LEXINGTON — With tip-off just a day away, Kyle Jones’ Harlan County Black Bears are ready to do battle with defending state champion Warren Central with berth into the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 quarterfinals on the line.
Tip-off is slated for 11 a.m. with both teams ready to play.
The Numbers
The Black Bears enter with a 10-game win streak along with a 31-4 record. Harlan County possesses a .69148 RPI rating which was tops in the 13th Region.
Warren Central is 17-11 while riding a three-game win streak into the tournament. The Dragons possess a .58191 RPI Rating.
Who is favored
If you go by the RPI, the Black Bears should have an easy day at the office, but if you go by the Boys Sweet 16 lines that KSR’s Matt Jones posted on Tuesday, Harlan County is a 3.5 underdog.
Looking at the Black Bears
Harlan County is led by South Carolina signee Trent Noah. Noah has shown he can do it all — score, play solid defense and rebound.
He’s averaging 29.7 points per game, and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Maddox Huff is another big-time offensive threat for Harlan County. Huff has knocked down a team-best 85 3-pointers while averaging 17.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Reggie Cottrell is the Black Bears’ best defensive player. He has shown he has the ability to lock down anyone at any time. Cottrell can also find the basket with ease, averaging 8.8 points per game while 3.5 rebounds per game.
Jaycee Carter is a warrior in the post. You need him to score, he can do it. You need a rebound, he can get it. You need a defensive stop, he can stop it. I believe you get the idea. Very underrated player that goes to war when he hits the hard wood. He is averaging 8.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Caleb Johnson can score when needed, too. He’s averaging 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Johnson also helps on the defensive side.
Brody Napier is Harlan County’s only other player that has played in more than 50 percent of his team’s 35 games. He’s averaging 3.2 points per game and 1.7 points per game.
Looking at the Dragons
Coach William Unseld isn’t any stranger to the Sweet 16. He’s taken teams to Rupp Arena and has fared well — case in point, guiding his team to a state championship last season.
He’s hoping to do the same beginning Thursday.
Warren Central is nine deep and is led by Elijah Starks, who possesses a team-best 17 points per game and 9.5 rebounding average. Kade Unseld is averaging 15.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Drevon Bratton has a 14.2 scoring average and a 7.2 rebounding average. Cadin Hammer tosses in 7.4 points per game while teammate Elijah Howard is averaging 6.4 points, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Jarek Kirk is averaging 4.8 points per game while Braylon Boards is tossing in 3.5 points per game.
Keys of the Game
For Harlan County to win, they must win the battle of the boards, don’t get off to a slow start, and stay out of foul trouble.
If the Black Bears do those three things, they’ll win — it’s that simple.
Prediction
I could be totally wrong, but if I’m a Black Bear fan, I feel pretty confident about this game. I’m not sure how folks think Harlan County should be the underdog. Taking nothing away from Warren Central, but the Black Bears are a good team, too.
As long as Harlan County doesn’t get into foul trouble, the Black Bears will win.
My thoughts?
Harlan County will play again Friday thanks to a 72-65 win.
