2022 Boys’ Sweet 16: A glance at every team and predictions for who could win it all
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2022 Boys’ Sweet 16 basketball preview
Click below to view more content from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com previewing the boys’ state high school basketball tournament to be held March 16-19 in Rupp Arena in Lexington.
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The 2022 UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament begins Wednesday at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington.
All the bracket slots have been filled. Who made it through? Here’s a glance at all 16 region champions, who they’ve beaten, who’s beaten them, plus my predictions for what will happen this week.
1ST REGION: MURRAY
Record: 25-6.
Head coach: Dior Curtis.
Leading scorers: Grant Whitaker, 17.2 ppg; Trey Boggess, 13.4 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Lincoln English, 7 rpg.
Notable wins: Muhlenberg County, 59-54, Dec. 7; McCracken County 35-28, March 5.
Notable losses: Pikeville, 46-40, Jan. 28.
Win streak: Three, dating to March 1.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Fifth appearance, first since 2016. Murray reached the quarterfinals in 1977 and 2016.
First-round opponent: Henry Clay (27-8) at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Tigers and Blue Devils have not met at least since the KHSAA’s online records began in 1998.
2ND REGION: LYON COUNTY
Record: 28-6.
Head coach: Ryan Perry.
Leading scorers: Travis Perry, 27.7 ppg; Jackson Shoulders, 19.6 ppg; Jack Reddick, 10.6 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Shoulders, 10.4 rpg.
Notable wins: Hopkinsville, 82-56, Feb. 11; 87-69, March 5; Muhlenberg County, 72-69, Feb. 10.
Notable losses: Ashland Blazer, 87-81, Dec. 18; Trinity, 77-73, Dec. 21; Breathitt County, 62-60, Jan. 27; Bowling Green, 85-77, Feb. 12.
Win streak: Nine, dating to Feb. 15.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Second appearance. Only other, 1951.
First-round opponent: John Hardin (25-9) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Lyons and Bulldogs have not met at least since the KHSAA’s online records began in 1998.
3RD REGION: MUHLENBERG COUNTY
Record: 18-11.
Head coach: Kyle Eades.
Leading scorers: Trey Lovell, 13.3 ppg; Cole Vincent, 11.9 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Vincent, 5 rpg.
Notable wins: McLean County, 60-47, March 8.
Notable losses: Murray, 59-54, Dec. 7; Lyon County, 72-69, Feb. 10; Warren Central, 62-57, Feb. 18.
Win streak: Four, dating to Feb. 24.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Third appearance and second straight.
First-round opponent: North Oldham (18-12) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: Both teams have Mustangs as their mascot and they have never met.
4TH REGION: WARREN CENTRAL
Record: 26-3.
Head coach: William Unseld.
Leading scorers: Jaiden Lawrence, 14.1 ppg; Chappelle Whitney, 13.6 ppg; Omari Glover, 11.3 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Glover, 7.2 rpg.
Notable wins: Bowling Green, 91-69, Jan. 4; Evangel Christian, 61-55, Feb. 15; Muhlenberg County, 62-57, Feb. 18.
Notable losses: Bowling Green, 49-42, Jan. 18; 68-42, Feb. 25; 58-50, March 8; Greenwood, 66-64, Jan. 28.
Win streak: 14, dating to Jan. 31.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 23.
Sweet 16 history: 17th appearance, the last coming in 2020. State champions in 2004.
First-round opponent: Male (28-5) at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Dragons and Bulldogs last met in 2012. Their 2002 Sweet 16 quarterfinals game was a 73-67 overtime loss for Warren Central.
5th REGION: JOHN HARDIN
Record: 25-9.
Head coach: Austin Jones.
Leading scorers: Jalen Tyus, 16.4 ppg; Amareion Doctor, 15 ppg; Corey Brown, 11.2 ppg; Devon Rogers, 10.5 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Jamal Smith, 7.1 rpg.
