This tournament is in its seventh year and is already rich in tradition.  Past champions have been Madison Central (1995-1996), Bryan Station (1996-1997), Scott County (1997-1998), Scott County (1998-1999), Scott County (1999-2000), and Scott County (2000-2001).  A good field has been assembled this year to play for the championship.  This year's field will consist of the following teams:  Paul Laurence Dunbar, East Jessamine, Tates Creek, Highlands, Covington Holmes, Scott County, Socastee (SC), and Bryan Station.  There will also be a special Toyota Community Invitational game matching the Huntington (WV) Lady Highlanders against the Scott County Lady Cardinals.

January 30th - Day 1

Game No. 1  Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-6) vs. East Jessamine (15-2)

Paul Laurence Dunbar coach Eddie Oakley started the following lineup:   6-1 Jr. Kenny Hale, 6-1 Fr. Tory Robertson, 6-7 Sr. Kenneth Fox, 6-0 Jr. Mike Matthews, and 5-10 Jr. Jamie Adams.  East Jessamine coach Chris O'Bryan countered with 6-3 Sr. Kris Kleinsasser, 6-8 Sr. Curt Vernon, 5-7 Sr. Brad Richardson, 6-1 Jr. Brad Rardin, and 5-10 Sr. Stephen Wayne.

East Jessamine led 55-47 at the end of three quarters and pulled away in the final period for an 80-57 victory.  East Jessamine was 11 of 26 from the three point line.  East Jessamine scored 36 points off 29 Dunbar turnovers.  East Jessamine was led tonight by 6-2 Sr. Cory Wade with 19 points including five three pointers.  Stephen Wayne added 16 points including three three pointers.  6-3 Sr. Butch Jointer and Brad Richardson added 13 and 12 points respectively.  Dunbar was led tonight by Kenneth Fox with 26 points and seven rebounds.  Fox was 9 of 11 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line. 

Game No. 2  Tates Creek (12-4) vs. Highlands (13-5)

Tates Creek coach Joe Pat Covington started the following lineup:  6-2 Sr. Brad Schueler, 6-6 Jr. Michael Cross, 6-2 Sr. Josh Stigall, 6-2 So. Justin Taylor, and 6-2 Jr. Josh Bell.   Highlands coach John Messmer countered with 6-4 Sr. Kevin Miller, 6-3 Sr. Derrik Moeves, 6-4 Jr. Kevin Gilles, 6-3 Sr. Craig Forbes, and 6-1 Sr. Scott Liggett.

Highlands watched a late nine point lead dwindle to a two point lead 58-56 before rallying to hold on for a 62-56 victory.  Highlands shot 56.8% from the field.  Highlands, who was without the services of 6-8 Jr. Ross Neltner tonight, was led by Kevin Gilles with 16 points including eight three point goals.  Kevin Miller and Craig Forbes added 14 and 10 points respectively.  Miller also pulled down eight rebounds.  Tates Creek was led by Michael Cross and Brad Schueler with 13 points each.  6-0 Sr. Bobby McCoy was unable to play for Tates Creek in this tourney due to injuries.
 

Tates Creek	14	20	9	13	-	56
Highlands	12	16	18	16	-	62

Tates Creek	(56)	-	Schueler 13, Cross 13, Stigall 3, Taylor 9, Bell 3, Butler 4, Holman 4, Gray 7.
Highlands	(62)	-	Miller 14, D. Moeves 8, Gilles 16, Forbes 10, Liggett 4, Hall 2, Guidugli 4, Gross 4.

January 31st - Day 2

Game No. 3  Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-7) vs. Tates Creek (12-5)  (Consolation Round)

Dunbar coach Eddie Oakley started the following lineup:   6-2 Sr. Allen Penn, 6-4 Sr. Kenny Bledsoe, 6-5 Jr. Landry Buckner, 5-9 Jr. Justin Frees, and 5-9 Fr. Jessie Moton.  Tates Creek coach Joe Pat Covington countered with 6-2 Sr. Brad Schueler, 6-6 Jr. Michael Cross, 6-2 Sr. Josh Stigall, 6-2 So. Justin Taylor, and 6-2 Jr. Josh Bell.   

