Fifth Region Roundup

By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

I don't claim to be good at predicting games or the weather or anything else for that matter. I guess one would have to go see a man who lives in Irvington, Kentucky. Dick Frymire has been predicting things for many years. He has some help, though. He has this pet rooster named Ted. Ted has picked several Super Bowl champions, but when it comes to basketball not even Ted has a clue.

When this season started and I went traveling around the Fifth Region, I knew that Adair County was the early favorite but only because they were the defending champions. They didn't loose much from last year's team. They are the smartest team I've seen all year, and they do things that you just can't coach. So, people who know me and know what I've been doing for Pick and roll ask me, "who will challenge the Indians for the title?"

Here's my look at these teams.

Adair County is 19-4 overall as of February 3rd. They have played a tough schedule, which includes Kentucky's premiere holiday tournament -- King of the Bluegrass. Their only loss came in an overtime game with highly ranked University Heights Academy out of the Second Region.Some say their game plan is boring, and they are probably the only team in the state that wants to slow the ball down and work for the open shot. They are very unselfish, but there are teams that can upset them.

North Hardin has been an up-and-down team all year. They have tons of athletic ability and quickness. At times, they play out of control and just don't work hard enough on the offensive end of the floor. They can, however, get hot. The Trojans are led by Maurice Gosa, a senior point guard, and big man LaRod King. They took a thumping in Columbia, but they couldn't have thrown the ball in the ocean that night. Also, they have a coach who knows a few things about regional basketball play. Ron Bevars has 699 career wins and is 15-0 in regional championship games. Don't be surprised if North gets it together and makes some kind of run.

Taylor County is a team I've only seen one time, but it was probably the best game I've seen this season. They have taken their lumps here and there, but, overall, they, too can challenge. They're still getting used to a transfer they got in early January. He's a big man and before that they didn't have a post player, so they lived on the three point shot. We all know that if the three ball isn't going down it could make for a long night. Chase Cox is their biggest threat from long range. If they make it, the regional tournament in Hart County, he will look to pull the trigger out on 31-W. Their big man, Leonard Macon, has got to settle down and play ball. The kid shows a lot of enthusiasm but sometimes takes it too far. They have a good zone defense that had Adair County on the ropes a couple of weeks ago.

The Bardstown Tigers is another tam I've only seen once. They have a 10-1 record against regional teams with their only loss coming to Nelson County. I saw them back in December, and if I remember right, they were very fast. They are led by DeMarco Phillips, a long and lanky kid who can handle the ball and has a good stroke from about 15 feet. They had a decent showing last week in the All "A" Classic in Richmond. Time will tell how good this team really is because they close the regular season with Adair County and North Hardin.

Central Hardin really impressed me on February 1st. They are sneaky quick, and they have a kid named Tony Harding (one vowel from being an ice skater), who can jump out of the gym. I would guess he is about 6', but that is a stretch. Coaches may want to take notice and not press this team because they have a press break offense that will burn teams if they are not careful. They are work horses on the floor, and they seem to play good together. If they beat Fort Knox on February 5th, they will earn the number one seed in the district for the first time in school history. They have only been to the regional tournament twice, so look for them to make the most of it.

LaRue County started the season 13-1, which is one of their best starts in a long time. Lately, they have dropped 3 of 5 and have struggled on defense at times. They play with a lot of heart and will leave everything on the floor. I expect them to run the table in the 18th district. They are one of two teams in the Fifth with a perfect district record. They have a balanced attack led by juniors Tyler Hornback, Bryan Bault, and their floor general Christian Seymour. They have a tough game coming up against Taylor County. Their coach also has a regional championship ring to his credit.

The Elizabethtown Panthers' record doesn't indicate how good this team can play. To say they lost a lot from last year would be an understatement. They had Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, Stephffon Pettigrew, but he's banging around for the Hilltoppers this season. They still have good size at every position, and they have a wide body down low in the form of Sean Bouthilette. If the ball is around him, he's going to get his hands on it, and he will not let go. In the game I watched they played a tough 1-3-1 zone defense. James Haire is one of the most respected coaches in the Fifth, and I always hear that you can't ever count out one of his teams.

These These are my thoughts on the top teams in the Fifth Region. Don't get me wrong, any of these teams can get upset on any given night. Some of the best district games will be in the 17th and the 20th. The 20th will be a war at Taylor County High School. The favorites in that district -- Adair and Taylor -- have only been separated by 10 points in the last five times they've played. I will probably be at that one myself.

I hope everyone has enjoyed my take on this region. Keep looking for updates all through the district and regional tournaments.