49 Teams Left

A big day yesterday, with lots of important games.

1st Region Semi-Finals (at Murray St. Univ.):
Marshall Co. 67, Paducah Tilghman 58
McCracken Co. 73, Mayfield 49

3d Region Semi-Finals (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Owensboro 56, Muhlenberg Co. 45
Owensboro Catholic 57, McLean Co. 40

7th Region Semi-Finals (at Lou. Valley):
(10) Lou. Ballard 79, Lou. St. Xavier 55
(1) Lou. Male 59, Lou. Eastern 52

Sets up the expected showdown between Ballard (28-6) and Male (30-4) on Tuesday for the Seventh Region Championship.  This will be one of the most important games of the year, and the third meeting between these two powerhouses.  On January 17, Ballard beat Male 71-58 in the semi-finals of the Louisville Invitational Tournament.  On January 31, Male avenged that defeat with a 76-67 home win over Ballard.  Tuesday's game will be the decider.

9th Region Quarter-Finals (at N. Kentucky Univ.):
Connor 78, Beechwood 59
(6) Cov. Catholic 63, Newport 36
Ft. Thomas Highlands 72, Dixie Heights 58
St. Henry 58, Cooper 55

11th Region Championship (at E. Kentucky Univ.):
Scott Co. 65, (4) Lex. Catholic 62

This is quite a story.  For years, as we all know, Scott County has been a great athletics power, racking up wins in both football and basketball.  The Cardinals benefited from the strong economy in their part of the world -- particularly all of the jobs at the big Toyota plant in Georgetown.  But Scott County High School finally grew so crowded that for this season, the county opened a new school -- Great Crossing High School, named after an old school that disappeared when Scott County was created through consolidation (back in 1955).  Scott County dropped down from 6A to 5A in football, and the basketball team struggled.  The Cardinals were 16-16 going into the regional tournament, and they lost their district tournament to Lex. Douglass.  Back on December 10, they lost to Lexington Catholic, their ancient 11th Region rival, by 62 to 49.  But last night they pulled the upset, and Scott County is going back to State with a record of 19-16.  Lex. Catholic, with a record of 31-3, becomes the second top-10 team to be eliminated.

13th Region Semi-Finals (at Corbin Arena):
Harlan Co. 65, Clay Co. 58
Knox Cent. 65, (9) S. Laurel 62

South Laurel was riding a 17-game winning streak, and had just beaten Knox Central on the road 71-57 back on February 13.  But the Panthers had their revenge last night, and South Laurel ends their season with a record of 28-5.  They are the third top-10 team to be eliminated.

15th Region Semi-Finals (at Appalachian Wireless Arena):
Lawrence Co. 63, Shelby Valley 61
Martin Co. 62, Pikeville 59 (OT)