Tuesday, March 11, 2014

29 Teams Left

Lots of action yesterday in the Boys' Regional Tournaments, as three teams punched their tickets to Rupp Arena, and the other 13 Regional Finals were set.  Tonight will be regional-palooza across the state, with 13 regional finals on one day.  Here's what happened last night:

1st Region Semi-Finals (at Murray St. U.)
McCracken Co. 58, Graves Co. 51
Marshall Co. 50, Mayfield 42

2d Region Semi-Finals (at Madisonville-N. Hopkins):
Henderson Co. 98,  University Heights 92 (2 OT)
(1) Hopkinsville 97, Madisonville-N. Hopkins 65

3d Region Semi-Finals (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Owensboro 76, Ohio Co. 56
Muhlenberg Co. 69, Grayson Co. 51

4th Region Semi-Finals (at Barren Co.)
Bowling Green 71, Barren Co. 55
Warren Cent. 62, Monroe Co. 50

This will be the 13th year in a row that the Fourth Region champion has come from Warren Co., and the 12th time in 13 years that the champion was either Warren Central or Bowling Green.

5th Region Semi-Finals (at Marion Co.)
Elizabethtown 64, Taylor Co. 60
Bardstown 68, John Hardin 52

6th Region Final (at Lou. Valley):
(8) Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park 59, Bullitt East 56

8th Region Semi-Finals (at Henry Co.):
S. Oldham 63, Shelbyville Collins 62 (OT)
Simon Kenton 60, Oldham Co. 57

9th Region Final (at Bank of Kentucky Center):
(4) Cov. Catholic 56, (7) Cov. Holmes 51

10th Region Semi-Finals (at Mason Co.):
Campbell Co. 63, Harrison Co. 53
(9) Montgomery Co. 69, Augusta 58

12th Region Semi-Finals (at Pulaski Co.)
Pulaski Southwestern 66, Lincoln Co. 60
(10) Wayne Co. 73, Boyle Co. 61

13th Region Final (at Corbin):
Clay Co. 68, Corbin 54

14th Region Semi-Finals (at Perry Co. Cent.):
Hazard 93, Wolfe Co. 71
Knott Co. Cent. 56, Breathitt Co. 52

15th Region Semi-Finals (at E. Ky. Expo Center):
Johnson Cent. 92, Prestonsburg 40
Shelby Valley 72, Lawrence Co. 60

16th Region Semi-Finals (at Morehead St. U.):
Fleming Co. 66, Lewis Co. 58
Ashland Blazer 81, Greenup Co. 61

128 comments:

  1. Every year I'm annoyed by the lack of radio coverage for the 7th Region tournament. Jason Frakes of the C-J just tweeted that he's not aware of any webcast or radio for the Ballard-Trinity game, which features two of the top teams in the Commonwealth. So we will be relying on his tweets for what should be the game of the night.

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    1. Jason Frakes is picking Ballard to win tonight's showdown.

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  2. Trinity won the 2012 State Championship, and Ballard looked like it was going to win in 2013 until it was beaten at the buzzer of the State Final by Madison Central. So whoever wins this game will be considered a major favorite to go all the way.

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  3. Here's the draw for the first round of next week's state tournament:

    Wednesday, March 19:
    Region 8 v. Region 2
    Region 7 v. Region 3
    Region 11 v. Region 16
    Region 10 v. Region 15

    Thursday, March 20
    Region 1 v. Region 12
    Region 4 v. Region 14
    Region 5 v. Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park
    Clay Co. v. Cov. Catholic

    Last year, the KHSAA ended the traditional Saturday morning semi-finals. Instead, it played the semi-finals Saturday evening and the final Sunday afternoon. I was upset about this change, but the basketball last year was spectacular, and the crowds for the final were really large. So I'm not surprised that the KHSAA has again scheduled the final for Sunday, March 23 at 1 P.M. Central.

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    1. As it turned out, this schedule meant that the final was played at the same time UK was playing Wichita State.

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  4. Louisville Catholic tweets that there's probably no parking left at Louisville Valley for the Seventh Region final.

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  5. Jason Frakes reports that the Trinity students chanted at Ballard: "Where's your students?"

    The Ballard students responded: "Where's your girls at?"

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  6. Jason Frakes tweets that Rick Pitino is at the Seventh Region final to watch Quentin Snider, a U of L signee who plays for Ballard.

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  7. Jason Frakes tweets that Trinity has jumped out to an 11-3 lead, and that Ballard has called time with 5:24 left in the first quarter.

    Daniel Ramser has hit three 3-pointers for Trinity. Three-pointers introduce a big element of randomness into a game that's only 32 minutes long. If you are ice cold -- like Holmes was last night -- you're in big trouble. But if you make, say, half your three-pointers, you're in very good shape.

