Toyota Classic
Scott
County High School, Georgetown, Kentucky
January 29-February 1, 2003
Copyright © 2003 Ron Harrison
This tournament is in its eighth 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), Scott County (2000-2001), and Scott County (2001-2002). A good field has been assembled this year to play for the championship. This year's field will consist of the following teams: Dixie Heights, George Junior Republic (PA), Mercer County, Scott County, Shelby Valley, Sheldon Clark, Shroder Paideia Academy (OH), and West Jessamine. There will also be a special Toyota Community Invitational game matching the Wood Memorial (IN) Trojans against the Scott County Lady Cardinals.
January 29th - Day 1
Game No. 1 Mercer County (11-5) vs. West Jessamine (9-5)
Mercer County coach Stacey Hall started the following lineup: 6-0 Jr. John Lyons, 6-2 Sr. Jackson Coleman, 6-1 Jr. Clif Watkins, 6-1 Sr. Casey Watts, and 6-1 Sr. Joe White. West Jessamine coach Matthew Yates countered with 6-2 Sr. Cameron Jackson, 6-4 Sr. Nate Johnson, 6-6 Sr. Brett Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Andy Placido, and 5-11 Sr. Daniel Thompson.
West Jessamine led 34-29 at halftime and pulled away in the second half for an 88-75 victory over Mercer County. West Jessamine held a 60%-49.1% edge in field goal shooting and scored 27 points off 22 Mercer County turnovers. West Jessamine was led by Brett Johnson with 27 points and six rebounds. Cameron Jackson added 21 points and 6-5 Sr. Joey Searle added 11 points. Mercer County was led by Joe White, Casey Watts, and Clif Watkins with 18, 17 and 17 points respectively.
Mercer County |
14 |
15 |
23 |
23 |
- |
75 |
West Jessamine |
21 |
13 |
27 |
24 |
- |
88 |
Mercer County |
(75) |
- |
John Lyons 7, Coleman 6, Watkins 17, Watts 17, White 18, Eades 1, Jordan Lyons 5, Chadwick 4. |
West Jessamine |
(88) |
- |
Jackson 21, N. Johnson 2, B. Johnson 27, Placido 7, Thompson 8, Greene 2, Tarvin 7, Meadows 3, Searle 11. |
Game No. 2 Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) (6-9) vs. Dixie Heights (14-2)
Shroder Paideia Academy coach Cliff Green started the following lineup: 6-3 Jr. Kory Chappell, 6-2 Jr. Rashon Cheatham, 6-7 Jr. Tanyen Perason, 6-0 So. Nico Dean, and 5-10 Jr. Marcus Daniels. Dixie Heights coach Scott Draud countered with 6-3 Sr. Russ Bramlage, 6-2 Jr. Michael O’Toole, 7-0 Sr. Steve Mayes, 6-2 So. D. J. Corbett, and 6-3 Sr. Matt O’Toole.
Dixie Heights held a 58.3%-17.3% edge in field goal shooting and outrebounded Shroder Paideia 45-20 on their way to a 68-27 victory. The victors were led by Steve Mayes with 22 points, eight rebounds, and five blocked shots. Russ Bramlage added 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. 6-7 Sr. Drew Clayton added 10 points. Shroder Paideia was led by Tanyen Perason with 12 points and six rebounds.
Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) |
6 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
- |
27 |
Dixie Heights |
18 |
14 |
18 |
18 |
- |
68 |
Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) |
(27) |
- |
Chappell 0, Cheatham 5, Pearson 12, Dean 3, Daniels 4, Sims 1, Gibbs 2. |
Dixie Heights |
(68) |
- |
Bramlage 11, Michael O’Toole 6, Mayes 22, Corbett 6, Matt O’Toole 5, S. Gerbus 4, Brockman 4, Whitaker 1, Clayton 10. |
January 30th - Day 2
Game No. 3 Mercer County (11-6) vs. Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) (6-10) (Consolation Game)
Mercer County coach Stacey Hall started the following lineup: 6-0 Jr. John Lyons, 6-1 Sr. Kenton Chadwick, 6-1 Jr. Clif Watkins, 6-1 Sr. Casey Watts, and 6-0 Sr. Travis Eades. Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) coach Cliff Green countered with 6-3 Jr. Kory Chappell, 6-2 Jr. Rashon Cheatham, 6-7 So. Doug Walden, 6-0 So. Nico Dean, and 5-10 Jr. Marcus Daniels.
