2023 Boys’ Sweet 16: A glance at every team and predictions for who could win it all

The 2023 UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament begins Wednesday at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington.

All the bracket slots have been filled. Who made it through? Here’s a glance at all 16 region champions, who they’ve beaten, who’s beaten them, plus my predictions for what will happen this week.

1ST REGION: MCCRACKEN COUNTY

Record: 29-5.

Head coach: Dustin Roberts.

Leading scorers (ppg): Jack McCune 18.1; Ian Hart, 12; Carson Purvis, 11.

Leading rebounder (rpg): McCune 7.4.

Notable wins: Owensboro, 63-62, Jan. 7.

Notable losses: Bowling Green, 61-48, Jan. 21.

Win streak: Five, dating to Feb. 20.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: Fifth appearance, the last in 2021.

First-round opponent: Elizabethtown (23-9) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Mustangs and Panthers have never met.

2ND REGION: LYON COUNTY

Record: 30-5.

Head coach: Ryan Perry.

Leading scorers (ppg): Travis Perry, 32.2; Jack Reddick, 19; Brady Shoulders 18.1.

Leading rebounder: Shoulders, 11.1.

Notable wins: Ballard, 86-80, Dec. 28; North Laurel, 90-83, Jan. 7.

Notable losses: Lexington Catholic, 73-53, Dec. 29; University Heights, 74-64, Jan. 10.

Win streak: 16, dating to Jan. 17.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 10.

Sweet 16 history: Third appearance and second in a row.

First-round opponent: Newport (28-6) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Lyons and Wildcats have not met since at least when the KHSAA began keeping records online in 1998.

3RD REGION: OWENSBORO

Record: 19-10.

Head coach: Rod Drake.

Leading scorers (ppg): Kenyatta Carbon, 22.1; Jiairius Webb 10.7.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Carbon, 7.4.

Notable wins: Hopkinsville 67-66, Jan. 28; Ohio County, 61-51, March 2.

Notable losses: Warren Central, 80-41, Dec. 5; McCracken County, 63-62, Jan. 7.

Win streak: Five, dating to Feb. 22.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: 43rd appearance; four-time state champions (1949, 1972, 1980, 2015).

First-round opponent: Ashland Blazer (22-11) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Red Devils last met the Tomcats in the 2019 Sweet 16, a 58-50 Owensboro loss.

4TH REGION: WARREN CENTRAL

Record: 32-1.

Head coach: William Unseld.

Leading scorers (ppg): Chappelle Whitney, 16.8; Kade Unseld, 15.9; Damarion Walkup, 12.2 Omari Glover, 10.3.

Leading rebounder: Whitney, 7.8.

Notable wins: Owensboro, 80-41, Dec. 5; Great Crossing, 89-53, Dec. 20; Bowling Green, 52-50, March 7.

Notable losses: Madison Central, 60-43, Dec. 27.

Win streak: 23, dating to Dec. 28.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 2.

Sweet 16 history: 18th appearance; runner-up last season; state champions in 2004.

First-round opponent: Pulaski County (27-6) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Dragons and Maroons last met Dec. 28, 2014. Warren Central won 72-54.

5TH REGION: ELIZABETHTOWN

Record: 23-9.

Head coach: James Haire.

Leading scorers (ppg): Ayden Evans, 16.1; Obian Howard, 12; Jujuan Williams, 11.7.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Evans, 9.9.

Notable wins: Washington County, 67-63, Dec. 20; LaRue County, 55-44, March 7.

Notable losses: Bowling Green, 59-58, Dec. 6; Evangel Christian, 73-64, Jan. 14; LaRue County, 55-46, Feb. 7.

Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 11.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: Ninth appearance; state champions in 2000; runner-up in 2021.

First-round opponent: McCracken County (29-5) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Panthers and Mustangs have never met.

6TH REGION: JEFFERSONTOWN

Record: 17-12.

Head coach: Richard Duncan Jr.

Leading scorers (ppg): Camron McDaniels, 12.1; Lukus McDaniels, 10.5.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Lukus McDaniels, 5.4.

Notable wins: DeSales, 55-54, March 6.

Notable losses: Lexington Catholic, 68-58 OT, Dec. 3; Male, 73-67, Jan. 3.

Win streak: Six, dating to Feb. 17.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 25.

Sweet 16 history: Fifth appearance and second in a row; state champions in 2006.

First-round opponent: Woodford County (20-12) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Chargers and Yellow Jackets last met on Dec. 22, 2012, a 79-76 Jeffersontown win.

7TH REGION: MALE

Record: 25-10.

Head coach: Tim Haworth.

Leading scorers (ppg): Jack Edelen, 17.7; Cole Edelen, 15.8; Demetrius “Meechie” White, 13.6; Jayson Gasaway, 10.7.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Gasaway, 6.2.

