5thregionbasketball

Donnie Swiney resigned on Thursday, May 4th after a long tenure with the E-town program. This job should draw a lot of interest as it is one of the premier jobs in the 5th Region. 

Would Epps be interested? Haven't heard much from him since he left Campbellsville to go to NKU. Not saying he wouldn't be interested, he just wasn't at the top of my list of who might be interested. This late in the game, I wouldn't be surprised that Tim Davis stepped back in that role for a season.

On 4/28/2023 at 1:41 PM, ACfan4 said:

I have a source who has said Adkins has accepted the job. We will see if they are right but that's what I am hearing. 

Was told Saturday by someone who is as close to the situation as could be without being Keith Adkins that Campbellsville will be looking for a new head coach very soon. Looks like that search officially begins today. 

14 hours ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Abomination seems like an extremely strong word choice here. Campbellsville has had this combined football/baseball stadium for decades. As you know, many city schools are landlocked and financially limited - building new facilities isn't always feasible. What they have done is put down turf to benefit both programs. Is it unique? Absolutely. But as someone who was at the event yesterday, the stadium worked just fine. The school had plenty of staff working the game and driving fans in golf carts from the parking lot to the field. There were lots of concessions. They had an indoor hitting facility for pregame use by teams.

I'd love for the All "A" to be at the Legends or the Y'alls, but just like those who fuss about Louisville not hosting KHSAA events, you have to bid to host. If no one bids for the games, then it has to be played somewhere. You might not love the setup at Campbellsville; I, for one, like it a whole lot better there than not being played at all.

Agreed!!! The facility is great for Campbellsville. And my understanding was that they were hosting because of a scheduling conflict with EKU but the tournament plans to return to EKU next year. I might be wrong about that, but I was there Saturday and thought they did a great job hosting. I believe the All A basketball tournament next year will not be at EKU do to a conflict and instead will be at the Corbin Arena. 

Hearing Stacia Hill is likely the hire for this job. Believe she has been assistant there in the past.

Glenn Peterson was named as the new head coach for Central Hardin.

17 hours ago, Purple88 said:

Don't ya just call the game somewhere way before this?

Just seems ridiculous to me to continue to play up that much.

Gotta play 3 innings. But you could do somethings to help it out. I've seen teams make their players hit opposite handed, umpire could certainly expand the zone a bit, heck miss a base and get an appeal out, but you have to get at least 9 outs somewhere.

Interesting to me that the boys job at Central Hardin is posted on KHSAA but the girls coaching job is not. Is that a sign that they've already made a hire? If so, who? If staying in house, would think Glenn Peterson would be the front-runner. But haven't heard much, and not sure of any outside interest although I'm sure there is. 

Any info on this as to his choice or administration choice? Thought he did a pretty good job there especially given the circumstances in which he became the head coach. 

Posted on KHSAA yesterday. 

That's the rumor. I don't think she's going to join the coaching staff there, but daughter would make a nice addition to the team. She wouldn't have to be the star player. But if they leave for Winchester it makes the Central job more difficult as her daughter is/was the central piece to that team.

Was just about to post this one too. I think there could be a few more come down the line in the next few days as well. 

I think it probably has more to do with his daughters becoming more involved with volleyball and other activities and wanting to spend more time with family. I'm sure looking at what will be coming back makes an impact on the decision, but I think family is probably the biggest determining factor. 

Not sure if it's official yet, but hearing Matt Nickel will not be returning to the sidelines for Central Hardin next season. 

On 3/11/2023 at 2:37 PM, Hardin County Preps said:

My pick is McCracken County. The 5th Region was down this year in talent level. I will stick to my original prediction that whomever came out of the 5th Region would be 1 and done in the Sweet Sixteen.  

I concur.

Both teams were front-runners in their region all season. McCracken enters the tournament with a 29-5 win record.  Elizabethtown enters with a 23-9 record.

Kristina Covington-Jones has resigned as head coach from Central Hardin. 

https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/sports/high_school_sports/covington-jones-resigns-as-bruins-head-coach/article_b3d2b4a0-dcc2-5228-8a36-fd15f8ff3a6a.html

20 hours ago, FlyPattern said:

LaRue County lost in the 2018 regional finals to John Hardin by a score of 48-46.

You are correct, when I was doing my research, I mistakenly wrote that game down as Etown/John 

Larue County and Elizabethtown face off tonight for the 5th Region Championship. Larue enters tonight's game with a record of 23-7. Etown has a record of 22-9. They played one time this season, with Larue County winning 55-46 on February 7th. 

