The regional champions have been crowned, and their next stop is the holy grail of most all Kentucky high school kids.  Playing in the Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena. 

There are quite a few surprises, and only 3 teams who played in the tournament in 2006, so some new flavor make up the 2007 version of the National City boys state basketball tournament. Here is the schedule of first round games beginning March 21.

March 21, 12:00 p.m.- Adair Co. vs. Lincoln Co.

Adair was ranked number one for most of the season in region 5, but with the likes of Steffon Pettigrew and Elizabethtown, and Andre Miller and Central Hardin, they were still somewhat overlooked. Not anymore!!  Adair comes in with a 23-9 record, having won 11 straight, and are playing in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over a decade.  Their opponents are the champions of region 12, the Lincoln Co. Patriots and coach Jeff Jackson. Coach Jackson has been here before when he was with University Heights. But this appearance might be a bit sweeter, as he is taking a team who is also making their first trip back in quite some time. The Pats are also a district runner-up, so a nice bounce-back, wouldn’t you say? They also bring in a 24-9 slate, winners of 10 of 11, their only loss being in the district finals.  These 2 teams should kick things off in a big way.

March 21, 1:30p.m.- Scott Co. vs. Oldham Co.

The number one team in the state, Scott Co., comes in with a little chip on their shoulders, as they feel they still have some unfinished business from a year ago. They got past the first part, winning the 11^th region, and now they are here to take care of the second, winning a state championship. The Cardinals, led by Matt Walls and Bud Mackey, bring in a sparkling 30-2 record. This is their first trip back to Rupp since 2004. Their opponent is a familiar foe from when both were fighting it out for the 8^th region crown, the Oldham Co. Colonels. When you think of Sweet 16’s, Oldham Co. is one of the teams you think of, as they are usually a staple in this tournament.  It has been 4 years since coach Gary Forrest has led the Colonels to Rupp, but they are back now, and they get first cracks at knocking off the number one team in the state. Oldham comes in with a good mark of 23-6.

March 21, 6:30 p.m.- South Laurel vs. Fairdale

For the 5^th time 6 years, coach Steve Wright brings his Cardinals to Rupp Arena, highlighted by a state crown back in 2005. Bringing in a record of 28-5, and winners of 18 in a row, and with the trio of Notre Dame signee Ty Proffitt, Jordan Hammonds, and Trey Smith, this version of Cardinals could make some big noise this week. They will have to get by a tough first round test in the champions of region 6, the Bulldogs of Fairdale. This is Fairdale’s first trip to state since 2001, and after knocking off 3-time defending regional champion P.R.P. in the regional semi-finals, don’t think they are going to want to stick around past round 1. The Bulldogs come in with a nice 24-7 record, and with their athleticism, the South Laurel-Fairdale game should be a classic.

March 21, 8:00 p.m.- Covington Holmes vs. Paducah Tilghman

Another battle between 2 state powers as 3 of the first 4 games involve teams who are making their umpteenth appearance at the state tournament. The champs of region 9, the Holmes Bulldogs, come in 100% healthy, and they have the talent to make a real run at a state championship. They have won 12 of 13, and that loss was in the district finals, which they avenged in the regional finals over Cov. Cath.  Holmes brings a 23-9 mark to Rupp to face the champions of region 1, the Blue Tornado of Paducah Tilghman, making their first trip back to Rupp since 2002.  Many thought this was supposed to be somewhat of a down year for Tilghman, but you can never count out this program at any time, no matter what. Coming in with a 25-7 record, Tilghman has won 9 in a row. This should be another great first round matchup.

March 22, 12:00 p.m.- Owensboro vs. Ballard

The Owensboro Red Devils (24-8) are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2002, under first-year coach Wayne Breeden, and coach Breeden is back for the first time since he was at Ashland. Now, he has been away coaching college ball until he took the Owensboro job this past offseason, but he is back, nonetheless. The truth is, it was supposed to take a couple of years or so before the Red Devils made some big noise in the 3^rd region. Guess they didn’t want to wait that long, eh?  They get a tough first round opponent, though, in the state’s second-ranked team, the Ballard Bruins, champions of region 7. Ballard brings in the best record of all the teams in the Sweet Sixteen, if not the state, at 32-2, and also have the longest winning streak going at 23 wins in a row. They got to Rupp by knocking off the defending state champs, Jeffersontown, in the regional finals, so a new state champion will be crowned.

March 22, 1:30 p.m.- Clark Co. vs. Christian Co.

For the first time since 1990, the Cardinals of George Rogers Clark high school are back in the state tournament, and they did it in a big way, knocking off highly ranked Mason Co. on the Royals home floor. Led by all-stater Preston Knowles and with a nice 25-7 record, these Cards will be a tough out. The Colonels of Christian Co. will try to knock the Cardinals out, as the champions of region 2 bring in a sterling 28-4 mark. They are also making back-to-back appearances in the state tournament, and are looking to make a better showing after their opening round loss last year to Shelby Co.

March 22, 6:30 p.m.- Elliott Co. vs. Shelby Valley

In what could be one of the most entertaining games the tournament, the Wildcats and Lions will look to rip and run up the Rupp Arena floor and light up the scoreboard.  The champions of region 16, the Elliott Co. Lions are making their first-ever trip to the Sweet Sixteen in school history after knocking off regional power Ashland in the finals of the 16^th. The Lions bring in a 24-6 record, and pulled the double after winning the All “A” Classic region back in January, so an outstanding year by the Lions, regardless of their finish in Rupp. Their opponents are the champs of region 15 in Shelby Valley. Coming in with the third-best record in the tournament behind Ballard and Scott Co. at 29-3, the Wildcats are making their second appearance in 3 years. Truly, this is one game that you will not want to miss, as these two teams can score with the best of them.

March 22, 8:00 p.m.- June Buchanan vs. Warren Central

One team makes their state tournament debut, while the other is starting to make this their own invitational.

The Crusaders of June Buchanan, champions of the 14^th region, are making their first trip to the state tournament in school history, led by one of the better players in the state in Clark Stepp, and one of the best freshman in the state in Tate Cox. With a 26-6 mark, JBS is also one of those teams who like to rip and run. Their opponents are making their 6^th consecutive trip to Rupp Arena under coach Tim Riley, the Warren Central Dragons, the longest, current active streak in the state. State champions on 2004, some say these Dragons, 28-4 on the year, have a draw that could get them back to Saturday. They better not overlook the Crusaders, though, if they want to get there. Again, another exciting matchup of the first round.

There you have it. All the first round games of the 2007 National City Sweet Sixteen boys state basketball tournament. With the matchups made, this could be one of the better tournaments in recent memory.  I can’t wait to see all the action, and I want to see you there too. Let’s break some crowd records, folks.