Notable wins: Jeffersontown, 73-67, Jan. 3; Trinity, 67-65 2OT, March 7.

Notable losses: Woodford County, 75-71, Dec. 10; George Rogers Clark, 70-59, Dec. 17.

Win streak: 14, dating to Jan. 21.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 6.

Sweet 16 history: 23rd appearance and second in a row; four-time state champions (1945, 1970, 1971, 1975)

First-round opponent: Breathitt County (18-9) at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Bulldogs and Bobcats have not met since at least when the KHSAA began keeping records online in 1998.

8TH REGION: WOODFORD COUNTY

Record: 20-12.

Head coach: Jaron Brown.

Leading scorers (ppg): Jasper Johnson, 20.9; Makhi Smith, 12.2, Santonio Waide, 10.5.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Aden Nelson, 7.7.

Notable wins: Male, 75-71, Dec. 10; North Oldham, 61-41, March 6.

Notable losses: Frederick Douglass, 61-53, Feb. 4.

Win streak: Seven, dating to Feb. 11.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 13.

Sweet 16 history: Third appearance, the last in 1986.

First-round opponent: Jeffersontown (17-12) at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Yellow Jackets and Chargers last met on Dec. 22, 2012, a 79-76 Woodford loss.

9TH REGION: NEWPORT

Record: 28-6.

Head coach: Rodney Snapp.

Leading scorers (ppg): Marquez Miller, 15.8; Taylen Kinney 14; Jabari Covington, 12.2.

Leading rebounder (rpg): James Turner, 6.6.

Notable wins: Cooper, 44-42, March 7.

Notable losses: Corbin, 65-52, Dec. 29; Covington Holy Cross, 74-72, Jan. 14.

Win streak: 12, dating to Feb. 1.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: Twelfth appearance, the last in 2010.

First-round opponent: Lyon County (30-5) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Wildcats and Lyons have not met since at least when the KHSAA began keeping records online in 1998.

10TH REGION: GEORGE ROGERS CLARK

Record: 27-5.

Head coach: Josh Cook.

Leading scorers (ppg): Jerone Morton, 20; Trent Edwards, 16.6; Sam Parrish, 14.8; Reshaun Hampton, 11.8.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Morton, 6.8.

Notable wins: Ashland Blazer, 70-57, Dec. 10; Male, 70-59, Dec. 17; Great Crossing, 52-51, Jan. 5; Mason County, 54-42, March 7.

Notable losses: Great Crossing, 64-62, Dec. 18; Frederick Douglass, 63-52, Feb. 7.

Win streak: Nine, dating to Feb. 9.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 1.

Sweet 16 history: Defending state champions. This is the 13th appearance for George Rogers Clark High School and fourth straight. Its precursor, Clark County High School, reached the state tournament 12 times and won it all in 1951.

First round opponent: North Laurel (25-10) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Cardinals and Jaguars last met on Dec. 28, 2021, a 77-64 Clark win.

Kai Simpson (4) of Frederick Douglass celebrates scoring and drawing a foul against Lexington Catholic during last week’s 11th Region Tournament championship game. The Broncos are making their first Sweet 16 appearance this week.

11TH REGION: FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Record: 31-2.

Head coach: Wes Scarberry.

Leading scorers (ppg): Kai Simpson, 16.7; Armelo Boone, 16.0; Aveion Chenault, 13.2; Tylon Webb, 11.4.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Boone, 6.0.

Notable wins: Woodford County, 61-53, Feb. 4; George Rogers Clark, 63-52, Feb. 7; Lexington Catholic, 43-41, March 6.

Notable losses: Lexington Catholic, 71-59, Nov. 30; Great Crossing, 78-60, Dec. 10.

Win streak: 26, dating to Dec. 21.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 16.

Sweet 16 history: First appearance.

First-round opponent: Martin County (24-10) at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Broncos and Cardinals have never met.

12TH REGION: PULASKI COUNTY

Record: 27-6.

Head coach: John Fraley.

Leading scorers (ppg): Cayden Lancaster, 19.7; Barek Williams, 19.5; Carson Fraley, 12.9.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Lancaster, 5.6.

Notable wins: Madison Central, 71-70, Nov. 28; Lincoln County, 57-50, March 7.

Notable losses: Lincoln County, 76-49, Jan. 3; Boyle County 66-65, Feb. 16.

Win streak: Five, dating to Feb. 21.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: Sixth appearance, the last in 2017; state champions in 1986.

First-round opponent: Warren Central (32-1) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Maroons and Dragons last met on Dec. 28, 2014, a 72-54 Pulaski loss.

13TH REGION: NORTH LAUREL

Record: 25-10.