Mercer County and Shroder Paideia were tied 40-40 at halftime and Mercer County pulled away in the second half to take a 79-69 decision over Shroder Paideia. Mercer County shot 47.6% from the field while Shroder Paideia shot 45.5%. Shroder Paideia held a 43-36 advantage on the boards but committed 20 turnovers which Mercer County converted to 31 points. Mercer County was led by 6-1 Sr. Joe White with 26 points. Clif Watkins and Casey Watts added 16 and 11 points respectively. Watts also pulled down nine rebounds. Shroder Paideia was led by Marcus Daniels and 6-3 Fr. Andre Evans with 19 and 16 points respectively. Kory Chappell added five points but pulled down 12 rebounds.
Mercer County |
23 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
- |
79 |
Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) |
13 |
27 |
12 |
17 |
- |
69 |
Mercer County |
(79) |
- |
John Lyons 6, Chadwick 4, Watkins 16, Watts 11, Eades 3, Coleman 8, Jordan Lyons 5, White 26. |
Shroder Paideia Academy (OH) |
(69) |
- |
Chappell 5, Cheatham 7, Walden 0, Dean 2, Daniels 19, Sims 3, Wilson 2, Jones 2, Gibbs 10, Lockett 3, Evans 16. |
Game No. 4 Sheldon Clark (3-9) vs. Scott County (11-4) (Tourney Round)
Sheldon Clark coach J. R. Hammond started the following lineup: 6-3 Jr. Nathan Moore, 6-3 Fr. Brandon May, 6-3 So. Steven Howell, 5-9 Jr. Daniel Cornette, and 5-10 Sr. Shane Stafford. Scott County coach Billy Hicks countered with 6-8 Jr. Zach Van Guilder, 6-3 Jr. Alex Cassady, 6-3 Sr. Jeremy Nettles, 5-11 Sr. Nick Reed, and 6-1 Jr. Tyler Hicks.
Scott County led 33-26 at the half but went on a 30-6 run in the third quarter on their way to an 81-47 victory over Sheldon Clark. Scott County held a 48.3%-27.5% edge in field goal shooting and outrebounded Sheldon Clark 43-33. Scott County scored 27 points off 22 Sheldon Clark turnovers. Scott County was led by Jeremy Nettles with 19 points and 12 rebounds. 6-1 Jr. Troy Harris, 6-2 Sr. Cody Grant and Nick Reed added 13, 11 and 11 points respectively. Reed also added five assists and four steals. Sheldon Clark was led by Nathan Moore and Brandon May with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Sheldon Clark |
4 |
22 |
6 |
15 |
- |
47 |
Scott County |
21 |
12 |
30 |
18 |
- |
81 |
Sheldon Clark |
(47) |
- |
Moore 11, May 10, Howell 3, Cornette 5, Stafford 6, Evans 4, Maynard 3, Goble 2, Lafferty 3. |
Scott County |
(81) |
- |
Van Guilder 5, Cassady 8, Nettles 19, N. Reed 11, Hicks 6, C. Reed 2, Jarvis 3, Carter 3, C. Grant 11, Harris 13. |
Game No. 5 George Junior Republic (PA) (9-9) vs. Shelby Valley (11-4) (Tourney Round)
George Junior Republic coach Bob McConnell started the following lineup: 6-3 Jr. Tyrae Denmark, 6-0 Sr. Anthony Goodwin, 6-1 Jr. Tyree Moy, 6-0 Sr. James Bates, and 6-0 Sr. Shahid McPhail. Shelby Valley coach Rodney Rowe countered with 6-1 So. Patrick Tackett, 6-1 So. Kelsey Friend, 6-0 Sr. Phillip Akers, 6-1 Sr. Paul Fleming, and 6-1 So. Seth Kiser.
George Junior Republic held a 48.4%-41% edge in field goal shooting and outrebounded Shelby Valley 46-25 on their way to an 86-70 victory. George Junior Republic was led by Tyrae Denmark with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Shahid McPhail, Tyree Moy, and James Bates added 19, 15, and 14 points respectively. Shelby Valley was led by Kelsey Friend, Phillip Akers, Seth Kiser, and Patrick Tackett with 19, 14, 11, and 10 points respectively. Friend pulled down seven rebounds and Kiser dished out seven assists.
