8th Region All "A" Tournament Preview

[Adrian Woj Burner]

8th Region All "A" Tournament

 

By: Adrian Woj Burner

 

This week, the All ‘A’ tournament begins at Gallatin County High School. This is a great tournament for the smallest schools in the region to compete against each other, and an opportunity to attend the All ‘A’ State Tournament at Eastern Kentucky University later in the season. If you have never attended this tournament, I highly recommend going. Atmosphere is good, stands are normally packed, and kids are playing as hard as they can, with what is most of these teams only chance to potentially play at a state level later this year.

Recently, Walton-Verona has dominated the tournament. They have won 4 of the last 5 years, with the only year they didn’t was 2020 (Gallatin County won).

Outside of Devin Duvall (17 years), all the other coaches are new to the tournament. There are 3 coaches competing for their first All ‘A’ regional title, with Roger Harden (Carroll County), Brent Welty (Trimble County), and Brandon Gabbard (Eminence) are all in year 1 with their school.

All first-round games will be played 1/2 @ Gallatin County.

 

Players to Look For

While there are many players from each team that deserve a spot on this list, I will just be naming the best player from each team.

Teagan Moore- Reigning 8th Region player of the year Tegan Moore has as expected started his senior season off with a bang. While leading his Owen County Rebels to a 6-4 record, Moore has averaged 31.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, and is shooting 85% from the line 46% from 3, and 65% from the field. The WKU commit is by far the best player in the tournament.

J.T. Wilcoxson- The Trimble County sr. forward has started the season off with an impressive stat line. He is averaging 23.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, and is shooting 52% from the field. Wilcoxson is a big body but moves like a guard. He is the best matchup against Moore in the tournament.

Kellen Dossett- Jr. guard Kellen Dossett was the only player for Gallatin County with any Varsity experience coming into the season, and as expected he is leading his team. Dossett is averaging 17.1 ppg, 4 rpg, and is shooting 79% from the line. He can light it up from 3 if left open and is bound to go off on any night.

Colton Feagan- Williamstown’s jr. guard has started off the season well, averaging 17.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and shooting a ridiculous 91% from the line.

Julian Dixon- After losing their 2 main scorers in Brant Smithers and Cameron Christy last season, SF Julian Dixon has taken the role as the teams #1 option. Dixon is averaging 17.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and is shooting 82% from the line, 50% from 3, and 56% from the field.

Elijiah League- After having many years of varsity experience for Eminence, League is having a good season. He is averaging 15.6 ppg, 9 rpg, and shooting 38% from 3.

Mitchell Lacefield- Carroll County senior forward is averaging 10.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and shooting 41% from the field.

 

 

North Bracket

Eminence Warriors (7-5)

After being possibly the weakest link of the ‘A’ for many years, the Warriors are starting to turn it around. Last year, they had a competitive season, and are looking solid this year. They are 7-5 and looking for a rare winning record. They have played 4 of the other 6 teams and went 2-2 with wins over Williamstown and Trimble County. Not all stats are posted, but they are led by Josh Ruzanka (16 ppg) and Elijah League (15.6 ppg, 9 rpg). They will have a first-round bye and play the winner of Walton-Verona and Williamstown in the 2nd round.

 

Walton-Verona (8-3) vs. Williamstown (7-5)  1/2, 5:00

This inter-district matchup can be a very interesting one. This is the first time these two teams have faced each other this year. I believe Walton should be highly favored, but it very well could be a close game.

Walton-Verona started off on fire, scoring at a ridiculous amount, but have cooled down just a bit. They have played Trimble County, Gallatin County, and Eminence, and have come out victorious in all 3 by an average of 31 points. They should be the favorite out of the north bracket. The Bearcats have 5 players averaging double figures in Julian Dixon, Aaron Gutman, Carter Krohman, Zach Smith, and Max Montgomery.  

Williamstown has started off the season well also going 7-5 to begin the year. They have played 2 games against opponents, losing to Eminence by 9, and beating Carroll County by 7. The Demons have found their 3 go-to guys in Colton and Gunner Feagan and Honore Yangoua.

 

 

South Bracket

Owen County (6-4) vs Carroll County (1-11)  1/2, 6:30

This game should not be very close, and Owen should win by a landslide. They faced the Panthers earlier in the season and beat them by 27.

Owen County should be the favorites to come out of the south bracket. They have faced Gallatin and Carroll County and beat Gallatin by 17 and Carroll by 27. The Rebels are led by the best player in the tournament in Teagan Moore, and he is assisted heavily by Brax Ward and Micah Shelton.

Carroll County has had a very bad beginning to the season. Currently, they are on an 8-game losing streak. They have played 4 other teams in the tournament and lost all 4 by an average of 16 points. I do not think the Panthers will have the willpower to keep up with the Rebels.

 

Gallatin County (4-7) vs Trimble County (8-6)  1/2, 8:00

Although their records show that Trimble County should easily win this game, it will be closer than that. These two teams have played before @ Trimble County, and the Raiders came out on top by 7 points. I am taking the Wildcats on their home floor in this one. 

Trimble County has started off 8-6 and have faced 4 of the other teams and went 2-2. The Raiders are currently on a 4-game win streak, the highest win-streak of anyone in the tournament. They have a 2-headed monster in J.T. Wilcoxson and Ethan Horn.

Gallatin County has really struggled early in the season, but that also comes with a tough schedule. They have won 3 of their last 4 games and are looking to be finding their groove coming into the tournament. The Wildcats have 3 players averaging double figures in Kellen Dossett, Matthew Griffin, and Andrew Brinker.

 

I will not be attending night 1 but will be there every other night. I look forward to this tournament, as it is always an extremely fun week with a competitive environment.

[Adrian Woj Burner]

Drop your predictions down below, interested to see what everyone think!

My prediction: Walton-Verona vs Owen County championship, Walton-Verona wins by 5!

[Adrian Woj Burner]

Here’s a picture of the bracket for anyone wondering.

[4 Quarters]

Roger Harden isn't new to this, he was at Williamstown for several years.  I agree with your final game with WV winning.

[Adrian Woj Burner]

2 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

Roger Harden isn't new to this, he was at Williamstown for several years.  I agree with your final game with WV winning.

You are correct, forgot to add that when writing it up! Thank you!!

[Adrian Woj Burner]

Very good night of basketball! 
Walton-Verona outlasts 32nd District rival Williamstown in OT to advance to the semifinals vs Eminence. 
Owen County beats Carroll County easily as expected and will face Gallatin County.

Gallatin County beats Trimble County in a high scoring affair, and play Owen County in semis. 

[Adrian Woj Burner]

Here is an updated bracket. Both semifinal games will be played on 1/4.

Eminence vs Walton-Verona 6:00

Owen County vs Gallatin County 7:30