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  8. Jason Frakes tweets that Ballard has cut Trinity's lead to 11-9 with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

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  9. Mike Fields tweets that he's covering the 11th Region Final between Scott County and Lex. Henry Clay. That game tips off at 6:30 Central.

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  10. OK, I've now fired up the Scott County video broadcast of the 11th Region Final, which is airing on ihigh.com. I've never seen the inside of the Frankfort Convention Center, which features "Kentucky -- Unbridled Spirit" at the center circle. Of course it does.

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  11. In the 16th Region, Fleming County leads Ashland Blazer 16-8 after one quarter.

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  12. Jason Frakes reports that Trinity went 5 of 7 from three-point range in the first quarter, and that they lead 23-17 after one.

    I don't remember the last time UK scored 23 points in 8 minutes. Of course, I don't remember the last time UK made 5 of 7 three-pointers.

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  13. In the 10th Region, Campbell County leads Montgomery County 20-16 after one quarter.

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  14. Louisville Catholic tweets that Ballard has tied their game with Trinity at 24 with 5:07 left in the second quarter.

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  15. GoMcCracken tweets that the First Region championship is 35 minutes from tip-off and that the CFSB Center at Murray State is filling up quickly.

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  16. Jason Frakes tweets that with 2:32 left in the first half, Ballard takes its first lead of the game. The Bruins are up 33-32.

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  17. The 11th Region final has just tipped off. Henry Clay takes an early 2-0 lead.

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  18. Jason Frakes tweets that Ballard leads Trinity 35-34 at the half. So the Seventh Region final is living up to expectations.

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  19. Surprisingly, Jason Frakes reports that the Seventh Region final is not sold out. He says its crowded, but there are empty seats.

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  20. In the 10th Region, Campbell County is still working on a big upset. They lead Montgomery County 34-31 at the half.

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  21. Trinity went 6 of 10 from behind the arc in the first half. I think that if you shoot 60 percent from three-point range, and you're losing, then you're in trouble.

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  22. In the 8th Region, South Oldham leads Simon Kenton 26-25 at the half.

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  23. In the 16th Region, Fleming County leads Ashland Blazer 37-23 at the half.

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  24. Scott County leads Henry Clay 15-13 after 1 quarter.

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    Replies
    1. Mike Fields corrects me. The score is actually 15-all after one quarter.

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  25. Meanwhile, the BGHS and Warren Central fans are converging on Barren County, for the latest battle in their long-time rivalry. I wonder why they're not playing the Fourth Region tournament at WKU?

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  26. Jason Frakes reports that Ballard leads 44-43 with about 2 minutes left in the 3d quarter.

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  27. Trinity was up 43-40, but they are having problems with Ballard's press. The Bruins now lead 46-43 with 1:34 to go in the 3d.

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  28. Les Johns reports that Hopkinsville has won 49 games in a row against Second Region competition.

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  29. In the Seventh Region, Ballard leads 46-45 after three quarters. EIGHT MINUTES TO RUPP!!!

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  30. I've monitored these regional finals each of the last three years, and I think that on the whole, these games are more entertaining than the Round of 32 games in the NCAA Tournament.

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  31. Lauren Skipworth, retweeting the score of the Trinity/Ballard game, comments: "Why am I not there? I. HATE. COLLEGE." I know just how she feels.

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  32. Ballard scores five quick points to lead 51-45. Trinity calls time with 7:12 left in the 4th Quarter.

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  33. Scott County has its hands full. They are tied with Henry Clay at 33-all late in the 2d quarter.

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  34. Henry Clay scores at the buzzer. The Blue Devils lead Scott County 35-33 at the half.

    No public school in Fayette County has been to the State Tournament since 2005.

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  35. On the Scott County broadcast, they just showed a Whitaker Bank commercial where Kyle Macy and a bunch of other famous Cats are making Whitaker Bank shots. Then an unknown person makes one from half court! Everyone looks around and sees . . . . Joe B. Hall! As Macy and the others complain, Hall says, "I've still got it!"

    I wish Eric could see that commercial.

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  36. Out of the timeout, Trinity scores five straight points to cut Ballard's lead to 51-50, but then Ballard hits a three to go up 54-50. There are 5 minutes and 30 seconds left.

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  37. Jason Frakes tweets: "When I complain about this job, remind me of nights like this. Incredible!"

    Good for him!

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  38. Ballard still hanging on. The Bruins lead Trinity 56-51 with 3:15 left in the game.

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  39. Triinty scores to cut Ballard's lead to 56-53 with 2:25 left.

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  40. Suddenly, Trinity is on a 7-0 run! They lead Ballard 57-56 with 1:13 to go.

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  41. Ballard ties the game at 57.

    ONE MINUTE TO RUPP!!!

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  42. Ballard has the ball, the game is tied at 57, and there is 1 minute and 9 seconds left.

