[-STAT-]

Anyone know when the draw is for State Tournament?

[Cactus Jack]

Anyone know when the draw is for State Tournament?

Not listed yet, at least not on NFHS. Over the past few years, it's been between February 11th and 15th.

[Cactus Jack]

Press release from earlier today said that the draw will take place on 2/14 at 1 pm ET on the NFHS Network. Link below:

https://khsaa.org/02-10-25-sweet-16-draw...s-network/

[Gridiron_Raid]

A lot of people are praying to see their region opposite of the 7th and 11th. I think that would mean it’s anyone’s game to reach the state finals. There’s no team from any of the other 14 regions that i think is a shoe-in win over the others.

[Bluecat]

A lot of people are praying to see their region opposite of the 7th and 11th. I think that would mean it’s anyone’s game to reach the state finals. There’s no team from any of the other 14 regions that i think is a shoe-in win over the others.

I don't think Hazard (if they win and they should) is gonna be an automatic win.

[Gridiron_Raid]

A lot of people are praying to see their region opposite of the 7th and 11th. I think that would mean it’s anyone’s game to reach the state finals. There’s no team from any of the other 14 regions that i think is a shoe-in win over the others.

I don't think Hazard (if they win and they should) is gonna be an automatic win.

I’m saying any of the other 14 regions can play against eachother and nobody is certain to reach the next round. There’s no team with maybe the exception of DCA that has proven that they are undoubtedly better than the number 1 ranked team from any other region outside of the 7th and 11th. I’m sure Hazard wins the 14th or at least should, but is there a region that you look at and see an automatic win at state in round 1 for the Bulldogs??

[Bluecat]

A lot of people are praying to see their region opposite of the 7th and 11th. I think that would mean it’s anyone’s game to reach the state finals. There’s no team from any of the other 14 regions that i think is a shoe-in win over the others.

I don't think Hazard (if they win and they should) is gonna be an automatic win.

I’m saying any of the other 14 regions can play against eachother and nobody is certain to reach the next round. There’s no team with maybe the exception of DCA that has proven that they are undoubtedly better than the number 1 ranked team from any other region outside of the 7th and 11th. I’m sure Hazard wins the 14th or at least should, but is there a region that you look at and see an automatic win at state in round 1 for the Bulldogs??

Gotcha! Misread, my bad. You are right

[Gridiron_Raid]

Just announced.

[-STAT-]

So, the draw was at 1pm today. Here are the regions that will play each other.

Region 1 vs. Region 16
Region 4 vs. Region 5
Region 8 vs. Region 12
Region 6 vs. Region 7
Region 13 vs. Region 14
Region 10 vs. Region 15
Region 3 vs. Region 11

Pretty much solidifies a mountain team getting a W as the 13th will play the 14th. Possible Hazard vs. Harlan/Bell Co matchup first round? 

15th draws the 10th, I was talking to someone last night that it would be either the 10th or 11th. Favorite to win out of the 10th is GRC, who won it all 3 years ago, and came up short of a repeat the following year. 

My favorite time of the year, but every time I would always start getting pretty excited whenever I seen the draw. Sure can't wait.

[shottaker23]

Just announced.

Very good draw for the 13th in my opinion.

[Fanman]

Rough for the 16th

[4 Quarters]

Rough for the 16th

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

[-STAT-]

Rough for the 16th

Could be. 

Looking at the teams in that region, Marshall Co is 25-1, just lost their first game last Friday to Calloway Co by 5 points, Calloway is 25-3. They also happen to be in the same district as well. So, I'd assume it will all come down to those 2 teams. Then the 16th should be Ashland or Boyd.

[shottaker23]

Rough for the 16th

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

[Fanman]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

[4 Quarters]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Rough for the 16th

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

Agreed!

[ScratchGolf]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Rough for the 16th

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

Agreed!

Watched boyd and Calloway play 2 games at lex cath, Calloway is a much better basketball team

[Gridiron_Raid]

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

[Tomcat91]

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

I agree, mostly. And, I can even agree that BG isn’t a great matchup for Ashland. But, it’s a team that Ashland CAN beat & should’ve beaten. BG won by 6 on a neutral floor, but, it was a close game, throughout & Ashland led for a decent amount of time. They didn’t play particularly well in that game, either. But, it’s possible that BG didn’t play their best, too. That is the only game I’ve seen them play this season, so, I have nothing to gauge it against. I think the addition of Neel takes Ashland up a tier once they’re all comfortable. That kid is a playmaker on both ends.

[4 Quarters]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Rough for the 16th

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

Agreed!

Watched boyd and Calloway play 2 games at lex cath, Calloway is a much better basketball team

I saw these games also, Boyd is playing much better now than in December.

---

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

If you don't match up well with opposing team, you attempt to make them play your game.  Did you ever watch any of Bobby Keith's teams?

[Gridiron_Raid]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Actually, I don't think it's that bad of a draw.

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

Agreed!

Watched boyd and Calloway play 2 games at lex cath, Calloway is a much better basketball team

I saw these games also, Boyd is playing much better now than in December.

---

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

If you don't match up well with opposing team, you attempt to make them play your game.  Did you ever watch any of Bobby Keith's teams?

Yes sir… during the peak, teams couldn’t play man or zone against them cause they had guys to beat about anyone 1 on 1, and could shoot anyone out of a zone. Defense wise they pressured you into beating them off the dribble and if you got to the rim you had to finish over some huge and physical guys. The only time they had bad matchups was when they were outmatched athletically, and that was seldom. The allan Houston teams at ballard were some of the few that did have better athletes. 

However, one must understand how basketball in general has changed to make it easier to attack teams that played like clay. Postionless basketball was not a thing in the 80s or really 90s. It is every where you look now. I can’t see Clay playing that ferocious on ball defense against a team of 5 shooters. Getting those big clay county centers to guard on the perimeter would’ve changed how they played every where else cause you don’t have a cornbread fed monster standing under the rim waiting on you.

