16th District Girls Basketball Tournament Preview
March 16-19 – Cumberland County High School
2020 Champion – Russell County
For a fifth-consecutive season, Russell County and Metcalfe County met in the 16th District finale. For the fourth time in five seasons, the Lady Lakers upended the Lady Hornets, this time in overtime by a score of 79-71. Russell County got a career night from Juliah Bault as the then-junior scored 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Star Marcum also scored 23 points and recorded a game-high 17 rebounds.
Last Five Championship Games
2020 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
2019 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
2018 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
2017 – Metcalfe County over Russell County
2016 – Russell County over Metcalfe County
Schedule
Tuesday, March 16 @ 6:00pm – #1 Russell County vs. #4 Cumberland County
Wednesday, March 17 @ 6:0pm – #2 Metcalfe County vs. #3 Clinton County
Friday, March 19 @ 7:00pm – Championship Game
#1 – Russell County (14-11)
How They Can Win
For the Lady Lakers to come out on top, it will be behind the dynamic duo of Juliah Bault and Star Marcum. The two seniors have been downright dominant in 2021. Bault leads the team in scoring at points per game, with Marcum not far behind at points per game. Marcum leads the team in rebounding at per contest. Russell County beat Cumberland County, 45-34, on January 16 behind 16 points and 13 rebounds from Marcum.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Junior Sophie Shearer is third on the team in scoring at 6.5 points per game. The forward is also second in rebounding at 5.2 per game. Her ability to score and rebound as teams key in on Bault and Marcum will be critical to the team’s chances at a fourth-straight district title.
#2 – Metcalfe County (11-9)
How They Can Win
The Lady Hornets had won four games in a row before falling to South Warren and Campbellsville in their final two games of the regular season. The path to a 16th District title for Metcalfe goes through its four top scorers. Coach Tiffany Coffey’s club has four players averaging at least 9.3 points per game. Kassady London leads the team at 12.9 points per game on 52.5% shooting. Anna Blythe is the team’s leading rebounder at 7.7 per contest.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Everyone knows how important seniors are in March. The Lady Hornets have three; none arguably more important than Macy Welsh. She is the team’s fifth-leading scorer at 6.5 points per game and second-leading rebounder at 5.9 per contest.
#3 – Clinton County (12-7)
How They Can Win
Clinton County – winners of seven out of their last nine games – enters the 16th District Tournament looking to add two more wins to its tally and win its first district championship since 2014. For the Lady Bulldogs, it all goes through their two stars, Braylee Mann and Landree Moons. Mann is averaging 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Moons is not far behind at 12.8 and 5.3. If Clinton is to make some noise this March, it will certainly be behind these two talented players.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Senior Abbi Young is the team’s leading three-point shooter with 29 made threes (the team has hit 58 total). Her ability to knock down a big shot in a critical moment will be called upon by coach Ansley Nelson and her staff.
#4 – Cumberland County (5-18)
How They Can Win
Cumberland County is looking to reach the 4th Region Tournament for the first time since 2015. The Lady Panthers are led by Maggie Morgan. The junior is averaging a double-double at 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Their path to a 16th District title will be through balanced scoring. In early February, the Lady Panthers went on a three-game win streak beating Monroe County, Glasgow, and Metcalfe County. In each of these victories, at least three players scored in double figures.
Player to Keep an Eye on
Carly Nettles is the team’s second-leading scorer (7.9) and rebounder (7.0).
Prediction
Russell County looks poised to win its sixth district tournament in seven seasons. However, the tournament is incredibly wide open with Metcalfe County and Clinton County lurking just behind. The loser of the Metcalfe-Clinton game will be wondering what could have been. Either 16th District representative in the 4th Region Tournament will have an opportunity to make some loud noise at Diddle Arena next week. I predict Metcalfe County will knock off Clinton in a tight game, before upending Russell County to win their first district title since 2017. Metcalfe will finally get over the Russell hump, but both will qualify for the 4th Region Tournament.
Champion — Metcalfe County
