Thirteen teams representing five states will play 14 games over the next two days at the West Kentucky Hoops Classic at Caldwell County’s CAB gym.
Some of the top talent from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma will be on display, with action beginning at 11 a.m. both Thursday and Friday in Princeton.
Admission is $7 a day or $13 for a two-day pass.
Here is a look at the opening-day matchups:
Dawson Springs vs. Ballard Memorial girls, 11 a.m.
The Lady Panthers will make the short trip from just across the Tradewater River to face 1st Region foe Ballard Memorial in the opening game of the event. The Lady Panthers are 4-5 on the season. Dawson Springs broke a four-game losing skid with a 59-46 win over Livingston Central on Dec. 21. Ballard is 3-7 but has dropped five straight since a 48-28 win over Paducah Community Christian on Dec. 7.
Caldwell County vs. Fulton City boys, 12:30 p.m.
Caldwell County’s boys have won seven of their last eight outings and carry a 7-3 mark into their own holiday event. The Tigers own road overtime wins over Muhlenberg County and Butler County since opening the season 0-2. Caldwell also has impressive victories over Webster County and Paducah Tilghman. The Tigers’ only loss since Dec. 1 was a 77-64 decision to Logan County, which is 8-2. Fulton City, out of the 1st Region, is 2-8 on the season, The Bulldogs have dropped their last three decisions.
Caldwell County vs. Martha Layne Collins girls, 2 p.m.
A pair of teams with .500 records will square off when Caldwell County’s girls meet Martha Layne Collins for the first time. The Lady Tigers are 5-5 after dropping three games against stiff competition at the Marshall County Lady Marshal Holiday Classic last week. Meanwhile, the Lady Titans, from the 8th Region, are 6-6. Collins had dropped four in a row before beating Twin Springs, Va., 61-38, last week in Tennessee.
Clarksville Northeast vs. Booker T. Washington boys, 3:30 p.m.
Two Tennessee teams will meet when Clarksville Northeast takes on Booker T. Washington from Memphis. Northeast was expecting a big season this year after a trip to the state tournament last year, but Eagles start Alec Kegler suffered a broken foot early in the season. Northeast brings a 5-8 record to Princeton. Meanwhile, Booker T. Washington has won seven straight to build an impressive 9-1 resume.
Sapulpa, Okla. vs Webb School, Tenn. boys, 5 p.m.
The Sapulpa Chieftains carry a perfect 6-0 record and No. 2 ranking in the Oklahoma Class 6A ranks into the West Kentucky Hoops Classic. Webb School, from Bell Buckle, Tenn., features one of the top juniors in the country in 6-4 guard Keon Johnson, who is drawing interest from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Florida and Ole Miss. The Feet are 11-3 and have won four of their last five games.
Hamilton Southeastern, Ind. vs. Center Hill, Miss., 6:30 p.m.
Hamilton Southeastern of Fishers, Ind., is 7-1 on the season and features 7-2 center Mabor Majak, the No. 3-rated junior in the state of Indiana. The Royals will take on Center Hill of Olive Branch, Miss., in a highly-anticipated first-day matchup. The Mustangs are 14-0 and are ranked No. 2 in Mississippi Class 5A.
Brighton, Tenn. vs. Caldwell County boys, 8 p.m.
Caldwell’s guys return to the court for their second game of the day, facing Brighton, Tenn., in the final contest of the opening day.
The Brighton Cardinals have won three straight games and bring an 8-5 record to the Bluegrass state.
