By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Walton-Verona won the 8th Region All “A” Classic boys basketball tournament for the third straight year with a 47-32 win over Gallatin County in the championship game on Tuesday at Trimble County.
Dieonte Miles (File photo by Dale Dawn)
Senior center Dieonte Miles had a big night for the Bearcats, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, six blocks and four assists. He was named the tournament’s most valuable player after totaling 52 points and 30 rebounds in his team’s three victories.
Walton-Verona led 7-0 after the first quarter, but Gallatin County came charging back to take a 13-11 halftime lead. The Bearcats took control of the game with a 20-8 run in the third quarter and maintained a double-digit lead through the final eight minutes.
Senior guard Garrett Jones had 17 points and four assists for the Bearcats, who shot 54 percent (19 of 35) from the field compared to Gallatin County’s 37 percent (10 of 27). The winners also finished with a 28-21 rebounding advantage.
Walton-Verona (13-3) will play Louisville Holy Cross (9-8) in the opening round of the Kentucky All “A” Classic state tournament at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Eastern Kentucky University’s McBrayer Arena.
Last year, the Bearcats made it to the championship game of the small-school state tournament and lost to Lexington Christian, 47-41. The Bearcats’ overall record in state tournament games is 8-5.
Walton-Verona also won the 8th Region All “A” Classic girls basketball tournament. The Bearcats defeated Williamstown, 58-25, in the championship game last Friday to earn a berth in the state tournament for the third time in four years.
In the first round of the girls state tournament, Walton-Verona (13-5) will play the 2nd Region champion at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
WALTON-VERONA 7 4 20 16 — 47
GALLATIN COUNTY 0 13 8 11 — 32
WALTON-VERONA (13-3): Brook 1 0 2, Jones 7 0 17, Schrader 2 0 6, Pardee 3 1 7, Miles 6 3 15. Totals: 19 4 47.
GALLATIN COUNTY (12-5): Dickerson 2 0 6, Bowen 2 2 6, Caldwell 2 0 5, Rassman 2 1 5, Coomer 2 6 10. Totals: 10 9 32.
Three-pointers: WV – Jones 3, Schrader 2. GC – Dickerson 2, Caldwell.
All “A” Classic regional tournaments
9TH REGION BOYS AT NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Wednesday
Bellevue vs. Newport, 6 p.m.
Dayton vs. Newport Central Catholic, 8 p.m.
Friday
Holy Cross vs. St. Henry, 6 p.m.
Bellevue-Newport winner vs. Dayton-NewCath winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION BOYS AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Wednesday
St. Patrick vs. Augusta, 7:45 p.m.
Thursday
Robertson County at Brossart, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Calvary Christian vs. Paris, 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
Wednesday
St. Patrick vs. Augusta, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Robertson County at Brossart, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Nicholas County vs. Paris, 1 p.m.
St. Patrick-Augusta winner vs. Brossart-Robertson County winner, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.
