Since we now have the draw for the KHSAA Boys' Basketball Tournament, we're going to organize the top teams in the Commonwealth -- according to MaxPreps -- by region. The chart below shows the top 20 teams in the Commonwealth, as well as the highest-ranked team in each region:
1st: McCracken Co. (6)
2d: Lyon Co. (12)
3d: Owensboro Catholic (20)
4th: Warren Cent. (1), Bowling Green (10)
5th: LaRue Co. (35)
6th: Lou. Evangel Christian (7), Lou. Western (13)
7th: Lou. Ballard (8), Lou. Male (14), Lou. Trinity (15)
8th: N. Oldham (4), Collins (11)
9th: Cov. Catholic (3)
10th: George Rogers Clark (9), Mason Co. (17)
11th: Lex. Catholic (2), Great Crossing (5), Lex. Douglass (18)
12th: Pulaski Co. (19)
13th: N. Laurel (16)
14th: Hazard (41)
15th: Pikeville (57)
16th: Ashland Blazer (31)
If all the favorites advance, the Sweet 16 would look like this (top 20 teams have their ranking next to their name):
Wednesday, March 15:
LaRue Co. (18-7) v. (6) McCracken Co. (24-5)
(7) Lou. Evangel Christian (25-4) v. (4) N. Oldham (22-5)
(1) Warren Cent. (25-1) v. (19) Pulaski Co. (22-5)
(20) Owensboro Catholic (25-3) v. Ashland Blazer (18-10)
Thursday, March 16:
(2) Lex. Catholic (27-2) v. Pikeville (17-7)
(8) Lou. Ballard (22-4) v. Hazard (25-3)
(12) Lyon Co. (24-5) v. (3) Cov. Catholic (22-4)
(9) George Rogers Clark (21-5) v. (16) N. Laurel (19-10)
That is a very tough draw for Lyon County, but overall the draw is quite fair. The top four teams would not have to meet each other until the semi-finals, and no one else can reach the semi-finals without having to beat a top-four team. There are only four teams outside the top 20 who are favored to make it to State, and they've all been kept away from each other. It should be a great tournament.
