Girl's 6th & 7th Region Preview

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Region 6

 Schedule: Games to be played at Bellarmine University on Tuesday 2/26.

Balance of bracket to be played at Valley High School on 3/1 and 3/5.

  Favorite:

 Mercy at 17-10 has the fifth best record in Region 6 and had a horrible January winning only 4 of 10 games. However the Jaguars have played an extremely difficult schedule and have dealt with more than a fair share of injuries. Senior Whitney Hartlage is the Region 6 POY and Coach Mark Evans has been down this road many times before. Mercy’s first round game is Tuesday at 8:15pm vs. Western.

  In the hunt:

The Lady Panthers are 24-6 and ready to stake their claim to 6^th Region gold. It won’t be easy as after a first round game against Moore, Coach Meadows squad would likely face Mercy before making the finals. On the opposite side of the Region 6 bracket, the Queen of the Bluegrass champions, Butler (21-7) should handle Holy Cross in their first game. Butler’s senior guard Aareon Smith has led the team against a tough schedule. The likely second round game for Butler would be Bullitt East who should top North Bullitt (20-11). Bullitt East beat Butler by 10 points on 1/29/13. Bullitt East’s (23-7) stock has risen throughout the year with several wins over top teams. They were however handled fairly easily in the District tournament by Mercy.

 Region 7

 Schedule: Games to be played at Bellarmine University on Tuesday 2/26.

Balance of bracket to be played at Valley High School on 3/1 and 3/5.

  Favorite:

 Ballard has topped our VYPE Girl’s Top Ten list most of the season. At 25-3 they have shown few weaknesses. Their only losses were to CAL, Butler in the Queen of the Bluegrass finals, and Sacred Heart. Center Tearra Banks and sophomore guard Alex Martin have given 1^st year coach Frank Wright plenty to smile about thus far.

Ballard’s draw in the Region 7 bracket was helpful as three of the other top teams are on the other side. Ballard plays Seneca on Tuesday at 5:00pm.

 In the hunt:

 Assumption (20-7) should dispose of Central to set up a showdown with Ballard. The two teams have not met this season. The center matchup (Banks for Ballard) and 6’4” Nora Keisler for Assumption should be fun to watch. As mentioned the opposite side of the 7^th Region bracket is loaded. Male draws the defending state champ Manual and CAL (18-11) will face Sacred Heart (22-8).  Heart’s coach Donna Moir has been at the helm for 22 years and if there is a coaching way to win this Region she will find it. CAL has senior China Dow who is worth the price of  admission just to see her play. When the smoke clears from the first two rounds it looks like Manual (if they are healthy) behind Kayla Styles, has the best shot at taking the Sweet 16 spot from Ballard. March 5^th at 8:00pm at Valley… mark your calendar.