By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Newport gets another chance to take on highly ranked University Heights in the quarterfinal round of the Kentucky All “A” Classic boys basketball tournament on Friday at Eastern Kentucky University.
After Newport won its first-round game against Kentucky Country Day, 67-47, on Thursday, the Wildcats watched University Heights knock off Brossart, 61-53, behind a 28-point performance by all-state senior guard KyKy Tandy.
That sets up a rematch at 9:30 p.m. Friday between the two teams that faced each other in the championship game of a holiday tournament on Dec. 30 when University Heights defeated Newport, 85-59.
Walton-Verona also made it to the quarterfinals of the small-school state tournament. The Bearcats let a 20-point lead slip away in the third quarter, but they got their act together and came away with a 46-39 win over Louisville Holy Cross.
Walton-Verona took a 32-12 lead with 5:36 left in the third quarter. Holy Cross then went on a 19-2 run that cut the margin to 34-31 going into the fourth quarter. Senior forward Dieonte Miles scored eight of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bearcats nail down the victory.
Walton-Verona, the runner-up in last year’s small-school state tournament, will play Knott County Central at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Newport had four double-figure scorers in its win over Kentucky Country Day. The team leader was senior forward Tahj Harding, who posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior guard Donnie Miller made two 3-pointers at the end of the first quarter to give the Wildcats a 19-7 lead. They extended it to 34-16 by halftime and led by as much as 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Brossart fell behind, 40-20, in the third quarter and rallied to pull within five points, 53-48, with 2:39 left on the clock against University Heights, tied for No. 5 in this week’s Associated Press statewide boys basketball poll.
Ethan Eilerman scored seven of his 14 points in the third quarter and J.D. Schumacher got nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Mustangs’ comeback that fell short.
Kentucky All “A” Classic state tournament
GIRLS SCHEDULE
Friday
HOLY CROSS (17-4) vs. Metcalfe County (16-3), 8:30 a.m.
Murray (18-2) vs. Owensboro Catholic (14-6), 10 a.m.
WALTON-VERONA (16-5) vs. Bardstown Bethlehem (17-2), 11:30 a.m.
Berea (19-4) vs. West Carter (18-3), 1 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinal games, noon and 1:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, noon
BOYS SCHEDULE
Friday
Mayfield (16-6) vs. Lexington Christian (16-6), 5 p.m.
WALTON-VERONA (16-3) vs. Knott County Central (14-6), 6:30 p.m.
Danville (19-1) vs. Shelby Valley (19-3), 8 p.m.
NEWPORT (18-4) vs. University Heights (18-3), 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.