro Catholic, Meade Co, Breckenridge Co, Owensboro, Grayson Co, Butler Co, Muhlenberg Co, McLean Co.

4️⃣ 4th Region ~ 

Franklin-Simpson, Bowling Green, Warren East, Metcalfe Co, Russell Co, South Warren, Allen County-Scottsville, Todd Co Central. 

5️⃣ 5th Region ~ 

Bethlehem, Bardstown, North Hardin, Taylor Co, Green Co, Hart Co, John Hardin, Marion Co.

6️⃣ 6th Region ~ 

Butler, Pleasure Ridge Park, North Bullitt, Bullitt Central, Louisville Holy Cross, Western.

24th District teams to be determined tonight (Bullitt East, Mercy, Whitefield Academy, Fern Creek).

7️⃣ 7th Region ~ 

Sacred Heart, Assumption, Christian Academy-Louisville, Ballard, Male.

Two 25th District teams to be determined tonight (Manual/Portland Christian Central/Shawnee).

8️⃣ 8th Region ~ 

Anderson Co, Simon Kenton, Grant Co, South Oldham, North Oldham.

One 30th District team to be determined tonight (Spencer Co/Woodford Co). 

Two 31st District teams to be determined tonight (Owen Co/Henry Co) and one Thursday (Trimble Co/Gallatin Co).

9️⃣ 9th Region ~ 

Cooper, Covington Holy Cross, Ryle, Notre Dame, Dixie Heights, Highlands, St. Henry, Bellevue. 

1️⃣0️⃣ 10th Region ~ 

George Rogers Clark, Montgomery Co, Campbell Co, Scott, Nicholas Co, Mason Co, Bracken Co, Pendleton Co.

1️⃣1️⃣ 11th Region ~ 

Franklin Co, Frederick Douglass, Madison Central, Madison Southern, Lafayette.

One 41st District team to be determined tonight (Great Crossing/Frankfort). 

One 42nd District team to be determined tonight (Henry Clay/Bryan Station). 

One 43rd District team to be determined tonight (Tates Creek/Lexington Catholic).

1️⃣2️⃣ 12th Region ~ 

Pulaski Co, Danville Christian, Southwestern, Rockcastle Co, West Jessamine, Mercer Co, Danville, Wayne Co. 

1️⃣3️⃣ 13th Region ~ 

North Laurel, Corbin, South Laurel, Knox Central, Jackson Co, Pineville, Bell Co, Harlan. 

1️⃣4️⃣ 14th Region ~ 

Knott Co Central, Perry Co Central, Owsley Co, Letcher Co Central, Hazard, Estill Co, Breathitt Co, Wolfe Co. 

1️⃣5️⃣ 15th Region ~

🏆 Pikeville, Johnson Central, Martin Co, Shelby Valley, Belfry, Floyd Central, 🏆 Pike Co Central, Prestonsburg.

1️⃣6️⃣ 16th Region ~ 

Ashland, Russell, Boyd Co, Rowan Co, Fleming Co, Morgan Co, Raceland, Elliott Co.

🟦 Eyes on the prize - Sweet 16® Tournament Bracket ~

44 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

The KHSAA is using the 15th Region for what appears to be a test run for all schools playing in the region. They did the same thing with the 15th about a decade ago for one year. I don't really know why they are doing this, unless it has something to do with modifications after the next realignment. It was in the last Board of Control meeting but I don't have any details beyond that.

As for soccer, there are only six teams in the 15th Region that play soccer. I'm guessing a district tournament and region tournament would have essentially been the same teams playing each other twice in a week. I can understand why they would just hold a region tournament instead.

Thank you. Six girls teams and nine boys teams. Yes, I could see that might make sense.

"off the reservation" was poorly stated; "something different" is more appropriate. I'm absolutely in favor of local solutions to best meet the needs of Region members. 

The 14th went the more traditional District/Region route with the same number of teams. 

Girls: 53rd - 4 teams; 54th - 2 teams.