Since 1998, Etown has dominated the series. The regular season games have favored Etown 18-6. In regional tournament games, Etown has not lost to Larue since 1998. (Don't have access to records past that) Etown is 6-0 against Larue in regional tournaments. (98, 00, 02, 14, 20, 22.) 

Larue County hasn't appeared in a regional final from 1998 until now. In that same time span, Etown has a 4-8 record in regional finals. They defeated Marion County in 2000, went on to win the state championship. Defeated John Hardin in 2005, lost in 2nd round of state tournament. Defeated Bardstown in 2020, state was not played that year due to COVID-19, and then Etown defeated John Hardin in 2021 and lost in the state championship game.

Daniel Allen has had a big regional tournament so far for Larue County. He's had 29 points and 30 points respectively in the first 2 games. Ayden Evans had 14 and 24 points in his first 2 games of the region.

Who you got? Should be a fun one!

9 hours ago, Mojocat said:

Sounds like Larue hasn't missed Boley a whole lot.  We played them just last year - and I don't even remember the Allen kid (which, yes, says more about me than him).  How big is he?  Can he play at the next level?

He’s 6’5ish. Good kid. Multi sport athlete and excels at them all. I would think a D2 or NAIA school would certainly give him a long look. Although he might be more interested in playing baseball at the next level.

8 hours ago, Sportslover32 said:

Hearing both players who was suspended for ejection from Etown and Central are now elgible. That it got overturned 

It did get overturned. This obviously helps both teams, but I think it helps Etown considerably more.

The district’s played out pretty close to seed. 3 of the 4 #1’s won the district. 1 #2 seed won a district and two #3 seeds advanced as district runners-up.

District winners:

17^th District- Elizabethtown (20-9)
18^th District- Larue County (21-7)
19^th District- Bardstown (11-15)
20^th District- Taylor County (24-6)

District runner-up

17^th District- Central Hardin (19-13)
18^th District- Green County (16-15)
19^th District- Washington County (22-9)
20^th District- Adair County (23-9)

Ranking the teams 1-8

1.       Larue County

2.       Elizabethtown

3.       Taylor County

4.       Adair County

5.       Central Hardin

6.       Washington County

7.       Green County

8.       Bardstown

Injuries, suspensions and momentum will all play a role in this regional tournament that appears to have 3 clear favorites but anything could happen. Elizabethtown will be without point guard Obian Howard for at least 2 games, should they keep playing that far. Central Hardin will be without guard Nolan Stith for at least 2 games. Howard and Stith were ejected during the 17^th District Championship. Washington County is without point guard Noah Reynolds due to injury.

Bardstown is down more than most seasons but they have played great during the district tournament and they also played a tough schedule. Their record may not indicate it but they are definitely a team that will be a tough out and could be a sleeper team.

Taylor County had an excellent win against Adair County in the district championship for the 20^th district. Taylor shot the ball well that night and if they shoot well, you could easily see them playing on Tuesday night.

Green is an underdog for sure. But momentum is big and although they lost to Larue County in the 18^th district finals, they played much better and have played much better the last few weeks of the season.

Adair County is the team that I wouldn’t want to face in the first round. Connor Loy has the ability to take over a game singlehandedly. The Indians led Taylor County with 5.8 seconds to go in the game before Jackson Wise made two free throws to seal the deal and that was after trailing 16-2 early in the game.

The Actual Games

Bardstown vs Green County

Bardstown comes in as the 19^th district winner. Tyleeq Williams has been impressive for Bardstown so far in the postseason. Nobody told him he’s undersized. He plays with a tenacity and grit that very few will match in the region. He had 23 in the win against Bethlehem that sent Bardstown to the finals. Grant Bowling has to have big games in the regional tournament. He doesn’t have to do it all on the scoring end, but he has to alter shots and control the rebounding game.

Green County is 5-3 in the month of February and things seem to finally be clicking for the Dragons and first year head coach Jordan Gilbert. Haydon Blakeman and Kelson McKinney are the heartbeat for Green County and will have to have good games for Green County to advance.

Green County defeated Bardstown 64-58 on December 10^th.

Elizabethtown vs Adair County

The Panthers have been one of the top ranked teams in the region all year. Coach James Haire is without a doubt one of the best coaches in the region. Elizabethtown has many weapons, Ayden Evans, Alex Evans, JQuan Williams, JuJuan Williams and Obian Howard. Howard would be eligible to play in the regional championship game. Etown has won it’s last 4 games and 7 of its last 10 games.

Adair County, I think is often overlooked because they are the outskirts of the region, geographically. Thus, they don’t always play lots of region competition. They played 13 games against region opponents (8-5) but 8 of those games were against district opponents (4-4).  Other regional games played include, Green County (w) Thomas Nelson (w), Nelson County (w), Caverna (L), and Hart County (w). Connor Loy is just a sophomore but is one of the most talented players in the region. He will be a strong candidate for player of the year as a senior.

