The “March” to the Sweet 16 continues

While the boys are winding down regional tournament play this week in a select few regions across this roundball crazy state, most high school basketball fans are already turning their thoughts toward the home of the Hilltoppers – Western Kentucky University – where the 2011 Houchens / KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 will get underway Wednesday morning.

Bowling Green High School squeaked by Monroe County Saturday night, picking up a two-point win over the Lady Falcons in the 4th Region Championship game at Diddle.

The Purples will join 15 other teams from across the Commonwealth this week for four days – 15 separate games held in eight separate sessions in a win and stay, loose and watch, stretch of high school basketball that will come to a frenzied end on Saturday night when the final two teams that have survived this ordeal meet up at center court for the championship game.

Most local fans can still remember the thrill of watching as the Diddle Arena lights were dimmed while the Clinton County Lady Bulldogs stood at center court – opposite of the Lady Knights of Lexington Catholic, and the staff and players were introduced after that video presentation that kept the fans on their feet as they awaited the toss-up for that championship game.

Hard to believe as we enter tourney time again, that it’s been six seasons already since Clinton County enjoyed that moment in the spotlight.

Most predictions are showing Louisville Manuel, the champions from the seventh region, to reign as this year’s Sweet 16 champion. I’ve seen neither team play this season, but I’m going to go with Bowling Green to bring the championship to the 4th Region this year.

The Lady Purples have two things going for them. First of all, and most importantly – they’re good.

Entering the tournament rated No. 4, Bowling Green is sporting a very impressive 24-1 overall record this season, with that lone loss coming in the Lexington Catholic tournament back in December. That lone loss is perhaps the Lady Purples biggest blockade between them and this year’s championship – it came at the hands of Manual in a 71-53 drubbing.

The Lady Purples have an unblemished record against 4th Region opponents – 19-0 – and the 4th Region competition was pretty good this season considering that two other teams from this region, Monroe County and Franklin-Simpson, have also spent time this season in the Top 25.

Second, the Lady Purples are going to be the “hometown favorite” this week, playing in their own town, on a floor they are very familiar with. They, just last weekend, finished winning the 4th Region tourney on the very same floor they will take this Wednesday for Sweet 16 games.

The experience makes a big difference.

It won’t take long to see if this prediction has a chance – Bowling Green faces Region 8 champion Walton-Verona in opening round action Wednesday, a team that knocked off that region’s top two rated teams in regional action last week to make their case for a spot in the Sweet 16 brackets.

Should the Lady Purples survive the opening round and Manual gets by its first round opponent Crittenden County (21-8/Region 2), then the Lady Purples will face the Dupont Manual Lady Crimsons in second round action on Friday at 12:00 noon.

Next week – we do it all again for the boys in Lexington’s Rupp Arena.

It’s March already in Kentucky – don’t call me until April