KSR Preps Preview KHSAA Regions 1- 8

Few events in the world of sports can match the passion and intensity of Kentucky high school basketball in March.  With only one class and 16 regions the margin for error is slim and the chance to play on the floor of Rupp Arena can quickly slip away. Tomorrow night the quest to win a state title begins for the remaining 128 teams from around the Commonwealth. Which ones have the best chance to get it done? Find out with KSR Preps' region 1-8 preview: [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] @RyanHermens[/caption]

The Bracket

Favorite: Paducah Tilghman Dark Horse: Murray

Region 1 Preview:

Go west young man! The teams from the Jackson Purchase form a highly contested region with a wide open race to Rupp Arena. Tilghman brings a 19-0 record against teams from region 1 into the tournament but the Murray Tigers could use a strong homecourt advantage to steal the region. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="768"] @CountyColonels[/caption]

The Bracket

Favorite: Christian County Dark Horse: Hopkinsville

Region 2 Preview:

Christian County hasn't lost a game to a team from Kentucky this season and hold hoop dreams of returning to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011. That year Anthony Hickey led the Colonels to a state championship in some of the most thrilling games in KHSAA history. If the Colonels are going to win the region they'll likely have to dethrone the four time defending region 2 champions Hopkinsville. Christian County took down Hoptown twice in the regular season. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @MeadeCountyHigh[/caption]

The Bracket

Favorite: Meade County Dark Horse: Owensboro Catholic

Region 3 Preview:

Meade County's Green Wave rolled out of the gates to start the season with a 10-0 record and a spot in the Clash of Titans championship. Since then the road has been rocky but a triple overtime win in the district championship has them set up for a run at the region. Meade County's six seniors compiled a 10-1 record against region 3 teams but never had to face Owensboro Catholic.

The Bracket

Favorite: Bowling Green Dark Horse: Barren County

Region 4 Preview:

The fightin' Trey Huntsmans of Bowling Green high school have some unfinished business after falling to Owensboro in last season's State Championship. With a 27-2 record heading into regionals they've certainly been playing like it. The Purples are one of the best teams in the state and Region 4 is theirs to lose.

The Bracket

Favorite: Taylor County Dark Horse: Bardstown

Region 5 Preview:

Taylor County has a chance to produce back-to-back Mr. Basketballs for the first time since Scott County's Rick Jones and Scott Hundley with Quentin Goodin and David Sloan but is that going to be enough to win the 5th region? The E-town area is stacked with talent as Taylor County, Bardstown, North Hardin, and Central all have a chance to win the region. However, I look for the likely Mr. Basketball and Xavier commit, Quentin Goodin, to lead his team to a repeat in the 5th. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2048"] @twaims[/caption]

The Bracket

The Favorite: Doss Darkhorse: Fern Creek

Region 6 Preview:

Doss alum and former Louisville Cardinal, Tony Williams, looks to continue the resurrection of the Doss program this week with a repeat win of the 6th region championship. If they are going to do that they'll likely need to overcome a strong Fern Creek team and the Mountain Dew crushing team from Bullitt East.

The Bracket

Favorite: Trinity Darkhorse: St. X

Region 7 Preview:

Trinity. Ballard. Male. Waggener. St X.  You could just throw a dart at the Louisville region to try and predict which team is going to make it out. The private school powerhouse, Trinity, brings a nine game winning streak into the regional tournament but lost to both Ballard and St. X during the season. Prepare for chaos in the 7th. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] @Rebels_NAtion[/caption]

The Bracket

Favorite: Owen County Dark Horse: Oldham County

Region 8 Preview:

Another tight region with several teams that could make it out. However, in March I like to go with the teams that have a superstar and Owen County has that in NKU commit Carson Williams. Plus, Owen ran the region this season with a record of 19-0. Their toughest game should be the opener with South Oldham.   Tomorrow we'll preview Lexington, the mountains, and the north.