Road to Rupp: Boys Sweet 16 bracket is now locked in

After a few days of some wild action on the hardwood, Kentucky high school basketball wrapped up their regional tournament action on Tuesday. We now have the 16-team field set as the KHSAA looks to crown a state champion in 2022.

The bracket is very enticing.

Each region will be represented as the top teams in the state will battle it out at Rupp Arena from Wednesday, March 16 until Saturday, March 19 to determine who will be crowned champion. KSR will be on-site throughout the tournament to provide coverage.

There should be no shortage of storylines.

Sweet 16 schedule

Wednesday, March 16

• 11 a.m.: Jeffersontown vs. Lincoln County
• 1:30 p.m.: Muhlenberg County vs. North Oldham
• 6:00 p.m.: Perry County Central vs. George Rogers Clark
• 8:30 p.m.: North Laurel vs. Pikeville

Thursday, March 17

• 11 a.m.: Warren Central vs. Male
• 1:30 p.m.: Lyon County vs. John Hardin
• 6:00 p.m.: Henry Clay vs. Murray
• 8:30 p.m.: Covington Catholic vs. Ashland Blazer

Friday, March 18

• 11 a.m.: Jeffersontown/Lincoln County vs. Muhlenberg County/North Oldham
• 1:30 p.m.: Perry County Central/George Rogers Clark vs. North Laurel/Pikeville
• 6:00 p.m.: Lyon County/John Hardin vs. Covington Catholic/Ashland Blazer
• 8:30 p.m.: Henry Clay/Murray vs. Warren Central/Male

Saturday, March 19

• 11 a.m.: Semifinal
• 1:30 p.m.: Semifinal
• 7:00 p.m.: State title game

Instant reaction

Well, this certainly is a loaded bracket. However, it’s hard to ignore the state championship game possibilities.

North Laurel and junior Reed Sheppard will get most of the fanfare as the Jaguars play in the nightcap to end the first day at Rupp Arena. If his team can march through three games unscathed, North Laurel could meet Male in the state championship game. The Bulldogs are led by Louisville commitment Kaleb Glenn.

Of course, Sheppard is a Kentucky commitment in the class of 2023 and is in the same grade as Glenn. The two will see each other a ton in college but will have a chance to spark their rivalry with a state championship on the line.

However, George Rogers Clark could have something to say about that.

The 10th region champs enter the Sweet 16 as the top-ranked team in the state, and the Cardinals have yet to lose a game to in-state competition this season. GRC could face Sheppard’s North Laurel squad in the quarterfinal round on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Male will have to get by top-five Warren Central to even get out of the first round of the tournament. The Bulldogs could then have to get by top-five Covington Catholic in the semifinals. The road to glory is not easy.

Soon a champion will be crowned.