[hchs fan]

Monday 
6:00 Harlan County Vs Knox Central 
7:30 South Laurel Vs Jackson County
Tuesday 
6:00 Corbin Vs Harlan Independent 
7:30 North Laurel Vs Pineville

[Van Hagar]

I think you will see a chalk first round (Knox Central, South, Corbin and North). Would be shocked if any of those four lose. The semis should be more competitive, especially the KC/South game, which is probably a coin flip. I’ll take South in a very close one. Corbin could push North, but in the end I think North wins it by 10 or more. As for the finals, South has shown they can beat North, gave them one of only two losses they have. South will try to control the tempo and keep the score down. But Nicholson is so good when she’s on, and this is her last go-around, so I’ll take North by eight for the title.

[shottaker23]

I think you will see a chalk first round (Knox Central, South, Corbin and North). Would be shocked if any of those four lose.  The semis should be more competitive, especially the KC/South game, which is probably a coin flip. I’ll take South in a very close one. Corbin could push North, but in the end I think North wins it by 10 or more.  As for the finals, South has shown they can beat North, gave them one of only two losses they have. South will try to control the tempo and keep the score down. But Nicholson is so good when she’s on, and this is her last go-around, so I’ll take North by eight for the title.

I’m a SL homer but I’ll pretty much agree with you. If brooke is on they win in a blowout. But if she’s not it will be a very close game because she doesn’t have much of a supporting cast

[Van Hagar]

Yeah, I’m actually a NL homer, I’d love to see Nicholson get a chance to redeem her poor performance at Rupp last year, she’s a super player. With North graduating her and Sizemore, who’s a decent player also, I do think South is going to be back on top of the region for at least the next couple of years after this.

[HCS]

Not saying Corbin can't/won't win, but Harlan beat them 74-32 two weeks ago. They basically threw in the towel in the third quarter and went to subs, but Harlan led all the way.

[Van Hagar]

I’d forgotten about that debacle. That was the craziest score of the year in the girls 13th. Be interesting to see how this rematch plays out.

[HCS]

Yes, it was.
Strangest game I saw all year. I wasn't shocked by Harlan winning, but I didn't think there was any way they'd win by more than 4-5 on a good day.

[16BBall Fan]

any updates?

[shottaker23]

any updates?

31-19 Knox at halftime

[16BBall Fan]

Final score in first game yet?

[shottaker23]

Final score in first game yet?

Don’t remember exactly but KC almost doubled up HC as did SL over Jackson. Big drop off this year from the top3 teams to everyone else

[shottaker23]

Final score in first game yet?

Don’t remember exactly but KC almost doubled up HC as did SL over Jackson. Big drop off this year from the top3 teams to everyone else

Tuesday night session. Corbin opens up a close game in the 4th to win by double digits

[KYHoopsFan71]

South has a decent shot at going to Rupp. They knocked Knox Central out early last night. The Cards are peaking at the right time and playing great defense.

[shottaker23]

South has a decent shot at going to Rupp. They knocked Knox Central out early last night. The Cards are peaking at the right time and playing great defense.

They aren't peaking, they are on a roll. Have won 20 of the last 21 including a win over NL in that span. Can't see NL having the same horrendous shooting game as they did in their last meeting. North wins by 10(hope I'm wrong). That being said SL owns the 13th the next 3 years unless you have several Nigerians that transfer in.

[Van Hagar]

North has had horrendous shooting nights in both of their losses. If it happens again tonight, they aren’t winning. I still think they will pull this one out, and I hope they do because like you said, barring unforeseen roster changes, it’s going to be tough for anyone to compete with South in this region in the near future. It won’t kill me though if North comes up short tonight, I’m not one of those doofusses that hates everything South just because I’m a North guy. But I would like for Nicholson to be able to end her great career at Rupp.

[shottaker23]

North has had horrendous shooting nights in both of their losses. If it happens again tonight, they aren’t winning. I still think they will pull this one out, and I hope they do because like you said, barring unforeseen roster changes, it’s going to be tough for anyone to compete with South in this region in the near future.  It won’t kill me though if North comes up short tonight, I’m not one of those doofusses that hates everything South just because I’m a North guy. But I would like for Nicholson to be able to end her great career at Rupp.

Brooke is a tremendous talent and athlete and honestly in my opinion if you take her off that team they are middle of the pack in the 13th. But she does so much for them, its hard to contain her. She has a tendency to take some bad shots(see her step back 3 pt airball last night) but she has to. If NL shoots just ok and manage to get the ball out of Mabes hands(she is such a steadying force for them) they will win by double digits although I'm a SL homer I hope otherwise.

[Van Hagar]

Oh they are middle of the pack without her. That’ll be brutally obvious next year I’m afraid. But they’ve had a good run, and the state tournament draw of the 16th certainly gives them (or South) a golden opportunity to win at least one game at Rupp.

