District Tournament Previews: 12th Region
The postseason is finally upon us and the Road to Rupp Arena starts this week. The amount of schools in the postseason will be cut down to 128 once the district rounds are complete. Only district champions and runners-up move on to regional tournaments and there are sure to be several upsets this week. As we continue with our postseason previews, we move to the Twelfth region where Mercer County is the likely favorite but Pulaski and others are not far behind. Here’s a district by district breakdown of the match-ups:
45th District (Games played at Danville):
The 43rd is a 5 team district because the Kentucky School for the Deaf plays in the district. As a result, they get the postseason started by playing Garrard County. The winner of that one (assumed to be Garrard) will take on Boyle County on Tuesday night. Boyle will be the heavy favorite in that one, as they went undefeated in the regular season against district foes.
Wednesday night will be a good, competitive game as host Danville takes on Lincoln County. Lincoln has suffered some attrition lately as one of their leading scorers recently transferred. Look for the Admirals of Danville to get by Lincoln and have a third game against Boyle for the championship.
46th District (Games played at West Jessamine):
Both semifinals will be played on Tuesday night and it will take a minor miracle for Burgin to knock off Mercer County in the first semifinal game. The Titans should advance to the championship game fairly easily.
The second semifinal is also likely to be a blowout as West Jessamine hosts crosstown rival East Jessamine. West won both regular season matchups against East. One by 5 and the other by 22. The third match is likely to be in the teens as West should win again.
47th District (Games played at Casey County):
Monday night Casey County will play host to Pulaski County in what should be a big win for the Maroons. Anything other than a big Pulaski win would be a surprise.
Tuesday night, Somerset goes up against Rockcastle County and that contest should be another game that is less than competitive. Somerset has had a very good season and is likely to continue their winning ways against Rockcastle.
48th District (Games played at Wayne County):
Since the Monticello school closed a few years back, this has been a 3 team district and Southwestern will advance to the district championship game by default. Monday night will see Wayne County host McCreary Central in what has the potential to be a really good game. Wayne swept the regular season series but only by 5 points combined in the two wins. Wayne is always dangerous at home and that could provide them the lift they need to get back to the regional.
Predictions:
Champions: Boyle County, Mercer County, Pulaski County, Southwestern
Runners-Up: Danville, West Jessamine, Somerset, Wayne County