These are just projections. Nothing more, nothing less.
Upsets will happen, they do every year.
But…let’s take the chalk from the top picks in each region by the statewide media poll and see what each KHSAA Sweet 16 basketball tournament would look like.
BOYS
First Round
Top half of bracket (in order)
Covington Catholic vs St. Xavier
Warren Central vs North Laurel
Adair County vs Daviess County
Wayne County vs Madison Central
Notes: This is a loaded side. It features six of the top nine teams in the state in the current media poll. The only ones not ranked are Adair County and Wayne County. Whoever makes it out, will certainly earn their right into Saturday’s championship. The Covington Catholic-St. Xavier matchup is currently 1 vs 2, setting up a potential epic matchup right off the bat.
Bottom half of bracket (in order)
Jeffersontown vs Hazard
North Oldham vs Lyon County
George Rogers Clark vs Martin County
McCracken County vs Ashland
Notes: Jeffersontown, North Oldham, George Rogers Clark and Ashland are ranked.
GIRLS
Top half of bracket (in order)
Henderson County vs Frederick Douglass
Calloway County vs Sacred Heart
Johnson Central vs Cooper
Rockcastle County vs Taylor County
Notes: A potential top 5 matchup between Calloway County and Sacred Heart highlights the opening round on this side. The 9th Region winner gets a favorable draw, although Taylor County could be a tough matchup in the second round. Still a strong side of the bracket with six of these eight teams currently ranked in the Elite 16.
Bottom half of bracket (in order)
Simon Kenton vs Ashland
Hazard vs Owensboro Catholic
Barren County vs Butler
South Laurel vs George Rogers Clark
Notes: Simon Kenton would have a top 10 matchup with Ashland in the opening round with the winner being a clear favorite in the second round. George Rogers Clark and South Laurel would be another ranked matchup, with the winner also having a favorable path to the semis. Four are currently ranked, with Owensboro Catholic, Barren County and Butler in the others receiving votes category.