By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Walton-Verona senior forwards Morgan Simpson and Hailey Ison scored a combined total of 51 points in their team’s 60-48 win over Trimble County in the championship game of the girls’ 8th Region All “A” Classic on Friday at Owen County High School.
Simpson made all seven of her 3-point attempts and finished with 23 points. Ison’s final stat line was 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
In the first half, Simpson hit five treys and scored 17 points to spark the Bearcats, who opened up a 37-24 lead against the defending regional champs.
“She hit her first couple shots and we starting running screens for her,” said Walton-Verona head coach Mark Clinkenbeard. “We got ahead by a good margin and everything just fell into place from there.”
Simpson was named most valuable player on the regional all-tournament team. The Bearcats’ other all-tournament selections were Ison, sophomore guard Rachel Lehkamp and senior guard Emma Rodgers.
The last time Walton-Verona won the 8th Region All “A” Classic title was 2012 and that team went on to win the small-school state tournament. The Bearcats’ first-round opponent in this year’s state tournament will be the winner of the 6th Region that will be played this week.
Holy Cross, NewCath advance to girls’ 9th Region All “A” Classic final
Holy Cross and Newport Central Catholic won close games in the semifinals of the girls’ 9th Region All “A” Classic on Friday to set up a rematch of last year’s title game.
Defending champion Holy Cross edged Beechwood, 32-31, and NewCath defeated Newport, 55-52 in overtime, to advance to Saturday’s championship game set for 7 p.m. at Beechwood High School. The regional champion will earn a berth in the Kentucky All “A” Classic small-school state tournament to be played Jan. 27-31 at Frankfort Civic Center.
Holy Cross senior guard Dejah McClendon made the final basket in her team’s one-point win over Beechwood. It was the lowest point total of the season for the Indians, but they played defense well enough to come away with the victory. The game’s leading scorers were sisters Kimi and Olivia Stokes of Beechwood and Aleah Tucker of Holy Cross with nine points each.
NewCath senior guard Ansley Davenport scored a game-high 24 points in her team’s overtime win against Newport. The Thoroughbreds trailed for most of the game before rallying to post their fifth consecutive win. Newport’s leading scorer was Star Yeager with 16 points.
NewCath won the girls’ 9th Region All “A” Classic eight straight years before losing to the Holy Cross in the 2015 final. The Indians went on to win the small-school state tournament last year.
ALL “A” CLASSIC GIRLS REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
10th REGION AT BRACKEN COUNTY
Saturday
Championship: Bracken County vs. Brossart, 6 p.m.
9th REGION AT BEECHWOOD
Friday
Holy Cross 32, Beechwood 31
Newport Central Catholic 55, Newport 52 OT
Saturday
Championship: Holy Cross vs, NewCath, 7 p.m.
8th REGION AT OWEN COUNTY
Friday
Championship: Walton-Verona 60, Trimble County 48
ALL “A” CLASSIC BOYS REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
10th REGION AT BRACKEN COUNTY
Saturday
Championship: Paris vs. Brossart, 8 p.m.
8th REGION AT CARROLL COUNTY
Saturday
Championship: Owen County vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.
9th REGION AT LLOYD
Monday, Jan. 18
St. Henry vs. Heritage, 4:30 p.m.
Ludlow vs. Holy Cross, 6:15 p.m.
Dayton vs. Bellevue, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Beechwood vs. St. Henry-Heritage winner, 6 p.m.
Lloyd vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 20
Newport vs. Ludlow-Holy Cross winner, 6 p.m.
Villa Madonna vs. Dayton-Bellevue winner, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 22
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23
Championship game, 7 p.m.