Dunbar started an entirely new starting lineup and last night's starters Jamie Adams, Tory Robertson, Kenneth Fox, Mike Matthews, and Kenny Hale did not play until the beginning of the second half.  Tates Creek shot 52% from the field and was 11 of 18 from the three point line on their way to a 72-54 victory.  They were led by Justin Taylor with 15 points, including nine three point goals.  6-1 Sr. LaTodd Holman and 6-6 Sr. Patrick Gray added 13 and 12 points respectively.  Dunbar was led by Jessie Moton with 15 points.  6-7 Sr. Kenneth Fox added 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds.   

Game No. 4  Covington Holmes (9-6) vs. Scott County (14-3)

Holmes coach David Henley started the following lineup:  6-3 Sr. James Jackson, 5-10 Sr. Justin Hill, 6-2 Jr. Ryan Fischer, 5-10 Jr. Brandon Smith, and 6-0 Jr. Brandent Englemon.  Scott County coach Billy Hicks countered with  6-3 Jr. Jeremy Nettles, 6-4 Sr. Coy Zerhusen, 6-0 Sr. Marcus Reed, 5-10 Sr. "C-3" Brown, and 6-1 So. Tyler Hicks.

Scott County defeated Holmes by a score of 74-64.  Holmes pulled to within one point, 61-60 in the final period before Scott County pulled away for the victory.  Scott County outrebounded Holmes by a 43-31 margin.  Scott County was led tonight by "C-3" Brown with 21 points and nine rebounds.  Tyler Hicks added 19 points and Coy Zerhusen chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Holmes was led by Brandent Englemon with 23 points.  James Jackson added 18 points and nine rebounds.  

Game No. 5  Socastee (SC) (10-7) vs. Bryan Station (1-15)

Socastee coach Dan D'Antoni started the following lineup:  6-1 Sr. John Smalls, 6-2 Jr. Tony Jarvis, 6-10 Sr. Josh Fowler, 6-2 Jr. Josh Poston, and 5-11 So. Lucas Varga.   Bryan Station coach Bobby Washington countered with 5-11 Jr. Andrean Robinson, 6-2 Jr. Raymond Ross, 6-2 Sr. David Kryscio, 5-6 8th grader Chris Scott, and 5-5 Fr. Martino Washington.  

Socastee defeated Bryan Station by a score of 84-55.  The Braves scored 39 points off 36 Bryan Station turnovers.  Socastee was led by Josh Poston and Josh Fowler with 16 and 15 points respectively.  Lucas Varga and 6-1 Fr. Chris Hovermale, added 11 and 10 points respectively.  Bryan Station was led by Chris Scott and 5-6 Jr. Max Morones with nine points each.  

Socastee (SC)	14	20	26	24	-	84
Bryan Station	10	10	10	25	-	55

Socastee (SC)	(84)	-	Smalls 4, Jarvis 7, Fowler 15, Poston 16, Varga 11, Greene 4, Tyler 5, Butler 5, Butterbaugh 7 Hovermale 10.
Bryan Station	(55)	-	Robinson 6, Ross 7, Kryscio 0, C. Scott 9, Washington 6, Morones 9, B. Moment 4, Barnett 2, M. Scott 2, Sandusky 8, Mullins 2.

February 1st - Day 3

Game No. 6  Covington Holmes (9-7) vs. Bryan Station (1-16)   (Consolation) 

Holmes coach David Henley started the following lineup:  6-3 Sr. James Jackson, 5-10 Sr. Justin Hill, 6-2 Jr. Ryan Fischer, 5-10 Jr. Brandon Smith, and 6-0 Jr. Brandent Englemon.  Bryan Station coach Bobby Washington countered with 5-11 Jr. Andrean Robinson, 6-2 Jr. Raymond Ross, 6-2 Sr. David Kryscio, 5-6 8th grader Chris Scott, and 5-5 Fr. Martino Washington.  

Holmes defeated Bryan Station by a score of 64-51.  Both teams shot well from the field, with Bryan Station connecting on 52.9% of their shots and Holmes hitting 51% from the floor.  Holmes had 15 more shots than Bryan Station.  Holmes was led by Ryan Fischer and Brandent Englemon with 19 and 13 points respectively.  Bryan Station was led by David Kryscio and Raymond Ross with 14 points each.   Ross also pulled down eight rebounds. 

