Region C Basketball Tournament Eve

Another regular season of basketball has come to an end here in the Hogoheegee, and now a few fortunate teams make their ways around the region to schools they had no idea existed. Fun! Lets go through and have a gander at each team and who they're facing. By the way, the Hogoheegee got A LOT of love in the selections. If you pass your Athletic Director in the hallway, high five them. While some teams are probably not excited about who they'll be playing first round (I'm talking to you Patrick Henry boys and girls), the Hogo had 5 boys teams and 4 girls teams make it. A total of 9, which is more than any of the other districts are sending. Go Hogo!

Alright enough of that.

GIRLS
#8 Patrick Henry (12-12) at #1 Floyd County (22-2)
The Lady Rebels have improved tremendously throughout the course of the season and couldn't have done it at a better time. Unfortunately, they play the defending Group A Division 2 state champ who is led by one of the best players in all of Virginia in Brittany Avancini. Should they pull off the upset of the century over the Buffs, they will have to take on Auburn or George Wythe. The Buffs aren't invincible and in fact lost in their tournament final against Radford.

Common Opponents: none

#7 Chilhowie (16-7) at #2 Fort Chiswell (19-4)
After graduating nine seniors from last season's final four team, the Warriors may be surprised to find themselves at 16-7. Their record isn't much different than that of #2 Fort Chiswell, but the wins and losses certainly were. Krystal Patton and Heather Hash have their work cut out for them if they want to lead the Warriors to another state appearance. Fortunately for them, just like last year, they won't have to worry about Floyd County until the finals if each team survives that far.

Common opponents:
NORTHWOOD
Fort Chiswell 81-54 W
Fort Chiswell 62-50 W
Chilhowie 45-50 L
Chilhowie 35-39 L

GEORGE WYTHE
Fort Chiswell 51-58 L
Fort Chiswell 78-72 W
Chilhowie 37-50 L
Chilhowie 52-50 W
Chilhowie 31-55 L

RURAL RETREAT
Fort Chiswell 72-40 W
Fort Chiswell 76-45 W
Chilhowie 51-42 W
Chilhowie 38-28 W

PATRICK HENRY
Fort Chiswell 68-34 W
Fort Chiswell 60-45 W
Chilhowie 40-39 W
Chilhowie 48-30 W

BLAND
Fort Chiswell 77-79 L
Fort Chiswell 76-65 W
Chilhowie 56-43 W

GALAX
Fort Chiswell 60-40 W
Fort Chiswell 58-35 W
Fort Chiswell 82-45 W
Chilhowie 59-31 W

GRAYSON Co
Fort Chiswell 82-48 W
Fort Chiswell 59-35 W
Chilhowie 41-22 W
Chilhowie 37-27 W

#5 Auburn (16-6) at #4 George Wythe (14-10)
George Wythe reclaimed the tournament title with their second convincing win over Northwood. These two teams met twice within the regular season and split the results. Auburn and GW are very similar and should make for a good matchup in The Dungeon. The bad news is that GW is in the same bracket as Floyd County, instead of a much preferred Radford, a team that they lost to twice but are at least familiar with.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Auburn 53-50 W
GW 61-54 W

RADFORD
Auburn 53-49 W
Auburn 46-56 L
Auburn 43-55 L
GW 52-78 L
GW 67-68 L

FORT CHISWELL
Auburn 65-63 W
GW 58-51 W
GW 72-78 L

CHRISTIANSBURG
Auburn 42-36 W
Auburn 40-39 W
GW 53-51 W

#8 Craig County (5-17) at #1 Northwood (17-7)
Northwood shouldn't have any problems in their first round match against Craig County. Tami Gillespie's bunch have their eyes on a consecutive Region C Championship, but things get a little tougher after Craig County. Northwood would then have to take on the likes of Narrows or Bath County, not great teams but certainly teams with upset potential. Should Northwood take it one game at a time, they may have the opportunity to avenge their two regular season losses to Bland County.

Common Opponents:

GALAX
Craig County 27-61 L
Craig County 27-74 L
Northwood 47-38 W

BOYS
(#) = HogoOnline Ranking
#8 (10) Patrick Henry (12-12) at #1 (1) Radford (22-3)
The Rebels really have their work cut out for them. Radford exploited their athleticism and very top-notch shooting in their previous meeting with PH in a 81-39 whacking at the Wythe County Christmas Tournament. While the Rebels have shown signs of light throughout the season, its hard to imagine they have improved 42 points. However, anything is possible in basketball and regional appearances have been few and far between for PH, so make the most of it.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Radford 81-39 W

GEORGE WYTHE
PH 76-93 L
PH 48-58 L
Radford 89-42 W

#7 (16) Northwood (8-15) at #2 (4) Eastern Montgomery (19-3)
Some would argue that East Mont is the second best team in the region among either division. While that may never be proven one way or the other, its safe to say no one is excited about playing them. Northwood enters the tournament as a seven seed but has beaten the number five and six seeds throughout the season. It is certainly going to be an uphill climb for the Panthers.

Common Opponents:
BLAND
EM 66-37 W
EM 89-62 W
NW 58-68 L
NW 60-47 W

#5 (17) Holston (8-12) at #4 (14) Bath County (10-12)
The Cavs have fallen off the radar in the last couple of weeks suffering losses to PH, GW, Chilhowie, and being knocked out of the tournament early by NW. The Cavaliers have a solid chance at advancing to the next round by playing Bath County in the first round; however, the drive to Hot Springs is a long and grueling one. If the Cavs play like the have in certain parts of the season, a win over Bath County is more than just a possibility.

Common Opponents:
None

#5 (9) Chilhowie (11-12) at #4 (7) Grayson County (15-8)
This is a third rematch of the two regular season games held between these two teams which were split one win apiece. Chilhowie's season opener against Grayson County was a dud but the Warriors kicked it up a notch a few weeks later and toppled the Blue Devils in the Hot Box. Chilhowie has shown signs of a very good team and a very bad team this year. Depending on which one shows up will be the deciding factor of this game. Neither will surprise Grayson, they've seen both. Winner of this game takes on Radford/PH winner.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
Grayson 71-55 W
Chilhowie 56-46 W

FORT CHISWELL
Grayson 88-91 L
Grayson 68-86 L
Grayson 83-89 L
Chilhowie 68-70 L

GALAX
Grayson 59-66 L
Grayson 74-67 W
Chilhowie 48-56 L

NORTHWOOD
Grayson 78-69 W
Grayson 71-54 W
Chilhowie 49-48 W
Chilhowie 66-53 W

#6 (6) Giles (12-12) at #3 (3) George Wythe (18-5)
These two teams had some interesting meetings earlier in the year, both very close, each with a different result. George Wythe reigned dominant in the Hogoheegee while Giles had to fight with the likes of Auburn, East Mont, and of course Radford in the Three Rivers. Giles may be more battle tested at this point but the Maroons have stepped up their defensive game ten-fold. This may be one of the most interesting first round games in the region.

Common Opponents:
Each Other
George Wythe 84-82 W
Giles 74-68 W

FLOYD COUNTY
GW 81-65 W
Giles 71-60 W
Giles 62-64 L
Giles 76-59 W

RADFORD
GW 42-89 L
Giles 56-92 L
Giles 64-89 L