3rd Region Hoops— Tonight, the Boys take center stage as the 2023-24 3rd Region Tournament tips off! All roads lead to the Owensboro Sportscenter in the 3rd Region. As you all know, to basketball fans in Kentucky it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Each locker room in the region sets out in the offseason to get here to the Sportscenter. Once you get to this point, ANYTHING can happen! Let’s get to tonight’s Match ups.

Meade Co (16-15) VS Muhlenberg Co (8-22)

Game Time: 6pm

Livestream Info: https://youtube.com/@muhlenbergmustangsportsnation?si=fXxgB-UlwAh-IdQ4

Regular Season Results: DNP

Game Spread: Meade Co -2

Players To Watch:

Madox Jernigan (Muhlenberg) – 16ppg, 4rpg

Jace Sommers (Muhlenberg) – 13ppg, 41% from 3

Isaac Coats (Muhlenberg) – 10ppg

Garrett Hardesty (Meade) – 16ppg, 4rpg

Hayden Shouse (Meade) – 13ppg, 7rpg

Peyton Johnston (Meade) – 12ppg, 4rpg

3RH’s Thoughts On The Game:

Once the draws were announced, this game stood out as one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round. Meade County, ranked #5 in the 3RH preseason Boys poll, has had an up & down season and came into the season having to replace arguably their best player, Cade Scott, who sustained an injury during Football that robbed him of the basketball season. Even without Scott, the Green Wave have the pieces to be a really solid group & you’re starting to see that as of late. They come in, winners of 9 of their last 12 including a convincing win over bitter rival Breckinridge County in the 11th District Title! Muhlenberg County comes in after a shellacking at the hands of rival Ohio County in the 10th District. The Mustangs have won 2 of the last 3 Regional Tournaments & you simply cannot count them out. Madox Jernigan, a consensus ALL Region player leads the Mustangs into the Sportscenter for what they hope to be a long stay in Owensboro. Isaac Coats & Jace Sommers are capable of taking over a game as well for HC Aaron Morris! This should be a good one!

O’Cath (21-9) VS Edmonson Co (14-15)

Game Time: 7:45pm

Livestream Info: https://youtube.com/@edmonsonvoice?si=dajjlVMp39Xu7kbI

Game Spread: O’Cath -13

Players To Watch:

Will Alexander (Edmonson) – 12ppg,

Joshua Decker (Edmonson) – 11ppg, 9rpg

Wyatt Gravil (Edmonson) – 10ppg, 5rpg

Luke Beickman (O’Cath) – 21ppg, 6rpg

Waryn Ebelhar (O’Cath) – 10ppg

Solly Smith (O’Cath) – 9ppg, 3rpg

3RH’s Thoughts On The Game:

Edmonson County pulled off the biggest upset of the postseason last week as they defeated Grayson Co in the opening round of the 12th District Tournament. The Cats are led by Senior Alice Loyd Commit Will Alexander, a lengthy 3 level scorer whose versatility makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Joshua Decker has been playing great for HC Trey Tinsley as of late & provides toughness and a paint presence but can also stretch the floor! O’Cath comes in as the champions of the 9th District & Junior star Luke Beickman has long established himself as a bonafide star in this region. Beickman has been as difficult a matchup as anyone in the region & tonight will be no different. Aces Senior Tutt Carrico missed the 9th District tournament due to injury but is expected to play tonight! On paper, this looks the part of an easy W for the Aces, but don’t sleep on Edmonson & it shouldn’t come as a shock if this one is competitive!

Enough talk, GO PLAY! #3RH