Heartbreaker

What happened to the strike zone? I traveled up to the University of Kentucky last week to watch the Cumberland College Patriots take on the Wildcats baseball team.
Let me tell you this, Cumberland College whipped the Wildcats all over the field. That was until the bottom of the ninth when UK scored seven runs and came from a 10-4 deficit to win, 11-10.
Somehow the strike zone dwindled to nothing in the bottom of that ninth inning. From there, the Patriots got a little tight and played the way UK thought they would play in the earlier innings hoping Cumberland would not play well and the big boys from Lexington could flex their muscles.
It just didn’t happen that way at all and it looked as if they needed a little help in gaining a win over the little guys from Williamsburg.
It appears to be a moral victory for the Patriots. I don’t think so, it was a game taken from Cumberland College. The Patriots earned that win and should have rightfully won that game. Even if it would have embarrassed the dwellers of the SEC.
It was an enjoyable fight by the Mid-South Conference defending champions. Coach Brad Shelton has another team that is capable of making some noise in the conference and region once again.
•The district basketball tournaments began Monday night and the road to Rupp Arena is in full swing. There will be plenty of surprises on the way to Rupp for quite a few teams.
Who are the teams that will advance to the 13th Region Tournaments. In the boys’ my picks will be Clay County and Rockcastle County out of the 49th, but an upset by Jackson County is not unheard of.
Barbourville and Corbin appear to be the likely picks out of the 50th district but the games will be played on the hardwood after all.
Bell County and Middlesboro seem to be clear-cut favorites out of the 51st District. Bell County shouldn’t have any trouble getting by Red Bird and Middlesboro will beat Pineville. Middlesboro will host the tournament, giving them the edge over the Lions.
Cawood and Harlan look to be easy choices in the 52nd.
So that should bring Barbourville, Corbin, Clay County, Rockcastle County, Bell County, Middlesboro, Cawood and Harlan together next week for the regional tournament.
This could be the best region tournament in many, many years with all eight teams capable of pulling off the region title. With the tournament being played at Cawood and Blake Hubbs being one of the state’s best players, the Trojans are primed for a run at the state title. If Cawood gets sidelined then the 13th region is up for grabs.
Who will win the state championship? I would have to agree somewhat with Bill Crook, the Bruins of Ballard have been the most impressive team I have watched this season but if they get to the state, Lexington Catholic will be a tough contender.
Many people like South Laurel, I agree the 12th region got the best draw it has had in years and the Cardinals should make it to Saturday morning. Anything can happen when a team gets that far into the state tournament.
•The girls district also started Monday night and Rockcastle County looks to be an easy pick in the 49th district as well as 13th region. Clay County will join the Lady Rockets in the regional tournament from the 49th.
I like Corbin and Whitley County to come out of the 50th District. They have been the strongest all season but again a healthy Williamsburg could pull a couple of upsets. Barbourville and Lynn Camp have two big girls inside that can do enough damage to cause Whitley County trouble. On paper it looks easy but when the girls get on the court this year, anything is possible. At first I would have counted Knox Central out but the Lady Panthers have played well in the last couple of weeks.
The only bad draw came in the 51st when the two best teams landed in the same bracket, Bell County vs. Middlesboro. I have seen both teams play this season and Bell County has been very impressive but the Lady Jackets pulled the upset Monday night along to advance to the regional tournament. Pineville eliminates Red Bird to become the second team out of the 51st.
Cumberland and Harlan will come out of the 52nd. The two have been good all season and there is no reason to believe Evarts will knock off Harlan or Cawood could beat Cumberland.
That brings Clay County, Rockcastle County, Corbin, Whitley County, Bell County, Pineville, Cumberland and Harlan to the regional tournament. If Rockcastle County wasn’t in the region (which will happen next year) then it would be pretty wide open, but I can’t see anyone beating the Lady Rockets.
Corbin and Whitley County have an excellent shot at getting to the regional finals this year. It will be the luck of the draw that determines that.
In the Sweet 16, I like Sacred Heart and Lexington Catholic. If those two get to the state, look for them to meet in the finals with the Lady Knights taking it all.

Jim’s Sweet 16 Picks

Boys
1. Calloway Co.
2. University Hts
3. Owensboro Cath.
4. Warren Central
5. Elizabethtown
6. PRP
7. Ballard
8. Scott Co.
9. Dixie Hts.
10. Pendleton Co.
11. Lex. Catholic
12. South Laurel
13. Cawood
14. Hazrd
15. Prestonsburg
16. Rowan County

Girls
1. Marshall Co.
2. Henderson Co.
3. Ohio Co.
4. Clinton Co.
5. Elizabethtown
6. Lou. Christian
7. Sacred Heart
8. Scott County
9. Boone Co.
10. Mason County
11. Lex. Catholic
12. South Laurel
13. Rockcastle Co.
14. Knott Central
15. Betsy Layne
16. East Carter