George Junior Republic (PA) |
16 |
23 |
22 |
25 |
- |
86 |
Shelby Valley |
11 |
18 |
15 |
26 |
- |
70 |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
(86) |
- |
Denmark 24, Goodwin 6, Moy 15, Bates 14, McPhail 19, McGhee 8. |
Shelby Valley |
(70) |
- |
P. Tackett 10, Friend 19, Akers 14, Fleming 8, Kiser 11, R. Tackett 8. |
January 31st - Day 3
Game No. 6 Sheldon Clark (3-10) vs. Shelby Valley (11-5) (Consolation Game)
Sheldon Clark coach J. R. Hammond started the following lineup: 6-3 Jr. Nathan Moore, 6-3 Fr. Brandon May, 6-3 So. Steven Howell, 5-9 Jr. Daniel Cornette, and 5-10 Sr. Shane Stafford. Shelby Valley coach Rodney Rowe countered with 5-11 Sr. Ryan Tackett, 6-1 So. Kelsey Friend, 6-0 Sr. Phillip Akers, 6-1 Sr. Paul Fleming, and 6-1 So. Seth Kiser.
Shelby Valley took a 50-15 third quarter lead on their way to a 66-42 victory over Sheldon Clark. Shelby Valley held a 45.3%-36.6% edge in field goal shooting and scored 26 points on 25 Sheldon Clark turnovers. Shelby Valley was led by Kelsey Friend, Seth Kiser, and Paul Fleming with 14, 11 and 10 points respectively. Sheldon Clark was led by Brandon May with 12 points and nine rebounds. Shane Stafford added 10 points.
Sheldon Clark |
5 |
4 |
6 |
27 |
- |
42 |
Shelby Valley |
7 |
16 |
27 |
16 |
- |
66 |
Sheldon Clark |
(42) |
- |
Moore 4, May 12, Howell 2, Cornette 0, Stafford 10, Evans 3, Maynard 5, Lafferty 6. |
Shelby Valley |
(66) |
- |
R. Tackett 6, Friend 14, Akers 7, Fleming 10, Kiser 11, D. Tackett 1, Robinson 2, Bartley 7, P. Tackett 8. |
Game No. 7 West Jessamine (10-5) vs. Dixie Heights (15-2) (Semifinal)
West Jessamine coach Matthew Yates started the following lineup: 6-2 Sr. Cameron Jackson, 6-5 Sr. Scott Tarvin, 6-6 Sr. Brett Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Andy Placido, and 5-11 Sr. Daniel Thompson. Dixie Heights coach Scott Draud countered with 6-3 Sr. Russ Bramlage, 6-2 Jr. Michael O’Toole, 7-0 Sr. Steve Mayes, 6-2 So. D. J. Corbett, and 6-3 Sr. Matt O’Toole.
Dixie Heights led late in the game 69-57 but West Jessamine roared back to cut the lead to 69-66 before Dixie Heights’ Russ Bramlage hit five consecutive free throws to give them a 74-64 victory. Dixie Heights shot 50% from the field and was 30 of 40 from the free throw line. West Jessamine shot 30.3% from the field and was 18 of 24 from the free throw line. Dixie Heights was led by Russ Bramlage with 37 points and 11 rebounds. Michael O’Toole added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Steve Mayes chipped in with 11 points. West Jessamine was led by Scott Tarvin with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Brett Johnson and Cameron Jackson added 12 and 11 points respectively.
West Jessamine |
17 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
- |
66 |
Dixie Heights |
16 |
19 |
15 |
24 |
- |
74 |
West Jessamine |
(66) |
- |
Jackson 11, Tarvin 15, B. Johnson 12, Placido 8, Thompson 9, N. Johnson 3, Greene 2, Hosney 2, Searle 4. |
Dixie Heights |
(74) |
- |
Bramlage 37, Michael O’Toole 18, Mayes 11, Corbett 0, Matt O’Toole 7, Clayton 1. |
Game No. 8 Scott County (12-4) vs. George Junior Republic (PA) (10-9) (Semifinal)
Scott County coach Billy Hicks started the following lineup: 6-1 Jr. Troy Harris, 6-3 Jr. Alex Cassady, 6-3 Sr. Jeremy Nettles, 5-11 Sr. Nick Reed, and 6-1 Jr. Tyler Hicks. George Junior Republic coach Bob McConnell countered with 6-3 Jr. Tyrae Denmark, 6-0 Sr. Anthony Goodwin, 6-1 Jr. Tyree Moy, 6-0 Sr. James Bates, and 6-0 Sr. Shahid McPhail.
