Bluegrass Conference Tournament Championship
Sayre vs. Berea (Boys)

Berea, Kentucky
December 3, 2005

©2005 by Ron Harrison

Sayre (3-0) vs. Berea (2-0)

Sayre coach Gene Kirk started the following lineup:  6-3 Jr. Trae Cunningham, 6-1 Sr. Bush Gess, 5-10 Sr. Chris Scott, 5-10 Sr. Will Campbell, and 5-6 Jr. Dee Smith.  Berea coach Mike Key countered with 5-11 Sr. Trevor Yosick, 6-0 Sr. Craig Dollins, 6-2 Sr. Keith Ruxer, 6-2 Sr. Jaaron Johns, and 5-10 Sr. Chris Quinley.

Sayre took advantage of poor free throw shooting by Berea (5 of 16) to take a close 80-78 decision in the championship game.  Berea led 37-33 at halftime but Sayre outscored the Pirates 22-15 in the third quarter to take a 55-52 lead.  Sayre managed to hold on in the fourth quarter as Berea’s free throw shooting woes took their toll.

Sayre shot 49.2% from the field including six of 14 from behind the arc.  The Spartans connected on 16 of 25 from the free throw line including 10 of 14 in the second half.  Sayre scored 21 points off 15 Berea turnovers and pulled down 42 rebounds.  Berea shot 50.8% from the field including nine of 27 from the three point line.  The Pirates could only manage five of 16 from the free throw line including two of nine in the second half.  Berea scored 22 points off 21 Sayre turnovers and grabbed 34 rebounds.

Trae Cunningham led Sayre with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.  Chris Scott added 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Dee Smith chipped in with 18 points.  Jaaron Johns and Craig Dollins led Berea with 27 and 21 points respectively.  Chris Quinley and Keith Ruxer added 12 points each.

Sayre	17	16	22	25	-	80
Berea	15	22	15	26	-	78

Sayre	(80)	-	Cunningham 23, Bush Gess 4, Scott 22, Campbell 4, Smith 18, O’Rourke 1, Bunning 2, Lloyd 6.
Berea	(78)	-	Yosick 6, Dollins 21, Ruxer 12, Johns 27, Quinley 12.

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to WL Stats for the comprehensive statistics provided for tonight's game.

Other Games of Interest

Please refer to Week One in Review. 

Please send your comments and questions to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison's reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.