Metcalfe County Hosts 16th District Tournament in search of its third-straight title
16th District Girls Basketball Tournament Preview
February 19-24 – Metcalfe County High School
2022 Champion – Metcalfe County
Metcalfe County won back-to-back district championships over Clinton County by a score of 46-39. Kassady London scored 12 points and Anna Blythe grabbed eleven rebounds as the Lady Hornets outlasted the Lady Bulldogs. Aysha Sutton scored 16 points and recorded eleven rebounds in defeat as Clinton qualified for the region tournament for the first time since 2014.
Last Five Championship Games
2022 – Metcalfe County over Clinton County
2021 – Metcalfe County over Russell County
2020 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
2019 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
2018 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
Schedule
Sunday, February 19 @ 3:00pm – #4 Cumberland County vs. #5 Russell County
Monday, February 20 @ 6:00pm – #1 Metcalfe County vs. Winner of Russell County/Cumberland County
Tuesday, February 21 @ 6:00pm – #2 Clinton County vs. #3 Monroe County
Thursday, February 23 @ 7:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Metcalfe County (17-9)
How They Can Win
Metcalfe County will start their three-peat bid at home looking to reach an eighth-straight region tournament. Kassady London leads the team in scoring at 16 per game, while Anna Blythe is the rebounding leader at 6.9 per contest. The Hornets’ likely opponent in the semifinals will be 20-win Cumberland County, a team that knocked off Metcalfe 65-60 two weeks ago. However, since that defeat, Heidi Coleman’s club has nearly toppled two of the region’s top teams in South Warren and Barren County – both on the road.
#2 – Clinton County (13-17)
How They Can Win
Clinton County won a coin toss with Monroe County to clinch the 2-seed in the district tournament. The two teams split in district action, with each team winning on the other’s home court. Landree Moons has had an All-Region performance this season, averaging over 17 points a game and 9.5 rebounds. The Bulldogs went 2-5 down the stretch and will be looking to right the ship with a win over Monroe County. A victory would qualify Tim Moons’ squad for consecutive region tournaments, a feat not achieved since 2006.
#3 – Monroe County (14-12)
How They Can Win
Monroe County has looked comfortable in its return to the 16th District and will be looking to qualify for consecutive region events after finishing as runner-up to Barren County in the 2022 15th District Tournament. The Falcons won the All-A Region title in January but struggled some down the stretch, losing three of its final four games to end the regular season. Should Clifton Hamilton’s club make it back to Diddle Arena, it will likely be behind the efforts of seniors Paisley Ford and Gracie Veach. Ford leads the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game with Veach just behind her at 12.4.
#4 – Cumberland County (20-9)
How They Can Win
There may not be a hotter team in the state of Kentucky than Cumberland County. The Panthers won 10 of their final 11 games to end the regular season with 20 wins. Early-season district losses placed Kristen Anderson’s club behind the 8-ball in terms for seeding, which is why they are the 4-seed in the event. Three players average in double figures, led by Madi Cooksey at 11.2 points per game. Abby Morgan averages 11.1 points and Carly Nettles adds 10.6 per contest. Despite its seeding, the Panthers are capable of winning the entire event and will be a dangerous out.
#5 – Russell County (7-22)
How They Can Win
From 2010 to 2021, the Lakers qualified for every 4th Region Tournament. After missing out in 2022, Brett Blankenship’s club is hungry to return to Diddle Arena. Balanced on offense, four players average at least five points for Russell County, led by Rachel Bolin’s 6.7. Maleah Preston leads the team in rebounding with six per contest. It will be a tall task but the Lakers have played nearly every district opponent tight, losing five games by single digits. In a January 21 meeting with their first round opponent (Cumberland County), RCHS lost 49-46 as Bolin scored 14 points and Preston grabbed ten boards.
Prediction
With the top four seeds winning between four and six district games in the regular season, any team feels capable of winning the tournament. My prediction is that Cumberland County knocks off Russell County in the opening round before taking Metcalfe County to the wire. However, I expect the Hornets to move on to the finals. In the 2-3 matchup, I predict the Falcons to knock off the Bulldogs and set up a Metcalfe-Monroe finale. From there, I think the Falcons will win their second tournament of 2023 and their first district championship since 2017.
Champion – Monroe County