Adair County and Elizabethtown did not play during the season.

Taylor County vs Washington County

Taylor County has spent much of the season as the #1 team in the region. The Cardinals 24 wins is the best in the region. Layken Lyons has been the guy all season for Taylor County. He had 25 points in the win against Adair County in the district finals. But he’s had lots of help. Jackson Wise has been a steady point guard and Keeton Clements has had some monstrous games scoring down low and rebounding. He’s a big body that alters shots.

Speaking of big bodies that alter shots, Washington County has two of them. Beau Baker and Gabe Weiss. Baker is the name everyone knows, but Weiss, just a freshman is making sure that people start learning his name. Point Guard Noah Reynolds is injured and is unlikely to return for any of the regional tournament. That will most likely cause Riley Brown to have to handle the ball. Brown is much better at coming of screens and getting shots, so it will be interesting to see how Coach Woodson makes the adjustment and still get Brown plenty of shots. When Brown is on target, his outside shooting is a game changer.

Taylor County defeated Washington County in each other’s first game of the season, 52-47.

Larue County vs Central Hardin

Larue County finishes the season atop KHSAA regional standings with the strongest RPI. Larue is playing as well as anyone in the region right now. Since the start of January, Larue is 13-2 and have won 6 games in a row. Daniel Allen and Carson Childress are difficult matchups. Allen is long but plays well on the wings. And he’s just a force on the offensive boards. Childress is within range from anywhere on the floor. Then add in Jagger Mardis, a freshman, who can shoot from anywhere on the floor and Luke Trumbo, who does all the dirty work. He’s the guy that sets solid screens, rebounds the ball, dives for loose balls and takes charges. Every team needs a player like Trumbo who makes a difference in the game without scoring 10-15 points a game. But he’s also a capable shooter.

Central Hardin is led by player of the year Brett Decker, and while the Bruins have other scorers, Central Hardin goes as Decker goes. The Bruins will be without Nolan Stith until the regional championship, should they get that far. The Bruins will need big games out of Jakob Fredrickson and Adam Hobbs. They’ll be key in trying to slow Allen down. Ace Jaggers will have to take good shots and attack the rim. Decker will need 20 plus points.

1^st Round Predictions:

Bardstown def. Green County
Elizabethtown def. Adair County
Taylor County def. Washington County
Larue County def. Central Hardin.

Most people probably think it’s an Etown/Larue Final. It very well could be. From what I’m hearing, I think most people think Etown is the favorite to win. I think the winner of the Taylor/Larue game wins the region and advances to Rupp.

I could very well be wrong on that, but I know this, it will be rocking in Munfordville on Wednesday and Thursday! This tournament should be a lot of fun.

2 hours ago, GC-Dragons said:

I don't think the Dragons can beat Larue, but I think it will be much more competitive than the last meeting. I'd take Larue by about 12 in this game. 

I'm also not sold on Elizabethtown as the Region champ, Larue just beat Elizabethtown two weeks ago by 9. I believe E-Town is one of 5 teams who have a legitimate chance of winning the region, and wouldn't be surprised to see any of the the five win the region at all. 

I know Hardin County Preps will disagree but from what I've seen so far in the post season I'd say, Etown, Larue, Washington, Taylor, Central Hardin, & Adair could all contend for regional championship. Just depends on the draw. I'll be interested to see how Green County plays tonight against Larue. 12 is a good pick. And if Central can play with the intensity that they did against North, they'll be a tough out and not a draw I'd want in the first round of the region. 

Wednesday Night:
Nelson dominates and wins convincingly against Bardstown.

North Hardin defeats John Hardin for the 3rd time this year.
Elizabethtown defeats Central Hardin for the 3rd time this year.

Friday Night District Finals:

17th District (1) North Hardin vs (2) Elizabethtown
18th District (1) Hart County vs (2) Green County
19th District (1) Bethlehem vs (2) Nelson County
20th District (1) Taylor County vs (2) Adair County

Wednesday night results:

Bardstown defeated Bethlehem in an overtime thriller. Great game!! 

Taylor & Adair both win to advance to finals.

Thursday Night:

Etown drubs John Hardin
Central Hardin plays very well to defeat North Hardin

District Finals:
Friday Night 
18th District: (3) Green vs (1) Larue

Saturday Night
17th District: (3) Central Hardin vs (1) Elizabethtown
19th District: (2) Bardstown vs (1) Washington County
20th District: (2) Adair County vs (1) Taylor County