2021 Boys’ Sweet 16: A glance at every team and predictions for who could win it all
The KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 presented by UK HealthCare Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine 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: MCCRACKEN COUNTY
Record: 22-6.
Head coach: Burlin Brower.
Leading scorers: Noah Dumas, 15.5 ppg; Ian Hart, 12.3 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Brant Brower and Ian Hart, 5.0 rpg
Notable wins: University Heights, 64-62, Feb. 23 and 59-57, March 1.
Notable losses: Ballard, 72-59, Feb. 20; Bowling Green, 77-58, Jan. 9.
Win streak: Seven, dating to March 1.
H-L preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Fourth time earning bid and second consecutive region title.
First round opponent: Bullitt East (15-8).
Prior meeting: The Mustangs have not faced the Chargers this year.
2ND REGION: UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Record: 15-9.
Head coach: Grant Shouse.
Leading scorers: KJ Crump, 17.2 ppg; DJ Quarles, 16.9 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Quarles, 6.2 rpg.
Notable wins: Marshall County, 77-68, Jan. 8; Madisonville 67-58, Feb. 6 and 63-61 March 27.
Notable losses: McCracken County 64-62 OT, Feb. 23, Hopkinsville, 82-78, March 4.
Win streak: Seven, dating to March 10.
H-L preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Eighth appearance, last time in 2018. Won state title in 1992.
First round opponent: Bowling Green (23-2) at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Blazers lost to the Purples 88-50 on Feb. 1.
3RD REGION: MUHLENBERG COUNTY
Record: 18-1.
Head coach: Kyle Eades.
Leading scorers: Nash Devine, 17 ppg; Cole Vincent, 12.1 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Vincent, 5.3 rpg.
Notable wins: Madisonville, 68-47, Feb. 4; Owensboro Catholic 46-32, Feb. 26 and 46-31, March 28.
Notable losses: Hopkinsville, 56-50, Jan. 22.
Win streak: 16, dating to Jan. 23.
H-L preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Second appearance, also made tourney in 2010.
First round opponent: Highlands (26-4) at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Mustangs and Colonels have not met this season.
4TH REGION: BOWLING GREEN
Record: 23-2.
Head coach: DB Sherrill.
Leading scorers: Isaiah Mason, 17.7 ppg; Turner Buttry, 15.5 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Mason, 7.2 rpg
Notable wins: Ashland Blazer, 83-57, on Jan. 30; University Heights, 88-50, on Feb. 1. Owensboro, 76-56, on March 3.
Notable losses: Elizabethtown, 64-36, on Feb. 13; Ballard, 61-45, on Feb. 26.
Win streak: 11, dating to March 2.
H-L preseason rank: No. 7.
Sweet 16 history: 18th appearance, first since they won it all in 2017.
First round opponent: University Heights (15-9) at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Purples topped the Blazers 88-50 on Feb. 1.
5th REGION: ELIZABETHTOWN
Record: 19-2.
Head coach: James Haire.
Leading scorers: Jaquias Franklin, 20.2 ppg; Khia Sherrard, 13.7 ppg, Kam Sherrard, 13.3 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Franklin, 4.9 rpg.
Notable wins: DeSales, 73-70, Jan. 4; Bowling Green, 64-36, Feb. 13.
Notable losses: Covington Catholic, 79-62. March 6, John Hardin, 68-67, Jan. 12.
Win streak: Five, dating to March 15.
H-L preseason rank: No. 8.
Sweet 16 history: Eighth appearance and second consecutive. Won it all in 2000.
First round opponent: Knott County Central (18-7) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Panthers and Patriots have not met this season.
@HLpreps pick: Elizabethtown.
6TH REGION: BULLITT EAST
Record: 15-8.
Head coach: Jason Couch.
Leading scorers: Tucker Blanford, 17.4 ppg, Will Blanford, 12.6 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Tucker Blanford, 10.5 rpg.
Notable wins: Fern Creek, 68-63, March 18; DeSales, 62-58, March 25.
Notable losses: St. Xavier, 65-53, March 2, John Hardin, 71-52, Jan. 16.
Win streak: Six, dating to March 4.
H-L preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Fourth appearance, first since 2012.
First round opponent: McCracken County (22-6) at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Chargers and Mustangs have not met this season.
7TH REGION: BALLARD
Record: 19-2.
Head coach: Chris Renner.
Leading scorers: Gabe Sisk, 18.6 ppg; Maker Bar, 15.7 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Maker Bar, 10.8 ppg.
Notable wins: Trinity, 79-57, March 24; Bowling Green, 61-45, Feb. 26; Oldham County, 73-52, Feb. 5.
