theguru
03-14-2006, 08:42 PM
By Les Dixon
When it comes to picking a winner, I admit, I’m usually not the one to ask. With the Sweet Sixteen beginning today, I figured I would go out on a limb and give my thoughts on who has the least chance of winning the state tournament, to who has the best chance.
No. 16 - Russell (18-13) - Russell has an outside chance to beat Graves County, but it all depends on Jon Vanhoose (18.8 points per game).
No. 15 - Hazard (22-10) - The Bulldogs beat Jackson City to get to the state tournament. Believe me on this one, Madison Central is not Jackson City.
No. 14 - Johnson Central (19-11) - The Golden Eagles are led by Jamie McCarty’s 17.1 points per game, but will need more than just McCarty to make a run for a state crown.
No. 13 - Apollo (22-10) - This isn’t the same Apollo team that had Rex Chapman playing for them.
No. 12 - Graves County (27-5) - This team could surprise. Many are looking for either South Laurel or John Hardin to have an easy time with Graves County (if it beats Russell), but I look for a close game.
No. 11 - Mason County (24-8) - Could Darious Miller (16.0) be the next Chris Lofton for the Royals?
No. 10 - Christian County (20-9) - I don’t know much about the Colonels, but look for them to give Shelby County a run for its money.
No. 9 - Boyle County (21-9) - The Rebels’ game against P.R.P. could be the best first round match-up in the Sweet Sixteen. Center Brian Staed (21.3) is quite possibly the best big man in the state.
No. 8 - Madison Central (25-7) Was it a big surprise the Indians beat Scott County? Not really. Allen Feldhaus’ squad beat South Laurel earlier in the season.
No. 7 - Covington Catholic (24-6) - I don¹t know if the Colonels can win it all, but I’ll guarantee Covington Catholic will bring the best student section to Rupp Arena.
No. 6 - Warren Central (26-6) - Tim Riley’s Dragons are making their fifth consecutive trip to Rupp Arena. Don¹t be surprised to see Warren Central in the finals, if the Dragons can get past P.R.P. in the semifinals on Saturday.
No. 5 - Shelby County (30-3) - The Rockets might have the best player in the tournament with A.J. Slaughter (19.2).
No. 4 John Hardin (26-4) - Could reach the finals, if they can get past South Laurel.
No. 3 - Jeffersontown (28-3) - The Chargers haven’t been talked about much this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jeffersontown cutting down the nets at Rupp Arena either.
No. 2 - South Laurel (27-5) - If the Cardinals get 3-point happy then Steve Wright’s team can get knocked off in the first round of the Sweet Sixteen. I’m looking for the defending state champs to reach the finals before losing to P.R.P. in a rematch of last year¹s semifinal classic.
No. 1 - P.R.P. (27-5) - Dale Mabry’s Panthers have been under the radar the entire season. After Saturday evening, they’ll be the talk of the state.
When it comes to picking a winner, I admit, I’m usually not the one to ask. With the Sweet Sixteen beginning today, I figured I would go out on a limb and give my thoughts on who has the least chance of winning the state tournament, to who has the best chance.
No. 16 - Russell (18-13) - Russell has an outside chance to beat Graves County, but it all depends on Jon Vanhoose (18.8 points per game).
No. 15 - Hazard (22-10) - The Bulldogs beat Jackson City to get to the state tournament. Believe me on this one, Madison Central is not Jackson City.
No. 14 - Johnson Central (19-11) - The Golden Eagles are led by Jamie McCarty’s 17.1 points per game, but will need more than just McCarty to make a run for a state crown.
No. 13 - Apollo (22-10) - This isn’t the same Apollo team that had Rex Chapman playing for them.
No. 12 - Graves County (27-5) - This team could surprise. Many are looking for either South Laurel or John Hardin to have an easy time with Graves County (if it beats Russell), but I look for a close game.
No. 11 - Mason County (24-8) - Could Darious Miller (16.0) be the next Chris Lofton for the Royals?
No. 10 - Christian County (20-9) - I don’t know much about the Colonels, but look for them to give Shelby County a run for its money.
No. 9 - Boyle County (21-9) - The Rebels’ game against P.R.P. could be the best first round match-up in the Sweet Sixteen. Center Brian Staed (21.3) is quite possibly the best big man in the state.
No. 8 - Madison Central (25-7) Was it a big surprise the Indians beat Scott County? Not really. Allen Feldhaus’ squad beat South Laurel earlier in the season.
No. 7 - Covington Catholic (24-6) - I don¹t know if the Colonels can win it all, but I’ll guarantee Covington Catholic will bring the best student section to Rupp Arena.
No. 6 - Warren Central (26-6) - Tim Riley’s Dragons are making their fifth consecutive trip to Rupp Arena. Don¹t be surprised to see Warren Central in the finals, if the Dragons can get past P.R.P. in the semifinals on Saturday.
No. 5 - Shelby County (30-3) - The Rockets might have the best player in the tournament with A.J. Slaughter (19.2).
No. 4 John Hardin (26-4) - Could reach the finals, if they can get past South Laurel.
No. 3 - Jeffersontown (28-3) - The Chargers haven’t been talked about much this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jeffersontown cutting down the nets at Rupp Arena either.
No. 2 - South Laurel (27-5) - If the Cardinals get 3-point happy then Steve Wright’s team can get knocked off in the first round of the Sweet Sixteen. I’m looking for the defending state champs to reach the finals before losing to P.R.P. in a rematch of last year¹s semifinal classic.
No. 1 - P.R.P. (27-5) - Dale Mabry’s Panthers have been under the radar the entire season. After Saturday evening, they’ll be the talk of the state.