Boys: 53rd - 5 teams; 54th - 4 teams.

4 hours ago, mcpapa said:

GC advances in a squeaker. 

106-22. That's a statement right there. What it says, I don't know. 

If this were a girl's score, folks here would be ...

Consolation games? All four of those teams have been eliminated in Districts.

The 15th has gone off the reservation a little bit this school year. They didn't do District boys or girls soccer tournaments, but went straight to Regional. 

Bracket in question ~ 

🔗 scoreboard/khsaa/kygbk23/tournament

1 hour ago, KingLow said:

7s called his shot.

Point, swing, fence. Legend.

🔥🐉 Nice win Dragons! Another Top 25 team has its postseason cut short.

South plays KY No. 8 North for the 29th District title Friday.

🐈‍⬛ 😺 | Final at Pikeville's T.W. Oliver Gymnasium.

Hail Pikeville!

Kentucky's fifth ranked Lady Panthers pick up a District four-peat. SV's Lady Cats return to the 15th Region tourney like clockwork too.

Pikeville (24-5, R15 #1 10-0, D59 5-0)

Shelby Valley (19-11, R15 #6 11-9, D59 4-4)

Congratulations Bellevue! 

Tigers fans rn ...

@se7ens besting Professor Massey with a savvy call. ++

📖 The regular season ends and the chapter on the postseason begins for Professor Massey's Top 25. 

🐆 ♣️ 🦅 🏹 🌊 | A tale in five parts ~ 

🐆 Cooper: The Lady Jaguars rating finally matches up with the Media Poll. Wins last week over Top 20 Manual and Notre Dame vaulted Coach Holthaus' squad to No. 2. 

♣️ Owensboro Catholic: The Lady Aces had a superb week with wins over #23 Henderson County, #10 Ryle, and 3rd Region #3 Breckenridge County. OC jumps three places to No. 4 in the Ratings. 

🦅 Franklin County: The class of the 11th Region for several years now, keeps on keeping on. Wins over highly regarded Bullitt East and Dixie Heights pushed themselves to their highest Rating of the season, now at No. 12. 

🏹 Montgomery County: The Lady Indians, on the outside looking in all season, defeated then #6 Ashland at Mount Sterling. MoCo makes their Top 25 debut this week. 

🌊 Meade County: Sometimes a "slide" in the Ratings requires further investigation than crunching numbers with WOPR. The Lady Waves have played a challenging schedule (SOS #7) this season, with sights firmly set on a trip to the Sweet 16.

Meade was ranked No. 15 a month ago, and a battle with Owensboro Catholic in the 3rd Region looked immanent. The loss of star guard Peyton Bradley a month ago can not be overstated - a player averaging 23 points and 6 rebounds just can't be replaced of course, and the Lady Waves drop out of the Top 25 for the first time. Look for Bradley to add substantially to her 2,400+ career points next season and contend for Miss Basketball honors. 

🤜🤛 Power + Regional Rankings ~ 

With the end of inter-region play over until the Sweet 16, this will be the last week tallying 150+ teams to see which Region in not only strongest, but deepest too. Five "Power" (Top 5 in Region) teams have already been eliminated in District play. 

Link to the Massey Ratings for games through Saturday, February 24 ~ 

🔗 masseyratings.com/KY_Girls

Final regular season standings ~

1. 71 9th Region, 2. 109 7th Region, 3. 137 13th Region, 4. 158 3rd Region

5. 178 12th Region, 6. 196 11th Region, 7. 199 8th Region, 8. 205 16th Region

9. 206 5th Region, 10. 221 4th Region, 11. 223 10th Region, 12. 263 6th Region

13. 287 15th Region, 14. 341 1st Region, 15. 353 14th Region, 16. 423 2nd Region

🏆 Sweet 16® Power Pairings ~ 

Possible matchups for the State Tournament using the "Power 5" from each Region. WOPR has noted teams eliminated (*) already and added teams from Regions 3, 4, 15, and 16 to fill the void. 

