© 2008 by Ron Harrison
The 2008 43rd District Tournament was held at Henry Clay High School and hosted by Lexington Christian Academy. The 43rd District consists of Lafayette, Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian Academy, Paul Dunbar, and Tates Creek.
Tates Creek Coach Justin Cheatham started the following lineup: 5-6 Sr. Marquis Axtell, 5-8 So. Lizza Jonas, 5-11 So. Jasmine Franklin, 5-5 Jr. Kyleigh Kreyenbuhl, and 5-5 Jr. Betsy Goodin. Lafayette Coach Allison Tate Denton countered with 5-9 Sr. Corin Dunn, 5-10 Sr. Kennae Demus, 6-0 Sr. Katie Aldrich, 5-6 So. Ali Ross, and 5-5 Jr. Maya Hanatani.
Katie Aldrich made the big play down the stretch to allow Lafayette to escape with a 43-34 victory over Tates Creek. Lafayette held a 16-4 lead in the first half but Tates Creek rallied behind a strong defensive effort to pull within two points, 36-34, with 1:29 left in the game. However, Aldrich scored on a spinning layup and completed the three point play with a free throw to give Lafayette a 39-34 lead. The Lady Generals connected on four free throws down the stretch to ensure the victory.
Lafayette shot 38.5% from the field including one of five from the three point line. The Lady Generals connected on 12 of 17 free throws, pulled down 37 rebounds, and scored 20 points off 21 Tates Creek turnovers. Tates Creek shot 25.6% from the field including five of 15 from beyond the arc. The Lady Commodores connected on seven of 14 free throws, grabbed 28 rebounds, and scored 18 points off 20 Lafayette turnovers.
Katie Aldrich led the victors with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Ali Ross added 11 points. Lizza Jonas led Tates Creek with 11 points and eight rebounds. Betsy Goodin added nine points including two three point baskets.
| Lafayette | 43 | Tates Creek | 34 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Tates Creek | 4 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 34 |
| Lafayette | 10 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 43 |
| Tates Creek | (34) - | Axtell 4, Jonas 11, Franklin 3, Kreyenbuhl 4, Goodin 9, Hisel 3. |
| Lafayette | (43) - | Dunn 3, Demus 0, Aldrich 13, Ross 11, Hatatani 8, Jameka Gillespie 2, Christian 6. |
Lafayette Coach Damon Kelley started the following lineup: 6-3 So. Micah Miller, 6-3 Fr. Tanner Napier, 6-4 Jr. Deron Linton, 5-11 So. Michael Walker, and 5-11 Sr. Dante Stewart. Lexington Christian Academy Coach Tommy Huston countered with 6-2 Sr. Cam Marshall, 6-5 So. Will Evans, 6-5 Jr. Grant Sparks, 6-2 Jr. Tyler Townsend, and 6-0 Sr. Trace Helton.
The score was tied 31-31 in the third quarter but Lexington Christian Academy went on a 27-7 run to take control of the game in a 75-61 victory over Lafayette.
LCA shot 51.1% from the field including three of 10 from the three point line. The Eagles connected on 26 of 37 free throws, pulled down 30 rebounds, and scored 23 points off 19 Lafayette turnovers. Lafayette shot 41.7% from the field including seven of 18 from beyond the arc. The Generals connected on 14 of 18 free throws, grabbed 26 rebounds, and scored 12 points off 13 LCA turnovers.
Trace Helton led LCA with 17 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Tyler Townsend also recorded 17 points. Will Evans added 16 points and eight rebounds. Dante Stewart led Lafayette with 22 points including six three point baskets. Deron Linton added 15 points and seven rebounds.
| Lexington Christian Academy | 75 | Lafayette | 61 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lafayette | 12 | 14 | 11 | 24 | 61 |
| Lexington Christian Academy | 16 | 13 | 23 | 23 | 75 |
| Lafayette | (61) - | Miller 2, Napier 0, Linton 15, Walker 8, Stewart 22, Morris 2, Lawless 2, Duncan 3, Barber 7. |
| Lexington Christian Academy | (75) - | Marshall 8, Evans 16, Sparks 3, Townsend 17, Helton 17, Rogers 3, Wooten 2, Crain 2, Langley 7. |
LCA Coach Jason Semands started the following lineup: 6-0 So. Sarah Beth Barnette, 5-9 Jr. Anna Martin, 6-1 Jr. Clara Mitchell, 5-6 Sr. Hillary Thornton, and 5-9 Jr. Courtney Clifton. Lexington Catholic Coach Jeff Hans countered with 5-10 Jr. Shaneque McGhee, 5-11 Sr. Natalie Novosel, 6-0 Sr. Lauren Conrad, 5-9 Jr. Maggie Wilson, and 5-9 Sr. Briana Green.
