Contender/Pretender: Regions 13-16
The state of Kentucky is 6 weeks away from the start of postseason play so I thought it was time to start separating the contenders for regional crowns from the pretenders. Let’s break it down: Thirteenth Region: Contenders: South Laurel…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Kentucky is 6 weeks away from the start of postseason play so I thought it was time to start separating the contenders for regional crowns from the pretenders. Let’s break it down:
Thirteenth Region:
Contenders:
- South Laurel – The heavy favorite to win the region. The Cardinals are 24-3 and have a perfect 15-0 record against region foes. The two headed monster of Matt Cromer and JJ Ramey has combined for 40 points per game or better all season and when the team is at their best, they aren’t losing a regional game.
- Knox Central – Losses to Corbin and Clay County (early this season) show they are beatable but these Panthers are very good and could win the region. Senior Nick Martin has really turned it on lately and is a match-up problem for regional foes.
- Clay County – They stormed out to a 14-0 start and won the Mountain Classic but they’re 6-6 since that 14-0 start. Sophomore Connor Robinson is a really nice player but the production of the role players could make the difference in a regional title or early exit.
- Corbin – They’ve played more like pretenders this year but they’ve beaten Knox and Clay already and are the ultimate boom or bust team in the 13th. They could cut the nets down or lose in the regional opener.
Pretenders:
- Harlan County – They have an impressive 18-6 record but have taken losses to South Laurel (twice) and North Laurel and just took a 26 point beating at Barbourville. They can maybe win a game in the regional but I struggle to see them winning the whole thing.
- North Laurel – These Jags are young and probably a year or two away from being a favorite to win the whole region. They bring back all but two players next season and should benefit from several top players graduating.
Fourteenth Region:
Contenders:
- Knott County Central – The Patriots are the favorites to get back to Rupp Arena this season. Boasting a 14-1 record against Region teams and featuring some really balanced offense, this team should be able to get back to the Sweet Sixteen.
- Breathitt County – Breathitt owns the lone regional loss that Knott suffered. They beat them back before Christmas. The Bobcats are 13-2 in the region and likely have the best chance to knock off Knott on the road to Rupp.
Pretenders:
- Perry County Central – They’ve been up and down all season. They’ve won 6 of 7 after a 5 game losing streak after Christmas. Noah Back may try to carry the team back to the Sweet Sixteen but he’ll need some help.
- Buckhorn – Sophomore Kobe Bowling is having a great year and his team is on the verge of 20 wins for the year. But they’ve had some bad losses, including a 30 point loss to Hazard.
- Letcher County Central – They’re playing good ball right now but have lost to Knott (twice), Breathitt and Buckhorn so we can’t take them as a serious threat to beat all 3.
- Hazard – The Bulldogs lead the region with 21 wins and Sophomore Wade Pelfrey has had a good season but they don’t have any great wins that make you think they can get to Rupp. They’ve actually lost to almost everyone else on this list.
Fifteenth Region:
Contenders:
- Shelby Valley – Junior Cody Potter put on a show at the All A State last month and he will hope to do so again in March. They are an impressive 19-1 against region competition but will need to beat Pikeville again to win the district title.
- Paintsville – Young and exciting to watch, Paintsville has a weird resume. They have good wins and a loss to lowly Floyd Central. Junior Nick Keeton is a rebounding machine but fellow Junior Seth Williams is one to watch for if they get to Rupp Arena. Impressively, the Tigers return every key piece from this years team next season.
- Johnson Central – They’re 20-6 overall but have 4 of those losses to regional foes. They generally look to run and gun while worrying about defense later but if this team can play some defense, they could be playing in Lexington in March.
- Pikeville – The reigning champs have taken some lumps this season but like Ric Flair says, “To be the man you have to beat the man” and until someone stops them from a three peat as regional champs, they have to be considered firmly in the mix.
Pretenders:
- Lawrence County – They’re 21-7 but have some glaring losses as Johnson Central has beaten them twice and they’ve also lost to Prestonsburg and Morgan County. They could be a surprise entrant in the championship game but I don’t know if they can win it.
Sixteenth Region:
Contenders:
- Elliott County – Undefeated in the region and looking to finish the season that way, Elliott has a lot of firepower and score the ball at a high clip behind Korbin Spencer and Tanner Dickerson. They should be heavily favored to win the region.
- Rowan County – They sport and impressive 24-2 record but all 4 losses came to regional foes and they don’t have any wins that make you believe they could compete for a regional title.
- Boyd County – They have an impressive resume overall but two losses to Ashland Blazer makes me wonder if they will wind up drawing Elliott County as a district runner-up. The Lions just beat Boyd by 13 last week.
Pretenders:
- Morgan County – With multiple losses to Elliott County and losses to Rowan and Boyd, it’s hard to see Coach Perry’s team making a deep run and pushing to get to Rupp.
- Lewis County – These Lions have been pummeled by every team ahead of them. There is little reason to think that they could go on a run and avenge so many losses.