• Upper Bracket ~

1️⃣4️⃣ vs. 4️⃣ 

R14: 63. Knott Cent (New #1), 64. Perry Cent, 66. Owsley Co, 75. Letcher Cent, 85. Leslie Co.

R4: 14. Franklin-Simpson, 30. Bowling Green, 60. Warren E, 79. Metcalfe Co, 89. Russell Co. (#38 Barren Co*)

1️⃣6️⃣ vs. 1️⃣

R16: 8. Ashland, 13. Russell, 18. Boyd Co, 82. Rowan Co, 88. Fleming Co. (#84 Bath Co*)

R1: 11. McCracken Co, 55. Marshall Co, 58. Graves Co, 65. Calloway Co, 152. Mayfield. 

8️⃣ vs. 6️⃣ 

R8: 7. Anderson Co, 28. S Kenton, 52. Spencer Co, 53. Grant Co, 59. S Oldham. 

R6: 19. Butler, 41. Bullitt E, 47. Mercy, 57. Whitefield Acad, 99. PRP. 

1️⃣1️⃣ vs. 1️⃣3️⃣ 

R11: 12. Franklin Co, 22. F Douglass, 45. H Clay, 49. Madison Cent, 68. Madison South. 

R13: 9. N Laurel, 15. Corbin, 32. S Laurel, 33. Knox Cent, 48. Jackson Co. 

• Lower Bracket ~ 

7️⃣ vs. 1️⃣0️⃣ 

R7: 1. Sacred Heart, 16. Manual, 23. Central, 27. Assumption, 42. CAL.

R10: 3. GR Clark, 25. Montgomery Co, 56. Campbell Co, 62. Brossart, 77. Scott. 

1️⃣5️⃣ vs. 5️⃣ 

R15: 5. Pikeville, 35. Johnson Cent, 81. Martin Co, 118. Shelby Valley, 128. Belfry. (#70 Lawrence Co*, #96 Paintsville) 

R5: 21. Bethlehem, 34. Bardstown, 40. N Hardin, 50. Taylor Co, 61. Elizabethtown.

1️⃣2️⃣ vs. 9️⃣

R12: 20. Pulaski Co, 29. Danville Christ, 31. Southwestern, 44. Rockcastle Co, 54. W Jessamine. 

R9: 2. Cooper, 6. Cov Holy Cross, 10. Ryle, 17. Notre Dame, 36. Dixie. 

2️⃣ vs. 3️⃣ 

R2: 24. Henderson Co, 80. Madisonville, 94. Christian Co, 110. Lyon Co, 115. Crittenden Co. 

R3: 4. O'boro Cath, 26. Meade Co, 39. Breckenridge Co, 46. Owensboro, 111. Grayson Co. (#43 Daviess Co*) 

🏀 🆕 Best combination of Offensive Ratings, Defensive Ratings, and Strength of Schedule ~ 

🤔 10 of the Top 25 teams are ranked in the Top 25 with that combination in all three categories. Not surprised they're all in the uppermost echelon of Massey.

Rating. Team - Off, Def, SoS 

1. Sacred Heart - 1, 3, 1

2. Cooper - 10, 1, 2 

3. GR Clark - 3, 2, 3

5. Pikeville - 9, 18, 9 

6. Cov Holy Cross - 17, 8, 19

8. Ashland - 7, 21, 5

9. N Laurel - 20, 9, 6

10. Ryle - 15, 11, 4 

12. Franklin Co - 18, 15, 20

13. Russell - 21, 13, 22

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Trefnwyd gan WOPR.

🇺🇸 ⚔️ | Scottsville | "February Madness!" Big upset in the 4th Region last night - 4 seed over 1 seed. 

Six-time defending 15th champ Barren Co. had defeated AC-S by 35 in December in Glasgow and by 3 three weeks ago in Scottsville. 

AC-S is looking for their first District title since 2015, the year they were Sweet 16 runner-up. Championship game vs. Warren East is set for Thursday at Scottsville.

