article 11th Region Notebook

[Rainman11]

Last Week

• Madison Central had a strong showing in the King of the Bluegrass, including avenging a loss to Bullitt East 64-58 to claim 3rd. The fact the Indians were still in the main bracket after their first two games was somewhat of a miracle. They overcame last minute deficits and beat both St. Xavier and Fairdale in overtime. Ken-Jah Bosley, after struggling all night due to sickness, scored 13 of his 15 points in the last minute of regulation (including a 3 to tie in the final seconds) in the win over St. X, then scored 40 while the Indians overcame a 5-point deficit in the last minute to beat Fairdale. Dominique Hawkins scored 25+ in the final 2 games, including a semifinal 88-86 loss to Ballard and the win over Bullitt East.

• Five teams from the 11th participated in the Woodford County Invitational, with Henry Clay taking the title with a convincing 77-67 win over Scott County. Jordan Green was named tourney MVP after scoring 23 points in the finals, while Christen Cunningham had 27 against the Cardinals while running the show. After taking a 13-0 lead, Henry Clay’s lead never got less than six, despite Trent Gilbert’s first half efforts with 15 points. Trey Grundy took over the defensive assignment on Gilbert in the second half, but Quin Richardson picked up the slack and finished with 23.

• Scott County dominated Dunbar in the first round after falling behind 12-3. Quin Richardson led the way with 34 points. Dunbar made a nice comeback in the tournament and finished 5th by defeating Clark County and Highlands. Woodford County lost back-to-back games to Scott County and Jefferstown to finish 4th after beating Clark Conty 46-32 to open the tournament. Eli Boggess led the Jackets and all scorers with 26 in the loss to Scott County. Frankfort struggled in the tournament and finished last, losing to Henry Clay, Highlands and Clark County. The Panthers’ best player Aaron Jackson quit the team recently and the team will have a tough time without him the rest of the way.

• Bryan Station had a nice win in the semifinals of the Farmers National Bank tournament at Mercer County, upending 10th Region favorite Montgomery County behind 18 points from Larry Morton and 16 from Tyler Smith. The Defenders’ box-and-1 on Montgomery star Omar Prewitt gave the Indians and coach Happy Osborne fits all night. Bryan Station lost in the finals to Louisville Male 64-55. Smith was named to the all-tournament team.

• Other results … Lexington Catholic went 2-2 in the Kruel Classic in Florida and currently stands at 6-4; Lafayette (3-4) defeated previously unbeaten and LeBron James’ alma mater St. Vincent-St. Mary OH 61-56 behind 17 points from Jackson Davis; Richmond Model and Madison Southern both went 2-2 and go into Christmas with identical 7-3 records; Sayre (1-8) and Western Hills (3-9) continue to struggle, although Western Hills has played an up tempo style and is 3rd in total points in the region; Tates Creek (4-7) was able to slow down Western Hills and claim 5th place in the Capital City Invitational 61-38; Lexington Christian (3-6) had a nice win over North Oldham in the LCA Classic and has received solid play from guard Tyler Harville all season; Franklin County and first year head coach Tommy Johnson has struggled out of the gates at 2-5, in large part due to the fact that football stars Ryan Timmons and Logan Woodside decided not to play basketball this year; Berea enters Christmas at 4-7 and will play in the Shirley Kearns Invitational at Model after Christmas.

 

Upcoming Games

• Scott County will participate in the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, SC, after Christmas. The Cardinals open up Dec. 27 against Orem, UT. No. 7 nationally Whitney Young will be in the field.

• Lexington Catholic will host the Republic Bank Classic beginning Dec. 26. Besides Lexington Catholic, other 11th Region teams in the field include Henry Clay and Lexington Christian. Other top teams from KY include Knott County Central, Johnson Central and Louisville Butler.

• Tates Creek, Bryan Station and Frankfort will be in the Henry County Invitational beginning Dec. 27.

• Lafayette and Franklin County play in the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County, which will also have 10th Region favorite Montgomery County and 16th Region favorite Fleming County as well as Covington Holy Cross.

• Host Richmond Model along with Woodford County, Berea and Western Hills will be in the Shirley Kearns Invitational. Leslie County, Whitefield Academy, Boyle County and Grant County round out of the field.

 

Top 5

1. Henry Clay (8-1) … Woodford County Invitational Champion. Play Louisville Butler in the first round of Republic Bank Classic at Lexington Catholic.

2. Madison Central (7-2) … Coming off four exciting games in the King of the Bluegrass. Travel to Charleston WV tournament after Christmas.

3. Scott County (8-2) … Does surprisingly easy win over Dunbar signify there is a gap after the Top 3. Play Orem UT Dec. 27 in the first round of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach SC.

4. Dunbar (7-4) … Two wins after loss to Scott County. Travel to Binghampton NY tournament after Christmas.

5. Bryan Station (5-4) … Runner up in Mercer County. Must have strong showing in upcoming Henry Clay Invitational to keep ranking.

 

Thoughts?

[Walter]

Good stuff.