The Professor

Yes. I hadn’t thought of that.

Central was also runner up in the KHSAA tournament in 2009, losing in double overtime to Covington Holmes. And what makes that interesting is Central came into the tournament that year as the only team in it with a losing record.

Great Crossing should win this game easily. By the way, is this the first Sweet 16 for both these schools?

I agree with Reno. This game will be closer than many think. Ashland has been there and done that…..like five straight times and this year makes six. Zander Carter is a D-1 commit and is surrounded by a good supporting cast. And as mentioned they have played a tough schedule. I think Lyon County will win but if it is in a romp I’ll be surprised. However, I understand that Lyon County has also played a difficult schedule and their 20 point win at Lexington Catholic keeps reminding me that when their whole squad is healthy they can be an awesome machine with Mr Basketball and Kentucky commit Travis Perry leading the way.

My experiences with the capacity seating that gyms have posted on their walls or in media guides is that they are inflated.

I’ll take Perry Central by 4. Most thought this game would be Hazard vs Pikeville but they don’t call it March Madness for no reason.

I believe they could beat quite a few small colleges in Kentucky. Their entire team from the last sub to the starters will most likely play college basketball, and several will be high D1.

I know Lyon County has a lot of firepower but how in the world did a future regional champ lose by 50 to them??? Going by that number it sounds like Marshall County shouldn’t have much trouble with Adair.

Zander Carter is a heck of a player. Liberty is getting a good addition to their program. Ashland’s Colin Porter is a sophomore in his second season as a starter for the Flames.

Sacred Heart looks like a college team. I don’t see anyone in this tournament giving them any problems.

Thank you ASB! Yes, it means a lot to our county. There was a long possession of vehicles with police and emergency vehicles escorting the Lady Owls into Booneville last night. I saw a lot of tears and celebrations.

Well, this loss and the 3rd region loss by Daviess County has pretty much sunk my Sweet 16 picks in a contest I entered.

Owsley County (25-9) advances to the championship game for the second time in three years. They will play regional tournament host Estill County (16-18) Saturday at 7:00. The all-56th championship will be the first trip to the Sweet 16 in history for a 56th District team.

Owsley County used a 22-13 scoring advantage over Knott Central in the second quarter of the first quarterfinal game of the 14th region tournament and never trailed thereafter. The Lady Owls (24-9) led by double digits the rest of the game and went on to defeat Knott Central (20-13) by a score of 59-43.

14th Region (boys and girls) will be carried on Bluegrass Sports Nation (BSN).

The Lady Owls got a tough draw. They will have to run the gauntlet of Knott Central, Perry Central and Letcher Central to earn a trip to play in Rupp. Similar scenario in 2022. Drew Knott Central and had to play Leslie Co in the semis. Made it to the championship and lost a heartbreaker by 1 point to Letcher Central on a buzzer beater in overtime.

Boyd’s loss of their PG Taylor Bartrum midway through the season to injury was a big blow to the Lady Lions. They were never the same as they were earlier. I saw them at the PRTC Classic in McKee in early December and they were really clicking on all cylinders. And at the time were rated in the top 20.

Owsley County won their 5th consecutive 56th District title at Powell County Wednesday with a 42-32 victory over Estill County. Estill’s strategy to force a slow pace game was very effective. Owsley averages almost 70 points per game and after two double digit losses to the Lady Owls during the season the Lady Engineers utilized a sticky man-man defense with a few wrinkles in it and it nearly worked. They were within 2 points of Owsley with 4 minutes left in the game. That’s when senior guard and the regions 2024 Player of the Year Carly Smith stepped up her game with some big baskets to secure the win. She scored 10 of Owsley’s 11 fourth quarter points starting with a difficult elbow make off a screen and also a step back 3. In addition she made important free throws late in the game after Estill was forced to foul. She was named the tournament’s MVP for the second straight year. Estill’s senior forward Sarah Baker was named Best Defensive Player. Owsley’s freshman guard Kenzie Grubb was chosen Best Sixth Player award. The Lady Owls will take a 23-9 record into regional tournament play next week. Estill’s record is now 14-18. Regional drawings for pairings will be held Friday afternoon. The region this year will be held at Estill County.

I certainly hope so Double Deuce. They came so close in 2022 losing on a last second shot by 1 point in overtime to Letcher Central. The Lady Owls have been runner up twice, in 1988 and ‘22. With a high school enrollment of 188, which is small for a public school, to win Owsley’s first ever basketball region (boys have been twice runner up too…1983 and ‘85) would be simply awesome. Our little county would lose its mind, lol. The regional tournament is in 56th district territory this year in Irvine and that will cut down on bus time travel. When it’s in Hazard, Hindman Whitesburg and Hyden it’s a long drive to the venues.

Great Crossing is on a mission to be hosting the big trophy in Rupp Arena on a Saturday night in March.

Montgomery was leading by 5 points a couple minutes before the half and their big 6’6 player Luke Fawns was injured and didn’t play anymore. I think it was an ankle injury. Not saying they wouldn’t have still lost but he is a key player for the Tribe.

This game was actually 101-68, not that it makes a difference in the outcome but for official outcome that is the score.

The top seeded Lady Owls defeated Lee County 81-45 in the 56th district’s opening round at Powell County. They advance to Wednesday’s championship game vs Estill County, who defeated Powell County 42-28 in the second game.

Region 1 McCracken County Region 2 Lyon County Region 3 Daviess County Region 4 Bowling Green Region 5 North Hardin Region 6 Evangel Christian Region 7 Trinity Region 8 North Oldham Region 9 Newport Region 10 Clark County Region 11 Great Crossing Region 12 Danville Christian Region 13 North Laurel Region 14 Hazard Region 15 Pikeville Region 16 Boyd County

I’m going to predict a Boyd County-Ashland regional championship game. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb doing that. The title game could go either way. Boyd has clipped Ashland twice by 6 points this season. So the finals will be close. Ashland has won five straight regional championships. Boyd has a slim edge but the Tomcats will not go down easily. Don’t be surprised if they aren’t playing in Rupp for the sixth consecutive time.