    Timeout Bruins.

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  43. Ballard tried to hold the ball for the last shot -- but lost it on a turnover. Now Trinity has the ball with 39 seconds left.

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  44. Trinity is fouled and goes to the line for two free throws with 25.6 seconds to go.

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  45. Jason Frakes tweets that Craig Owens makes both free throws to give Trinity a 59-57 lead.

    TWENTY-FIVE POINT SIX SECONDS TO RUPP!

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  46. Ballard has the ball, down two, with 25.6 seconds to go.

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  47. They are warning the fans at the Seventh Region Final not to rush the court after the game ends.

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  48. Ballard calls time with 19.6 seconds to go. They still have the ball. Trinity still leads 59-57.

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  49. In the 8th Region, Simon Kenton and South Oldham finish regulation tied at 43. They are going to overtime.

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  50. In the 4th Region, Warren Central leads Bowling Green 13-11 with 1:47 left in the 1st Quarter.

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  51. Quentin Snider, the U of L recruit for Ballard, is fouled with 12.7 seconds to go. Jason Frakes reports that as he heads to the line, the Trinity fans chant: "Ricky's watching!"

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  52. Snider can only make one of two free throws. Trinity leads 59-58 and they now head to the line with 11.6 seconds to go.

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  53. Trinity misses the front end of a one-and-one!

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  54. With 2.9 seconds left, Trinity fouls Snider again. But it's not a shooting foul and Ballard's not in the bonus, so Ballard will take the ball out of bounds.

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  55. In the 4th Region, BGHS leads Warren Central 22-16 after one quarter.

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  56. Ballard shoots at the buzzer -- and misses!

    It's all over in the Seventh Region. Trinity wins 59-58. They are going to the State Tournament for the second time in the last three years.

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  57. In the 11th Region, the second half has been delayed by a defective net.

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  58. Fleming County won the 16th Region for the second year in a row. They beat Ashland Blazer 82-59.

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    Replies
    1. I'm so happy for the Dairy Queen in Flemingsburg, which the Twitter desk follows.

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  59. In the 14th Region, Knott Co. leads Hazard 41-40 with 4:10 left. Unfortunately, I can't get the live feed on on WYMT-TV to play.

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  60. South Oldham won the 8th Region for the second year in a row, beating Simon Kenton 50-47 in overtime.

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  61. In the 4th Region, Warren Central leads Bowling Green 36-29 at the half.

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  62. In the 12th Region, Wayne County holds off Southwestern and captures its second straight title by a score of 78-74.

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    Replies
    1. Fred Frye tweets that Southwestern lost only six games all year, and they lost to Wayne County four times.

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    2. Wayne County got all the Monticello High kids at the start of this year, I think.

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  63. OK, so here are your regional champions so far:

    1st:
    2d:
    3d:
    4th:
    5th:
    6th: Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park
    7th: Lou. Trinity
    8th: S. Oldham
    9th: Cov. Catholic
    10th:
    11th:
    12th: Wayne Co.
    13th: Clay Co.
    14th:
    15th:
    16th: Fleming Co.

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  64. Johnson Central is probably going to the State Tournament. In the 15th Region final, they lead Shelby Valley 41-12 (!) at the half.

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  65. In the 14th Region, Knott Co. Central leads Hazard 46-45 with 47 seconds to go.

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  66. In the 10th Region, Campbell County pulls off a huge upset, beating Montgomery County 68-61. Montgomery County had entered this game with a record of 29-2, while the Campbell County Camels were 20-8.

    Two teams that reached the state semi-finals last year, Montgomery County and Louisville Ballard, have both been eliminated tonight.

    This will be Campbell County's first trip to the state tournament since 2001.

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    1. Shane Gay tweets that KHSAA should be embarrassed by the officiating in this game -- "even other fans said so. #8on5"

      But Matt Mastin tweets: "Good for Campbell beating Montgomery's aau team. haha"

      So a lot of hard feelings in the 10th region.

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  67. Knott County Central holds on to beat Hazard 49-47. Dillon Cheney tweets: "I hate Hazard hell yea to knott!"

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  68. In the 5th Region, Bardstown has beaten E-Town 61-44. The Tigers last went to the state tournament in 2011.

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    1. Litkenhous had Etown at No. 15 statewide, and Etown won at Bardstown in the only earlier meeting between these two (but only by one point).

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  69. So now the list of regional winners looks like this:

    1st:
    2d:
    3d:
    4th:
    5th: Bardstown
    6th: Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park
    7th: Lou. Trinity
    8th: S. Oldham
    9th: Cov. Catholic
    10th: Campbell Co.
    11th:
    12th: Wayne Co.
    13th: Clay Co.
    14th: Knott Co. Cent.
    15th:
    16th: Fleming Co.

