3rd Region Hoops— it’s day two of the 2023-24 GIRLS 3rd Region Tournament. Last night saw things go as expected with both Breckinridge County & Owensboro advancing in convincing fashion, setting up a rematch of last seasons Final 4 which saw the Lady Devils defeat the Lady Tigers! Tonight, 2 more teams will advance to the Final 4 as Meade County squares off against Muhlenberg County at 6pm, followed by Owensboro Catholic taking on Grayson County in the night cap! Tonight’s winners will play Friday Night. We’ll crown a champ on Sunday afternoon! Let’s dive into the matchups for tonight:

Meade County (19-12) VS Muhlenberg County (11-19)

Game Time: 6pm

Game Spread: Meade County -18

Livestream Info: https://youtube.com/@muhlenbergmustangsportsnation?si=tJMUqkGOWWa7hTMz

Regular Season Results: Meade County defeated Muhlenberg County 70-40 on February 9th in Brandenburg!

Players To Watch:

Paige Medley (Meade) – 18ppg

Annabelle Babb (Meade) – 12ppg 4rpg

Jacelyn Nevitt (Meade) – 4ppg

Brooklyn Stewart (Muhlenberg) – 20ppg, 8rpg

Taylor Wilkins (Muhlenberg) – 11ppg, 7rpg

Izzy Wilkins (Muhlenberg) 9ppg, 6rpg

3RH Thoughts On The Game:

These two teams met on February 9th at Meade Co & it was all Meade County in that one. Senior sharpshooter Paige Medley led the Lady Wave with 26 points, emerging sophomore Paige Harrison had 17 points and 6 rebounds and do it all Senior Annabelle Babb had 16 points. The Lady Mustangs were led in the regular season contest by Brooklyn Stewart who had 15 points & 6 rebounds on just 8 shots attempts. Meade County came into the season as a sleeper pick to win the regional championship but suffered a BRUTAL blow when Junior star Peyton Bradley (23ppg, 6rpg) sustained a season ending knee injury on January 30th VS Bullitt East! The Lady Wave are (5-6) without Peyton in the lineup, and were (13-6) with her in the lineup. A player of Bradley’s caliber is impossible to replace, but HC Dina Hackert quickly turned to her seniors, Annabelle Babb, Paige Medley & Miranda French to keep the ship afloat & they’ve done an outstanding job. The losses post Bradley Injury has came to LEGIT teams by the likes of O’Cath, Bethlehem, OHS, Pulaski Co, North Hardin & Breckinridge Co so the (5-6) record is a little deceiving. This team, though written off, is capable of winning the whole thing & anything less than a long stay in Owensboro is a disappointment! Muhlenberg Co is led by star senior Brooklyn Stewart who does a little bit of everything for Legendary HC Mike Harper! Mike Harper has won more regional championships than any other active coach in the region & he’ll have the Lady Mustangs hungry to prove they can compete with the gals from Brandenburg. Let’s make one thing clear though, they WILL NOT win if Stewart only takes 8 shots! Izzy Wilkins is coming off of a monster performance in the 10th District Title game, posting an 11 point, 15 rebound stat line VS McLean Co to claim the district crown. This one could quietly be a good game but expect Meade County to advance!

Owensboro Catholic (27-4) VS Grayson County (22-8)

Game Time: 7:45

Game Spread: O’Cath -24

Livestream Info: https://www.youtube.com/live/3SQDes3i7ZA?si=w7c2q7Kw0fhwqGBT

Regular Season Result: DNP

Players To Watch:

Sydney Perkins (Grayson) – 14ppg, 4rpg

Breigh Jones (Grayson) – 11ppg

Sutten VanMeter (Grayson) – 8ppg

Hailee Johnson (O’Cath) – 16ppg, 6rpg

Jenna Krampe (O’Cath) – 12ppg, 6rpg

Karmin Riley (O’Cath) – 12ppg

3RH Thoughts On The Game:

In a matchup of the 2 teams with the best records in the region, this one is the final slate of the GIRLS 1st Round. Let’s be honest; NOBODY wanted to draw O’Cath at Saturdays draw! Grayson County continued its rise as a program under first year HC Mike McClintic, highlighted by a school record 14 straight wins during the regular season. To end the season however, The Lady Cougars kinda stalled & come into the region tournament losers of 2 of their last 3. Sydney Perkins has put together a really good senior campaign in Leitchfield & 8th Grader Breigh Jones has emerged as a potential future star! O’Cath comes into the tournament as a state title contender & ranked just outside the top 5 in the state. Playing without a doubt, the toughest schedule in the region yet still coming in with only 4 losses, it’s simply a championship or bust for Michael Robertson. Possessing one of (if not) the best starting 5’s this side of I-65, Catholic has weapons all over the floor. The Lady Aces put 4 girls on the floor averaging double figures & Aubrey Randolph brings a ton of versatility for the defending champs. O’Cath rolls in this one!

Enough talk, GO PLAY! #3RH