[Cat Daddy]

1A - Pikeville or Paintsville should represent the East in the Finals this year. Both have player of the year candidates, in Pugh and Daniel and both are very solid defensively. With that being said, Beechwood is the team to beat in 1A this year, but either of these two teams could pull off the upset.

My Prediction: Beechwood

2A - I really don't see any teams from the East being able to compete with NCC. Leslie County and Shelby Valley are the best two 2A teams in Eastern Kentucky this year, but I can't forget about the beating NCC put on Shelby Valley last year. If an East team could pull off the upset, they have no shot at beating Desales or Mayfield in the West.

My Prediction: Desales

3A- Until someone beats Belfry, they would have to be considered the favorite to represent the East in Bowling Green. This is another vintage Belfry team, they are big, strong, and they will wear you down, by running the ball down your throat, play after play. Their defense is also very talented, and Belfry is always a team who gets better in the playoffs. With that being said, Belfry's biggest threat in the East will be the Corbin Redhounds. Coach Haddix has brought a lot of excitement back to the Redhound program and he is staring to turn the program into the powerhouse it once was. I don't know if the Redhounds can beat Belfry at CAM, but they will give them all they want. Haddix in my opinion, is one year away from a state championship berth.

When looking at the West, there is only one team who I see beating Belfry, and that team is Boyle County. Chuck Smith is back at the helm, and that spells trouble for everyone else in 3A. I think Boyle is the team to beat right now, but as I said earlier, Belfry is another animal in the playoffs.

Prediction - Belfry

4A: After the exit of Covington Catholic and Highlands from 4A, Johnson Central is the favorite to bring home a championship. The only team that stands in their way in the East is Ashland, and I can't see Ashland beating Johnson Central, after Johnson Central dominated them the way they did last year. In the West, South Warren is the favorite to get to Bowling Green, but they couldn't even make it to the finals in 3A last year. In my opinion, if Johnson Central doesn't win a championship this year, they never will, because 4A is very weak this year.

Prediction - Johnson Central

5A: I don't consider Pulaski County a mountain school, so therefore the mountains have no shot at bringing home a championship in 5A. That leaves you with Letcher Central, Harlan County, Perry Central, and Whitley County. All of these teams will be lucky to have a winning record, let alone being able to complete for a championship. In the West, Bowling Green will be right there again this year, and with Highlands being down this year, I believe it is a two horse race between BG and Pulaski.

Prediction - Pulaski County

6A: No schools in Eastern Kentucky are 6A, and if there were, no body is beating Trinity.

Prediction - Trinity