Lexington Catholic wore LCA down in the second half in a 68-54 victory. LCA didn't substitute until the 4:17 mark in the final quarter. The pace appeared to wear LCA down and Lexington Catholic finished with a 17-9 advantage in the final quarter. This was sweet revenge for the Lady Knights who were beaten by LCA in both the district and regional finals last season.
Lexington Catholic shot 50% from the field including five of 14 from the three point line. The Lady Knights connected on 15 of 17 free throws, pulled down 29 rebounds, and scored 19 points off 10 LCA turnovers. LCA shot 33.3% from the field including nine of 28 from beyond the arc. The Lady Eagles connected on nine of 11 free throws, grabbed 33 rebounds, and scored six points off nine Lexington Catholic turnovers.
Natalie Novosel led Lexington Catholic with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Briana Green added 17 points including two three point baskets. Maggie Wilson chipped in with 15 points. Lauren Conrad recorded six points and played excellent post defense. Anna Martin led LCA with 21 points and seven rebounds. Courtney Clifton added 14 points including four three point baskets. Sarah Beth Barnette chipped in with 13 points including three three point baskets. Barnette pulled down seven rebounds. Clara Mitchell pulled down a team high 10 rebounds.
| Lexington Catholic | 68 | Lexington Christian Academy | 54 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lexington Christian Academy | 18 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 54 |
| Lexington Catholic | 17 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 68 |
| Lexington Christian Academy | (54) - | Barnette 13, Martin 21, Mitchell 3, Thornton 3, Clifton 14. |
| Lexington Catholic | (68) - | McGhee 4, Novosel 23, Conrad 6, Wilson 15, Green 17, Corbett 3. |
Dunbar Coach Carl "Redd" Hutchinson started the following lineup: 6-3 Sr. De'Andre Webb, 6-3 Jr. De'Vonte Webb, 6-7 Jr. Tyler Rogers, 5-9 Jr. Nick Hudson, and 5-11 Sr. Dion Johnson. Tates Creek Coach Eric Williams countered with 6-3 Sr. Michael Stone, 6-3 Sr. Michael Sparks, 6-3 Fr. Marcellus Barksdale, 6-1 Fr. Ryan Fucci, and 6-0 Sr. Michael Spalding.
Dunbar put together and excellent effort with all five starters scoring in double figures in a 70-53 victory over Tates Creek.
Dunbar shot 53.7% from the field including one of three from the three point line. The Bulldogs connected on 11 of 12 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored 20 points off 16 Tates Creek turnovers. Tates Creek shot 40.4% from the field including three of 17 from beyond the arc. The Commodores connected on eight of 15 free throws, grabbed 27 rebounds, and scored 11 points off 13 Dunbar turnovers.
De'Andre Webb led Dunbar with 16 points. Tyler Rogers added 15 points and six rebounds. Nick Hudson chipped in with 15 points and seven assists. Dion Johnson recorded 14 points. De'Vonte Webb also reached double figures with 10 points. Michael Sparks led Tates Creek with 24 points and six rebounds. Ryan Fucci added nine points. Marcellus Barksdale chipped in with eight points and five rebounds.
| Paul Dunbar | 70 | Tates Creek | 53 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Paul Dunbar | 17 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 70 |
| Tates Creek | 10 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 53 |
| Paul Dunbar | (70) - | De'Andre Webb 16, De'Vonte Webb 10, Rogers 15, Hudson 15, Johnson 14. |
| Tates Creek | (53) - | Stone 6, Sparks 24, Barksdale 8, Fucci 9, Spalding 6. |
Lafayette Coach Allison Tate Denton started the following lineup: 6-0 Sr. Katie Aldrich, 5-9 Sr. Corin Dunn, 5-10 Sr. Kennae Demus, 5-6 So. Ali Ross, and 5-5 Jr. Maya Hanatani. Paul Dunbar Coach Mike Sowers countered with 6-0 So. Ebony Rowe, 5-7 Sr. Chelsey Johnson, 6-1 Sr. Chantelle Pressley, 5-7 Sr. Megan LaRue, and 5-7 Sr. Pilar Walker.
Dunbar pulled away in the final quarter to defeat Lafayette by a score of 61-43. Lafayette held a 37-36 lead with seconds remaining in the third quarter but Pilar Walker hit a half court shot at the buzzer to give Dunbar a 39-37 lead entering the the final quarter. Dunbar scored the first 11 points of the final period to take a 50-37 lead and gain control of the game.
