Who's The Next Estill County?
Last year, the Estill County Engineers stunned everyone on their run to a 4th place finish in the state tournament. The Engineers were under .500 going into the state tournament, but came out of the tournament as the fourth best team in the state. At this time last year, nobody was talking up Estill County's chances at state. Who are some teams this year that could fill Cinderella's shoe at state (provided they win their region, of course)?
Note: Parenthesis denote (region, overall record, regional record)
--Union County (2, 18-11, 7-4)
Despite being in one of the toughest regions in the state, don't sleep on the Braves. Henderson County and Christian County should be the top contenders for the Region 2 title, but Union County will be a force. The Braves already have wins over North Hardin, Apollo and even Henderson County; their performace this weekend at Owensboro Catholic's tournament will shed more light on the Braves' chances at state if they should advance.
--Edmonson County (3, 20-6, 8-1)
The Wildcats moved from a two-titan region (the 4th) to another two-titan region (the 3rd), but this season, Edmonson County might have a shot at advancing past the district and regional rounds. Already, the Wildcats have beaten Grayson County (much like they defeated ACS last season), but they own impressive wins over St. Mary, Hopkins Central and Apollo as well. The key: how will they perform against dominant power Owensboro Catholic if given the chance?
--Larue County (5, 17-8, 11-1)
After an extremely slow start to the season, the Hawks are running on all cylinders now and focused on defending their 5th regional championship. They've won 15 of 18, with wins over Dunbar, Grayson County and (most importantly) regional favorite North Hardin. Their losses: Ballard, Mercy and Henderson County. An appearance in the Lowe's Classic (at North Laurel) this weekend will test the Hawks' status as state sleeper.
--Butler (6, 18-6, 9-1)
Perhaps they are overshadowed as the 7th region's ugly stepsister, but the 6th region's probable representative at state (PRP will challenge though), Butler, may make noise if they get to J-Town. A win over Ballard, the defending state runner-up, proves the Bears' worth. Now, the challenge will be to avoid upsets in district and regional tournaments.
--Anderson County (8, 21-7, 4-0)
Scott County's exit from the 8th region leaves a hole from last year's state tournament, and the Bearcats of Anderson County may be poised to take it. The Bearcats have tested themselves outside the 8th region and own wins over PRP, Barren County and Lexington Catholic. But most impressively was a 0ne-hitter thrown by Colleen Fitzpatrick in a 4-0 win over North Laurel. If the Bearcats can avoid the wide-open 8th region field, they could make a move a state.
--George Rogers Clark (10, 21-9, 9-0)
Estill County moved away from this region, and like the 8th, a state void was created. Keep your eyes on Winchester, where the Cardinals of George Rogers Clark are making a move. They boast wins over Rockcastle County and Holy Cross, but an underfeated regional record proves the Cardinals are the team to beat.
--Scott County (11, 19-8, 8-2)
Dunbar and Lafayette are getting most of the press in the 11th region, but to the north, newcomer Scott County is putting together an impressive inaugural season in their new region. The Cardinals have big wins over Anderson County, North Laurel, Estill County and Shelby County. Remember, many of these girls have state experience already, as Scott County won the 8th region last season.
--Danville (12, 15-12, 7-2)
After the 12th region lost its Laurels (North and South), the field became wide open in this central Kentucky region. The Admirals of Danville have made the biggest state impression so far this season, owning wins over Lafayette, Edmonson County and (yes) North Laurel. However, the 12th region is as wide open as any region in state, so Danville could be upset at region. But if they get to state, don't be surprised if the Admirals sink a few ships.
--Russell (16, scoreboard technical difficulties)
Hidden in the shadows of Eastern Kentucky are the Red Devils of Russell, but it doesn't mean the 16th region can't send a sleeper to the state tournament. Remember, Russell went to state last season and played well, nearly upsetting Allen County-Scottsville in the consolation bracket. The Red Devils are worth watching again if they advance from the 16th region.
And finally...
--Estill County (14, scoreboard technical difficulties)
Yeah, why not? The Engineers are the prohibitive favorite in the 14th region, their new home after switching from the 10th region last season. Despite having a difficult early season, it's not like Estill County has been down and out in April or May before. If the Engineers choo-choo through the 14th, watch them at state to see if their Cinderella express continues to roll.
Note: Parenthesis denote (region, overall record, regional record)
--Union County (2, 18-11, 7-4)
Despite being in one of the toughest regions in the state, don't sleep on the Braves. Henderson County and Christian County should be the top contenders for the Region 2 title, but Union County will be a force. The Braves already have wins over North Hardin, Apollo and even Henderson County; their performace this weekend at Owensboro Catholic's tournament will shed more light on the Braves' chances at state if they should advance.
