By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Senior forward Tahj Harding made a free throw with 0.8 seconds left to give his team a 53-52 win over Beechwood in the opening game of the 9th Region All “A” Classic boys basketball tournament on Monday.
The same two teams met in the championship game of last year’s classic and Beechwood edged Newport, 54-53, on a last-second field goal.
In the rematch on Monday, Beechwood took a 52-43 lead in the fourth quarter, but the visiting Wildcats ran off 10 straight points to come out on top. Harding scored six of his game-high 22 points during that final run.
Beechwood’s leading scorer was junior guard Aiden Bieger, who made five 3-pointers on his home court and finished with 17 points. Sophomore guard Scott Draud, who entered the game with a 24.8 scoring average, had 12 points.
In the latest Northern Kentucky coaches poll, Newport was No. 4 and Beechwood was No. 6. Their game drew a sell-out crowd that watched the Wildcats jump out to a 15-8 lead.
In the second quarter, Beechwood tied the score, 21-21, on a basket by C.J. Brannen and the home team had a 26-25 lead at halftime. There were two lead changes and three ties in the third quarter that ended with the Tigers ahead, 41-38.
Beechwood opened the fourth quarter with an 11-5 run that included two 3-point goals by Draud and one by Bieger to open up a 52-43 lead. But the Tigers weren’t able to score on their last four possessions.
Newport (15-4) will play Bellevue in a regional tournament quarterfinal game at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Newport Central Catholic. Beechwood (15-3) has the rest of the week off, but goes to Newport for a regular season game on Jan. 25.
BEECHWOOD 12 14 15 11 — 52
NEWPORT 15 10 13 15 — 53
NEWPORT (15-4): White 3 0 8, Miller 6 0 12, McGuire 1 0 3, Garland 1 0 3, Davis 2 1 5, Harding 9 3 22. Totals: 22 4 53.
BEECHWOOD (15-3): Bieger 6 0 17, Deatherage 1 0 2, Schilling 4 2 11, Brannen 2 1 5, Baugh 2 1 5, Draud 5 0 12. Totals: 20 4 52.
Three-pointers: N — White 2, McGuire, Garland, Harding. B — Bieger 5, Draud 2, Schilling.
All “A” Classic regional basketball tournaments
8TH REGION BOYS AT TRIMBLE COUNTY
Tuesday
Championship: Walton-Verona vs. Gallatin County, 7 p.m.
9TH REGION BOYS AT NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Tuesday
Holy Cross vs. Villa Madonna, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Ludlow, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Bellevue vs. Newport, 6 p.m.
Dayton vs. Newport Central Catholic, 8 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION BOYS AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tuesday
Paris vs. Bracken County, 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday
St. Patrick vs. Augusta, 7:45 p.m.
Thursday
Robertson County at Brossart, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Calvary Christian vs. Paris-Bracken County winner, 2:45 p.m.
St. Patrick-Augusta winner vs. Brossart-Robertson County winner, 6:15 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 4 p.m.
10TH REGION GIRLS AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tuesday
Paris vs. Bracken County, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
St. Patrick vs. Augusta, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Robertson County at Brossart, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Nicholas County vs. Paris-Bracken County winner, 1 p.m.
St. Patrick-Augusta winner vs. Brossart-Robertson County winner, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.