12th Region All A Classic @ Danville Christian
The Bracket
Tues. (6:00) Somerset vs. Burgin (8:00) Trinity Christian vs. Danville
TH. (6:00) DCA vs. Somerset/Burgin Winner (8:00) Somerset Christian vs. TCA/Danville Winner
Sat. (7:00) Championship Night
The Teams
Danville Christian (8-2)- BGP #1 The reigning All State Champion will look to repeat, and their run will start at Home. They are the favorites, and have ran this tournament in recent history winning 3 out of 4 regional crowns. The Warriors were tasked with replacing some key pieces leading into the season, and have done well early on. The addition of Ben Mikels from the homeschool league has been huge for this team to pair with Ateny on the interior. Ateny is the most imposing force in the region, and can affect the game in so many ways with his size, skill set and athleticism. PG. Graham Domidion has stepped into the role nicely, and is a heady player that sets the table for this team. This team possesses excellent length, and are tenacious on the defensive end of the floor (allowing only 50 PPG). The road to the finals will most likely go through their rival Somerset, and formidable teams in the Finals await with either being Danville or Somerset Christian. Danville just pushed DCA Friday night in a district battle.
Key Players- SR. F. Leek Ateny (15 PPG, 10 RPG, 53% FG), SR. F. Ben Mikels (14 PPG, 7 RPG, 63% FG)
Somerset (6-4)- BGP #8 Somerset brings in a veteran core that is motivated to try and win this tournament. This is a team that leans on its guard play, and possesses firepower from deep that can keep them in any game. Aedyn Absher spearheads the attack, and is a capable 3 level scorer. Somerset has been up and down early in the season, but is coming into the tournament off an impressive district road win over Rockcastle Co. Somerset has solid interior size as well with Jakob Bartley and Kole Grundy. The Jumpers must stay focused on the task at hand, and that task starts with an improved Burgin team on Tues. night. If they take care of business, it sets up a much anticipated Semi-Final Matchup with DCA. Somerset is the last 12th region team to defeat the Warriors in the 2024 Big Region Semi-finals. These two teams last played in the Big Region First Round in March with DCA winning in a Double OT thriller.
Key Players- SR. G. Aedyn Absher (20 PPG, 6 RPG, 44% FG), Kole Grundy (12 PPG, 6 RPG, 44% FG)
Danville (5-6)- BGP #13 The Admirals have had a solid start to the season, and come into the tournament pushing DCA to the limits on Friday night. The Ads are a scrappy bunch, and play super hard and possess solid balance on the offensive end. When they're making shots, they're a dangerous bunch. Landon Reed has been really solid as the floor general and J'Kaivin Walker is an explosive athlete who can shoot the 3 and get the rim. Danville should coast through TCA, and set up a big time rematch from game 1 of the season with Somerset Christian. Danville stormed back in that one to win a shootout.
Key Players- SR. PG. Landon Reed (15 PPG, 50% FG), SR. G. J'Kaivin Walker (9 PPG, 6 RPG)
Somerset Christian (7-4) BGP #14- The Cougars are a dangerous team. They don't have much depth, but their starting lineup is solid and has a ton of veterans who have played a lot of big games. This is a team similar to Somerset, who plays through their guards and they have firepower. Jack Baker is a force that can get hot in a hurry from 3, and his running mates Isaiah Hensley and Omarii Harvey are athletic and attack the paint well. Somerset Christian is set to battle Danville in the Semis, and it will be a war.
Key Players- SR. G. Jack Baker (22 PPG, 51% FG), SR. G. Isaiah Hensley (14 PPG, 49% FG)
Burgin (3-7) BGP #16- Burgin is a veteran team, and they play super hard. They're coming into the tournament after pushing county rival Mercer Co. to an OT game Friday night. They play through their guards, and sparked by Guard Hudson Taylor who is a capable 3 PT Shooter. The Bulldogs are limited in size, and will have to do a good job on the glass to pull off an upset over Somerset in the first round Tues. night.
Key Players- SO. G. Hudson Taylor (18 PPG, 52% FG), SR. G. Phillip Dodson (7 PPG, 45% FG)
Trinity Christian (0-10) BGP #18- The Titans have really struggled this season, and I'll be honest they're one of the few teams in the region I have very little knowledge of. It will be an uphill battle for them to pull an first round upset of Danville.
Tournament Outlook- This has an opportunity to be an electric tournament. TH. night Semi-Final night has the chance to mirror the big region tournament as far as anticipation/excitement. Somerset/DCA, do we need to say more? Somerset has to take care of business Tues. night, but every time these two lock it up there are fireworks. Danville/Somerset Christian will be a great game as well. Whoever wins that game, will be more than capable to take the crown on Sat. Night.