LEXINGTON, Ky. — Carlisle County coach Brian O'Neill isn't sure how his squad will handle its first trip to the state basketball tournament in 18 years. He does know, however, that he's going to make sure it's an experience his players will not forget.

        “It's been crazy around here ever since we won the regional tournament,” said O'Neill, whose team will take on Lafayette in its first-round matchup. “People congratulating us, media wanting to talk to us ... and we sold out our tickets in like 10 or 15 minutes.

        “We never imagined that this could be a reality at the beginning of the season. Back then, we didn't even figure we'd be one of the top teams in the region. Now all of this ... it's overwhelming, to tell you the truth.”

        The 2001 Kentucky High School Boys Sweet Sixteen opens today without many schools most figured would be among the parade of regional champions — Ballard, Scott County, Bowling Green, Lexington Catholic, Paducah Tilghman, Newport Central Catholic and Madison Central. They were victims of a slew of regional upsets that have made this year's tournament a wide-open affair.

        “(Favorites) were dropping like flies,” said Madisonville coach James Davis, whose Maroons (28-3) were one of the few to survive. “I don't know if some of those teams were overrated, or if by the end of the year other teams just caught up with them. Maybe it was a combination of both.”

        Two teams — South Floyd and South Laurel — are making their first-ever trips to the state tournament, while Grayson County will be making the trek to the Sweet Sixteen for only the second time.

        Like Carlisle County, who fell to Henry Clay 35-33 in a heartbreaking triple-overtime title game in 1983, it's been a lifetime since Lafayette (21-11) made an appearance — 22 years to be exact.

        “It's a huge thrill for us to represent the 13th Region after not making the state tournament for more than two decades,” Lafayette coach Don Adkins said. “We have to make sure we keep playing aggressively on defense and rebound if we're going to continue to be successful.”

        First-round games today include Fourth Region champion Russellville (22-7) vs. Ninth Region champion Highlands (22-8); 13th Region champion Clay County (24-7) vs. 15th Region champion South Floyd; 12th Region champion South Laurel (26-6) vs. 10th Region champion Campbell County; and Eighth Region champion Oldham County (27-4) vs. Seventh Region champion Male (29-3).

        In addition to Lafayette-Carlisle County, Thursday's first-round matchups include 14th Region champion Hazard (18-12) vs. 16th Region champion Ashland Blazer (21-9); Fifth Region champion North Hardin (28-3) vs. Third Region champion Grayson County (23-7); and Second Region champion Madisonville (28-3) vs. Sixth Region champion Fairdale (25-7).

        “I'd think Male would have to be considered the favorite since they've been ranked nationally for most of the season and they were there last year,” O'Neill said. “Madisonville and Fairdale would have to be right up there, too. But if there's a few upsets, like in the regionals, anyone could win it.”

        Male is one of only five schools to win back-to-back state championships, claiming the 1970 and 1971 titles. The Bulldogs fell to St. Xavier in this year's district finals, but rebounded to beat Moore, Seneca and powerhouse Ballard — the state's top-ranked team — to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the second consecutive year.

        “We took the tough route into the regional tournament as runner-up, but the kids were determined to get back to Rupp Arena,” said Male coach Bryce Hibbard, who coached Eastern to the 1997 state championship. “The key for us is "team.' If we play like a team, we're pretty good. But anything can happen in one game, just look at all the upsets in this year's districts and regionals.”

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