If the RPI ratings have it right, it would be a meeting of a 2nd Region team against a former 2nd Region coach and his defending champions in the title game of the boys’ All A Classic. The tournament gets underway next Thursday at the Corbin Arena.
Fifteen of the sixteen spots are set in the statewide tournament, with the 15th Region still to crown its champion Saturday. Martin County won the 15th last year, but Pikeville is currently favored by the RPI.
Based on the RPI rankings, Lyon County and Evangel Christian are the favorites to reach the championship game. Evangel, who won last year’s tournament, is coached by former Hopkinskinville coach Larry Miller.
Lyon County, at # 5 in the RPI rankings, as of Thursday morning, is the top-ranked team in the field. Newport, at #8, is the 2nd highest-ranked team and is in the upper bracket with Lyon County. If both advance, they would meet in next Saturday’s semifinals. Evangel is third among the All A field in the RPI rankings at 33rd overall.
Pairings and their place in the RPI rankings statewide are (assuming Pikeville wins the 15th Region):
UPPER BRACKET
Newport – 8th
Sayre – 43rd
Danville Christian – 39th
Breathitt County – 45th
Owensboro Catholic – 38th
Lyon County – 5th
Augusta – 62nd
Walton-Verona – 42nd
LOWER BRACKET
Raceland – 124th
Clinton County – 125th
Williamsburg – 147th
Murray – 47th
Caverna – 56th
Pikeville (if they win) – 33rd
Evangel Christian – 22nd
Kentucky Country Day – 81st
The boys’ tournament gets underway next Thursday morning at 8:30am Eastern at the Corbin Arena with the Newport-Sayre game.
