By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Most of the games the Lloyd boys’ basketball team has played this season were close at the end and the Juggernauts had another nail-biter in the opening round of the 9th Region All “A” Classic.
Lloyd senior Sterling Hamilton
Lloyd edged Beechwood, 52-51, in overtime on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the small-school playoffs. It was the closest score of any game the Juggernauts (11-6) have played this season and the 10th time that the final margin was six points or less.
Senior forward Sterling Hamilton scored eight of Lloyd’s nine points in the overtime period to pull out the win. He finished with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds. Beechwood’s leading scorer was junior guard Ben Toebbe with 18 points.
Lloyd jumped ahead, 15-9, in the first quarter and had a 26-22 halftime lead. The score was tied going into the fourth quarter before Beechwood pulled ahead, 42-38, but the quarter ended with the score tied at 43-43.
Hamilton was 10-of-14 from the field with two 3-point goals and he made all six of his free throws in the overtime period. The other double-figure scorers for Beechwood were Owen Alcorn with 13 points and Scott Draud with 11.
It was Lloyd’s second straight overtime win and moves the Juggernauts into the quarterfinals of the classic for a game against down-the-road rival St. Henry at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ludlow.
In other first-round games played Monday, Ludlow slipped past Bellevue, 44-41, and Dayton knocked off Heritage, 73-26, to advance to the quarterfinals. Dayton’s leading scorers were seniors Adrian Hall and Draven Garcia with 14 points each.
9TH REGION GAMES AT LUDLOW
Tuesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Dayton, 6 p.m.
Newport vs. Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 6 p.m.
Villa Madonna vs. Ludlow, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 21
Championship game, 7 p.m.
