summer set

My predicitions, first round only: West Jessamine in a low scoring game Pulaski, this one could go either way Boyle Co. , double digits Somerset, double digits if they play to potential

The two teams play Friday night at 7:00 at Pulaski's gym. Pulaski messed up their 3 game overtime streak in the last game and won by two in regulation. The teams have split this year in regular season. Pulaski has been playing better as the season has progressed, but Somerset is playing well lately also. I predict a close game, Somerset 68, Pulaski Co. 64.

Lincoln by 10.

West 59-52

I guess South wanted to win by 1 point.

Somerset did not have a chance in this game. I seldom talk about officials and usually tell my son when they loose that an officials call did not loose the game for them, that they should not be in a position so that one call could cause a loss. This game was the worse officiated game I have ever seen at any level of play. One official completely took Somerset out of their defense and also took away a large part of their offense, either he was biased or was incapable of calling a game. Clinton county played a fairly good game and their fans also acted in a proper manner, but I am sure Clinton's team and coach were also disappointed with a win decided in a large part by the officials. Clinton Co. may have won the game with fair referees, but Somerset did not have an opportunity to win the way the game was called.

7 Lee Co. 5 Jackson City 3 Lynn Camp 2 Morgan 1 Powell Co. Tiebreaker Lee Co.

7 John Hardin 5 Southern 3 Dupont Manual 2 Christian Academy-Louisville 1 Fern Creek Tiebreaker Christian Academy-Louisville

7 Christian Co. 5 Fort Camp. 3 Lyon Co. 2 Murray 1 Henderson Co. Tiebreaker Christian Co.

7 Cov. Cath. 5 Scott 3 Christian Ac. Louisville 2 Mercer Co. 1 Holmes Tiebreaker Christian Ac. Louisville

I believe Lincoln and Boyle are the favorites especially with the region being at Lincoln. Three other teams that could easily be in the final game are Pulaski, West Jessamine and Somerset. If Somerset can win their next two games and get some momentum going into the region they will be my favorite, even though I had picked Lincoln in the poll.

Somerset is sometimes bothered by slow down, deliberate basketball. Rockcastle, Barbourville, Hazard, McCreary Co. all to some extent tried to slow the game down. Somerset split with Rockcastle, lost to Hazard and Barbourville and beat McCreary. All of these teams except Rockcastle were favored or at least even with Somerset at the time the games were played. It makes each possesion more important and also makes for less exciting basketball. None of these teams can stay with Somerset in a running game, Hazard would come close, but I guess they feel slow down ball is their best option. Somerset's press was the difference in the second half against McCreary it changed the game into a running game with easy baskets. The first half there were not enough made baskets to try it, but I believe they need to use the press more in all games particularly against teams that try to slow down the pace of the game.

Score at halftime Somerset 10 McCreary 19 but Somerset scores 45 second half points for the win.

I would agree with the 8 teams selected. Each team listed could beat the others on a given night. The ones I see with a good chance of winning the region however are Boyle, Lincoln, Pulaski, Somerset, and West J. in no particular order, with the most likely winner being Lincoln.

In preseason they played some man to man and did pretty good with it. Once the season started they tried man to man at first but it didn't work out too well and they have gone almost exclusively to zone.

Somerset should have the rebounding edge but they fall asleep some games. I believe rebounding will decide the winner, whoever gets the most will win the game. Somerset can shoot the 3 but some games they are off, if they do well they can win big. But an average night it will be a close game, Somerset should control the inside on offense, on defense they will need to limit McCreary's penetration. Somerset by 5.

Somerset should beat Casey for the third time this year. Pulaski should beat Rockcastle, and Somerset will beat Pulaski in the finals in yet another close game. Somerset got beat by Pulaski last game with a lack of rebounding. Somerset has decreased their turnovers by a big margin since the first of the year. Passing has improved but still needs work, but rebounding needs the biggest improvement. They also need to see the floor better and make the pass that is available, there should be more cuts to the basket, player movement and ball movement. When Somerset gets a lead and other teams adjust their pressure on the ball and change their defense Somerset is slow to react. They need to value the ball, take the high percentage shots, and continue to apply pressure of their own. They should expect increased ball pressure and react by attacting the basket but under control. South Laurel won by 22 but South Laurel shot the ball better than normal, I believe Somerset could have kept the margin of victory under 10 points on an average night.

1st Region: Graves Co. 2nd Region: Christian Co. 3rd Region: Apollo 4th Region: Warren Cent. 5th Region: Cent. Hardin 6th Region: Doss 7th Region: Jeffersontown 8th Region: Simon Kenton 9th Region: Cov. Cath. 10th Region: Mason Co. 11th Region: Scott Co. 12th Region: Somerset 13th Region: South Laurel 14th Region: Perry Central 15th Region: Paintsville 16th Region: Ashland Blazer 1st Tiebreaker: 3rd 2nd Tiebreaker: 13th

Should be another close game. Their last three games were decided in overtime. Winner of this game should matchup with Rockcastle Co. in district, loser should matchup with Casey Co. in district tournament.

Moody will more than likely be the main one guarding Hicks. It will probably take a team effort on Hicks, to prevent him from penetrating too deep. If Somerset comes ready to play which they should, and play team ball I predict Somerset by 9.

I haven't seen West Jessamine play since last year but they were fairly athletic, with some size and quickness. If Somerset continues their play of the past few games I believe they will be hard to beat. Last game they did not make many threes, if they are hittiing them they will be tough, however I would rather see several more 8-12 foot shots and less three point shots. I predict Somerset by 5.

Somerset 57 Southwestern 41 final. Somerset's defense has improved and Southwestern had difficulty getting their shots. Southwestern also did not have an answer inside against Bourne who could score anytime they got him the ball. Price also had a good scoring game driving to the basket. Neither team was real sucessful with the three, it was mainly decide inside.

Somerset's turnovers have been decreasing and their shooting and defense has improved. Southwestern will try to create a lot of turnovers it depends on how well Somerset handles their press and how the game is called. Somerset has been know for getting large leads then losing them. They have won their last 4 games and are steadily improving. If they can maintain focus and not get careless with the ball they should win in a tough game by 10.

Somerset hopefully has got some of their problems worked out. They still need to reduce their turnovers, but have improved. If their good shooting continues they should be alright. The overtime Pulaski game was much needed. The next 3 games will show how much improvement they have made. Three repeat games, two of which were losses against Southwestern and Rockcastle with a win against Casey Co. I believe the Casey Co. may be the most difficult game of the three for them. I predict wins in all of three games but I thought they would win the first time they played them.

Went into overtime with Somerset finally winning a close one.