11th Region All A Preview

 

Despite the fact they have stated the season slowly, Lexington Christian Academy has to be considered the favorite to claim the 11th Region All A title simply due to the fact that they have won the last nine, including a championship game victory over Richmond Model last year. Model, off to a 12-3 start, looks to be LCA’s toughest competition to take the crown this year. Frankfort, Berea and Sayre round out the field that will battle it out at Sayre beginning Jan. 15.

 

Ranking The Teams

1. LCA (5-9) … The Eagles, trying to replace last year’s top player Taylor Barnette, are off to a slow start against a tough schedule. Senior guard Tyler Harville leads the way at 16 points per game, followed by sophomore Matt Rose at 10 points a game. Jon Lannertone (six points, six rebounds per game) and Taylor Blair (5 ppg) also bring some senior leadership and experience of winning the All A Region.

2. Richmond Model (12-3) … Coach Wes Scarberry has a balanced attack, with five in double figures. Jon Ballard (14 points, 8 rebounds) and A.J. Hammons (14 ppg) lead the way, followed by Anthony Gerald (14 ppg, 8 apg), Brendan Hill (13 ppg) and Zack Rice-Gordon (10 ppg, 6 rpg). Jesse Middleton chips in six points and seven rebounds per contest. Model’s best win so far was a 65-63 victory over Woodford County in the final of Shirley Kearns Invitational. Model averages 70 points a game, 3rd most in the entire 11th Region.

3. Frankfort (5-10) … The 11th Regional All A coaches pre-season top player Aaron Jackson quit after playing four games and the Panthers have struggled trying to replace his scoring and rebounding, although a recent win over Tates Creek shows the team’s potential. Guards Jalen Oliver and Jalen Washington lead Matthew Yates’ squad.

4. Sayre (2-9) … After losing post player Ray Brewer before the season due to a rotator cuff injury, Coach Ted Hall’s Spartans have had a difficult time finding success. Justin Sanders (16 ppg, 7 rpg) and Martin Durmov (7 rpg) has done their best to help Sayre.

5. Berea (5-11) … First-year coach Cameron Jackson has been led by Andy Allen (10 points, 7 rebounds per game), Daniel Hubbard (9.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Trey Terrill (9.3 ppg). Eli Woodie, pre-season ranked 5th best player in 11th All A by the coaches, adds 7.1 points per contest.

 

Top Players

1. Tyler Harville, LCA … can score in bunches.

2. A.J. Hammons, Richmond Model … four year starter who can stroke the 3.

3. Jon Ballard, Richmond Model … force on inside, leading the Patriots in scoring and rebounding.

4. Jalen Washington, Frankfort … sophomore point guard runs the show for the Panthers.

5. Justin Sanders, Sayre … leads the Spartans in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

 

Region Games So Far

• Nov. 29 – Frankfort 70, Berea 54

• Nov. 30 – Model 58, Sayre 47

• Dec. 4 – Frankfort 72, Sayre 59

• Jan. 2 – Sayre 65, Berea 43

• Jan. 4 – Model 83, Berea 44

 

My Predictions

Jan. 15 (first round) – LCA over Frankfort

Jan. 16 (semifinal) – Model over Berea

Jan. 17 (semifinal) – LCA over Sayre

Jan. 19 (final) – Model over LCA

 

I think Model’s balanced scoring and confidence they have gained from a strong 12-3 start will finally allow someone else other than LCA represent the region. But, it won’t be easy as LCA has own the region for almost a decade.

This region should be a fun one to watch.

It will be interesting to see if Model gains any advantage as the home team. Lexington Christian has won every title since 2004, although that hasn't led to much success at the state level (state semifinals in 2005; single wins in 2004 and 2011). If Model were able to win the region, it would be their first title in the All A. Only the Patriots and Berea have failed to secure championships. Frankfort has five, all five being won in a row from 1999-2003, while Sayre's lone visit to the state round was in 1998.

It will be interesting to see if Model gains any advantage as the home team. Lexington Christian has won every title since 2004, although that hasn't led to much success at the state level (state semifinals in 2005; single wins in 2004 and 2011). If Model were able to win the region, it would be their first title in the All A. Only the Patriots and Berea have failed to secure championships. Frankfort has five, all five being won in a row from 1999-2003, while Sayre's lone visit to the state round was in 1998.

 

Games are at Sayre. Model is not the home team.

Games are at Sayre. Model is not the home team.

 

My mistake. I must have misread the bracket. Knowing that, Model might not have the edge I was wanting to give them!