3rd Region Hoops— we’re one step closer to crowning a Regional Champion on the Girls side. Tonight we’ll determine who’ll play for the 3rd Region Championship on Sunday afternoon! The first round went as expected with Meade Co, O’Cath, Breck Co & OHS all advancing in convincing fashion, which sets up the same matchups as last year’s Final Four. Some quick fun facts to note, ahead of tonight; this is the 5th Straight year that 2 teams from the 11th district have advanced to the Final Four! It’s also the 4th consecutive year that the GIRLS Final Four consists has 2 teams from the 9th & 11th district. Basically what we’re trying to tell you is this; the 9th & 11th District run the region. Let’s get to the games, shall we?

Breckinridge Co (22-9) VS OHS (19-11)

Game Time: 6pm

Livestream Info: https://youtube.com/@brecklive8779?si=3yBUaNFmhAnL6hDL

Game Spread: Breck Co -2

Regular Season Result: Breck DEFEATED OHS 57-44 on February 5th @ Breck Co!

Players To Watch:

Caroline Lucas (Breck) – 18ppg, 4rpg

Kayleigh Huffines (Breck) – 10ppg, 6rpg

Elizabeth Grimes (Breck) – 13ppg

Shalyn Sprinkles (OHS) – 15ppg

Alyrica Hughes (OHS) – 10ppg, 6rpg

Heleina John (OHS) – 10ppg, 6rpg

3RH’s Thoughts On The Game:

Breckinridge Co is making their 9th straight trip to the final 4 & HC Chad Moorman has never NOT made the Final Four. Lady Devils HC Jansen Locher has flipped the script on the OHS program & turned them into a regional power & are back in the Final Four for a second straight year after failing to make the regional tournament the first 5 years of his tenure. As mentioned, this is a rematch of last year’s Final Four in which OHS prevailed 48-43 to advance to the Regional Championship before falling to O’Cath. OHS dropped the regular season matchup last month but played without Alyrica Hughes & Unique Carter Swanagan! This is a Lady Devil team looking to avenge that loss & will, as always, look to use their stifling defense to carry them into the championship! Breck Co comes in playing inspired basketball. One could argue that winning a regional title would mean more to the folks of Breckinridge County than any other program left standing, all things considered. Sophomore Elizabeth Grimes continues to get her confidence back with each dribble & she’ll be a difference maker tonight. Breck has the pieces to handle the defensive intensity they’ll face from OHS & Caroline Lucas is the best player on the floor! How does OHS maintain underrated Kayleigh Huffines in the paint is another factor to watch. Neither of these teams have consistently shot it well, but both can really defend you.. whoever can make shots will obviously prevail.

O’Cath (28-4) VS Meade Co (20-12)

Game Time: 6pm

Livestream Info: N/A (subject to change)

Game Spread: O’Cath -11

Regular Season Matchup: O’Cath DEFEATED Meade Co 81-61 on February 6th in Brandenburg!

Players To Watch:

Karmin Riley (O’Cath) – 12ppg

Delaney Cooper (O’Cath) – 12ppg, 5rpg

Jenna Krampe (O’Cath) – 12ppg, 6rpg

Paige Medley (Meade) – 18ppg

Annabelle Babb (Meade) – 12ppg, 4rpg

Jacelyn Nevitt (Meade) – 4ppg

3RH Thoughts On The Game:

Unfortunately the biggest story of this matchup involves injuries. Peyton Bradley & Savannah Triplett both suffered season ending knee injuries during the season for Meade County & O’Cath Senior Hailee Johnson suffered a knee injury in the Lady Aces opening round game VS Grayson County & will miss the remainder of the postseason. Meade has had time to adjust & tweak the way they play without their 2 starters & had to do it in a grueling schedule. Annabelle Babb & Paige Medley have been spectacular for veteran HC Dina Hackert. Paige Harrison has showed flashes of being a breakout star. 8th Grader Jacelyn Nevitt seems to be the next sharp shooter to come through the ranks in Brandenburg. O’Cath even without Johnson, should still be considered the heavy favorite to win the whole thing. Junior Karmin Riley is one of the school’s most prolific shooters in program history. You instantly think of her shooting but she does EVERYTHING well. She’ll go down as a top assist leader in school history as well. Obviously her role will change without Johnson to more of a scorer first, but she’ll still be the engine that leads this team to the promise land. Delaney Cooper can win you a ball game with her scoring ability and perhaps the most important piece to the puzzle is Jenna Krampe – She’ll be a matchup nightmare tonight for Meade County. We haven’t even mentioned Aubrey Randolph who’ll be the most versatile player on the floor tonight and can change a game in a hurry at the top of O’Cath’s press. Look for this one to be high energy, very physical & up and down.

Enough talk, GO PLAY! #3RH