Metcalfe County earns #1 seed in 16th District Tournament
16th District Boys Basketball Tournament Preview
February 19-24 – Metcalfe County High School
2022 Champion – Clinton County
Three players scored in double figures as the Clinton County Bulldogs won their third 16th District title in four seasons with a 64-54 victory over Cumberland County. Blake Melton led the way with 19 points (7-of-8 from the line) for the champions, while Ty Seay dropped 24 points in defeat.
Last Five Championship Games
2022 – Clinton County over Cumberland County
2021 – Metcalfe County over Clinton County
2020 – Clinton County over Cumberland County
2019 – Clinton County over Metcalfe County
2018 – Russell County over Clinton County
Schedule
February 19 @ 4:30pm – #4 Cumberland County vs. #5 Russell County
February 20 @ 7:30pm – #1 Metcalfe County vs. Winner of Russell County/Cumberland County
February 21 @ 7:30pm – #2 Monroe County vs. #3 Clinton County
February 24 @ 7:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Metcalfe County (11-18)
How They Can Win
It’s not often a team with a losing record is the #1 seed in a district tournament; however, Metcalfe County has played exceptionally well against 16th district foes. The Hornets earned the top seed by going 6-2 against the rest of the 16th. Coach Brandon Brockman’s club features two of the most consistent performers in the 4th Region with Jax Allen (21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Wyatt Blythe (16.0 points per game). But the key to success will be in finding a third or fourth scorer that can propel Metcalfe over the top. Sophomore Hudson Jessie scored 20 points in a 67-63 victory over Monroe County in late January, while senior Michael Pendleton finished with 18 in a win over John Hardin three nights later.
#2 – Monroe County (17-1)
How They Can Win
Back in the 16th District, the Monroe County Falcons have looked at home – going 6-2 in their return season. After splitting the season series with Metcalfe County, a coin toss decided the fate of the #1 and #2 seeds for this bracket. Sporting the deepest roster in the district, the Falcons will look to utilize their depth in their quest to win a district championship for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Six players are averaging nearly eight points a game, led by John Harlin at 14.4 points per game. Freshman forward Branson Williams has been a revelation in the paint, averaging 8.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest. The Falcons will be looking to halt a late-season slide after losing four of their final five games of the regular season.
#3 – Clinton County (15-13)
How They Can Win
Clinton County has reached eleven-straight 4th Region Tournaments dating back to the 2011-12 season. In those eleven seasons, there may not have been a more dangerous opponent the Bulldogs have faced in the district semifinals than they will in Monroe County this year. Coach Nick Irwin’s club has four players averaging in double figures, led by Cannon Young (13.9) and Steele Burchett (13.7). Young also averages 6.9 rebounds per game. Clinton County has faced Monroe three times this season, going 1-1 in district games but losing a 74-73 double overtime thriller in the All-A region tournament. In the most recent meeting, the Bulldogs outrebounded the Falcons 35-25 en route to a 68-61 win on the final day of January. Rebounding may be the key to another trip to Diddle Arena.
#4 – Cumberland County (12-18)
How They Can Win
Don’t let their record fool you. Cumberland County has qualified for two of the last three region tournaments despite a losing record. This season the Panthers beat the likes of Russellville, Glasgow, and Monroe County as they won the All-A Region Tournament and qualified for the state event. Ty Seay may no longer be in the backcourt for coach Kurtis Claywell, but Cumberland still has some players that can fill it up. Zachery Harwood is averaging 12 points and nearly nine rebounds, while Garrett Scott has nailed nearly 70 three-pointers. A key to victory will be the continued dominance on the glass. The Panthers are among the state leaders in rebounds with well over 900 recorded on the season.
#5 – Russell County (10-20)
How They Can Win
After reaching the 4th Region Tournament in every season from 2006 to 2018, the Lakers have failed to get back to Diddle Arena in each of the last four seasons. Seeded fifth in the 2023 edition of the 16th District Tournament, Russell County will not be favored – but coach Greg Lundy’s club will not be short on confidence in any game. The third-year coach picked up two district victories this season, defeating Cumberland County (their first opponent) and Metcalfe County (their second opponent, should they win the first game). Four players average double figures for the Lakers, led by Owen Loy and his 13.5 points per game.
Prediction
In what may feel like a wide-open district tournament, there seems to be three teams that have strong cases to come out victorious. At home with two of the top players in the 16th District, my pick to win the tournament is Metcalfe County. Clinton County or Monroe County will feel they have the team to knock off the Hornets, but I am sticking with Metcalfe. I expect Allen and Blythe to have a huge farewell and for Brockman’s squad to win its second district championship in three seasons.
Champion – Metcalfe County