George Junior Republic led 63-54 in the final quarter but Scott County rallied to cut the deficit to 68-66 with 10.7 seconds remaining in the game. George Junior Republic hit three free throws in the final seconds to earn a 71-66 victory. George Junior Republic held a 40%-34.9% edge in field goal shooting and held a 46-34 advantage on the boards. The victors were led by Shahid McPhail with 27 points and seven rebounds. Tyrae Denmark added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Scott County was led by Tyler Hicks with 20 points. 6-2 Sr. Cody Grant added 14 points including four three point goals, and Nick Reed chipped in with 12 points.
Scott County |
13 |
21 |
8 |
24 |
- |
66 |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
12 |
18 |
20 |
21 |
- |
71 |
Scott County |
(66) |
- |
Harris 4, Cassady 6, Nettles 7, N. Reed 12, Hicks 20, C. Grant 14, Van Guilder 3. |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
(71) |
- |
Denmark 21, Goodwin 7, Moy 5, Bates 7, McPhail 27, McGhee 4. |
February 1st - Day 4
Game No. 9 Franklin County (10-8) vs. Sheldon Clark (3-11) (Consolation Game)
Franklin County coach Lewis Morris started the following lineup: 6-3 Jr. Bruce Bohman, 6-3 Sr. Derrick Morris, 6-5 Sr. Eric Eastman, 6-1 Sr. Daniel Moore, and 5-10 Jr. Bryan Scott. Sheldon Clark coach J. R. Hammond countered with 6-7 Sr. Greg Evans, 6-3 Fr. Brandon May, 6-3 So. Steven Howell, 5-9 Jr. Daniel Cornette, and 5-10 Sr. Shane Stafford.
Franklin County defeated Sheldon Clark by a score of 71-53. Franklin County subbed for Shroder Paideia (OH), who had to cancel out to avoid exceeding their state’s athletic association maximum game rule. Franklin County shot 50.9% from the field while Sheldon Clark could only manage 25%. Franklin County scored 35 points off 26 Sheldon Clark turnovers. Franklin County committed 25 turnovers but Sheldon Clark could only capitalize for 18 points. Franklin County was led by 6-1 Sr. Brian Brewer, Derrick Morris, and Eric Eastman with 15, 14, and 14 points respectively. Sheldon Clark was led by Brandon May with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Daniel Cornette added 11 points.
Franklin County |
26 |
20 |
12 |
13 |
- |
71 |
Sheldon Clark |
10 |
6 |
19 |
18 |
- |
53 |
Franklin County |
(71) |
- |
Bohman 10, Morris 14, Eastman 14, Moore 9, Scott 5, Burse 2, Rowe 1, Mitchell 1, Brewer 15. |
Sheldon Clark |
(53) |
- |
Evans 5, May 17, Howell 4, Cornette 11, Stafford 8, Maynard 8. |
Game No. 10 Mercer County (12-6) vs. Shelby Valley (12-5) (Fifth Place)
Mercer County coach Stacey Hall started the following lineup: 6-0 Jr. John Lyons, 6-2 Sr. Jackson Coleman, 6-1 Jr. Clif Watkins, 6-1 Sr. Casey Watts, and 6-1 Sr. Joe White. Shelby Valley coach Rodney Rowe countered with 6-1 So. Patrick Tackett, 6-1 So. Kelsey Friend, 6-0 Sr. Phillip Akers, 6-1 Sr. Paul Fleming, and 5-11 Sr. Ryan Tackett.
Shelby Valley led 57-44 at the end of three quarters but Mercer County
rallied to outscore Shelby Valley 28-12 in the final quarter to gain a 72-69
victory. Both teams shot well as Mercer County was 51.9% from the field
and Shelby Valley connected at a 50.9% rate. Mercer County was led by Casey
Watts with 27 points. Joe White and Jackson Coleman
added 15 and 12 points respectively. Shelby Valley was led by Phillip
Akers and Patrick Tackett with 16 points each. Ryan Tackett,
Paul Fleming, and Kelsey Friend added 13, 12, and 10 points
respectively.
