District Championship Previews for 2/23
Thirteen schools across the commonwealth last night cut down the nets and took a district championship trophy home. There are over 40 championship games being played all over Kentucky tonight. All these teams have already qualified for next week’s regional tournament so these games are all about hoisting the trophy and getting a better position for next week’s tournaments. Here’s a look at some of the biggest district title games statewide tonight.
2nd District: Paducah Tilghman v. McCracken County
McCracken has already beaten Tilghman by double digits twice this season. Tilghman is ranked #1 in the first region in several of the computer polls but has been unable to topple the Mustangs. For them to pull the win, they’ll need great games from JJ Reed and Rodriguez Thomas while trying to contain Cameron Cartwright, Nathan Stonecipher and Jackson Sivils.
9th District: Apollo v. Owensboro Catholic
Catholic is 3-0 against Apollo this year but 2 of the 3 have been close and Apollo is playing good basketball lately. John Marshall and Luke Hayden star for Catholic while for Apollo will need big games from Nathan Boyle, Alex Gray and Hayden Shelton to win the 4th meeting between the two schools.
14th District: Warren Central v. Bowling Green
Both teams had blowout wins in the semifinals and these two schools are likely to meet again in the regional final like they always do. Central won by 10 at BG but the Purples won by 9 at WC. This third game is at Greenwood and features Skyelar Potter and Jarius Key going head to head yet again.
21st District: Fairdale v. Pleasure Ridge Park
PRP is finally at full strength and knocked off Valley on Wednesday night. Fairdale is having one of their best seasons in the last decade. Glenn Queen, Craig Ashe and Markelo Sullivan will be going head to head with Tre Hill, Gerald Gray and Bryant Robinson. Should be a heck of a game at Valley tonight.
22nd District: Butler v. Doss
These two only met once in the regular season and Butler emerged victorious over the Dragons. Reese Tolley, JaQuay Wales and Devin Pendergrass going up against Stephon Franklin and Taye Calloway could be the best matchup in the state tonight.
32nd District: Walton-Verona v. Simon Kenton
Their first meeting was a 3 point win for Walton-Verona. This one could be just as good or better. Brennan Stanley and Zach Clinkenbeard anchor Walton-Verona while freshman Kelly Niece and Senior Zach Kelch do the heavy lifting for Simon Kenton. This one could come down to how the role players perform.
36th District: Newport v. Newport Central Catholic
These rivals just played on February 5th and Newport emerged victorious by 11. Senior MeKell Burries and Juniors Tahj Harding and Makhi McGuire make a formidable trio for Newport and Senior Brennan Hall will have to do a lot for NCC to win this one.
42nd District: Bryan Station v. Scott County
The top ranked Cardinals beat Station by 40 just a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure that the Defenders can beat Scott County but if they can stay close, it will show some growth for them as they head to the regional. Scott will need to slow down Eric Boone and there’s not anyone at Station that can defend Michael Moreno.
50th District: South Laurel v. Corbin
These two split the season series. Corbin won by 5 early in the year and South won the rematch by 13 but Corbin didn’t have Andrew Taylor for that one. The rubber match should be a good one as the Hounds look to shut down JJ Ramey and Matt Cromer in the title game.
59th District: Pikeville v. Shelby Valley
This will be the 4th meeting between these two. Pikeville won the first two by double digits while Shelby Valley won the 3rd installment. Sophomore Cody Potter is the key cog for Valley while Pikeville relies on Wyatt Battaile to do their heavy lifting on offense. These two could meet again for the regional title.