5 Takeaways: KHSAA State Tournament

The nets have been cut and the lights are out at Rupp Arena. The Ryle Lady Raiders are your state champions and could be primed for a repeat (more on that later). So, what do we takeaway from 5 days in Lexington? Let's break it down. <ul> <li><strong>Girls State Tournament Deserves a Title Sponsor. </strong>The state tournament went without a title sponsor this past week. This was the second most attended Sweet 16 in history and had some fantastic games. Attendance would have pushed for most all time if Scott County had done their part and showed up in Lexington. The tournament was every bit as exciting as the boys side the week before and hopefully KHSAA can find a title sponsor for next season.</li> <li><strong>Ryle was dominant. And could win it again next season. </strong>The Lady Raiders won all 4 games by double figures on their way to the big trophy. <strong>Lauren Schwartz, Maddie Scherr and Brie Crittendon</strong> were a 3 headed monster that could not be contained. Scherr and Crittendon return next season while many of the Sweet 16 teams lose their best players to graduation in May. Don't be surprised to see Ryle back and defending their title next season.</li> <li><strong>It's a bummer Cameron Browning missed the tournament. </strong>Male's Senior leader was diagnosed with mono and missed the Sweet 16. Even without Cameron, the Lady Bulldogs went to the Final 4 before dropping a 10 point decision to Southwestern. Replacing 15 points and 10 rebounds a game is never easy, especially in March.</li> <li><strong>The 12th Region continues to impress. </strong>Southwestern ended their season as the Runners-Up for the championship, Mercer County had won the two previous titles and the region as a whole has won more titles than any other. Quite a run with 3 straight State title games for one region.</li> <li><strong>Mercy made a case for being the 2020 title front runner.</strong> They fell to GRC in the opening round but the Jaguars gave the Lady Cards all they wanted and then some. Three of their top four scorers return and <strong>Hope Sivori and T'Aziah Jenks</strong> are back next year. Jenks is a big time player and Sivori is a great player in her own right and not some second fiddle.</li> </ul>