Game No. 7  East Jessamine (16-2) vs. Highlands (14-5)  (Semifinal)

East Jessamine coach Chris O'Bryan started the following lineup:  6-3 Sr. Butch Jointer, 6-2 Sr. Gordon Duke, 6-2 Sr. Cory Wade, 5-7 Sr. Brad Richardson, and 5-10 Sr. Stephen Wayne.   Highlands coach John Messmer countered with 6-4 Sr. Kevin Miller, 6-3 Sr. Derrik Moeves, 6-8 Jr. Ross Neltner, 6-3 Sr. Craig Forbes, and 6-1 Sr. Scott Liggett.

Highlands defeated East Jessamine in a thriller tonight by a score of 79-74.  East Jessamine pulled to within one, 75-74, late in the game but Highlands held on for the victory.  Highlands was led by Craig Forbes with 20 points.  Ross Neltner added 19 points and 19 rebounds.  Neltner is also an excellent passer who routinely finds his teammates open on the wings for three point opportunities.  6-4 Jr. Kevin Gilles came off the bench to tally 18 points including four three pointers.  East Jessamine was led by Butch Jointer with 35 points and 10 rebounds.  Cory Wade added 15 points and eight rebounds.  Stephen Wayne chipped in with 12 points. 
 

East Jessamine	16	14	20	24	-	74
Highlands	15	21	16	27	-	79

East Jessamine	(74)	-	Jointer 35, Duke 3, Wade 15, Richardson 4, Wayne 12, Rardin 3, Kleinsasser 2.
Highlands	(79)	-	Miller 8, D. Moeves 8, Neltner 19, Forbes 20, Liggett 1, Gross 5, Gilles 18.

Game No. 8  Scott County (15-3) vs. Socastee (SC) (11-7)  (Semifinal)

Scott County coach Billy Hicks started the following lineup:  6-3 Jr. Jeremy Nettles, 6-4 Sr. Coy Zerhusen, 6-0 Sr. Marcus Reed, 5-10 Sr. "C-3" Brown, and 6-1 So. Tyler Hicks.  Socastee coach Dan D'Antoni countered with  6-1 Sr. John Smalls, 6-2 Jr. Tony Jarvis, 6-10 Sr. Josh Fowler, 6-2 Jr. Josh Poston, and 5-11 So. Lucas Varga.  

Scott County defeated Socastee 73-66.  Scott County broke the game open in the third quarter and led 63-40 at the end of three quarters. 

Scott County substituted liberally in the final period and Socastee outscored them 26-10 to cut the final margin to single digits.  Socastee outshot Scott County from the field by a 53.3%-40% margin but Scott County attempted 80 shots while Socastee had only 45 shots.  Scott County was led tonight by "C-3" Brown, Tyler Hicks, and Jeremy Nettles with 15, 14, and 13 points respectively.  Socastee was led tonight by Josh Poston and Lucas Varga with 15 and 13 points respectively.  Josh Fowler and John Smalls added 12 points each. 
 

Scott County	19	18	26	10	-	73
Socastee (SC)	8	20	12	26	-	66

Scott County	(73)	-	Nettles 13, Zerhusen 7, M. Reed 4, Brown 15, Hicks 14, N. Reed 5, Mazzoni 2, Cassidy 2, VanGuilder 2, Fields 9.
Socastee (SC)	(66)	-	Smalls 12, Jarvis 6, Fowler 12, Poston 13, Varga 15, Butler 3, Butterbaugh 5.

February 2nd - Day 4

Game No. 9  Paul Laurence Dunbar (12-8) vs. Bryan Station (1-17)   (Consolation) 

Paul Laurence Dunbar coach Eddie Oakley started the following lineup:   6-4 Sr. Kenny Bledsoe, 6-0 Jr. Mike Matthews, 6-5 Jr. Landry Buckner, 6-1 Fr. Tory Robertson, and 5-10 Jr. Jamie Adams.  Bryan Station coach Bobby Washington countered with 5-11 Jr. Andrean Robinson, 6-2 Jr. Raymond Ross, 6-2 Sr. David Kryscio, 5-6 8th grader Chris Scott, and 5-5 Fr. Martino Washington.  

