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All “A” Classic: Senior guard sparks late rally that Beechwood girls need to win regional game


Thanks to St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine for sponsoring our girls’ high school basketball coverage once again this season. See all of our girls’ basketball stories here and watch for state tournament coverage March 8-12 from BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Senior guard Kimi Stokes scored a career-high 33 points and sparked a fourth-quarter rally that the Beechwood girls’ basketball team needed to defeat Lloyd, 76-74, in the quarterfinal round of the 9th Region All “A” Classic on Wednesday at Bellevue.

haylee-neely-of-wv

Walton-Verona guard Haylee Neeley draws a lot of attention from Carroll County players as she drives to the basket in Wednesday’s 8th Region tournament game. (Photo by Carla Martin)

Beechwood trailed by 11 points in the fourth quarter, but Stokes made three 3-point goals in the final three minutes and her team tied the score to send the game into overtime. She then made all six of her free throws during the extra period to help the Tigers secure the victory.

“We got down in the fourth quarter but never quit,” said Beechwood coach Chris Gramke. “It’s a credit to these ladies for not panicking, playing together and coming up with some big shots. Our seniors led the way.”

Beechwood’s other senior guard, Ally Johnson, made six 3-pointers and finished with 27 points. Lloyd’s leading scorers were freshman Taylor LaBordeaux with 26 points and senior Devin Cheatum with 16.

The match-ups for the regional semifinals on Friday will be Holy Cross vs. St. Henry at 6 p.m. and Beechwood vs. Newport Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m.

NewCath knocked off Villa Madonna, 60-33, on Wednesday to remain in contention for the title. The Thoroughbreds have won the small-school regional tournament nine of the last 10 years.

Walton-Verona made it back to the championship game of the 8th Region All “A” Classic girls’ tournament with a 41-34 win over Carroll County in a semifinal game on Wednesday at Gallatin County. Sophomore guard Brooke Perry scored 18 points to lead the Bearcats, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

The Bearcats will play Trimble County in the regional final at 7 p.m. Friday with the winner advancing to the small-school state tournament that begins Jan. 25 in Frankfort.

Brossart is also one win away from earning a girls’ state tournament berth after defeating Paris, 56-30, in the 10th Region All “A” Classic semifinals on Wednesday. The Mustangs’ leading scorers were senior guards Maddie Flaugher with 17 points and Macy Griffin with 15.

The other 10th Region girls’ semifinal game between Bracken County and Nicholas County will be played Thursday. The winner of that game will face Brossart in the championship final at 6 p.m. Saturday at Paris High School.

The Brossart boys’ team lost to Paris, 50-41, in a 10th Region semifinal game on Wednesday. The Greyhounds closed out the game with 13-1 run to come away with the victory.

Girls’ regional tournaments

9TH REGION
Friday at Bellevue
Semifinal: Holy Cross vs. St. Henry, 6 p.m.
Semifinal: Beechwood vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at Bellevue
Championship game, 7 p.m.

8TH REGION AT GALLATIN COUNTY
Friday, Jan. 13
Championship: Walton-Verona vs. Trimble County, 7 p.m.

10TH REGION AT PARIS
Thursday
Semifinal: Bracken County vs. Nicholas County, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Championship: Brossart vs. Bracken County-Nicholas County winner, 6 p.m.

Boys’ regional tournaments

10TH REGION AT PARIS
Thursday
Semifinal: Bracken County vs. Nicholas County, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship: Paris vs. Bracken County-Nicholas County winner, 8 p.m.

8TH REGION AT WALTON-VERONA
Thursday
Semifinal: Gallatin County vs. Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Semifinal: Eminence vs. Walton-Verona, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.


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