Mid-Season Review
I'd say we're halfway through the season by now, and combine that with the fact that Dale Jr. just blew his engine at Talledega, I need something to do.
So here we go: a little review at what the last of March and April taught us, and a sneak peek at what May and June may have in store...
(Note: all records from www.khsaa.org)
SURPRISES
--North Hardin (20-4)
The Trojans shocked everyone by winning the Ballard Invitational, arguably the top weekend tournament this season. Behind senior pitcher and Miss Softball candidate Jennifer Young, expect North Hardin to take the 5th region and contend for a state championship.
--Union County (15-9)
Flying WAY under the radar in the 2nd region are the Braves, but recent wins have propelled Union County up the rankings. Wins over North Hardin and Grayson County have been extremely noteworthy, and they've lost to Christian County, ACS, Hopkins County Central and Owensboro Catholic by a combined 6 runs.
--The 11th Region
Lexington didn't produce squat last year, but this season, many teams from the Heart of the Bluegrass are playing well. Dunbar (16-5), Lafayette (17-6), Scott County (17-6), Woodford County (10-9) and Western Hills (11-6) have all been ranked at some point this season.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
--Grayson County (19-8)
Perhaps expectations were too high for the Cougars, but early season wins over Meade County and Christian County made Grayson County look very, very good. Their last three losses have been by a combined 20 runs, and two of those losses are to regional rivals. But with nine sophomores in the fold, expect the Cougars to grow and learn as the season progresses.
--Greenwood (16-4)
A poor showing at the Ballard Invitational has soured what has been a solid opening campaign for the Gators. Like Grayson County, expectations were through the roof for this squad which returned everyone from a team that should have won its region last year. A rainout at ACS ruined a chance for the Gators to reaffirm their status in the state's eyes.
--Estill County (11-8)
Everyone's favorite Cinderella from last season's state tournament was ranked preseason in the mid-teens, but the Engineers have struggled mightily. Ugly losses to Bryan Station, Pikeville and Model have hurt their status so far. But at this point last year, Estill County was 4-7, so don't sleep on them just yet.
MYSTERY TEAMS
--Ballard (12-2)
The defending 7th region champions are currently ranked highest in their region, but are they the best team? The Bruins have beaten Manual and lost to Mercy, and that's about it when it comes to top regional competition. Ballard does own a win over Scott County and lost by only a run to Christian County, but that's about it as far as highlights so far.
--Allen County-Scottsville (15-6)
While Greenwood continues to get most of the headlines in the 4th region, ACS continues to fly under the radar. The Patriots have beaten Manual but own no other really significant wins. However, wins over Union County and Barren County might improve as the season progresses. But the Patriots' offense seems to be thriving, as ACS has notched at least 15 runs in four games this season.
--Hopkins County Central (17-4)
Henderson County and Christian County lead the way, and Union County and Lyon County are making noise as well. But somewhere in between in the 2nd region pecking order is the Storm. They've beaten Union County, but besides that, there is nothing impressive to put on the resume. The next two weeks, with games against Henderson County and Lyon County, along with the O-Cath tourney, will predict the Storm's path.
BIG GAMES TO WATCH
5/2 Henderson County @ Owensboro Catholic
5/3 Greenwood @ Christian County
5/9 Manual @ Ballard
5/11 Allen County-Scottsville @ Grayson County
5/15 Grayson County @ Ballard
5/16 Mercy @ North Hardin
Greenwood @ Owensboro Catholic
5/17 Ballard @ Male
5/18 Henderson County @ Greenwood
BIG TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
Owensboro Catholic Sports Warehouse Classic
Thrill in the 'Ville
REGIONAL CHAMPION PREDICTIONS
(with challengers following champion...)
1: Reidland...St. Mary, Marshall County
2: Henderson County...Christian County, Hopkins County Central, Union County, Lyon County
3: Owensboro Catholic...Edmonson County, Grayson County
4: Greenwood...Allen County-Scottsville, Barren County
5: North Hardin...Larue County
6: Butler...Bullitt East
7: Mercy...Manual, Ballard, Male, Assumption
8: Shelby County...Anderson County, Oldham County, Grant County
9: Ryle...Boone County
10: George Rogers Clark...Montgomery County, Bishop Brossart
11: Dunbar...Lafayette, Scott County, Woodford County
12: Danville...Southwestern
13: North Laurel...South Laurel
14: Estill County
15: Pikeville...Johnson Central, Magoffin County
16: Russell...Boyd County
So here we go: a little review at what the last of March and April taught us, and a sneak peek at what May and June may have in store...