Bryan Station took a 37-26 halftime lead and held on to upset Dunbar 54-52.  Bryan Station was led by Raymond Ross with 18 points.  David Kryscio added with 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds.  Dunbar was led by 6-7 Sr. Kenneth Fox, who came off the bench to tally 21 points and eight rebounds. 

Game No. 10  Tates Creek (13-5) vs. Covington Holmes (10-7)  (Fifth Place)  

Tates Creek coach Joe Pat Covington started the following lineup:  6-2 Sr. Brad Schueler, 6-6 Jr. Michael Cross, 6-2 Sr. Josh Stigall, 6-2 So. Justin Taylor, and 6-2 Jr. Josh Bell.  

Holmes coach David Henley countered with 6-3 Sr. James Jackson, 6-5 Fr. Alexie Brown, 6-2 Jr. Ryan Fischer, 5-10 Jr. Brandon Smith, and 6-0 Jr. Brandent Englemon. 

Tates Creek defeated Holmes 56-42.  Holmes shot only 29.6% from the field.  Tates Creek was led by Michael Cross with 25 points and 10 rebounds.  Justin Taylor added 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds.   Holmes was led by Ryan Fischer with 14 points. 
 

Tates Creek	15	10	18	13	-	56
Covington Holmes	7	10	18	7	-	42

Tates Creek

(56)

-

Schueler 2, Cross 25, Stigall 8, Taylor 16, Bell 0, Hughes 2, Holman 2, Hoskins 1.

Covington Holmes

(42)

-

Jackson 6, Brown 4, Fischer 14, B. Smith 6, Englemon 7 Hill 5.

Game No. 11 East Jessamine (16-3) vs. Socastee (SC) (11-8)  (Third Place) 

East Jessamine coach Chris O'Bryan started the following lineup:  6-3 Sr. Butch Jointer, 6-3 Sr. Kris Kleinsasser, 6-2 Sr. Cory Wade, 5-7 Sr. Brad Richardson, and 5-10 Sr. Stephen Wayne.   Socastee coach Dan D'Antoni countered with  6-1 Sr. John Smalls, 6-2 Jr. Tony Jarvis, 6-10 Sr. Josh Fowler, 6-2 Jr. Josh Poston, and 5-11 So. Lucas Varga.  

East Jessamine pulled away in the final period to defeat Socastee 87-62.  Both teams combined for 53 turnovers with Socastee comitting 30 of the 53 miscues.  East Jessamine was hot from the field today, shooting 52.9% from the field.  East Jessamine was led by Butch Jointer with 24 points and eight rebounds.  Stephen Wayne, Cory Wade, and Gordon Duke added 16, 14, and 13 points respectively.  Socastee was led by Josh Fowler with 18 points and eight rebounds.  Lucas Varga, John Smalls, and Tony Jarvis added 14, 12, and 11 points respectively. 

Game No. 12 (Girls) Huntington (WV) (15-2) vs. Scott County (13-6)  (Toyota Community Invitational Game) 

Huntington coach Lonnie Lucas started the following lineup:  6-1 Sr. Molly Sergent, 6-0 Jr. Kashawna Curry, 6-2 Sr. Samantha McComas, 5-6 So. Danya Hammond, and 5-6 Jr. Cheredon Felder..  Scott County coach Steve Helton countered with 5-11 Sr. Erin Brown, 5-11 Sr. Marianne Hammons, 5-9 Sr. Tia Garrett, 5-3 8th grader Chelsia Lymon, and 5-9 Jr. Anna Fraley.

Scott County raced to a 30-14 first quarter lead and easily defeated Huntington by a score of 86-54.  Scott County was led by Erin Brown with 19 points and nine rebounds.  Tia Garrett added 18 points and team MVP Anna Fraley chipped in with 15 points including three three pointers.  Huntington was led by team MVP Samantha McComas with 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Molly Sergent added 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds.
 

Huntington (WV)	14	8	13	19	-	54
Scott County	30	19	21	16	-	86

Huntington (WV)	(54)	-	Sergent 10, Curry 6, McComas 23, Hammond 2, Felder 6, Burd 1, Clayton 6.
Scott County	(86)	-	Brown 19, Hammons 8, Garrett 18, Lymon 10, Fraley 15, Hamilton 2, Howard 1, Christman 7, Reliford 4, Weathers 2.

