The field for the 2019 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 Tournament is set with the first round featuring a rematch of last year’s championship game.
Covington Catholic, who beat Scott County 73-55 in last year’s title game, will face the Cardinals Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at Rupp Arena.
Two teams that ended long tournament droughts will open the tournament Wednesday at noon. Knox Central, who won the 13th Region title for the first time since 1970, will play Walton-Verona, who hadn’t won an 8th Region championship since 1942.
Trinity and Johnson Central have the 1:30 game Wednesday afternoon.
At 6:30, John Hardin takes the floor as the first team to enter the Sweet 16 unbeaten since Clay County in 1989. They play Campbell County, who repeated as 10th Region champions.
Owensboro, making their state-record 44th Sweet 16 appearance, will play Ashland Blazer at 8pm.
On Thursday, the Butler County/Perry County Central game will precede the Scott County/Covington Catholic at noon.
At 6:30, Madisonville makes their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2001 when they play Lincoln County. The Maroons last won a Sweet 16 game in 1989, while Lincoln County, coached by former UHA skipper Jeff Jackson, hasn’t won a state tournament game since 1975.
The 8pm nightcap has Warren Central playing First Region champion Mayfield. The Cardinals are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1992 and are looking for their first tourney win since 1981. Warren Central advanced to the Sweet 16 semifinals last year.
