13th District Boys Basketball Tournament Preview
February 20-24 – Todd County Central High School
2022 Champion – Franklin-Simpson
Jalen Briscoe scored 18 points – hitting 10-of-11 free throw attempts – as the Wildcats of Franklin-Simpson outlasted Todd County Central. 45-43, to win back-to-back district titles. Mareke Johnson led the Rebels with 16 points.
Last Five Championship Games
2022 – Franklin-Simpson over Todd County Central
2021 – Franklin-Simpson over Russellville
2020 – Logan County over Franklin-Simpson
2019 – Logan County over Franklin-Simpson
2018 – Todd County Central over Franklin-Simpson
Schedule
Monday, February 20 @ 7:30pm – #1 Franklin-Simpson vs. #4 Logan County
Tuesday, February 21 @ 7:30pm – #2 Todd County Central vs. #3 Russellville
Friday, February 24 @ 7:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Franklin-Simpson (16-9)
How They Can Win
Franklin-Simpson will win its third-straight district title behind its powerful trio of Jalen Briscoe, DeMarcus Hogan, and Gabe Jones. The seniors are accounting for 42 of the 56 points the team is averaging per game. They are also averaging a combined 14 rebounds a contest. I expect these players to shine again on the 13th District stage and help the Wildcats reach an eighth-straight 13th District Championship game.
#2 – Todd County Central (17-11)
How They Can Win
Todd County Central won four of its final five games of the regular season, including three against district foes. The Rebels swept Russellville in the regular season, with both games coming since February 6. Jamison Glass has been as good as advertised, averaging 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Trayvon Foster is averaging 12.9 points and Preston Rager adds 11.7 per night. The two have combined to hit 100 three-pointers as well. Coach John Stigall’s trio can go toe to toe with any other trio in the 4th Region.
#3 – Russellville (7-20)
How They Can Win
The Panthers have gone 7-20 in the return of coach Phil Todd; however, three of those wins have come against 13th District foes, including a win over #1 seed Franklin-Simpson. Eli McMurry leads the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game, while Octavius McKeage chips in 10.3 points and a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per contest. Despite losing its final seven games of the regular season, Russellville will be hoping to turn the tide in the postseason.
#4 – Logan County (9-21)
How They Can Win
Logan County was unable to pick up a district win during the regular season; however, the Cougars are hoping to flip the script in their opening matchup with 1-seed Franklin-Simpson. Josh Frick’s club is led by Kade Wall’s 9.7 points per game and has five players averaging at least seven points per contest. A win over the Wildcats would propel the Cougars into the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2020.
Prediction
I predict that Franklin-Simpson and Todd County Central advance to the district title game scheduled to be played on Friday evening inside TCCHS gym. When the two teams met there in late January, the Wildcats pulled away for a 74-62 win. Conversely, in the season’s first meeting, F-S eked out a 46-45 win at home. I expect the district finale to be more like that game, which is exactly how the district championship game played out in 2022. Although I will likely predict Todd County to advance in next week’s 4th Region Tournament, I think Franklin-Simpson wins its third-straight district championship.
Champion – Franklin-Simpson