Congratulations Lady Patriots! 🎉 

Lady Patriots (12-16, R4 #12 8-10, D15 #4* 3-4) 

Trojanettes (23-8, R4 #3 16-4, D15 #1* 5-2)

# Regional Massey Ratings.

* District seed.

🐈‍⬛ 🍀 | Third time was the charm for the Lady Blackcats in Prestonsburg. 

The Lady Bulldogs (1 seed) had defeated P'burg (4 seed) by 31 and 24 points during the regular season.

The Lady Blackcats have punched their ticket to the Regional tourney for the first time since 2016. They'll host Floyd Central, playing to win their first District title in eight years on Wednesday.

Congratulations Prestonsburg! 🎉 

Prestonsburg (15-13, R15 #11 8-8, D58 2-5)

Lawrence Co. (18-11, R15 #3 10-6, D58 5-2)

# Regional Massey Ratings 

9th Region ~ 

Newport is hosting the 36th District tournament, so there's a possible upset in the play-in game. Ludlow over St. Henry in the 34th semis will be a good one. Mild upset if Ludlow wins.

The only semifinal I can see where the margin is less than ten is Ryle vs. tourney host Conner. The Lady Cougars may be one of the best teams in the state to not make it out of District.

33rd: Champion #2 Cooper; Runner-up #10 Ryle 

34th: Champion #36 Dixie Heights; Runner-up St. Henry 

35th: Champion #6 Covington Holy Cross; Runner-up #17 Notre Dame

36th: Champion #37 Highlands; Runner-up Newport Central Catholic

# Massey Ratings - Kentucky Girls

Thank you for the great updates@LouHSJunkie.

Terrific game. Massey called this one, predicting a three point Ballard win. 

Congrats Bruins!

 

4 hours ago, LouHSJunkie said:

I just read on Courier Journal that Ballard has never had a season with a losing record. They must beat CAL tomorrow to avoid their first.

 

6 hours ago, DragonFire said:

They last missed in 1986, losing to Eastern in district semis by 65-61 score. They also missed in 1981 (losing to Eastern) and 1971 (Westport). That 1971 loss to Westport is literally the only district tournament game that Ballard has lost to anyone other than Eastern. Any round. 

🐻 '70/'71 was the Bruins first varsity season and their loss to Westport ended that one with a 12-8 record. Coach Schmidt and company went 171-24 over the next six seasons including the '77 Sweet 16 title. 

As a newish school, Ballard was kind of pre-loaded for success, drawing kids from an area that was previously an all-Westport district and then blew up in size. Jerry Eaves' (Ballard & Louisville) older brother Larry was a star on the '70/'71 Westport team.

54 straight winning seasons, if not the record, is way up there. 👀 

Picking Ballard on pure nostalgia.

Depends on which Eastern team shows up. Eagles win over J'town, CAL, Bryan Station, and Oldham Co. this month, get ranked again, then lose to Moore. 

Loss to KCD was an away game mid-December. Massey Ratings has this one Eastern 64-46 at home.

🤷

13 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Has St. X lost any meets in the past 36 years?

I believe they've lost to Cincinnati St. Xavier in some dual meets over that span, and the Bombers just won their 44th Ohio State title.

2️⃣5️⃣ Review of the final week of the regular season for Massey's Top 25. 

❓ Who's hot and who's not heading into District tournaments this week? 

Only four teams suffered a loss to one ranked lower on Massey's scale: #8 Manual to #9 North Oldham. The other three were road games - Bryan Station to Madison Southern, Eastern to Moore, and Henderson County to Castle (IN).