Mercer County |
21 |
8 |
15 |
28 |
- |
72 |
Shelby Valley |
16 |
15 |
26 |
12 |
- |
69 |
Mercer County |
(72) |
- |
John Lyons 5, Coleman 12, Watkins 6, Watts 27, White 15, McRay 3, Chadwick 4. |
Shelby Valley |
(69) |
- |
P. Tackett 16, Friend 10, Akers 16, Fleming 12, R. Tackett 13, Bartley 2. |
Game No. 11 West Jessamine (10-6) vs. Scott County (12-5) (Third Place)
West Jessamine coach Matthew Yates started the following lineup: 6-2 Sr. Cameron Jackson, 6-5 Sr. Scott Tarvin, 6-6 Sr. Brett Johnson, 5-11 Sr. Andy Placido, and 5-11 Sr. Daniel Thompson. Scott County coach Billy Hicks countered with 6-8 Jr. Zach Van Guilder, 6-3 Jr. Alex Cassady, 6-3 Sr. Jeremy Nettles, 5-11 Sr. Nick Reed, and 6-1 Jr. Tyler Hicks.
West Jessamine defeated Scott County 81-69 in a physical contest in which 99 foul shots were attempted. West Jessamine was 39 of 57 from the free throw line on 33 Scott County fouls while Scott County was 25 of 42 from the line on 32 West Jessamine fouls. West Jessamine was led by Andy Placido, Daniel Thompson, Brett Johnson, Scott Tarvin, and 6-4 Sr. Nate Johnson with 18, 13, 13, 12, and 11 points respectively. Scott County was led by Tyler Hicks with 23 points. Jeremy Nettles added 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Nick Reed added 13 points.
West Jessamine |
14 |
19 |
20 |
28 |
- |
81 |
Scott County |
10 |
22 |
13 |
24 |
- |
69 |
West Jessamine |
(81) |
- |
Jackson 5, Tarvin 12, B. Johnson 13, Placido 18, Thompson 13, M. Spann 2, N. Johnson 11, Hosney 2, Wellman 3, Searle 2. |
Scott County |
(69) |
- |
Van Guilder 2, Cassady 6, Nettles 19, N. Reed 13, Hicks 23, Harris 6. |
Game No. 12 (Girls) Wood Memorial (IN) (8-11) vs. Scott County (10-6) (Toyota Community Invitational Game)
Wood Memorial coach Johnnie Bartley started the following lineup: 5-11 Jr. Christie Stolz, 5-9 Jr. Cora Buck, 5-6 Jr. Brittney Hamer, 5-6 Jr. Jessica Stoffel, and 5-7 Jr. Kristen Morgan. Scott County coach Steve Helton countered with 5-10 Sr. Anna Fraley, 5-9 Sr. Lauren Farmer, 6-0 Sr. Sarah Norman, 5-8 So. Leslye Brent, and 5-5 Fr. Chelsia Lymon.
Scott County scored 35 points off 34 Wood Memorial turnovers on their way to a 76-49 victory. Wood Memorial held a 40%-33.3% edge in field goal shooting but was outrebounded by Scott County 54-44. Scott County was led by Anna Fraley with 22 points including four three point baskets and seven rebounds. Chelsia Lymon added 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and nine steals. Lauren Farmer also chipped in with 14 points. Wood Memorial was led by Kristen Morgan with 15 points and nine rebounds. Christie Stolz added nine points, 20 rebounds, and blocked eight shots.
