By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Walton-Verona junior Wyatt Shearer and his older brother, Deuce, scored a combined total of 37 points to lead their team to a 67-49 win over Owen County in the championship game of the 8th Region All “A” Classic tournament Saturday at Trimble County.
Deuce scored 13 of his 18 points in the first half that ended with the Bearcats holding a 37-24 lead. Wyatt got 13 of his 19 points in the second half to help secure his team’s third straight region title in the small school playoffs.
The Bearcats’ other double-figure scorer was senior Cole Dryden with 12 points. He was named most valuable player on the region all-tournament team that included both Shearer brothers and junior Adam Gutman.
Walton-Verona (10-5) will make a return trip to the All “A” Classic state tournament that begins Jan. 22 at Owensboro Sportscenter. The team’s first-round opponent will be 12th Region champion Somerset (9-4) at 11:30 a.m. (CST).
The Bearcats made it to the state tournament quarterfinals the last two years under head coach Mike Hester.
WALTON-VERONA 17 22 12 16 — 67
OWEN COUNTY 13 11 7 18 — 49
WALTON-VERONA (10-5): D. Shearer 7 1 18, W. Shearer 7 5 19, Portwood 2 0 5, Thornberry 2 4 8, Gamble 0 2 2, Dryden 5 0 12, Corpus 1 0 3. Totals: 24 12 67.
OWEN COUNTY (5-6): Duvall 2 0 6, Stafford 4 3 12, Holt 0 3 3, Bryson 3 0 6, Smith 7 2 17, Dezarn 1 0 3, Cook 1 0 2. Totals: 18 8 49.
3-pointers: WV — Shearer 3, Dryden 2 Portwood, Corpus. OC — Duvall 2, Stafford, Smith, Dezarn.
All “A” Classic boys region tournaments
9TH REGION AT HOLY CROSS
Monday
Heritage Academy vs. Beechwood, 6 p.m.
Villa Madonna vs. Dayton, 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday
St. Henry vs. Ludlow, 6 p.m.
Newport vs. Bellevue, 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Heritage Academy-Beechwood winner, 6 p.m.
Holy Cross vs. Villa Madonna-Dayton winner, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION AT BRACKEN COUNTY
Monday
Nicholas County vs. Paris, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Brossart vs. Bracken County, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 7:30 p.m.
All “A” Classic girls region tournament
10TH REGION AT BRACKEN COUNTY
Monday
Nicholas County vs. Paris, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
Brossart vs. Bracken County, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 6 p.m.