By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Semifinal games for the 9th Region All “A” Classic boys’ basketball tournament will be played on Thursday instead of Friday to avoid the winter snowstorm that’s in the weather forecast.
The semifinal matchups scheduled for Thursday at Lloyd High School are St. Henry vs. Newport Central Catholic at 6 p.m. and Holy Cross vs. Bellevue at 7:30 p.m. The regional final is still set for 7 p.m. Saturday.
The final four for the regional tournament was completed Wednesday night when Holy Cross defeated Newport, 66-59, and Bellevue beat Villa Madonna, 59-47, in the last two quarterfinal games.
Holy Cross took an 18-11 lead in the first quarter and stayed on top the rest of way to extend its record to 14-4.
Senior forward Tyler Bezold scored 17 of his game-high 29 points in the first half for Indians. Newport’s team leader was senior guard Marcus Mullins with 20 points.
Holy Cross finished with a 27-18 scoring advantage from behind the 3-point line. Bezold and senior guard Erich Jakobowski each hit three treys for the winners.
Bellevue needed a 22-10 scoring run in the fourth quarter to win its game against Villa Madonna. The score was tied, 37-37, going into the final period before the Tigers pulled away to post their fourth consecutive win.
Bellevue had four double-figure scorers led by senior Cameron Chase with 15 points. Jason Craig scored seven of his 13 points during the Tigers’ decisive run in the fourth quarter. Villa Madonna junior guard Thomas Schutzman took game-high scoring honors with 21 points.
NewCath and Holy Cross are favored to win Thursday’s semifinal games and advance to the championship final. NewCath has won regional and state championships in the small-school playoffs for three consecutive years. But Holy Cross defeated NewCath, 65-60, in a game earlier this season.
9th Region boys’ All “A” Classic at Lloyd H.S.
Wednesday
Holy Cross 66, Newport 59
Bellevue 59, Villa Madonna 47
Thursday
St. Henry vs. Newport Central Catholic, 6 p.m.
Holy Cross vs. Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.