The 2016 KHSAA Sweet 16 Is Set

Tonight, regional action from around the state wrapped up and next week's state tournament field is set. Which teams will be playing for the Commonwealth's glory? Here's who earned their spot tonight: Region 4 Champion: Bowling Green [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @BGISD[/caption] The Purples faced a tough challenge out of Barren County in the 4th region championship but in the end BG captured their third straight title. Last season Bowling Green made it all the way to the state finals before falling to Owensboro. Will they seal the deal next weekend? Vs Region 16 Champion: Elliott County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @JXflavell[/caption] The boys from Sandy Hook will take on the city school of Bowling Green in the opener of the Sweet 16. Elliott won all of their regional games by 10 points or more but the Purples will be a major step up in competition.   Region 11 Champion: Paul Laurence Dunbar [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="482"] @MikeFieldsKHSAA[/caption] The Bulldogs took down two of the state's top 10 teams to conquer the 11th region and return to Rupp for the first time since 1997. With Covington Catholic eliminated, PLD is now the favorite to win the state championship. However, their opener against Mercer County is going to test if they can meet the hype. Vs Region 12 Champion: Mercer County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @daarik_gray[/caption] Dylan James and Mercer County will bring a 32-1 record into Rupp as one of the favorites to cut the nets. The Titans lone loss in the season was a lopsided one to the only team from the 11th region they faced, Lafayette. They'll have a shot at redemption in the sweet 16 opener.   Region 14 Champion: Buckhorn [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @JamieWYMT[/caption] They did it! The mullet sporting team out of Buckhorn overcame the odds to defeat Perry County Central and win the 14th region. Forget the glass slipper, this March Cinderella is rocking a mullet! Vs Region 1 Champion: Murray [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="599"] @aflenerksr[/caption] The Tigers are heading to Rupp for just the fourth time in school history and the first time since 1985! Murray has one state tournament win in their history but this squad will have a real shot to add a second when West meets East.   Region 7 Champion: Trinity [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @kyhighs[/caption] Trinity is your champion out of the 7th region setting up a Catholic clash with Newport. They survived a miracle of a 77-footer from Ballard and then two missed game-winning free throws from St. X which has the Shamrocks are back in Rupp for the second time in three seasons. They sure seem like the team of destiny due to all the breaks. Vs Region 9 Champion: Newport Central Catholic [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="599"] @TBREDSFB[/caption] The New Cath Thoroughbreds took down the consensus top team in the state, Covington Catholic, to capture the ninth region crown. Their reward? A date with Trinity in a game that has talent worthy of the championship.   Region 10 Champion: Mason County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @EvanDennison1[/caption] Pig Williams and Mason County survived the roller coaster of the past two weeks to get revenge on Augusta for the tenth region championship. Chris Lofton. Darius Miller. Pig Williams. Will the talented senior forge his own legacy in Rupp Arena? Vs Region 5 Champion: Taylor County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @kysportsTV[/caption] All eyes in the state tournament will be on Xavier commit and Taylor County star Quentin Goodin. Goodin will be the best player in Lexington next week but is that going to be enough to win a championship? And if Chris Mack leaves Xavier for Louisville will he be bringing Goodin with him? Something to watch...   Region 15 Champion: Lawrence County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @MakaylaBColley[/caption] The Bulldogs are heading to Rupp for the first time in school history. It's a storybook game as well, the upstart boys from Louisa versus Doss out of Louisville. Mountain versus City. The stuff Sweet 16 does best. Vs Region 6 Champion: Doss [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @MeithReclow30[/caption] Doss is back in Rupp Arena for the second straight season after taking down Bullitt East in the Region 6 final. Last season the Dragons fell in the Elite 8 to Covington Catholic. This year they'll come to Lexington as one of the better teams.   Region 8 Champion: South Oldham [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @SOHSDragons[/caption] South Oldham dominated the 8th region and could be a sleeper team to make a deep run thanks to a decent draw. Vs Region 3 Champion: Owensboro Catholic [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @citycountysport[/caption] The Aces are on their way to the state championship for the first time in school history.   Region 13 Champion: South Laurel [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @madison_roark[/caption] South Laurel destroyed the 13th region with three twenty point victories and are back in Rupp for the first time since 2008. The Cards are a threat to win the whole thing but face a tough test with the opener against Christian County. The first round of the Sweet 16 is going to be super competitive. Vs Region 2 Champion: Christian County [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] @CountyColonels[/caption] First year Christian County head coach, Frankie Smith, should be front-runner for Kentucky coach of the year after leading the Colonels to a 29-2 record and the region 2 championship. Christian County is undefeated against teams from Kentucky and will enter Rupp as one of the favorites to win the whole thing. An impressive turnaround for a team that went 22-29 in the two previous seasons.   Our own Trey Huntsman will be in Rupp next week covering all of the action. Who ya got?