Game No. 13 Highlands (15-5) vs. Scott County (16-3)   (Championship Game) 

Highlands coach John Messmer started the following lineup:  6-4 Jr. Kevin Gilles, 6-3 Sr. Derrik Moeves, 6-8 Jr. Ross Neltner, 6-3 Sr. Craig Forbes, and 6-1 Sr. Scott Liggett.  Scott County coach Billy Hicks countered with  6-3 Jr. Jeremy Nettles, 6-4 Sr. Coy Zerhusen, 6-0 Sr. Marcus Reed, 5-10 Sr. "C-3" Brown, and 6-1 So. Tyler Hicks.

Scott County defeated Highlands 63-56 to claim the Toyota Classic Championship.  Scott County jumped out to a 17-7 first quarter lead, but the score at the half was Scott County 24-22 and the score remained close throughout the game.  Scott County shot 38.9% from the field while Highlands could only manage 35.3%.  Some of the marksmen were off tonight, but there was also some excellent defense played tonight.  Scott County was led by "C-3" Brown with 18 points and eight rebounds.  Coy Zerhusen added 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds.  Tyler Hicks added 10 points and dished out six assists.  Highlands was led by Kevin Gilles and Craig Forbes with 16 points each.  Ross Neltner added 12 points, 12 rebounds, and was credited with six assists and four blocked shots.   

All Tournament Team
 

Brandent Englemon	6-0	Jr.	Covington Holmes	14.3 ppg
Michael Cross	6-6	Jr.	Tates Creek	14.0 ppg	5.3 rpg
Justin Taylor	6-2	So.	Tates Creek	13.3 ppg
Josh Fowler	6-10	Sr.	Socastee (SC)	15.0 ppg	6.7 rpg
Cory Wade	6-2	Sr.	East Jessamine	16.0 ppg
Butch Jointer	6-3	Sr.	East Jessamine	24.0 ppg	7.3 rpg
Ross Neltner	6-8	Jr.	Highlands	15.5 ppg	15.5 rpg
Kevin Gilles	6-4	Jr.	Highlands	16.7 ppg
Craig Forbes	6-3	Sr.	Highlands	15.3 ppg
"C-3" Brown	5-10	Sr.	Scott County	18.0 ppg	7.3 rpg
Tyler Hicks	6-1	So.	Scott County	14.3 ppg
Coy Zerhusen	6-4	Sr.	Scott County	13.7 ppg	9.3 rpg

Conclusion

Scott County appears to be peaking at the right time and could be a factor at tournament time.  Coach Hicks preaches defense and this edition of the Cardinals plays it well.  "C-3" Brown can light up the scoreboard when he is on and Coy Zerhusen is a tireless warrior in the paint.  Tyler Hicks is playing well and is only a sophomore.  East Jessamine has one of the premier players in the state in Butch Jointer and could challenge Lexington Catholic for 11th region supremacy.  Highlands' Ross Neltner can score, rebound, and is an excellent passing big man.  Coach Joe Pat Covington has some good talent at Tates Creek and could spring some upsets come tourney time.  Bryan Station has had a tough season and are very young but they had a big win over Dunbar.  Holmes has some nice players and gave Scott County a tough game in this tourney.  Dunbar went 0-3 in the tourney and Coach Eddie Oakley must try to right the Bulldogs' ship before tourney time.  The loss of 6-1 Jr. guard Marcus Conner for the season has hurt the Bulldogs.  6-7 Sr. Kenneth Fox can be a force in the paint and 6-1 Fr. Tory Robertson could be a future star. 

Acknowledgments

Congratulations to the Toyota Classic Committee and all the volunteers who make this tournament such a success.  I would like to thank the WL stats crew who make my job simple.  I would also like to thank Coach Billy Hicks, David Porter, Sonny Denniston, and Kenny Farley for the hospitality extended me during this event.  Once again, the Toyota Classic recognizes and gives award plaques to all Jr. and Sr. participants with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.  This sends a message to all these young athletes, and probably more importantly to all us fans, that they are students first and athletes second. I would also be remiss to not mention the Scott County fans.  The fans love their Cardinals and really get into the game, giving Scott County a true home court advantage. 

Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the tournament, teams, or players to me at  prephoops@yahoo.com .