Head coach: Nate Valentine.

Leading scorers (ppg): Reed Sheppard, 22.1; Ryan Davidson, 17.8; Gavin Chadwell, 11.3.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Sheppard, 8.7.

Notable wins: Covington Catholic, 72-58, Feb. 10; Corbin, 70-33, March 6.

Notable losses: Lyon County, 90-83, Jan. 7; Covington Catholic, 69-65, Jan. 21; Madison Central, 74-58, Feb. 4.

Win streak: Nine, dating to Feb. 7.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 4.

Sweet 16 history: Third appearance and second in a row.

First-round opponent: George Rogers Clark (27-5) at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Jaguars and Cardinals last met on Dec. 28, 2021, a 77-64 North Laurel loss.

14TH REGION: BREATHITT COUNTY

Record: 18-9.

Head coach: Kyle Moore.

Leading scorers (ppg): Austin Sperry, 18; Christian Collins, 14.6.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Collins, 9.4.

Notable wins: Martin County, 50-47, Dec. 6; Evangel Christian, 56-55, Jan. 16; Hazard, 53-51, March 4.

Notable losses: Hazard, 63-47, Jan. 11; Harlan County, 87-78, Jan. 24; South Laurel, 56-45, Feb. 4.

Win streak: Six, dating to Feb. 7.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 24.

Sweet 16 history: Twelfth appearance, the last in 1996.

First-round opponent: Male (25-10) at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Bobcats and Bulldogs have not met since at least when the KHSAA began keeping records online in 1998.

15TH REGION: MARTIN COUNTY

Record: 24-10.

Head coach: Jason James.

Leading scorers (ppg): Luke Hale, 20.7; Brayden McKenzie, 15.3.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Jacob Sturgell, 6.1.

Notable wins: Pikeville, 72-70, Jan. 14 and 55-53, March 6.

Notable losses: Breathitt County, 50-47, Dec. 6; Evangel Christian, 86-55, Jan. 27.

Win streak: Five, dating to Feb. 22.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: Unranked.

Sweet 16 history: Third appearance, including the 2020 COVID-19 canceled tournament and the 1983 trip by its preceding school, Sheldon Clark.

First-round opponent: Frederick Douglass (31-2) at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Prior meeting: The Cardinals and Broncos have never met.

16TH REGION: ASHLAND BLAZER

Record: 22-11.

Head coach: Ryan Bonner.

Leading scorers (ppg): Zander Carter, 22.3; Rheyce Deboard, 17.3.

Leading rebounder (rpg): Carter, 6.

Notable wins: Madison Central, 81-68, Jan. 10; Boyd County, 73-51, March 7.

Notable losses: George Rogers Clark, 70-57, Dec. 10; Covington Catholic, 83-57, Jan. 28; Boyd County, 74-67, Feb. 23.

Win streak: Three, dating to March 1.

Herald-Leader preseason rank: No. 8.

Sweet 16 history: 36th appearance and fifth straight. Four-time state champions (1928, 1933, 1934, 1961).

First-round opponent: Owensboro (19-10) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Prior meeting: The Tomcats and Red Devils last met in the 2019 Sweet 16, a 58-50 Ashland win.

CANTRALL RATINGS

Dave Cantrall’s Rating the State rankings for teams in the Boys’ Sweet 16:

1. North Laurel, 84.7

2. Warren Central, 84.3

3. George Rogers Clark, 83.9

4. Male, 83.7

5. Frederick Douglass, 82.4

6. Woodford County, 80.2

7. Ashland Blazer, 78.9

8. Lyon County, 78.7

9. Jeffersontown, 77.3

10. Newport, 76.3

11. Elizabethtown, 73.5

12. Owensboro, 72.4

13. McCracken County, 72.1

14. Pulaski County, 70.5

15. Breathitt County, 68.5

16. Martin County, 63.4

@HLPREPS PREDICTIONS

Elite Eight: Elizabethtown, Woodford County, Warren Central, Owensboro, Frederick Douglass, Male, Lyon County, George Rogers Clark.

Final Four: Elizabethtown, Warren Central, Frederick Douglass, Lyon County.

Title game: Warren Central, Frederick Douglass.

Champion: Warren Central.

@HLpreps 2023 postseason record: In my playoffs preview, I correctly picked only five of the 16 region title winners, which goes to show how competitive they all are or, maybe, how ignorant I am. I labeled Male as the favorite in the 7th and picked against them, and I highlighted Owensboro, Elizabethtown, Woodford, Cooper, Pulaski, Breathitt, Martin and Ashland Blazer as contenders. My only complete whiff was Jeffersontown in the 6th.

As always, I love being right and don’t mind missing a few. My picks are for fun and conversation. I hope your favorite team wins.