Notable losses: Trinity, 102-85, Feb. 23; DeSales, 74-73, March 6.
Win streak: Five, dating to March 16.
H-L preseason rank: No. 3.
Sweet 16 history: 18th appearance, first since 2017. Three state titles (1977, 1988, 1999).
First round opponent: Madison Central (21-9) at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Bruins and Indians have not faced each other this season.
8TH REGION: OLDHAM COUNTY
Record: 14-4.
Head coach: Coy Zerhusen.
Leading scorers: Tyler Slone, 12.9 ppg; Samuel Campbell, 10.8 ppg; Deaton Oak, 10.4 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Xander Wagner-Rose, 6.2 rpg.
Notable wins: DeSales, 77-72, Feb. 19; North Oldham, 62-56, March 27.
Notable losses: Highlands, 73-63, Jan. 19; Ballard, 73-52, Feb. 5; Covington Catholic, 76-48, Feb. 20.
Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 26.
H-L preseason rank: No. 10.
Sweet 16 history: 17th appearance, the last in 2018.
First round opponent: Clark County (19-4) at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Colonels and Cardinals have not met this season.
9TH REGION: HIGHLANDS
Record: 26-4.
Head coach: Kevin Listerman.
Leading scorers: Sam Vinson, 22.2 ppg; Luke Muller, 16.6 ppg, William Herald, 13.7 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Vinson, 9.7 rpg.
Notable wins: Ashland Blazer, 84-75, Jan. 4; St. Henry, 74-68. March 24.
Notable losses: Lexington Catholic, 73-57, Jan. 17, Covington Catholic, 81-65, Jan. 23.
Win streak: 17, dating to Feb. 17.
H-L preseason rank: No. 11.
Sweet 16 history: 12th appearance, first since 2001.
First round opponent: Muhlenberg County (18-1) at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Bluebirds and Mustangs have not met this season.
10TH REGION: CLARK COUNTY
Record: 19-4.
Head coach: Josh Cook.
Leading scorers: Jerone Morton, 23.2 ppg; Jared Wellman, 18 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Wellman, 7.8 rpg
Notable wins: Montgomery County, 95-79 on Jan. 8, 74-67 on Feb. 27 and 73-66 on March 18; Campbell County 60-59 on March 27.
Notable losses: Madison Central, 69-68 on March 3, Wolfe County, 88-79 on Feb. 25.
Win streak: Six, dating to March 4.
H-L Preseason rank: No. 13.
Sweet 16 history: 11th region title and second in a row.
First round opponent: Oldham County (14-4) at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Cardinals and Colonels have not met this season.
11TH REGION: MADISON CENTRAL
Record: 21-9.
Head coach: Allen Feldhaus Jr.
Leading scorers: Kole Browne, 18.9 ppg; Will Hardin, 16.2 ppg, Jaylen Davis, 14.1 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Hardin, 7.7 ppg.
Notable wins: Clark County, 69-68, March 3; Lexington Catholic, 101-97, March 23; Frederick Douglass, 80-62, March 27.
Notable losses: North Laurel, 91-73, Jan. 30 and 90-69, Feb. 23, Jan. 30; Covington Catholic, 64-48, Feb. 27 and 74-45, March 6.
Win streak: Five, dating to March 15.
H-L Preseason rank: No. 21.
Sweet 16 history: Fifth appearance, first since 2013 when they won the state championship.
First round opponent: Ballard (19-2) at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Indians and Bruins have not met this season.
12TH REGION: BOYLE COUNTY
Record: 21-4.
Head coach: Dennie Webb.
Leading scorers: Luke Imfeld, 18.6 ppg, Luke Sheperson, 11 ppg, Hagan Webb, 10.6 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Sheperson, 8.2 ppg
Notable wins: St. Xavier, 71-61, Jan. 16; Lincoln County three times, including 54-48, March 27.
Notable losses: Somerset, 72-68, Jan. 30; Danville, 82-77, March 6; Lincoln County, 62-57, March 17.
Win streak: Three, dating to March 20.
Sweet 16 history: Fifth appearance, first since 2015.
First round opponent: Paintsville (15-8) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Rebels and Tigers have not met this season.
13TH REGION: KNOX CENTRAL
Record: 18-5.
Head coach: Tony Patterson.
Leading scorers: Jevonte Turner, 26.3 ppg, Isaac Mills, 14.9 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Turner, 8.1 rpg.
Notable wins: Wolfe County, 81-74, Feb. 6; North Laurel, 78-63, March 27.
Notable losses: Corbin, 77-72, Feb. 10 and 93-84, March 2; South Laurel, 67-58, March 6.