[KYHoopsFan71]

Messer and Buenaventura are really stepping it up. Maci was a dagger to KC last night. Callie playing really well, and at the right time.

Hopefully, a fun game tonight

[HCS]

I don't usually disagree with you guys, but I just saw this. North's JV team would be in the middle of the pack in the 13th. As good as Nichelson is, they are still top five next year.

[Van Hagar]

I always trust your opinion, because you are the one person who really watches and evaluates the jv teams to get an idea of what the future holds. So yeah, I’m sure North could put enough together to at least be pretty good. But Nicholson makes them a team that could win a game or two at Rupp. Don’t think they will have anyone like that in the near future.

[UKCC]

I always trust your opinion, because you are the one person who really watches and evaluates the jv teams to get an idea of what the future holds. So yeah, I’m sure North could put enough together to at least be pretty good. But Nicholson makes them a team that could win a game or two at Rupp. Don’t think they will have anyone like that in the near future.

That and Sizemore as well. North will be good for the foreseeable future but those two are different animals. I’m assuming South will enter next year as the favorite.

[Varsityclub2004]

I always trust your opinion, because you are the one person who really watches and evaluates the jv teams to get an idea of what the future holds. So yeah, I’m sure North could put enough together to at least be pretty good. But Nicholson makes them a team that could win a game or two at Rupp. Don’t think they will have anyone like that in the near future.

That and Sizemore as well. North will be good for the foreseeable future but those two are different animals. I’m assuming South will enter next year as the favorite.

I think south def is the favorite next year. If I had to pick a very very early top 5 I’d say 
1.South
2. North 
3. Whitley (if they keep everyone)
4. Knox 
5. Corbin/Harlan County

[HCS]

Yes, South will be first
I think Nichelson showed again how important she was in the first quarter of the championship game. I agree that they won't have anyone like her next year but still will be solid.

---

I always trust your opinion, because you are the one person who really watches and evaluates the jv teams to get an idea of what the future holds. So yeah, I’m sure North could put enough together to at least be pretty good. But Nicholson makes them a team that could win a game or two at Rupp. Don’t think they will have anyone like that in the near future.

That and Sizemore as well. North will be good for the foreseeable future but those two are different animals. I’m assuming South will enter next year as the favorite.

I think south def is the favorite next year. If I had to pick a very very early top 5 I’d say 
1.South
2. North 
3. Whitley (if they keep everyone)
4. Knox 
5. Corbin/Harlan County

That's close to what I'll have
I'd put Clay ahead of Harlan County though, and the rest of the 52nd District.

[UKCC]

I was going to say don’t be surprised if Clay isn’t 5th or 6th next year. They’ll take a big jump up as the rest of the region loses key pieces. They return their entire team and half of them are middle schoolers who were good at the Varsity level.

[HCS]

My guess is fifth with Corbin sixth, then the 52nd DIstrict teams.

[Van Hagar]

Some of North’s younger girls will really have to take a jump forward to keep them relevant beyond the 13th. They beat Ashland 51-42 in the opening round of the Sweet 16 today, with only three players scoring, Nicholson (who had 28), Sizemore and Claybrook. Claybrook is the only one of those that will be back next year.

[shottaker23]

I don't usually disagree with you guys, but I just saw this. North's JV team would be in the middle of the pack in the 13th. As good as Nichelson is, they are still top five next year.

Normally I agree with you, but if they are top 5 next year then the region is Wayyyyyyyy down. JMO. SL, KC, Bell, Harlan, and wait a minute lol yeah they probably will come in 5th.

[HCS]

Knox loses three starters, I think. Harlan loses three starters. Bell loses its best guard and two top subs. Knox may pass them up, and possibly Whitley, but I can't see anyone else. I will probably pick them second.

[shottaker23]

Knox loses three starters, I think. Harlan loses three starters. Bell loses its best guard and two top subs. Knox may pass them up, and possibly Whitley, but I can't see anyone else. I will probably pick them second.

Its all relative to how things shake out at Whitley and how many(if any) they lose to the portal and where they go. But in my estimation SL will be the cream next year(provided one of their younguns don't go to Sacred Heart which I've heard has called). Whitley has the best bigs by far.

[Varsityclub2004]

Knox loses three starters, I think. Harlan loses three starters. Bell loses its best guard and two top subs. Knox may pass them up, and possibly Whitley, but I can't see anyone else. I will probably pick them second.

Its all relative to how things shake out at Whitley and how many(if any) they lose to the portal and where they go. But in my estimation SL will be the cream next year(provided one of their younguns don't go to Sacred Heart which I've heard has called). Whitley has the best bigs by far.

I could see it being a Whitley/ South match up for both district championship and possibly region championship if both teams keep everyone.