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  70. OK, so now it's time to focus on the 11th Region. With 6 minutes and 12 seconds to go, Scott County and Henry Clay are tied at 48.

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  71. With 5:19 to go, Scott County leads 52-51. The Cardinals also have the ball.

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  72. Back and forth we go. Scott County leads 54-53 with 4:41 left.

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  73. In the Third Region, Owensboro leads Muhlenberg Co. 42-30 with one quarter to go. It took me awhile to find this game on Twitter because the Red Devil fans all apparently refer to their team as OHS.

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  74. In the 4th Region, BGHS has stormed back to lead 47-46 with one quarter to go.

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  75. Scott County leads 56-55 with 3:46 left. But Jordan Green, one of Henry Clay's best players, has just fouled out. The Scott County announcers, who have been subdued for most of the night, show their first glimmer of optimism.

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  76. In the 4th Region, Warren Central leads 51-50 with 6:25 to go. War Productions tweets, "Where's the TUMS?"

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  77. In the 3d Region, Muhlenberg is pressing Owensboro in an attempt to come back. OHS leads 43-36 with 6:12 to go.

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  78. Henry Clay's defense is having big problems with Green on the bench. Scott County leads 65-61 with 1:34 to go.

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  79. With 1:34 to go, Scott County goes into the stall. They run off about 35 seconds before drawing a foul. They miss the free throw, but Henry Clay misses a three-pointer at the other end, and Scott County makes two FT's at the other end.

    Scott County leads 67-61 with 44.1 seconds to go. The turning point in this game was clearly Green's fifth foul.

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  80. Henry Clay comes out of a timeout and makes a three to cut Scott County's lead to 67-64 with 32 seconds left. "Come back from your cars; this game's not over," say the Scott County announcers.

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  81. Scott County makes 1-2 free throws and leads 68-64.

    Jeremiah Tisdale goes the length of the floor for Henry Clay and is fouled. He goes to the line with 19 seconds.

    Tisdale misses the first FT.
    Tisdale misses the second FT.

    That should be the game -- but Henry Clay creates a turnover!

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  82. But Tisdale (who was spectacular in this game) misses a running shot in the lane. So Scott County is going to State.

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  83. The Cardinals make two more free throws, and they win the game 70-64.

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  84. Holy cow, what a night we're having!

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  85. Unlike a lot of highly-ranked teams, Hoptown hasn't had any problems tonight. They lead Henderson Co. 61-43 with less than two minutes to go.

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  86. In the 4th Region, BGHS leads 60-54 with 1:34 to go.

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  87. Hoptown wins the Second Region for the third year in a row, beating Henderson County 64-47. They are the only semi-finalist from last year's tournament to make it back to Rupp.

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  88. In the 4th Region, BGHS leads 64-58 with 45.4 seconds to go.

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  89. Owensboro has won the Third Region for the first time since 2008. They beat Muhlenberg Co. 64 to 58.

    This will be the Red Devils' 42d trip to the State Tournament. They won it all in 1949, 1972, and 1980.

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    Replies
    1. But they haven't reached the state semi-finals since 1992.

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  90. MCCRACKEN COUNTY WINS THE FIRST REGION IN OVERTIME!!!

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  91. Johnson Central won the 15th Region by the score of 81-56 over Shelby Valley.

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  92. McCracken County wins the First Region, as Kam Chumbler hits a shot at the buzzer to beat Marshall County 43-41 in overtime. The folks on Paducah's 99.5 -- the Fan -- are going nuts.

    This is only the second time since 1940 that a team representing the McCracken County School District will go to the State Tournament.

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  93. And Bowling Green wins the last title of the night, taking the 4th Region with a 71-64 win over Warren Central.

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  94. From 99.5 the Fan: "The Marshall County Marshals are in tears."

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  95. McCracken County becomes the first team to win the First Region in its first year of existence.

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  96. Kam Chumbler was named Joey Fosko First Region Tournament MVP.

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  97. So after a spectacular night of basketball, here are the match-ups for next week's Sweet 16:

    Wednesday, March 19:
    S. Oldham (22-4) v. Hopkinsville (30-2)
    Lou. Trinity (29-5) v. Owensboro (22-10)
    Scott Co. (32-3) v. Fleming Co. (24-9)
    Campbell Co. (21-8) v. Johnson Cent. (24-6)

    Thursday, March 20:
    McCracken Co. (23-8) v. Wayne Co. (30-1)
    Knott Co. Cent. (25-6) v. Bowling Green (27-6)
    Bardstown (26-6) v. Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park (26-7)
    Clay Co. (23-8) v. Cov. Catholic (29-2)

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  98. This night -- the night of the regional tournaments -- is one of my favorite sports nights of the year, and this year's tournaments were even better than usual.

    Congratulations to everyone who won, condolences to everyone who lost, and we look forward to what should be another compelling state tournament.

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