Dunbar shot 48.9% from the field including six of 15 from the three point line. The Lady Bulldogs connected on nine of 12 free throws, pulled down 22 rebounds, and scored 29 points off 22 Lafayette turnovers. Lafayette shot 50% from the field including one of four from beyond the arc. The Lady Generals connected on four of 10 free throws, pulled down 26 rebounds, and scored 10 points off 12 Dunbar turnovers.
Chelsey Johnson led Dunbar with 20 points including three three point baskets. Pilar Walker added 14 points. Ebony Rowe chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds. Kennae Demus led Lafayette with 14 points. Maya Hanatani added seven points, six rebounds, and three assists. Corin Dunn chipped in with seven points and five rebounds.
| Paul Dunbar | 61 | Lafayette | 43 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lafayette | 8 | 12 | 17 | 6 | 43 |
| Paul Dunbar | 8 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 61 |
| Lafayette | (43) - | Dunn 7, Demus 14, Aldrich 4, Ross 4, Hatatani 7, Jameka Gillespie 2, Christian 5. |
| Paul Dunbar | (61) - | Rowe 12, Johnson 20, Pressley 6, LaRue 6, Walker 14, Howard 3. |
Lexington Christian Academy Coach Tommy Huston started the following lineup: 6-2 Sr. Cam Marshall, 6-5 So. Will Evans, 6-5 Jr. Grant Sparks, 6-2 Jr. Tyler Townsend, and 6-0 Sr. Trace Helton. Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman countered with 6-5 Sr. Taylor Stewart, 6-5 Sr. Nathan Novosel, 6-6 Sr. Jordan Smart, 6-2 Jr. Taylor Botkin, and 6-3 Jr. Vee Sanford.
Lexington Catholic raced out to a 39-9 halftime lead on their way to an 87-57 victory over Lexington Christian Academy. Lexington Catholic shot a blistering 66% from the field including 69.2% in the second half.
Lexington Catholic shot 66% from the field including five of 12 from the three point line. The Knights connected on 16 of 23 free throws, pulled down 34 rebounds, and scored 25 points off 22 LCA turnovers. LCA shot 36.2% from the field including four of 17 from beyond the arc. The Eagles connected on 19 of 27 free throws, grabbed 20 rebounds, and scored 23 points off 21 Lexington Catholic turnovers.
Taylor Stewart led Lexington Catholic with 18 points. Nathan Novosel added 17 points and six rebounds. Vee Sanford chipped in with 11 points, four rebounds, and five assists. 6-1 So. Branden Burdette led Lexington Christian Academy with 15 points. Trace Helton added 12 points and five assists.
| Lexington Catholic | 87 | Lexington Christian Academy | 57 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lexington Christian Academy | 4 | 5 | 24 | 24 | 57 |
| Lexington Catholic | 18 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 87 |
| Lexington Christian Academy | (57) - | Marshall 9, Evans 5, Sparks 5, Townsend 0, Helton 12, Burdette 15, Rogers 4, Heilig 4, Crain 1, Cherry 2. |
| Lexington Catholic | (87) - | Stewart 18, Novosel 17, Smart 5, Botkin 2, Sanford 11, Tribble 2, Hicks 5, Martin 4, Corvin 8, Schuette 2, Mason 7, Shasky 4, Peurach 2. |
Lexington Catholic Coach Jeff Hans started the following lineup: 5-10 Jr. Shaneque McGhee, 5-11 Sr. Natalie Novosel, 6-0 Sr. Lauren Conrad, 5-9 Jr. Maggie Wilson, and 5-9 Sr. Briana Green. Paul Dunbar Coach Mike Sowers countered with 6-0 So. Ebony Rowe, 5-7 Sr. Chelsey Johnson, 6-1 Sr. Chantelle Pressley, 5-7 Sr. Megan LaRue, and 5-7 Sr. Pilar Walker.
Lexington Catholic coach Jeff Hans did an excellent job of utilizing his bench in a 54-51 victory over Dunbar. Coach Hans was forced to rely heavily on his bench when Briana Green was limited to 10:23 minutes, all in the first half, in an attempt to rest her sprained ankle. Dunbar had defeated Lexington Catholic twice in regular season games. The game was in doubt until the final buzzer as Dunbar's Pilar Walker's three point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
Lexington Catholic shot 43.6% from the field including one of five from the three point line. The Lady Knights connected on 19 of 23 free throws, pulled down 28 rebounds, and scored 19 points off 23 Dunbar turnovers. Dunbar shot 37.5% from the field including three of 16 from beyond the arc. The Lady Bulldogs connected on 12 of 13 free throws, grabbed 27 rebounds, and scored 20 points off 19 Lexington Catholic turnovers.
