Royals beat a very good DC Queens team from Dallas yesterday to advance to the Elite Eight. In a quick look through AAU Division 1 records since 1990, I couldn't find very many Kentucky teams that had advanced very far in the national tournament. What is the best finish by a Kentucky AAU team that anyone can remember?

To my knowledge, there have been a few Kentucky teams that made very good runs in recent years in the AAU National Tournament, however it was all while playing D2.

 

Here is what I am aware of.... A 7th grade Kentucky Blast team won the D 2 national championship in 2011, A 7th grade shining star team finished 9th, I believe, in Division 2 the same year. Last year the BCK Firebirds finished 4th in the nation in the 8th grade D2 division. Also, in 2012 a Shining Star team won the national title in the 10th grade tournament, with a second Shining Star team making the final four in that same tournament.

 

These are all incredible accomplishments, for sure, but in my opinion, from experiencing 3 national tournaments, D1 is a complete different level. I am not aware of any Kentucky team making any real impact at that level. At best, I believe the Kentucky Blast team that won the D2 national tournament in 7th grade, came back the next year as 8th graders and entered the D1 tournament. Not finishing first or second in their pool, they did not qualify for championship bracket play, however I believe they went on to win the classic bracket tournament. That is the tournament bracket for all the 3rd and 4th finishers from pool play, however winning it in D1 is still an incredible accomplishment.

 

All this being said, the fact that the Royals are in the elite 8 in the D1 AAU NT is an enormous and difficult accomplishment. Especially if it is the Elite 8 in the championship bracket. That is very impressive and I sure will be rooting for them!

Kentucky Royals state division 1 champions 2012 and 2013, ranked 11th nationally.

 

Piper Macke - Highlands

Maddie Scherr - Ryle

Maggie Jones - Simon Kenton

Beka Sergent - Simon Kenton

Kennedy Harris - Somerset

Makira Cook - Cincinnati

Lauren Klare - Cincinnati

Jillian Hayes - Cincinnati

Lay Lay Chames - Holmes

 

Royals are playing in National AAU Division 1 tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee July 1-6

 

Great. They had a car wash a couple of weeks ago at Newport Pavilion. Great group of girls. Hope they do well!

Thanks RCC9 and Dogg. These are some names I will look forward to seeing play in high school in the future. I am familiar with some of them. Congrats to all the girls and teams mentioned. Sounds like they are all working hard during the summer. Great job girls!

 

Ally Neace was the starting pg for Scott HS as a 7th grader..

Just got an update on the Royals. After a 2 hour and 10 min game and 3 OT's they made it to the final 4. Won 49-43. They play today at 3:40 in the semi final. Great job girls!

Royals beat a very good DC Queens team from Dallas yesterday to advance to the Elite Eight. In a quick look through AAU Division 1 records since 1990, I couldn't find very many Kentucky teams that had advanced very far in the national tournament. What is the best finish by a Kentucky AAU team that anyone can remember?

 

Looks like a third of this team is from Cincy.

Royals defeated Pennsylvania state champs in final four, will play for the division one national championship tomorrow at 1:00