Monday’s Best Regional Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regional tournament started last night with the 9th region tipping off at NKU and there are some awesome opening matchups across the state. Here's a look at the top regional openers on Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5th Region: Nelson County at Taylor County - Taylor County likely gets to be a small favorite thanks to playing on their home court but Nelson County knocked off Taylor by 14 way back in January. According to RPI, this is the number 2 and 3 teams in the 5th region going head to head. [player_tooltip player_id='328941' first='Alivia' last='Morris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='198852' first='Kaia' last='Grabbert'] taking on Grace Bell and Alexis Knifley should be worth the price of admission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7th Region: Central at CAL - Central has beaten CAL twice and the second one came in OT by a point. [player_tooltip player_id='398020' first='Destiny' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='106147' first='Amaya' last='Asher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='164404' first='Jala' last='Douglass'] are a very formidable trio of stars but CAL is always deep with talent. [player_tooltip player_id='376791' first='Brianna' last='Wilkins'] is super talented and [player_tooltip player_id='231487' first='Mariah' last='Knight'] is a matchup problem for most opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='326295' first='Bailee' last='Duck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='231486' first='Ella' last='Daniels'] could be difference makers for the Lady Centurions in what should be an awesome game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11th Region: Great Crossing at Frederick Douglass - Great Crossing almost knocked off Franklin County and will have their hands full again on Monday when they travel to Douglass. [player_tooltip player_id='164416' first='Raegan' last='Barrett'] [player_tooltip player_id='222954' first='Rachel' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252006' first='Olivia' last='Tierney'] can provide the offensive firepower to keep up with [player_tooltip player_id='231488' first='Niah' last='Rhodes'], [player_tooltip player_id='199611' first='Jermyra' last='Christian'] and [player_tooltip player_id='254276' first='Kate' last='Baker'] and a Douglass squad that could make a run to Rupp if they continue rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13th Region: Knox Central vs South Laurel (at the Corbin Arena) - Knox will go as far as [player_tooltip player_id='254274' first='Halle' last='Collins'] takes them. She does it all for the Lady Panthers. South Laurel is probably the youngest team in Kentucky as 7 eighth graders are on the varsity roster. Emily Cox and [player_tooltip player_id='747656' first='Shelbie' last='Mills'] carry a large burden for South but Peyton "Skeeter" Mabe could be the difference maker in this one if she can slow down Collins around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16th Region: Rowan County vs Ashland Blazer (At Morehead State) - According to the RPI, this is the best two teams in the 16th squaring off. [player_tooltip player_id='164384' first='Haven' last='Ford'] will be fighting to keep her career going and [player_tooltip player_id='311948' first='Katie' last='Chandler'] will be doing her best to keep Rowan's season alive. Meanwhile, the Kittens are led by [player_tooltip player_id='555976' first='Kenleigh' last='Woods'], [player_tooltip player_id='231465' first='Ella' last='Sellars'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467609' first='Jaidyn' last='Gulley']. [player_tooltip player_id='494473' first='Aryanna' last='Gulley'] could be the X factor in this game, which is likely the best in the state tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->