article 13th Region All 'A' Preview

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With high school basketball season in full swing and the holiday tournament season over with, it can only mean one thing in the Bluegrass State — the Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic is upon us.

The All “A” Classic may be considered the little brother to Kentucky’s Sweet Sixteen, but to the 13th Region schools involved in the 13th Region All “A” Classic, which tips off Monday, it’s a pretty big deal.

 

The Favorite

“We put a lot of emphasis on this tournament because it means a lot to the small schools like ours,” Williamsburg head coach Patrick Robinson said. “You want your kids to play well any time they step on the floor, especially when they are facing schools that you know you should play well against.

“I think the big thing with this tournament is that with the larger schools involved in the state tournament, they feel like this is a chance for them to be recognized,” he added. “

Coming in to this year’s tournament the Yellow Jackets are the odds on favorite, having won their first 12 games of the season while being the lone unbeaten team in the state.

Looking at the numbers, Williamsburg has the edge, but not only because they are unbeaten in mid-January. So far this season, Williamsburg has averaged 66 points per game offensively, while giving up just 46 ppg on defense. Barbourville is the top scoring team by average, pouring in 73.9 ppg, while allowing 62.

 

The contenders

Barbourville head coach Dinky Phipps said he’s concerned about his team’s opening round game against OBI, especially considering the two teams square off today in a regular season match-up.

“I’ve never really been in situation like this, but it’s just the way it is,” Phipps said. “You want to win every game you play, but we’ve already played them once and if you go by the law of averages, they’re going to catch you eventually, so Friday may just be a scouting kind of situation for our guys.

“We do feel like if we can get a win in that first game that we can make some noise in the tournament, but you have to say Williamsburg is the favorite right now,” he added. “Oneida got a good win against a quality North Laurel team this week, so they’re going to ready to play and we have to be also.”

The Mountaineers have a good shot at winning the tournament. They are coming off a huge 70-67 win over pre-season 13th Region favorite North Laurel, and is led in scoring by one of the top scorers in the state – Dejour Frazier, who is averaging 24.8 points per game and a team-best 7.7 rebounds per game.. Teammate Paul Eromesele is averaging 14.5 points per game

Lynn Camp head coach Eric Swords said he likes his team’s chances in the tournament as well, but the only game they’re thinking about id the first round contest against Pineville.

“We’re getting better every time we step on the floor and we’ve been in a lot of games that we have lost toward the end of the game,” Swords said. “I think ours is a situation where once we learn how to win, so to speak, we’ll be over to get over the hump and win some games.

“Our guys are fighting out there on the floor and they are not quitting, so I’m excited about that,” he added.

Another team to keep an eye on is Harlan. The Green Dragons used to dominate the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament. Harlan is led by Drew Parks’ 11.4 scoring average while teammate Caleb Hogue follows with an 11.1 scoring average.

 

The Schedule

The tournament, which is being hosted by Harlan High School, will get started Monday as Barbourville (11-5) faces Oneida Baptist Institute (5-7), followed by Middlesboro (2-12) vs. Harlan (9-8) in the nightcap.

Tuesday’s games will see Red Bird (0-14) face off against Williamsburg (12-0) in the opener, followed by Pineville (11-6) vs. Lynn Camp (6-12).

Semifinals are scheduled for Thursday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and the finals is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Predictions

First Round

Barbourville 77, OBI 72

Harlan 63, Middlesboro 50

Williamsburg 82, Red Bird 37

Pineville 62, Lynn Camp 49

 

Semifinals

Barbourville 69, Harlan 64

Williamsburg 73, Pineville 60

 

Finals

Williamsburg 82, Barbourville 69

 

Top 10 players

1. Skyler Griffith, Williamsburg

2. Corey Shelton, Williamsburg

3. Andrew Griffith, Williamsburg

4. Dejour Frazier, Oneida Baptist

5. Wade Liford, Barbourville

6. Brently Perry, Barbourville

7. Donald Collett, Pineville

8. Skyler McFarland, Lynn Camp

9. Markelle Turner, Barbourville

10. Fred Massey, Williamsburg