(Note: all records from www.khsaa.org)
SURPRISES
--North Hardin (20-4)
The Trojans shocked everyone by winning the Ballard Invitational, arguably the top weekend tournament this season. Behind senior pitcher and Miss Softball candidate Jennifer Young, expect North Hardin to take the 5th region and contend for a state championship.
--Union County (15-9)
Flying WAY under the radar in the 2nd region are the Braves, but recent wins have propelled Union County up the rankings. Wins over North Hardin and Grayson County have been extremely noteworthy, and they've lost to Christian County, ACS, Hopkins County Central and Owensboro Catholic by a combined 6 runs.
--The 11th Region
Lexington didn't produce squat last year, but this season, many teams from the Heart of the Bluegrass are playing well. Dunbar (16-5), Lafayette (17-6), Scott County (17-6), Woodford County (10-9) and Western Hills (11-6) have all been ranked at some point this season.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
--Grayson County (19-8)
Perhaps expectations were too high for the Cougars, but early season wins over Meade County and Christian County made Grayson County look very, very good. Their last three losses have been by a combined 20 runs, and two of those losses are to regional rivals. But with nine sophomores in the fold, expect the Cougars to grow and learn as the season progresses.
--Greenwood (16-4)
A poor showing at the Ballard Invitational has soured what has been a solid opening campaign for the Gators. Like Grayson County, expectations were through the roof for this squad which returned everyone from a team that should have won its region last year. A rainout at ACS ruined a chance for the Gators to reaffirm their status in the state's eyes.
--Estill County (11-8)
Everyone's favorite Cinderella from last season's state tournament was ranked preseason in the mid-teens, but the Engineers have struggled mightily. Ugly losses to Bryan Station, Pikeville and Model have hurt their status so far. But at this point last year, Estill County was 4-7, so don't sleep on them just yet.
MYSTERY TEAMS
--Ballard (12-2)
The defending 7th region champions are currently ranked highest in their region, but are they the best team? The Bruins have beaten Manual and lost to Mercy, and that's about it when it comes to top regional competition. Ballard does own a win over Scott County and lost by only a run to Christian County, but that's about it as far as highlights so far.
--Allen County-Scottsville (15-6)
While Greenwood continues to get most of the headlines in the 4th region, ACS continues to fly under the radar. The Patriots have beaten Manual but own no other really significant wins. However, wins over Union County and Barren County might improve as the season progresses. But the Patriots' offense seems to be thriving, as ACS has notched at least 15 runs in four games this season.
--Hopkins County Central (17-4)
Henderson County and Christian County lead the way, and Union County and Lyon County are making noise as well. But somewhere in between in the 2nd region pecking order is the Storm. They've beaten Union County, but besides that, there is nothing impressive to put on the resume. The next two weeks, with games against Henderson County and Lyon County, along with the O-Cath tourney, will predict the Storm's path.
BIG GAMES TO WATCH
5/2 Henderson County @ Owensboro Catholic
5/3 Greenwood @ Christian County
5/9 Manual @ Ballard
5/11 Allen County-Scottsville @ Grayson County
5/15 Grayson County @ Ballard
5/16 Mercy @ North Hardin
Greenwood @ Owensboro Catholic
5/17 Ballard @ Male
5/18 Henderson County @ Greenwood
BIG TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
Owensboro Catholic Sports Warehouse Classic
Thrill in the 'Ville
REGIONAL CHAMPION PREDICTIONS
(with challengers following champion...)
1: Reidland...St. Mary, Marshall County
2: Henderson County...Christian County, Hopkins County Central, Union County, Lyon County
3: Owensboro Catholic...Edmonson County, Grayson County
4: Greenwood...Allen County-Scottsville, Barren County
5: North Hardin...Larue County
6: Butler...Bullitt East
7: Mercy...Manual, Ballard, Male, Assumption
8: Shelby County...Anderson County, Oldham County, Grant County
9: Ryle...Boone County
10: George Rogers Clark...Montgomery County, Bishop Brossart
11: Dunbar...Lafayette, Scott County, Woodford County
12: Danville...Southwestern
13: North Laurel...South Laurel
14: Estill County
15: Pikeville...Johnson Central, Magoffin County
16: Russell...Boyd County
posted by Ben Osborne at
3:06 PM
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