March is officially here, so let's jump into the 1st region brackets.  We'll break it down game by game and give you guys the chance to get worked into a lather.  Here we go.

1st Region Quarterfinals:

• Calloway County vs. Lone Oak.  This is our first "no contest" of the tournament.  Calloway is as good as this region has to offer at 26-5, while the Flash are definitely in "we're just happy to be here" mode at 7-22.  Calloway wins big...but we ALL win big if Coach Sivills busts out his blue blazer for the game.  Or the red one...I'm not picky. 
• Ballard Memorial vs. Hickman County.  For a team that was supposed to be a year away from making any noise, that bunch from Ballard sure is loud this year.  On top of their run to the "All A" Classic state tournament, the Bombers have thrown in their first 3rd District title in nearly a decade for good measure.  Hickman County did hand Ballard one of their six losses this year, but that was way back in early December.  Ballard is playing too well right now to get tripped up in the quarterfinals.  Bombers win by 20.
• Marshall County vs. Paducah Tilghman.  From 2004 to 2006, these two met each year in the 1st Region finals.  While Tilghman has been hit hard by graduation, the Lady Marshal machine rolls on.  The most important number in this game for me is 34.  That's how many points Marshall beat Tilghman by two weeks ago AT Tilghman.  Marshals coast home in this one.
• Graves County vs. Fulton County.  This may be my idiot pick of the bunch, but I need to take one upset, right?  Graves County will only go as far as Brittany Young can take them.  The Pilots are playing well right now winning their last three.  Yes, I know Graves County has won both meetings with Fulton this year.  Yes, I know Fulton doesn't have any one person to match up with Young's scoring ability.  But for whatever reason, I'll take the Pilots with some late free throws to steal one at Racer Arena.

1st Region Semifinals:

• Calloway County vs. Ballard Memorial.  I think this is the game we find out how far Ballard has come.  My concern for them is, besides their district games with Graves County, they haven't played any games against the top-tier teams in the region.  They have no idea how they match up with Tilghman or Marshall County or Calloway.  I just think Marshall and Calloway are playing at another level right now.  Next year, Ballard might be able to win this game.  Just not this year.  Calloway should win easily.
• Fulton County vs. Marshall County.  Fulton has the same problem Ballard has, and that's just not enough games against top-tier teams.  Of Fulton's 13 wins this year, none of them are against teams who right now have a winning record.  Marshall County should be able to name the score in this one.

1st Region Finals:

• Calloway County vs. Marshall County. Again.  These two went to double overtime last year in the region finals...Calloway won.  These two went to double overtime last week in the district finals...Calloway won.  This will be the 8th meeting between these two in the last two seasons.  Calloway has won the last four.  5 of the previous 7 meetings have been decided by 6 points or less.  Calloway has won 20 of their last 21 games.  BUT...they've got to beat a Howard Beth coached Marshall County team.  Has anybody ever beaten one of Coach Beth's teams four times in a year?  EVER?!?  One thing I can nearly guarantee, this thing will be decided in the final minute by 5 points or less.  Calloway has all the momentum.  Marshall County has all the tradition.  I'm stalling...I know.  The clincher for me, Calloway won TWICE this year in Draffenville.  They surprised everybody last year by running the gauntlet and going to Diddle.  This year it won't be a surprise, but it certainly won't be easy.  Prediction:  Calloway 69, Marshall 67 in overtime (Why not another OT game?!?)  Of course, if Howard Beth raids Bruce Pearl's closet and busts out an orange blazer for the game, all bets are off.

As always, the floor is yours.