District Tournament Previews: 6th 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 Sixth region where several teams could make a run at the regional and district championships become even more important. Here’s a district by district breakdown of the match-ups:
21st District (Games played at Valley):
The 21st is a 5 team district and Valley, the host school, has the chance to win the regional and get to Rupp without ever having to play an away game. Both the district and region are played at Valley this year. The games get started on Monday with Holy Cross and Beth Haven going head to head for the right to take on top seeded Faridale. Holy Cross pummeled Beth Haven in two meetings this season, winning by 40+ each game. They should roll to advance to meet with Fairdale on Tuesday night in the first semifinal.
Wednesday night should be one of the best district semifinals in the state as Pleasure Ridge Park takes on Valley. Valley won 57-54 in their lone meeting with PRP and that was way back in early December. This second meeting should be high scoring and hard fought.
22nd District (Games played at Doss):
Monday night tips off with Western and Iroquois battling for the right to face Butler on Wednesday. Iroquois rolled over Western in their lone matchup this season and the district quarterfinal is likely the same result. Butler will be waiting. In their lone previous matchup, Butler escaped with a 73-72 win.
The other semifinal on Wednesday night will be between host Doss and visiting DeSales. They only played once during the regular season and Doss emerged with an 11 point win. DeSales is a solid team and capable of winning at Doss. Should be a good game.
23rd District (Games played at Southern):
Bullitt Central and Evangel Christian get things started on Monday in this 5 team district. Evangel is 3-20 on the season and haven’t played any district opponents this year. There is no reason to believe that they will upset a Bullitt Central team that is very solid. Central should advance to play Southern on Wednesday night. That game will be the first semifinal on Wednesday. Bullitt Central defeated Southern 57-55 in their lone meeting of the regular season so this semifinal should be a competitive one.
The nightcap on Wednesday is North Bullitt and Moore. The Mustangs lost to North Bullitt 66-56 earlier this season and this game should be another competitive one with the winner advancing to the regional tournament.
24th District (Games played at Fern Creek):
Both district semifinals are played on Wednesday night with Fern Creek hosting Whitefield Academy. Creek won the previous matchup by 39 so i don’t expect much of a change the second time around. The other semifinal should be much more competitive.
Bullitt East and Jeffersontown battle in the night cap on Wednesday. Their lone regular season game was a 90-88 win for Bullitt East in double overtime. If that first meeting is any indication, the rematch could be the best game in the state on Wednesday evening.
Predictions:
Champions: Fairdale, Butler, North Bullitt, Fern Creek
Runners-Up: Valley, Doss, Bullitt Central, Bullitt East