--Edmonson County (3, 20-6, 8-1)
The Wildcats moved from a two-titan region (the 4th) to another two-titan region (the 3rd), but this season, Edmonson County might have a shot at advancing past the district and regional rounds. Already, the Wildcats have beaten Grayson County (much like they defeated ACS last season), but they own impressive wins over St. Mary, Hopkins Central and Apollo as well. The key: how will they perform against dominant power Owensboro Catholic if given the chance?
--Larue County (5, 17-8, 11-1)
After an extremely slow start to the season, the Hawks are running on all cylinders now and focused on defending their 5th regional championship. They've won 15 of 18, with wins over Dunbar, Grayson County and (most importantly) regional favorite North Hardin. Their losses: Ballard, Mercy and Henderson County. An appearance in the Lowe's Classic (at North Laurel) this weekend will test the Hawks' status as state sleeper.
--Butler (6, 18-6, 9-1)
Perhaps they are overshadowed as the 7th region's ugly stepsister, but the 6th region's probable representative at state (PRP will challenge though), Butler, may make noise if they get to J-Town. A win over Ballard, the defending state runner-up, proves the Bears' worth. Now, the challenge will be to avoid upsets in district and regional tournaments.
--Anderson County (8, 21-7, 4-0)
Scott County's exit from the 8th region leaves a hole from last year's state tournament, and the Bearcats of Anderson County may be poised to take it. The Bearcats have tested themselves outside the 8th region and own wins over PRP, Barren County and Lexington Catholic. But most impressively was a 0ne-hitter thrown by Colleen Fitzpatrick in a 4-0 win over North Laurel. If the Bearcats can avoid the wide-open 8th region field, they could make a move a state.
--George Rogers Clark (10, 21-9, 9-0)
Estill County moved away from this region, and like the 8th, a state void was created. Keep your eyes on Winchester, where the Cardinals of George Rogers Clark are making a move. They boast wins over Rockcastle County and Holy Cross, but an underfeated regional record proves the Cardinals are the team to beat.
--Scott County (11, 19-8, 8-2)
Dunbar and Lafayette are getting most of the press in the 11th region, but to the north, newcomer Scott County is putting together an impressive inaugural season in their new region. The Cardinals have big wins over Anderson County, North Laurel, Estill County and Shelby County. Remember, many of these girls have state experience already, as Scott County won the 8th region last season.
--Danville (12, 15-12, 7-2)
After the 12th region lost its Laurels (North and South), the field became wide open in this central Kentucky region. The Admirals of Danville have made the biggest state impression so far this season, owning wins over Lafayette, Edmonson County and (yes) North Laurel. However, the 12th region is as wide open as any region in state, so Danville could be upset at region. But if they get to state, don't be surprised if the Admirals sink a few ships.
--Russell (16, scoreboard technical difficulties)
Hidden in the shadows of Eastern Kentucky are the Red Devils of Russell, but it doesn't mean the 16th region can't send a sleeper to the state tournament. Remember, Russell went to state last season and played well, nearly upsetting Allen County-Scottsville in the consolation bracket. The Red Devils are worth watching again if they advance from the 16th region.
And finally...
--Estill County (14, scoreboard technical difficulties)
Yeah, why not? The Engineers are the prohibitive favorite in the 14th region, their new home after switching from the 10th region last season. Despite having a difficult early season, it's not like Estill County has been down and out in April or May before. If the Engineers choo-choo through the 14th, watch them at state to see if their Cinderella express continues to roll.
posted by Ben Osborne at
1:47 PM
3 Comments:
As for the Danville win over Edmonson in the Tourn. at Christian, EC started another pitcher in that game that they whailed on before bringing Caudill in had time not run out they would have won hands down, question is do they have any more pitchers? If not just how far can they go. They are young with 1 8th grader, 1 freshman, 2 soph, 5 juniors starting.
By
Anonymous, at 3:54 PM
Im nOt sure about some of the other teams but I am familiar with the 6-8th regions. I have watched butler play and when they are on the top of their game they can play with anyone in the state and as far as region should breeze but if they crumble they fall.. Good pick
By
Anonymous, at 7:43 PM
I think you are overlooking one team which has proven to be redhot over the last ten games. If you take a look at their record and want a possible true sleeper, because they are in one of the toughest districts and regions then look at Bryan Station have given up less then 10 run and only lost once since they beat Scott Co. to tie for first in their district. Perhaps one of the least talked about teams around, will be overlooked by many come district and region time. If they can get out of their district which they should either as runner up or winner then their shot at regions if for real because it is played on their home field.
By
Anonymous, at 8:26 AM
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