Natalie Novosel led Lexington Catholic with 24 points including 12 in the final quarter. Novosel also recorded eight rebounds and five steals. Maggie Wilson added 10 points. Shaneque McGhee chipped in with eight points and four rebounds. Chantelle Pressley led Dunbar with 21 points and five rebounds. Ebony Rowe added 10 points and five rebounds. Pilar Walker and Chelsey Johnson chipped in with nine and eight points respectively.
| Lexington Catholic | 54 | Paul Dunbar | 51 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Lexington Catholic | 18 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 54 |
| Paul Dunbar | 14 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 51 |
| Lexington Catholic | (54) - | McGhee 8, Novosel 24, Conrad 6, Wilson 10, Green 5, Scott 1. |
| Paul Dunbar | (51) - | Rowe 10, Johnson 8, Pressley 21, LaRue 3, Walker 9. |
Paul Dunbar Coach Carl "Redd" Hutchinson started the following lineup: 6-3 Sr. De'Andre Webb, 6-3 Jr. De'Vonte Webb, 6-7 Jr. Tyler Rogers, 5-9 Jr. Nick Hudson, and 5-11 Sr. Dion Johnson. Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman countered with 6-5 Sr. Taylor Stewart, 6-5 Sr. Nathan Novosel, 6-6 Sr. Jordan Smart, 6-2 Jr. Taylor Botkin, and 6-3 Jr. Vee Sanford.
Lexington Catholic finally pulled away from Dunbar in the final quarter to earn a 81-72 victory. Dunbar led 58-57 early in the final quarter but Lexington Catholic went on a 16-4 run to gain control of the game.
Lexington Catholic shot 50% from the field including four of 11 from the three point line. The Knights connected on 17 of 23 free throws, pulled down 37 rebounds, and scored 16 points off 17 Dunbar turnovers. Dunbar shot 48.3% from the field including three of eight from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs connected on 13 of 22 free throws, grabbed 34 rebounds, and scored 14 points off 16 Lexington Catholic turnovers.
Nathan Novosel led Lexington Catholic with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Taylor Stewart added 18 points and seven rebounds. Vee Sanford chipped in with 15 points. Tyler Rogers led Dunbar with 18 points and nine rebounds. De'Vonte Webb added 18 points and seven rebounds. De'Andre Webb chipped in with 13 points. Nick Hudson recorded 11 points and seven assists.
| Lexington Catholic | 81 | Paul Dunbar | 72 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Paul Dunbar | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 72 |
| Lexington Catholic | 13 | 22 | 20 | 26 | 81 |
| Paul Dunbar | (72) - | De'Andre Webb 13, De'Vonte Webb 18, Rogers 18, Hudson 11, Johnson 9, Davis 3. |
| Lexington Catholic | (81) - | Stewart 18, Novosel 29, Smart 6, Botkin 7, Sanford 15, Hicks 4, Peffer 2. |
| Lizza Jonas | 5-8 So. | Tates Creek | |
| Anna Martin | 5-9 Jr. | Lexington Christian Academy | |
| Katie Aldrich | 6-0 Sr. | Lafayette | |
| Pilar Walker | 5-7 Sr. | Paul Dunbar | |
| Chelsey Johnson | 5-7 Sr. | Paul Dunbar | |
| Briana Green | 5-9 Sr. | Lexington Catholic | |
| Maggie Wilson | 5-9 Jr. | Lexington Catholic | |
| Natalie Novosel | 5-11 Sr. | Lexington Catholic | MVP |
| Dante Stewart | 5-11 Sr. | Lafayette | |
| Michael Sparks | 6-3 Sr. | Tates Creek | |
| Trace Helton | 6-0 Sr. | Lexington Christian Academy | |
| De'Vonte Webb | 6-3 Jr. | Paul Dunbar | |
| Tyler Rogers | 6-7 Jr. | Paul Dunbar | |
| Taylor Stewart | 6-5 Sr. | Lexington Catholic | |
| Vee Sanford | 6-3 Jr. | Lexington Catholic | |
| Nathan Novosel | 6-5 Sr. | Lexington Catholic | MVP |
Congratulations to the Lexington Catholic boys and girls teams for capturing their respective championships. The champions and the Paul Dunbar boys and girls will advance to the 11th Region tournament.
A special thanks to LCA's Brad Carter for the hospitality extended me during this tournament. Also, a special thanks to WL Stats for providing the computer statistics for all the games of the 43rd District Tournament.
Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com.
Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.