[4 Quarters]

1st Region has 2 teams in the top 10 of the latest rankings. 16th has no teams in the Top 25. I'd call that a tough draw IMO

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Opening game is a very good draw and the 2nd round is winnable.

Agreed!

Watched boyd and Calloway play 2 games at lex cath, Calloway is a much better basketball team

I saw these games also, Boyd is playing much better now than in December.

---

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

If you don't match up well with opposing team, you attempt to make them play your game.  Did you ever watch any of Bobby Keith's teams?

Yes sir… during the peak, teams couldn’t play man or zone against them cause they had guys to beat about anyone 1 on 1, and could shoot anyone out of a zone. Defense wise they pressured you into beating them off the dribble and if you got to the rim you had to finish over some huge and physical guys. The only time they had bad matchups was when they were outmatched athletically, and that was seldom. The allan Houston teams at ballard were some of the few that did have better athletes. 

However, one must understand how basketball in general has changed to make it easier to attack teams that played like clay. Postionless basketball was not a thing in the 80s or really 90s. It is every where you look now. I can’t see Clay playing that ferocious on ball defense against a team of 5 shooters. Getting those big clay county centers to guard on the perimeter would’ve changed how they played every where else cause you don’t have a cornbread fed monster standing under the rim waiting on you.

But Clay still found a way to beat Ballard in the first matchup.  Can't say that I have ever saw a HS team that truly had 5 shooters.

[Gridiron_Raid]

I just don't think Marshall or Calloway either one has played really stiff competition, this has created nice records and ranking.  I believe APB or Boyd County has played better teams and will prevail.

---

Agreed!

Watched boyd and Calloway play 2 games at lex cath, Calloway is a much better basketball team

I saw these games also, Boyd is playing much better now than in December.

---

For anyone saying good draw, bad draw, it comes down to two things. Does the team matchup better or worse? For instance, there is three teams Bell County does not match up against position wise: GC, StX, and DCA purely on size and athletic ability.

I seen where sports “analysts” were ranking the draws for the regions, but they go strictly off their own blind rankings. I do not see how anyone can say the 14th got a good draw. Let’s say Hazard wins, Bell wins, and GRC/Montogomery wins their respective regions, does Hazard match up with anyone of those teams? Not at all. I say that because of style of play and being on a neutral floor. Also a bigger floor, which means you have to guard athletes after giving them even more spacing. The slow, tight, defensive game that relies on rebounding and getting to the line 31 times like they did on ashland doesn’t happen at Rupp.

The 16th got a great draw regardless on boyd or ashland. Especially Ashland. Calloway and Marshall are good teams, but Ashland matches up great against both. However the elite 8 with Warren Central/BG is a different story.

If you don't match up well with opposing team, you attempt to make them play your game.  Did you ever watch any of Bobby Keith's teams?

Yes sir… during the peak, teams couldn’t play man or zone against them cause they had guys to beat about anyone 1 on 1, and could shoot anyone out of a zone. Defense wise they pressured you into beating them off the dribble and if you got to the rim you had to finish over some huge and physical guys. The only time they had bad matchups was when they were outmatched athletically, and that was seldom. The allan Houston teams at ballard were some of the few that did have better athletes. 

However, one must understand how basketball in general has changed to make it easier to attack teams that played like clay. Postionless basketball was not a thing in the 80s or really 90s. It is every where you look now. I can’t see Clay playing that ferocious on ball defense against a team of 5 shooters. Getting those big clay county centers to guard on the perimeter would’ve changed how they played every where else cause you don’t have a cornbread fed monster standing under the rim waiting on you.

But Clay still found a way to beat Ballard in the first matchup.  Can't say that I have ever saw a HS team that truly had 5 shooters.

Harlan County, has all 5 starters over 30%. Last year even higher. Bell County has 4 Elite shooters and has two role guys that can step out and make it occasionally. Those are the two just in the 13th. And for the size/skill combo Ethan Buell would be a freak of god in the 1980s. A 6’7 guy who might be one of the best shooters in the state and can put the ball on the floor. When he plays the 5, you would have to put one of those big bodied centers from back in the day on him where he would cook. 

I’m definitely not saying that Clay would struggle in today’s era, cause they were straight up MORE TALENTED than 99 percent of the teams today. However, they would have to change the way they play or would be exposed strictly on how important shooting has become and how skillful bigger kids have gotten. Remember it wasn’t too long after the 3pt line was introduced into HS that the Bobby Keith dominance began, most players on his state champ and runner up teams played organized basketball without one. That style of play is a recipe for disaster with today’s skill level.

[HCS]

Clay's dominance began before the 3-point line. They went to the state finals in 85 and won in 87 without a 3-point line. They lost in the finals in 88 when the 3-point line began in Kentucky.

[Cactus Jack]

But Clay still found a way to beat Ballard in the first matchup.  Can't say that I have ever saw a HS team that truly had 5 shooters.

I've seen some Wayne County teams that have that.

[Runrunrun]

Both Ashland and Boyd are much better than they was in the middle of the year. Ashland got their point guard eligible and Boyd got kids back that had been hurt.

[LOOKAYANNER]

That 1st vs 16th matchup is as far apart as two teams could be in Kentucky, lol.
Google says Boyd County schools are 375 miles from McCracken County. Of course, they’re meeting halfway, in Lexington. Well, not exactly halfway. Boyd schools are a lot closer to Lexington than any of those schools.

[TwinTowers]

13th will be a war with Harlan co, bell co, & south laurel sounds like but curious to how hazard matches up with all 3. I can’t see hazard losing unless injury or just a monumental upset in the 14th.