(Season's Strength of Schedule, Week's W-L)

1. Great Crossing (SOS 2, 1-0) W #35 Walton-Verona 72-49. 

2. Lex Cath (SOS 21, 2-0) W Lincoln Co 76-42, W #32 Warren Cent 73-56. 

3. Cov Cath (SOS 7, 1-0) W at Madison Cent 78-46.

4. St. Xavier (SOS 8, 2-0) W at Seneca 89-59, W #9 N Oldham 67-52. 

5. Lyon Co (SOS 17, 2-0) W Dawson Springs 106-71, W Calloway Co 87-59.

6. Newport (SOS 10, 1-0) W Beechwood 67-62. 

7. Trinity (SOS 1, 1-1) W Collins 62-52, L at (IN #8 ~ KY #2) Cathedral 40-50. 

8. Manual (SOS 18, 2-1) L #9 N Oldham 53-65, W WEB Du Bois 85-67, W at N Bullitt 88-48. 

9. N Oldham (SOS 12, 1-1) W #8 Manual 65-53, L at #4 St. Xavier 52-67. 

10. Bowling Green (SOS 14, 1-0) W at Muhlenberg Co 90-73. 

11. GR Clark (SOS 67, 1-0) W Bracken Co 86-35. 

12. Male (SOS 3, 2-0) W #14 DeSales 78-71, W at #43 Jeffersontown 66-64. 

13. Evangel Christ (SOS 29, 1-0) W at Wayne Co 69-46.

14. Harlan Co (SOS 26, 2-0) W Knox Cent 109-89, W at Whitley Co 85-73. 

15. DeSales (SOS 4, 1-1) L #12 Male 71-78, W #33 N Hardin 82-72. 

16. Woodford Co (SOS 33, 1-0) W LCA 75-58. 

17. Cooper (SOS 11, 2-0) W Dixie 57-49, W Scott 72-34. 

18. Oldham Co (SOS 15, W Butler 60-55.

19. Bryan Stn (SOS 41, 1-1) W Grant Co 80-56, L at #31 Madison South 76-83. 

20. H Clay (SOS 39, 2-0) W PL Dunbar 49-39, W Lafayette 69-38. 

21. Campbell Co (SOS 48, 1-0) W St. Henry 69-63. 

22. F Douglass (SOS 9, 0-1) L at #33 N Hardin 55-70. 

23. Ashland (SOS 22, Did not play).

24. Eastern (SOS 36, 1-1) L at Moore 68-74, W at Doss 73-47. 

25. Henderson Co (SOS 56, 1-1) W at Trigg Co 77-48, L at (IN #74 ~ KY #38) Castle 50-53. 

🎉 Congratulations, and thank you to all the teams from No. 1 to No. 284.

🍀 Best of luck in the District tournaments, and safe travels! 

("~" after a Massey Indiana Rating is the Kentucky equivalent; e.g. Indianapolis Cathedral would be considered the #2 team in Kentucky.)

2️⃣5️⃣ Review for this week's Top 25 ~ 

(Season's Strength of Schedule, Week's W-L)

On 2/18/2024 at 8:59 PM, Runcible Owl said:

2️⃣5️⃣ 📝 Schedules for Sunday 2/18 to Saturday 2/24; last week of the regular season ~ 

