Boy's 20th district preview

Boys 20^th District Tournament preview

This year’s 20^th district has provided some really good games as we all expected. This year has been like no other as some teams have had to be quarantined during the season. Some teams have also dealt with injuries as well, so this year has been a year of adjusting. The district tournament is in Adair County and it starts 3/15/21.

Adair County (15-7) - The Indians are the one seed in the district tournament and have had a good year. They started a little sluggish but have played well the last month or so. The Indians are led by the trio of Junior Luke Janes, 8th grader Connor Loy, and Junior Lucas Pooler. All three are within two points of each either on points per game. Pooler, the slasher who has a good first step to the rim, Janes, the big who really rebounds well and finishes inside, and Loy, the three-point marksman and late-game free throw shooter. Defensively, they throw multiple defenses at teams and it can get you out of rhythm. The Indians had a 2-1 district record and had the tiebreaker over Taylor County to be the 1 seed.

Taylor County (11-7) - The Cardinals are the two seed in the district tournament and have had a really good year when most expected a big drop off having to play so many youngsters. The Cardinals lost a lot from last year’s team but two seniors have stepped up for the Cardinals. Seniors Carson Watson and Connor Wise have been the go-to guys this year as Watson the shooter, and Wise the one you give the ball to if you need a bucket. Defensively, the Cardinals pressure you all game and can make teams very uncomfortable with full court man to man. The Cardinals did lose a starter due to injury; big man Kaden Smith, but they have adjusted well. The Cardinals had a 2-1 district record and the one-loss being Adair made them the 2 seed.

Marion County (5-11) The Knights are the 3 seed in the district tournament and have had a disappointing year so far. It has been full of obstacles as they have had to go on pause twice due to covid. The good news this year has been getting Junior James Jewell eligible. Since he has been eligible he has been the go-to guy at 6 foot 6, Jewell is a highlight waiting to happen with his athletic ability. He is a two-way player who can cause trouble for opponents. Senior Kanyon Scott-Spalding got hurt and was their best rebounder. If he’s not available they will have to rely heavily on Jewell. Defensively, the Knights like to use their length and athletic ability. The Knights have a 1-2 district record and have the tiebreaker over Campbellsville to be the 3 seed.

Campbellsville (10-18) - The Eagles are the 4 seed in the district tournament. They started rough but have ended the year playing their best basketball. This is a veteran group of players and they are led by two seniors John Orberson and Arren Hash. Orberson is a big physical presence inside while Arren Hash is a three-point shooter. The emergence of Senior Kameron Smith, a slasher, later in the year is a big reason for the Eagles’ recent success. Defensively they play a lot of pack-line defense as they try to make teams beat them with jumpers. The Eagles went 1-2 in district play and lost the head-to-head with Marion to be the 4 seed.

20^th District Matchups

Campbellsville vs Adair County (Monday 6:00 Central @Adair)

Campbellsville won the first matchup 60-52. The Eagles dominated the boards 33-21 and shot 31 free throws compared to the Indians shooting 11. The Indians are the favorite but this could be a very good game. Campbellsville’s senior class doesn’t want its basketball career to end Monday night and the Indians would love nothing more than to get revenge and make the region for the first time in three years.

Prediction:

Marion County vs Taylor County (Tuesday 6:00 Central @Adair)

The Cardinals won the first matchup 56-52. This was a very good game and Taylor’s pressure bothered Marion. Marion did however out rebound Taylor 35-21. This should be a good game that goes down to the wire-like their first matchup.