The pathway is set for Bowling Green and Barren County to meet in the championship game for a third-straight season…will it happen?
By Perry Swack
2021 4th Region Championship Schedule
Thursday, March 25 – Quarterfinals
Russellville @ Barren County – 7:00pm
Greenwood @ Metcalfe County – 7:00pm
Russell County @ Bowling Green – 7:00pm
Glasgow @ Franklin-Simpson – 7:00pm
Friday, March 26 – Semifinal #1 @ Diddle Arena
Russellville/Barren vs. Greenwood/Metcalfe – 6:00pm
Saturday, March 27 – Semifinal #2 @ Diddle Arena
Russell/BG vs. Glasgow/Franklin-Simpson – 6:00pm
Sunday, March 28 – Championship @ Diddle Arena
Semifinal Winners – 3:00pm
Russellville (10-10) @ Barren County (18-7)
Russellville, the 13th District runner-up, is making its third-straight trip to the 4th Region Tournament. The Lady Panthers knocked out Logan County in the 13th District semifinals to qualify for this event. Led by sophomore Amiyah Collier and junior Anastasia Dowlen, the club will look to use its rebounding prowess against the Trojanettes. RHS averages more than 30 rebounds per game. Dowlen leads the team at 12.3 per contest. Coach Ryan Davenport and company hope the junior forward is somewhere near full strength on Thursday evening after she played through a shoulder injury in the district title game. The Lady Panthers will rely upon Chloe Whitescarver and Lareesha Cawthorne to score if they are to spring the upset.
Barren County enters the region tournament on a five-game winning streak and is among the favorites to take home the title. The Trojanettes defeated Allen County-Scottsville (63-45) and Glasgow (47-35) on the road to their fourth-straight district championship. Freshman Abigail Varney had a strong tournament, averaging 13.5 points per game and leading the team with 14 points in their district semifinal win. Six players scored at least 8 points in the victory over AC-S, and leading scorer Raven Ennis only needed 8 points as BCHS cruised to victory. In the championship, Ennis hit three three-pointers and scored 20 points. Barren’s depth makes them incredibly dangerous.
Greenwood (11-7) @ Metcalfe County (13-9)
The Lady Gators and Lady Hornets played a thrilling game in early March that saw Metcalfe hold on for a 61-58 victory. Four players scored in double figures that evening and the Lady Hornets outrebounded the Lady Gators, 35-25. Coach Tiffany Coffey’s club enters the 4th Region Tournament after winning the 16th District Tournament for the first time since 2017. Four players scored at least eight points in both of the team’s victories. Jaycie Harper (14.5 points per game) and Kassady London led the way (12.5) in scoring, while Anna Blythe (9.5 rebounds per game) and Harper (9.0 rebounds) swept up the glass. The Lady Hornets will be looking for their first region tournament win since 2017.
Greenwood returns to the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2012. The Lady Gators played in four-straight region events from 2009-12, with a runner-up finish in 2010. Coach Zach Simpson’s club is rounding into form as we head into tournament play, knocking off Warren Central in the district semifinals before nearly toppling Bowling Green in the district title game. The Lady Gators will continue to utilize their talented scoring backcourt of Leia Trinh (17.5 points per game) and Jacqueline Jackson (16.7). If they can also get double-double machine Kayla Grant going, Greenwood will be a tough out in this tournament.
Russell County (15-12) @ Bowling Green (15-10)
From an RPI perspective, this is the toughest team that Bowling Green or Russell County could have drawn in the quarterfinals. Both the Lady Purples and Lady Lakers are among the top four in the 4th Region; however, one club will not advance to Diddle Arena. The Lady Lakers present an interesting matchup for the Lady Purples, featuring two post players that should be able to able to hang with BG’s size. Star Marcum is averaging 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds, while fellow forward Sophie Shearer is averaging 6.1 and 5.3. Marcum scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds in Russell County’s region semifinal loss to BG last season. Leading scorer Juliah Bault (14.7 PPG) can fill it up in many ways, leading the team in three-point field goals (32) and in free throws (124/167, 74%).
Although the Lady Lakers will provide a unique challenge for the Lady Purples, coach Calvin Head’s club is still the favorite to advance. Bowling Green’s defense is a major reason why. During its seven-game win streak, BG is allowing only 40.1 points per game. Its offense is scoring 58.9 points per game during the streak and have won all but one game by at least nine points. The entry of Tanaya Bailey into the lineup has been a game changer for the Lady Purples. In only six games, the sophomore is averaging 10.3 points on 47% shooting. Kiyah Gray had a strong district tournament, leading the team with 14 points in the championship game. And we still have not mentioned the team’s leading scorers and rebounders – LynKaylah James and Meadow Tisdale. The duo averages a combined 31 points and 20 rebounds per game. I cannot wait to see how the Lady Lakers match up with the Purples’ stars.
Glasgow (10-12) @ Franklin-Simpson (13-7)
The 13th District champions host the 15th District runners-up in Franklin for a chance to advance to Diddle Arena on Saturday evening. Glasgow has reached the semifinals in two of the last three seasons, while Franklin-Simpson last advanced out of the quarterfinals in 2014. Glasgow is led by senior Anzley Adwell, who enters the tournament averaging 12.4 points and 8.5 rebounds. As the only senior on the team, coach Craig Pippen relies heavily upon his underclassmen. Mia Cassady – a sophomore – is averaging 9.9 points per game and has hit a team-high 46 three-pointers. Freshman forward Khloe Hale is the team’s third-leading scorer (8.3) and second-leading rebounder (7.0). The Lady Scotties are a talented bunch and certainly have what it takes to spring a victory in Franklin on Thursday evening.
Reaching the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2017, the Lady Wildcats are hungry to advance to Diddle Arena. Coach Ashley Taylor’s club has won seven of its last nine games, including the 13th District championship. Throughout the season, Kate Norwood and Alera Barbee have led the team in scoring; however, Hadley Turner closed the season on a tear and is nearly averaging ten points per game as well. The sophomore averaged 11.5 points in the district tournament. Fellow sophomore Malyea Patringer went 5-for-7 from the field in the district championship game and scored 13 points to clinch the program’s first title since 2017.
My Predictions for the Quarterfinals
Barren County 65, Russellville 52
Greenwood 67, Metcalfe County 63
Bowling Green 51, Russell County 41
Franklin-Simpson 49, Glasgow 43