Win streak: Five, dating to March 16.
H-L Preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: Have won seven region titles, including three straight.
First round opponent: Ashland Blazer (20-4) at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Panthers and Tomcats have not met this season.
14TH REGION: KNOTT COUNTY CENTRAL
Record: 18-7.
Head coach: BB King.
Leading scorers: Colby Napier, 21.2 ppg, Josh McGuire, 13.8 ppg.
Leading rebounder: McGuire, 9.5 rpg.
Notable wins: Hazard, 73-64, on Jan. 4 and 65-56 on March 24; Wolfe County, 80-68, on Jan. 6.
Notable losses: North Laurel, 101-79 on Jan. 23; Pikeville, 82-59 on Feb. 23; Betsy Lane, 69-63, on March 6.
Win streak: Six, dating to March 9.
H-L preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: 13th appearance, first since 2015.
First round opponent: Elizabethtown (19-2) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Prior meeting: The Patriots have not faced the Panthers this season.
15TH REGION: PAINTSVILLE
Record: 15-8.
Head coach: Landon Slone.
Leading scorers: Colby Fugate, 21 ppg; Braxton Tharp, 13.2 ppg, Connor Fugate, 10.9 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Connor Fugate, 6.5 rpg.
Notable wins: Johnson Central, 84-73, March 19 and 48-46, March 27; Belfry, 78-70, Feb. 3 and 55-51, March 26.
Notable losses: Martin County, 55-50, Jan. 23; Harlan, 63-56, March 6.
Win streak: Six, dating to March 8.
H-L Preseason rank: Unranked.
Sweet 16 history: 10th appearance and first since 2008.
First round opponent: Boyle County (21-4) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Prior meeting: The Tigers and Rebels have not met this season.
16TH REGION: ASHLAND BLAZER
Record: 20-4.
Head coach: Jason Mays.
Leading scorers: Cole Villers, 23 ppg; Colin Porter, 17.9 ppg; Ethan Sellars, 13.1 ppg.
Leading rebounder: Sean Marcum, 5.7 rpg.
Notable wins: North Laurel, 86-66, March 5; Paul Laurence Dunbar, 76-64, March 6; Rowan County, 62-58 OT, March 27.
Notable losses: Highlands, 84-75, Jan. 4; Bowling Green, 83-57, Jan. 30; Covington Catholic, 71-62, Feb. 26.
Win streak: 11, dating to Feb. 28.
H-L Preseason rank: No. 4.
Sweet 16 history: 34 region titles with four state championships (1928, 1933, 1934, 1961)
First round opponent: Knox Central (18-5) at 8 p.m. Monday.
Prior meeting: The Tomcats and Patriots have not met this season.
BOYS’ SWEET 16 FIRST-ROUND GAMES
At Rupp Arena
Wednesday
11 a.m.: Knott County Central vs. Elizabethtown
2 p.m.: Bowling Green vs. University Heights
5 p.m.: Madison Central vs. Ballard
8 p.m.: Clark County vs. Oldham County
Thursday
11 a.m.: Muhlenberg County vs. Highlands
2 p.m.: Bullitt East vs. McCracken County
5 p.m.: Boyle County vs. Paintsville
8 p.m.: Knox Central vs. Ashland Blazer
CANTRALL RATINGS
Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State rankings for teams in the Sweet 16:
1. Ballard 84.2
2. Elizabethtown 83.6
3. Highlands 83.0
4. Bowling Green 82.2
5. Oldham County 80.1
6. Knox Central 79.4
7. Madison Central 79.0
8. Muhlenberg County 77.0
9. Ashland Blazer 76.3
10. Clark County 75.1
11. McCracken County 74.5
12. Bullitt East 73.8
13. Boyle County 72.1
14. Paintsville 68.9
15. University Heights 68.8
16. Knott County Central 63.4
@HLPREPS PREDICTIONS
Elite Eight: Elizabethtown, Oldham County, Bowling Green, Madison Central, Highlands, McCracken County, Boyle County, Ashland Blazer.
Final Four: Elizabethtown, Madison Central, McCracken, Ashland Blazer.
Title game: Madison Central, Ashland Blazer.
Champion: Ashland Blazer.
@HLpreps 2021 postseason record: In my playoffs preview, I correctly picked seven of the 16 region title winners. I listed Muhlenberg and McCracken as the favorites but picked against them. And while I listed Highlands, Madison Central, Knox Central, Knott County and Paintsville as potential spoilers, I completely whiffed on University Heights and Bullitt East. As always, picks are just for fun and conversation. Love being right. Don’t mind getting proved otherwise. Good luck to all.
This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 7:47 AM.
