February 27-March 1 – Allen County-Scottsville High School
2023 Champion – Warren East
Warren East captured its first 15th District championship in a 56-55 thriller over Barren County. Isaiah Andrews nailed five three-pointers to score 25 points for the Raiders. Barren County qualified for its fourth-straight region tournament.
Last Five Championship Games
2023 – Warren East over Barren County
2022 – Barren County over Glasgow
2021 – Allen County-Scottsville over Barren County
2020 – Barren County over Allen County-Scottsville
2019 – Glasgow over Allen County-Scottsville
Schedule
Tuesday, February 27 @ 6:00pm – #1 Barren County vs. #4 Allen County-Scottsville
February 27 @ 7:30pm – #2 Warren East vs. #3 Glasgow
Friday, March 1 @ 6:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Barren County Trojans (19-11)
How They Can Win
As steady as they come, the Barren County Trojans have been a near-lock to reach the 4th Region Tournament in the 2020s. Two district titles and two district runner-ups, the Trojans are listed as favorites to bring home another district title to Glasgow. Coach Warren Cunningham’s club is deep, with six players averaging at least six points. Led by junior Tate Spillman’s 14.7 points per game, BC has three players with at least 50 three-point field goals on the season (Spillman, Mason Bunch, and Will Compton). The Trojans also swept 2-seed Warren East. What might a third matchup bring?
#2 – Warren East Raiders (19-10)
How They Can Win
In its inaugural season in the 15th District, Warren East captured the district championship and reached the semifinals of the 4th Region Tournament. The Raiders are trending in the right direction in 2024, winning ten of twelve at the time of this preview’s publication. Kaleb Prince leads the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game, while Brenden Bratcher has hit more than 50 three-pointers at 11.3 points per contest.
#3 – Glasgow (8-16)
How They Can Win
Despite its 7-16 record, the Glasgow Scotties have been in nearly every game this season. Coach William Buford’s club has ten losses by 12 points or less, including five of their last six. Senior John Carter Walbert is averaging 15.4 points per game, including an 83% clip from the free throw line. Sophomore Jerrick Martin is a key to the Scotties’ success, averaging 10.9 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per contest.
#4 – Allen County-Scottsville (3-24)
How They Can Win
Allen County-Scottsville may have only three wins on the season; however, one of those victories came two weeks ago over the team that the Patriots will face in the 15th District Tournament. On February 5 in Scottsville, junior Robert Robledo dropped 24 points with four three-pointers as ACS spurned the upset of the season. The key to another upset will likely look similar to the first: hitting high-percentage shots and outrebounding the Trojans. The Patriots shot 60% in the win and outrebounded Barren by eight.
Prediction
The district semifinals have some appetizing matchups with Barren trying to exact revenge on Allen and Glasgow trying to overcome a fourth loss of the season to Warren East. Both favorites will move on, giving fans a Barren County-Warren East finale for a second, consecutive season. Although the Trojans swept the season series, an important Raider player missed both matchups: Jari Barber. The all-district pick of a season ago is averaging nine points and eight rebounds per game. Barber’s presence inside gives the Raiders a unique look that is tough to defend. In the last regular-season game he appeared against the Trojans, the senior center had 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Coach Kyle Benge and his staff will be hoping for a similar effect if the two teams meet in the district title game.
As for the Trojans, it’s no secret Cunningham’s club likes to shoot the three ball. In fact, 51% of Barren’s shots come from beyond the arc. As noted above, four players have hit at least 40 three-point field goals on the season. If the Trojans are hitting from deep, they will be a hard out throughout the entire postseason. Will Compton canned five threes in a 72-50 win over East in early December. The January meeting was much closer (60-55) as the Trojans hit only six three-pointers and shot 26% from deep.
What would a third matchup bring? Barber’s introduction to the lineup will certainly provide a wrinkle for the Trojans, but will it be enough? After an instant classic in the 2023 district finale, BC and WE will be looking to entertain fans again. The Trojans will be closer to their season average from behind the arc; however, the trio of Prince, Bratcher, and Barber will make enough plays to give the Raiders consecutive district championships.