Notable wins: Boyle County, 81-59, Dec. 28. Elizabethtown, 59-57, Feb. 1; 58-53, March 8.
Notable losses: Clark County, 100-72, Feb. 5; Evangel Christian, 77-69, Feb. 8.
Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 17.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Sixth appearance, first since 2019. Reached quarterfinals in 2012 and 2013.
First-round opponent: Lyon County (28-6) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Bulldogs and Lyons have not met at least since the KHSAA’s online records began in 1998.
6TH REGION: JEFFERSONTOWN
Record: 24-8.
Head coach: Richard Duncan Jr.
Leading scorers: Will Vasser, 13.6 ppg; Drae Vasser, 13.6 ppg; Terrall Cleaves; 10.4 ppg; Lavonte Harris, 10.1 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Drae Vasser, 4.6 rpg.
Notable wins: North Oldham, 56-55, Dec. 29; Western, 66-59, Jan. 11; Doss, 59-54, March 8.
Notable losses: Male, 83-77, Jan. 8; Ballard, 61-50, Jan. 12; 80-55, Feb. 10.
Win streak: Six, dating to Feb. 18.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Fourth appearance, the first since 2009. State champions in 2006.
First-round opponent: Lincoln County (29-7) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Chargers and Patriots have not met dating to at least 1998 when the KHSAA’s online records begin.
7TH REGION: MALE
Record: 28-5.
Head coach: Tim Haworth.
Leading scorers: Kaleb Glenn, 21.9 ppg; Dezdrick Lindsay, 14.9 ppg; Jack Edelen, 13.4 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Glenn, 12.7 rpg.
Notable wins: Ashland Blazer, 69-66, Dec. 19; Jeffersontown, 83-77, Jan. 8; Ballard, 65-59, Jan. 14, 81-67, Jan. 29; 82-80, March 7; Covington Catholic, 73-68, Jan. 22. Henry Clay, 63-48, Feb. 17.
Notable losses: Covington Catholic, 68-56, Dec. 20.
Win streak: Five, dating to Feb 22.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 2.
Sweet 16 history: 22nd appearance, the last in 2020. Four-time state champions (1945, 1970, 1971, 1975)
First-round opponent: Warren Central (26-3) at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Bulldogs and Dragons last met in 2012. Their 2002 Sweet 16 quarterfinals game was a 73-67 overtime win for Male.
8TH REGION: NORTH OLDHAM
Record: 18-12.
Head coach: David Levitch II
Leading scorers: Dallas Roberts, 17.5 ppg; Ian Higdon, 12.6 ppg; Jack Scales, 12.2 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Higdon, 9 rpg.
Notable wins: Butler, 63-58, Dec. 4; Woodford County, 68-53, March 8.
Notable losses: North Laurel, 78-73, Dec. 19; Clark County, 74-65, Dec. 20, Jeffersontown, 56-55, Dec. 29.
Win streak: Three, dating to March 2.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 22.
Sweet 16 history: First appearance. The school was established in 2003.
First-round opponent: Muhlenberg County (18-11) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: Both teams have Mustangs as their mascot and they have never met.
9TH REGION: COVINGTON CATHOLIC
Record: 28-4.
Head coach: Scott Ruthsatz.
Leading scorers: Evan Ipsaro, 21.7 ppg; Mitchell Rylee, 16.5 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Chandler Starks, 8.4 rpg.
Notable wins: Male, 68-56, Dec. 20; North Laurel, 79-67, Dec. 21; 58-50, Feb. 11.
Notable losses: Male, 73-68, Jan. 22; Ashland Blazer, 71-60, Jan. 29.
Win streak: 10, dating to Feb. 7.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 3.
Sweet 16 history: Fourteenth appearance, the last in 2020. Two-time champions (2014, 2018).
First-round opponent: Ashland Blazer (26-5) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Colonels lost to the Tomcats, 71-60 in Ashland on Jan. 29.
10TH REGION: CLARK COUNTY
Record: Josh Cook.
Head coach: 33-1.