1. Sacred Heart (SOS 1, 1-0): W #19 F Douglass 82-56.

2. GR Clark (SOS 3, 1-1): W #40 H Clay, L at #6 Ashland 52-58 (OT).

3. Cooper (SOS 2, 2-0): W #18 Manual 69-33, W at #16 Notre Dame 55-31.

4. Pikeville (SOS 9, 2-0): W at Shelby Valley 74-57, W at Paintsville 76-47.

5. Cov Holy Cross (SOS 18, 2-0): W Lex Cath 65-37, W at Conner 43-31.

6. Ashland (SOS 5, 3-0): W Elliot Co 78-22, W at #27 Montgomery Co, W vs. #2 GRC 58-52 (OT).

7. O'boro Cath (SOS 6, 3-0): W at #23 Henderson Co, W #10 Ryle (at Mercy) 77-63, W at #42 Breckenridge Co 80-64.

8. Anderson Co (SOS 43, 3-0): W Henry Co 63-17, W #19 F Douglass 58-53, W at W Jessamine 75-47. 

9. N Laurel (SOS 16, 3-0): W Owsley Co 66-36, W at Harlan Co 57-46, W at #40 H Clay.

10. Ryle (SOS 4, 0-1): L #7 O'boro Cath (at Mercy) 63-77.

11. Franklin-Simpson (SOS 52, 1-0): W S Warren 53-31.

12. McCracken Co (SOS 31, 2-0): W at Mayfield 68-29, W Calloway Co 66-33. 

13. Russell (SOS 23, 1-0): W #17 Boyd Co 69-46.

14. Franklin Co (SOS 20, 2-0): W at #43 Bullitt E 58-53, W #35 Dixie 54-32.

15. Corbin (SOS 12, 1-0): W #29 Southwestern 77-55.

16. Notre Dame (SOS 21, 0-2): L at #18 Manual 31-54, L #3 Cooper 31-54. 

17. Boyd Co (SOS 10, 1-1): L at #13 Russell 46-69, W Rowan Co 67-46.

18. Manual (SOS 19, 1-1): W #16 Notre Dame 50-36, L at #3 Cooper 33-69.

19. F Douglass (SOS 7, 0-2): L #8 Anderson Co 53-58, L at #1 Sacred Heart 56-82.

20. Butler (SOS 13, 1-0): W at Spencer Co 39-32.

21. Central (SOS 33, 1-0): W Portland Christ 63-31. 

22. Pulaski Co (SOS 14, 2-0): W #32 S Laurel 81-58, W at Mercer Co 66-53. 

23. Henderson Co (SOS 35, 1-1): L #7 O'boro Cath 63-73, W Hopkins Cent 71-33.

24. Bethlehem (SOS 27, 2-0): W #39 CAL 72-37, W #44 Owensboro 79-52.

25. Meade Co (SOS 8, 1-1): W #30 Bowling Green 55-43, L at #48 N Hardin 50-66. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 WOPR has sorted the Ratings and updated the scores.

🎉 Thank you ladies for a fantastic regular season!

🍀 Best of luck to all at the tournaments, and safe travels!

 

♣️ 🐯 | Final at Harned via The Scoreboard. 

Don't let the margin fool you; Breck has a very good team. Don't be surprised to see them in the Regional final at the Sportscenter. 

District semis on Monday ~ 

9th - Lady Aces (KY #7 25-4, R3 #1 11-1) at Apollo. 

11th - Lady Tigers (KY #42 19-9, R3 #3 10-3) vs. Hancock Co. at Meade Co. 

(# Massey Ratings)

DH BC | Final at Florence per The Scoreboard. 

Nice road win for the Colonels, though the Rebels seem to be stumbling a bit of late. 

District tournament semifinals Wednesday ~ 

34th: Dixie (17-12, R9 9-7, D34 3-1) vs. St. Henry at Villa Madonna. 

33rd: Boone Co. (18-9, R9 8-2, D33 2-1) vs. Ryle at Conner. A few weeks ago I would've picked Boone over Ryle. I think it's a toss-up now.

53 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

I noticed both boys and girls 9th region had co-players of the year. No other region did, what’s the reason behind that?

4th Region and 5th Region boys also had dual winners, as did the girls in the 6th and 7th. 

Congratulations to all!

CCH 🏹 | Final at Richmond via the Colonel Athletic Network and the update thread. 

bluegrasspreps.com/Covington-Catholic-at-Madison-Central-updates 

CC: 15 20 23 20 • 78

MC: 12 11  13 10 • 46 

Opening round District games next week ~  

44th: Madison Central vs. Richmond Model at EKU. 

35th: Covington Catholic at Holmes in Evans Fieldhouse. 

Final ~

Covington Catholic 78 

Madison Central 46

CCH 70 MC 43; 3:14 Q4. 

Wholesale substitutions by Cov Cath.

Cov Cath wins the 3rd quarter 23-13. 

CCH 58 

MC 36