Three area teams going for state titles
By TEDDY PAYNTER
Staff Writer
PIKEVILLE – Three area high school basketball teams will begin their quest to capture state basketball championships starting next Wednesday.
The Tug Valley Panthers, who captured the Class AA, Region 4 championship on March 17, will open play at the Charleston Civic Center as the No. 4 seed against fifth-seeded Magnolia (16-3).
Tug Valley, 16-5, knocked off Poca for the second straight year to earn a berth in the state tournament. Magnolia advanced by beating defending champion Ravenswood.
The winner will advance to face either top-seeded Wyoming East (20-2) or No. 8 Frankfort (13-10).
Meanwhile, the Shelby Valley Wildcats (28-4) begin play in the Sweet Sixteen Tournament at Rupp Arena on March 18 when they face Paducah Tilghman (27-6) in a 1:30 p.m. tipoff.
Shelby Valley captured the 15th Region Tournament championship with a 69-61 win over Betsy Layne.
The winner will advance to face the West Jessamine (26-7) and Muhlenberg County (20-10) game at 6:30 p.m. on March 13.
The Gilbert Lions (12-9) are back in the state tournament for the fourth time in five years.
Gilbert advanced with a 51-42 victory over Huntington Saint Joe. The Lions will face top-seeded Charleston Catholic (19-4) at 5:30 p.m. on March 18.