Leading scorers: Jerone Morton, 19.2 ppg; Trent Edwards, 13.3 ppg; Sam Parrish, 13.3 ppg, Tanner Walton, 12.5 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Walton, 6.4 rpg.
Notable wins: North Oldham, 74-65, Dec. 20; Ashland Blazer, 89-53, Dec. 21; North Laurel 77-64, Dec. 28; Ballard, 65-56, Dec. 29.
Notable losses: Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 59-57, Dec. 19 in King of the Bluegrass at Fairdale.
Win streak: 27, dating to Dec. 20.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 5.
Sweet 16 history: This is the 12th appearance for George Rogers Clark High School and third straight. Its precursor, Clark County High School, reached the state tournament 12 times and won it all in 1951.
First round opponent: Perry County Central (29-4) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Cardinals and Commodores last met in 2017.
11TH REGION: HENRY CLAY
Record: 27-8.
Head coach: Daniel Brown.
Leading scorers: Aziel Blackwell, 17.2 ppg; Kanye Henderson, 13.3 ppg; Konlin Brown, 11.2 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Brenden Wicker, 7.1 rpg.
Notable wins: Lexington Catholic, 70-58, March 1; Frederick Douglass, 41-36, March 7.
Notable losses: Male, 63-48, Feb. 17. Frederick Douglass, 57-54 (OT), Feb. 25.
Win streak: Three, dating to March 1.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: 20th appearance, first since 2005; Six state titles (1918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1983).
First-round opponent: Murray (25-6) at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Blue Devils and Tigers have not met at least since the KHSAA’s online records began in 1998.
12TH REGION: LINCOLN COUNTY
Record: 29-7.
Head coach: Jeff Jackson.
Leading scorers: Colton Ralston, 13.1 ppg; Tramane Alcorn, 13.9 ppg; Jaxon Smith, 12 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Smith, 5.1 rpg.
Notable wins: Bowling Green, 64-62, Dec. 30; Pulaski County, 42-40, March 8.
Notable losses: Ashland Blazer, 63-54, Dec. 29; Lexington Catholic, 55-54, Feb. 15.
Win streak: Six, dating to Feb. 18.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 24.
Sweet 16 history: Sixth appearance, the last in 2019. Reached quarterfinals in 1975.
First-round opponent: Jeffersontown (24-8) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Patriots and Chargers have not met at least since 1998 when the KHSAA’s online records began.
13TH REGION: NORTH LAUREL
Record: 28-5.
Head coach: Nate Valentine.
Leading scorers: Reed Sheppard, 25.5 ppg; Ryan Davidson, 20 ppg; Clay Sizemore, 10.7 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Sheppard, 6.8 ppg.
Notable wins: North Oldham, 78-73, Dec. 19; Lexington Catholic, 81-78, Dec. 29; Knox Central, 90-86, Feb. 15; 69-56, March 7.
Notable losses: Covington Catholic, 79-67, Dec. 21; Clark County, 77-64, Dec. 28; Covington Catholic, 58-50, Feb. 11.
Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 15.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 6.
Sweet 16 history: Second appearance, the first in 2012.
First-round opponent: Pikeville (31-2) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Jaguars and Panthers last met Jan. 4, 2021, a 100-77 win for North Laurel at home in both teams’ season openers.
14TH REGION: PERRY COUNTY CENTRAL
Record: 29-4.
Head coach: Shannon Hoskins.
Leading scorers: Landon Napier, 15.7 ppg; Rydge Beverly, 11.6 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Lanse McKenzie, 7.5 rpg.
Notable wins: Breathitt County, 67-58, Feb. 15; 57-48, March 6; Estill County, 64-46, March 8.
Notable losses: Mason County, 72-61, Dec. 28; Madison Central, 79-62, Feb. 4; North Laurel, 74-65, Feb. 5.
Win streak: 10, dating to Feb. 8.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Ninth appearance, the last in 2019.
First-round opponent: Clark County (33-1) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Commodores and the Cardinals last met in 2017.
