Second Region All-A Classic Preview

In past years, it was pretty much a given that University Heights Academy would be the Second Region representative at the All-A Classic State Tournament. The Blazers have won seven of the last nine region titles and 17 of the 23 overall. UHA has also won eight small school state titles.

 

Despite the dominance of the Blazers at the region level, this year could see as many as five teams with a shot to win the region title.

 

The Blazers probably have the easiest first round game, hosting a two-win Dawson Springs team Tuesday night. UHA has played one of western Kentucky’s toughest schedules – a tradition that helps prepare the Blazers for their region and state All-A run.

 

UHA’s success is based on their backcourt, where senior Austin Byrum and juniors Dashjon Brown and Lamontas Johnson cause matchup problems.

 

In the same upper bracket as UHA are Crittenden County and Livingston Central. Crittenden County has been playing good ball of late and have the home court advantage throughout the region tournament. The Rockets are 5-1 at home, including a 56-39 district win over Livingston Central last week.

 

The Rockets get the job done with a physical and deliberate style. Forwards Devin Clark and Bobby Knox both average 10 points and eight rebounds a game. Guards Aaron Owen (12.2 ppg.) and Ethan Hill (10.7 ppg.) are the team’s leading scorers.

 

In the bottom bracket, the best first round game features Webster County visiting Trigg County. Webster is the defending region champion and have won six of seven games since Christmas. Despite losing 98-percent of their scoring from last year, senior guard Kyle Hayes and junior J.D. Newton have been the major contributors for the Trojans this year.

 

Webster carries the hot hand against a Trigg County team that has scuffled a bit since Christmas, losing two district games.

 

The Wildcats have been Jekyl-Hyde this year. When they are hitting from the outside, they have put points on the board and scored impressive wins over Lyon County, Graves County, and Murray. However, when they depend solely on the 3-point shot, they have struggled.

 

Senior guard Deonquez Nance (24.0 ppg.) is one of three Wildcats scoring in double figures. They will need for David Wease (10.2 ppg., 8.1 rpg.) to stay out of foul trouble and point guard Dee Murphy to add some scoring.

 

The final Tuesday first round game pits border rivals Caldwell County and Lyon County in Eddyville.

 

Both teams are better than they were a month ago. Lyon County has seen guard Bobby Staples return to the lineup after some off the court issues saw him sit before Christmas. Staples shores up the Lyon defense and gives them added quickness on offense.

 

These teams met last month with Lyon County claiming a 12-point win. Both teams are on a uptick with Lyon winning five of six and Caldwell winning three of four.

 

All-A Classic Second Region TournamentTuesday, Jan. 15 at 7pm

Dawson Springs at University Heights Academy

Livingston Central at Crittenden County

Webster County at Trigg County

Caldwell County at Lyon County

 

Semifinals Friday, Jan. 18 at Crittenden County

 

Championship Saturday, Jan. 19

 

Second Region All-A Rankings

 

1. University Heights
   
2. Webster County
   
3. Lyon County
   
4. Crittenden County
   
5. Trigg County
   
6. Caldwell County
   
7. Livingston Central
   
8. Dawson Springs
   

 

 

Second Region All-A Classic Predictions

UHA 75 Dawson Springs 36

Crittenden County 56 Livingston Central 41

Webster County 61 Trigg County 54

Lyon County 68 Caldwell County 59

 

UHA 61 Crittenden County 55

Lyon County 50 Webster County 47

 

UHA 74 Lyon County 66

Crittenden took Madisonville to overtime last night and may be playing the best basketball of anyone along with Lyon County