Murray (27-4, Fourth District Champions) v. Graves County (16-13, Third District Runner-Ups)

Head to Head...Murray and Graves County did not meet in the regular season

Last five games...Murray 5-0, Graves County 4-1

Games decided by five points or less...Murray 5-3, Graves County 4-1

When scoring 50 points or more...Murray 25-2, Graves County 8-2

When scoring 50 points or less...Murray 2-2, Graves County 8-11

Average points per game...Murray 62.8, Graves County 46.7

Average points allowed per game...Murray 43.8, Graves County 45.7

Against the regional tournament field...Murray 7-1, Graves County 3-7

Strength of schedule...Advantage, Murray.  Graves County always is tested by a very difficult schedule, and this year was no different.  But to get the full advantage of playing a tough schedule, you have to win some of those games.  Graves County earned a share of the regular season Third District title with a win at 24-win Ballard Memorial, but the Lady Eagles were 1-9 against Ballard, Calloway County, Community Christian, Marshall County, and Paducah Tilghman.  Murray's schedule ends up being very strong, with its typically brutal Fourth District slate augmented by an All-A regional final versus Ballard and a run to the semifinals of the All-A Classic...where they were knocked out by one of the top ten teams in the state of Kentucky,
Newport Central Catholic.

Land of the Free (Throw)...Janssen Starks is the state's leading free throw shooter (85.8%), and she headlines a Murray squad that is one of the best free throw shooting teams in the Commonwealth.  The Lady Tigers' three leading scorers...Haley Armstrong, Starks, and Shelby Crouch...have combined to make 337 of 445 attempts on the season (80.2%). 

Let Three-dom Ring...Whitney Anderson and Kelsey Hopkins take 82% of their shots from behind the three-point arc, and the duo can change the game for the Lady Eagles when they get hot from deep.  Anderson knocked down 53 triples on the year, Hopkins added 48 more.  Murray's Starks and Armstrong are prolific from deep as well, making a combined 96 three-point field goals.  The X-factor from distance for the Lady Tigers is senior Emily Benson, the owner of 28 made threes...most of them coming when the chips are down for her ballclub.

Passing Fancy...Murray's fancy passing has been critical in making sure the Lady Tigers offensive success was no fluke.  Starks joined Margaret Thomas atop the First Region assist leaderboard, with a 5.7 per contest average, but her brilliance as a passer goes beyond statistics.  The freshman has unparalleled vision, and she has an incredible knack for delivering the basketball in scoring areas.  Starks leads a highly-skilled group that moves the ball very, very well.

Will to Win...Graves County is very difficult to play against because of their commitment to defense, and the Lady Eagles are outstanding at taking away an opponent's top weapons.  Whether it is triangle and two or box and one, Graves will be very good in the halfcourt defensively, and they have the personnel to excel at it.  Both Whitney Anderson and Haley Richards rank among the region's best defenders, and they will be aided by a sound team concept.  Graves will look to control tempo with a stout defensive effort, and Murray will answer by trying to quicken the pace with pressure designed to turn over and speed up the Lady Eagles.  The team that is able to impose its particular will gains a distinct advantage.

Murray wins...

• If the game gets into the 50's.
• If the Lady Tigers force 15 turnovers or more.
• If the Lady Tigers shoot 20 free throws or more.
• If the Lady Tigers lead at the half.

Graves County wins...

• If the game is decided in the high 30's or low 40's.
• If the Lady Eagles limit Murray to 12 free throw attempts or less.
• If Anderson and Hopkins combine for eight threes.
• If the Lady Eagles lead after three quarters.