By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Two long-time rivals faced each other in the opening round of the 9th Region All “A” Classic on Monday and Bellevue defeated Dayton, 67-51, to advance in the small-school boys’ basketball tournament at Lloyd High School.
Bellevue took control with a 16-5 scoring run in the third quarter that opened up a 46-27 lead. The Tigers maintained a double-digit margin and posted their third consecutive win.
The game’s leading scorer was Dayton junior Draven Garcia with 26 points. He made six of his team’s nine 3-point goals. Bellevue’s team leaders were Cameron Chase with 16 points and Jason Craig with 15.
In the other first-round games on Monday, St. Henry knocked off Heritage, 71-39, and Holy Cross got past Ludlow, 62-55.
St. Henry took a 25-3 lead in the first quarter and coasted to an easy victory. The Crusaders’ leading scorer was Elliott Berling with 11 points.
Holy Cross needed a strong finish to come away with its victory. The score was tied 38-38 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter before the Indians pulled away.
Ludlow senior center Marcus Roark finished with a game-high 22 points. Holy Cross was led by Leighton Schrand with 16 points and Tyler Bezold with 13.
The three first-round winners will play in regional quarterfinal games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
9th Region All “A” Classic at Lloyd H.S.
Monday
St. Henry 71, Heritage 39
Holy Cross 62, Ludow 55
Bellevue 67, Dayton 51
Tuesday
Beechwood vs. St. Henry, 6 p.m.
Lloyd vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Newport vs. Holy Cross, 6 p.m.
Villa Madonna vs. Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23
Championship game, 7 p.m.