KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Preview: Mason Co. vs. Shelby Valley

Game 7: Mason County (24-6) vs. Shelby Valley (30-4) 6:30 p.m.

Tonight should be one of the best sessions of the tournament to this point. There are four top 20 teams in the state playing in the two games tonight. The first game will pit 10th Region champs Mason County against Shelby Valley of the 15th Region. Shelby Valley has rattled off a 23-game winning streak heading into tonight's game with the Royals and they have exploded for 100+ points six times this season. The Wildcats have looked impressive this season behind the play of junior point guard Elisha Justice. Justice is averaging 17.1 points per game and is a tremendous floor leader. Add Shelby Valley's size to the mix and the Wildcats become a difficult team to deal with. They start 6'10" Deven Adams, 6'6" Ashley Hatfield and 6'3" Taylor Newsome.

Mason County returns to Rupp Arena to defend its state championship from a year ago. The Royals lost some players from last season's squad, but they are still a very good team. Mason County is led by senior Russ Middleton, who averages 15.9 points a game. They also get 12.5 points a game from 6'8" sophomore Treg Setty.

My thoughts: This is a very interesting first-round matchup, in my opinion. I think both teams have top-level high school coaches and both teams will be very prepared for tonight's game. It should be a very exciting game between two really good teams.

Prediction: I played in the 15th Region, so I'll follow my heart and take the Wildcats by a bucket.