Wood Memorial (IN) |
15 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
- |
49 |
Scott County |
17 |
24 |
14 |
21 |
- |
76 |
Wood Memorial (IN) |
(49) |
- |
Stolz 9, Buck 2, Hamer 9, Stoffel 9, Morgan 15, Schwiersch 4, Sermersheim 1. |
Scott County |
(76) |
- |
Fraley 22, Farmer 14, Sarah Norman 2, Brent 0, Lymon 14, Milburn 2, Gray 2, Howard 4, Whaley 2, Sam Norman 2, Moses 4, Smitha 2, Dawson 2, Weathers 4. |
Game No. 13 Dixie Heights (16-2) vs. George Junior Republic (PA) (11-9) (Championship Game)
Dixie Heights coach Scott Draud started the following lineup: 6-3 Sr. Russ Bramlage, 6-2 Jr. Michael O’Toole, 7-0 Sr. Steve Mayes, 6-2 So. D. J. Corbett, and 6-3 Sr. Matt O’Toole. George Junior Republic coach Bob McConnell countered with 6-3 Jr. Tyrae Denmark, 6-0 Sr. Anthony Goodwin, 6-1 Jr. Tyree Moy, 6-0 Sr. James Bates, and 6-0 Sr. Shahid McPhail.
Dixie Heights led 25-22 at the half and pulled away in the second half for a 67-48 victory over George Junior Republic and the Toyota Classic Championship. Dixie Heights held a 60%-34.4% edge in field goal shooting and a 39-26 advantage on the boards. Dixie Heights was led tonight by Steve Mayes and Russ Bramlage with 21 points each. Bramlage also pulled down 13 rebounds. Matt O’Toole and Michael O’Toole added 11 and 10 points respectively. George Junior Republic was led by Shahid McPhail and Tyrae Denmark with 27 and 11 points respectively.
Dixie Heights |
13 |
12 |
20 |
22 |
- |
67 |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
9 |
13 |
10 |
16 |
- |
48 |
Dixie Heights |
(67) |
- |
Bramlage 21, Michael O’Toole 10, Mayes 21, Corbett 2, Matt O’Toole 11, Clayton 2. |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
(48) |
- |
Denmark 11, Goodwin 6, Moy 2, Bates 2, McPhail 27. |
All Tournament Team
Kelsey Friend |
6-1 |
So. |
Shelby Valley |
14.3 ppg |
5.7 rpg |
|
|
Joe White |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Mercer County |
19.7 ppg |
5.3 rpg |
|
|
Daniel Thompson |
5-11 |
Sr. |
West Jessamine |
10.0 ppg |
6.3 apg |
|
|
Brett Johnson |
6-6 |
Sr. |
West Jessamine |
14.0 ppg |
3.7 rpg |
|
|
Tyler Hicks |
6-1 |
Jr. |
Scott County |
16.3 ppg |
3.3 apg |
|
|
Jeremy Nettles |
6-3 |
Sr. |
Scott County |
15.0 ppg |
9.3 rpg |
|
|
Tyree Moy |
6-1 |
Jr. |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
7.3 ppg |
7.3 rpg |
|
|
Tyrae Denmark |
6-3 |
Jr. |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
18.7 ppg |
9.7 rpg |
|
|
Shahid McPhail |
6-0 |
Sr. |
George Junior Republic (PA) |
24.3 ppg |
4.7 rpg |
|
|
Michael O’Toole |
6-2 |
Jr. |
Dixie Heights |
11.3 ppg |
6.3 rpg |
|
|
Steve Mayes |
7-0 |
Sr. |
Dixie Heights |
18.0 ppg |
7.0 rpg |
|
|
Russ Bramlage |
6-3 |
Sr. |
Dixie Heights |
23.0 ppg |
12.3 rpg |
|
|
Conclusion
Dixie Heights had an excellent tournament run and should be a factor in the very competitive ninth region. Russ Bramlage is a tireless worker who can both play and truly understand the game. Steve Mayes displayed nice hands, good shooting touch, and ran the floor well. George Junior Republic, although small and only going about six deep, was very quick and athletic. Coach Matthew Yates has West Jessamine playing well and should be a strong contender for the eleventh region crown. Mercer County has a nice team that can shoot the ball and must be reckoned with in the twelfth region. Scott County is not clicking on all cylinders and must right their ship before tourney time. 6-10 Sr. Justin Lee missed the entire tourney due to illness and Coach Billy Hicks has talent in Tyler Hicks, Jeremy Nettles, Nick Reed, etc. but must have consistent outside shooting to make a tourney run. Shelby Valley is undersized but has a nice blend of young and veteran players. Sheldon Clark has a promising freshman in 6-3 Brandon May, who averaged 13 ppg and 10 rpg for the tourney.
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.
Please feel free to send your comments and questions
concerning the tournament, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com .
Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on https://www.angelfire.com/ky/prephoops.