15TH REGION: PIKEVILLE
Record: 31-2.
Head coach: Elisha Justice.
Leading scorers: Rylee Samons, 15.3 ppg; Nick Robinson, 13.7 ppg; Laithan Hall, 11.8 ppg; Keian Worrix, 11.1 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Robinson, 7.7 rpg.
Notable wins: Murray, 46-40, Jan. 28; Evangel Christian, 59-33, Jan. 29; Breathitt County, 53-44 Jan. 30 (All “A” Classic championship).
Notable losses: Bowling Green, 62-61, Dec. 28; Paintsville, 65-51, Feb. 15.
Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 16.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: 16th appearance and first since 2018.
First-round opponent: North Laurel (28-5) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Panthers last faced the Jaguars last year, a 100-77 loss for Pikeville.
16TH REGION: ASHLAND BLAZER
Record: 26-5.
Head coach: Jason Mays.
Leading scorers: Ethan Sellars, 18.1 ppg; Colin Porter, 17.4 ppg; Cole Villers, 13.9 ppg; Zander Carter, 10.7 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Carter, 5 rpg.
Notable wins: Lyon County, 87-81, Dec. 18; Lincoln County, 63-54, Dec. 29; Covington Catholic, 71-60, Jan. 29.
Notable losses: Male, 69-66, Dec. 19; Clark County, 89-53, Dec. 21.
Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 15.
Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 4.
Sweet 16 history: 35th appearance and fourth straight. Four-time state champions (1928, 1933, 1934, 1961).
First-round opponent: Covington Catholic (28-4) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Tomcats defeated Covington Catholic 71-60 in Ashland on Jan. 29.
BOYS’ SWEET 16 SCHEDULE
At Rupp Arena
Wednesday
11 a.m.: Jeffersontown (24-8) vs. Lincoln County (29-7)
1:30 p.m.: Muhlenberg County (18-11) vs. North Oldham (18-12)
6 p.m.: Perry County Central (29-4) vs. Clark County (33-1)
8:30 p.m.: North Laurel (28-5) vs. Pikeville (31-2)
Thursday
11 a.m.: Warren Central (26-3) vs. Male (28-5)
1:30 p.m.: Lyon County (28-6) vs. John Hardin (25-9)
6 p.m.: Henry Clay (27-8) vs. Murray (25-6)
8:30 p.m.: Covington Catholic (28-4) vs. Ashland Blazer (26-5)
Friday
▪ Quarterfinals at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
▪ Semifinals at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
▪ Championship game at 7 p.m.
CANTRALL RATINGS
Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State rankings for teams in the Boys’ Sweet 16:
1. George Rogers Clark (87.2)
2. Covington Catholic (85.4)
3. Warren Central (83.9)
4. North Laurel (83.6)
5. Male (82.5)
6. Ashland Blazer (80.6)
7. Jeffersontown (79.9)
8. Henry Clay (77.5)
8. Lincoln County (77.5)
10. Pikeville (76.8)
11. North Oldham (75.5)
12. Lyon County (74.8)
13. Murray (72.6)
14. Muhlenberg County (71.3)
15. Perry Central (69.5)
16. John Hardin (68.2)
@HLPREPS PREDICTIONS
Elite Eight: Jeffersontown, North Oldham, Clark County, North Laurel, John Hardin, Ashland Blazer, Henry Clay, Male.
Final Four: Jeffersontown, Clark County, Ashland Blazer, Male.
Title game: Clark County, Male.
Champion: Clark County.
@HLpreps 2021 postseason record: In my playoffs preview, I correctly picked nine of the 16 region title winners. Of my misses, I named North Laurel the favorite in the 13th, but picked against them (shrug emoji), I listed Murray, John Hardin, Jeffersontown, Henry Clay and Lincoln County all as potential spoilers, and I completely whiffed on North Oldham because they lost five out of seven in February. Love being right. Don’t mind missing a few. Picks are for fun and conversation. I hope your favorite team wins.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
