Postseason high school basketball is just around the corner. District tournaments begin on Feb. 20, regional play opens on Feb. 26 and the first round of the KHSAA Sweet 16 tips off on March 8. There is a palpable buzz in the air in gyms all around the state.
In preparation for the state tournaments at Rupp Arena, the KHSAA released the pairings for the first round of the boys and girls Sweet 16. While the teams will have to battle it out on the hardwood over the next two weeks to earn a spot in Lexington, we now know which regions will face off in the first round at Rupp Arena.
Here are the matchups for the Eighth, Ninth and 10th Regions in the first round of the Sweet 16.
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Heavyweight matchups in boys bracket
Covington Catholic and Conner are the two favorites to win the Ninth Region, but there are a host of talented teams that could pull off an upset at Truist Arena. Newport and Lloyd Memorial have rosters full of young talent, while Holy Cross and Highlands have experienced deep regional tournament runs in recent years.
The Ninth Region champion will face the winner of the Second Region. Contenders in Western Kentucky include Lyon County, Henderson County and University Heights. Lyon County's Travis Perry is currently fourth in the state in scoring at 31 points per game.
None of the Ninth Region contenders have faced teams at the top of the Second Region, adding additional intrigue to the matchup. It is also important to note that the Fourth Region, featuring state title favorite Warren Central, is on the opposite side of the bracket as the Ninth Region.
In the Eighth Region, Simon Kenton (18-9) and Walton-Verona (19-10) have a steeper hill to climb if they want to advance to Rupp Arena. The top three teams by RPI are Martha Layne Collins, North Oldham and Grant County. The Pioneers have beaten North Oldham and Grant County, while the Bearcats have only beaten Grant County.
The Eighth Region winner will face the winner of Region 6 in the first round. Evangel Christian, who beat Holy Cross in the All "A" state final and is 10th in the media poll, leads that region, followed by Pleasure Ridge Park and Western.
Campbell County is currently in fourth in the 10th Region in terms of RPI. Should they beat Calvary Christian in the first round of the 37th District tournament, they will face either Scott or Bishop Brossart in the championship game. However, they are 1-2 against Mason County, George Rogers Clark and Harrison County, who are the top three teams in the region by RPI.
The team that emerges out of the 10th Region will face the 13th Region winner in the first round. The top three teams in the 13th Region by RPI are Harlan County, Harlan and Corbin.
Potential familiar foe for Ninth Region girls
In the girls Ninth Region, reigning champion Cooper is the favorite. The Jaguars have won 21 of their last 22 games, are undefeated in regional contests and are third in the latest state media poll. They are joined in the latest poll by 33rd District rival Ryle, and Holy Cross in the 35th District. Ryle has won three straight games, while Holy Cross had won 13 of 14 before a loss to fellow top-10 team Mercy.
The winner of the Ninth Region will go up against the winner of the Sixth Region. Contenders include Bullitt East, Whitefield Academy and Mercy. Mercy has beaten Ryle and Holy Cross this season but lost to Cooper. The Ninth Region is on the opposite side of the bracket as the Seventh Region, which features title favorite Sacred Heart.
Simon Kenton (15-12) and Walton-Verona (15-13) have nearly identical records in the 37th District. In the region, the Lady Pioneers have a 2-2 record against teams above them in the standings, while the Bearcats are just 1-4.
The Eighth Region was the last team drawn, but will go up against the Second Region. Contenders from Western Kentucky on the girls side include Henderson County, Crittenden County and Hopkins County Central.
The Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs are currently third in the 10th Region in terms of RPI. Last year, their season ended against George Rogers Clark, who currently sits atop the region with a 19-7 record.
The winner of the 10th Region will face off against the 12th Region champion. Title favorites from Southern Kentucky include Danville, Pulaski County and Danville Christian.
Boys Sweet 16 schedule
First round (March 15-16): Region 1 vs. Region 5; Region 6 vs. Region 8; Region 4 vs. Region 12; Region 3 vs. Region 16; Region 11 vs. Region 15; Region 7 vs. Region 14; Region 2 vs. Region 9; Region 10 vs. Region 13
Quarterfinals (March 17): 11 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 8:30 p.m. (9th Region)
Semifinals (March 18): 11 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. Final: 7 p.m.
Girls Sweet 16 schedule
First round (March 8-9): Region 3 vs. Region 4; Region 7 vs. Region 15; Region 10 vs. Region 12; Region 11 vs. Region 13; Region 14 vs. Region 16; Region 1 vs. Region 5; Region 6 vs. Region 9; Region 2 vs. Region 8
Quarterfinals (March 10): 11 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 8:30 p.m. (9th Region)
Semifinals (March 11): 11 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. Final: 7 p.m.
This article will be updated as dates and times for each game become available.
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