Elite 8: 16th Region
We are only 2 and a half weeks from the start of the KHSAA Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena. Half the schools in Kentucky have been eliminated from the postseason and by Thursday night, that number will dip to 64 teams remaining. The games get started on Tuesday night in the 6th and 7th regions before the rest of the state starts regional play on Wednesday night. We’re going to take a look at the 8 top players remaining in each region and take a shot at power ranking the remaining teams. The 16th region starts play on Wednesday night. All regional games take place at Eagle Arena at Morehead State. Here’s a breakdown of the 16th region tournament and the top individual players still playing.
Elite 8 Players (in no order):
SG Blake Evans, Morgan County – The Junior recently passed 1,000 career points and is still going strong. Evans averages 14.5 points per game and is a lights out shooter at 45% and shoots over 85% from the free throw line. If there is a big shot necessary for Morgan County, Evans is going to be the one to take it.
Wing Chase Villers, Ashland Blazer – The senior wing is one of the top scorers in the region at nearly 21 points per game. Villers shoots a respectable 39% from 3 and adds nearly 5 rebounds per game. In order for Ashland Blazer to knock off Morgan on Wednesday night, Villers needs to have a big night.
Wing Devaunte Robinson, Ashland Blazer – The second leading scorer for the Tomcats, Robinson averages 17 points and 6 rebounds per game. Robinson is likely the best Junior in the region and has a handful of Division 1 schools checking him out already.
Wing Reese Robinson, Boyd County – One of the top seniors in the 16th region, Robinson averages an impressive 16 points and 7 rebounds per game for the team that is likely the favorite to cut the nets down next week. Robinson boasts impressive shooting splits of 53/44/72 and is going to be counted on to help carry his team to Rupp Arena.
G Tanner Dickerson, Elliott County – The junior can flat out fill it up. Dickerson averages nearly 19 points and 8 rebounds per game and has shown an ability to score from all over the floor.
G Gage Evans, Elliott County – The second leading scorer for the Lions, Evans averages almost 17 points per game. If Elliott is going to make a regional run Evans and Dickerson will need to be more efficient scorers. Evans only shoots 35% from the field for the year.
F Tay Offutt, Lewis County – The senior forward averages a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. Lewis is capable of winning a game or two in the regional and Offutt is the main reason they have had such a successful season up to this point.
SG Blake Stewart, Boyd County – Just a sophomore, Stewart averages 13 points and 6 rebounds per game for the regional favorites. With Stewart, Robinson and Taylor Smith all clicking, Boyd will be difficult to keep from getting to Rupp Arena.
Power Rankings:
1. Boyd County – At this point, they are the clear favorites to win the region.
2. Morgan County– They face a brutal opening round contest against Ashland Blazer
3. Ashland Blazer – The Tomcats and Morgan County face off in the opener where the winner could make end up at Rupp Arena in a couple of weeks.
4. Lewis County – Winners of 18 games already, Lewis could be a darkhorse candidate to win the whole region if any of the favorites were to stumble.
5. Rowan County – Champions of the 61st District, Rowan has won 4 out of 5 down the stretch and nearly knocked off Morgan County a couple weeks back.
6. Raceland- While they are not going to run anyone out of the gym on talent alone, this team is deep and balanced.
7. Bath County – Coach Williams has really turned around a program that was one of the worst in Kentucky for a few years
8. Elliott County – If the regional were being played 3 on 3, they may be favored. But past their 3 best players, there isn’t much depth on the team.