2020WVBETHG

Walton-Verona vs. Bethlehem (Girls)

2020 All ‘A’ Classic Championship

Paul S. McBrayer Arena

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

January 26, 2020

Walton-Verona coach Mark Clinkenbeard started the following lineup: 5-11 Sr. Emma Gutman, 5-9 Sr. Emma Strunk, 5-8 Sr. Maggie Buerger, 5-2 Jr. Haylee Neeley, and 5-6 So. Addisyn Michael.  Bethlehem coach Jason Clark countered with 6-0 Jr. Ella Thompson, 5-8 So. Kasey Spalding, 5-10 Sr. Mikiah Livers-Bryant, 5-8 Jr. Amelia Hodges, and 5-8 Sr. Baeli Young.

Bethlehem outscored Walton-Verona 16-9 in the final quarter to earn a 51-47 victory and the championship.  This was a game of runs as there were six ties and six lead changes in the game.  Walton-Verona fueled by nine consecutive points by dynamic PG Haylee Neeley led Bethlehem 38-31 in the third quarter.  Bethlehem rallied to earn the victory as Coach Clark switched Baeli Young and 5-5 8^th Grade Carlie Thurmond throughout the game to always keep a fresh player on Neeley to shadow her all over the court.

Bethlehem shot 39.6% from the field including four of 13 from the three point line.  The Banshees connected on nine of 14 free throws, pulled down 31 rebounds, and scored 10 points off 10 Walton-Verona turnovers.  Walton-Verona shot 37% from the field including eight of 15 from beyond the arc.  The Bearcats connected on five of seven free throws, pulled down 30 rebounds, and scored six points off six Bethlehem turnovers.

Baeli Young led Bethlehem with 15 points including three three point baskets, five rebounds, and two assists plus the tiring job of being the chief defender on Haylee Neeley.  Ella Thompson added 12 points, three rebounds, six assists, and three steals.  Amelia Hodges recorded 10 points, three rebounds, and two blocked shots.  Kasey Spalding added nine points and Mikiah Livers-Bryant recorded four points, seven rebounds, four blocked shots, and two steals.

Haylee Neeley led Walton-Verona with 13 points including two three point baskets, eight rebounds, and two assists.  Emma Strunk added 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.  Maggie Buerger recorded 10 points including two three point baskets and five rebounds.  Addisyn Michael chipped in with seven points and Emma Gutman recorded six points, two rebounds, and three assists.

Walton-Verona,8,8,22,9,47

Bethlehem,7,11,17,16,51

Walton-Verona (47) – Gutman 6, Strunk 11, Buerger 10, Neeley 13, Michael 7.

Bethlehem (51) – Thompson 12, Spalding 9, Livers-Bryant 4, Hodges 10, Young 15, Thurmond 1.

All Tournament Team – Lara Akers (Danville), Maggie Buerger (Walton-Verona), Ahyana Burnett (Danville), Alyssa Elswick (Shelby Valley), Ashanti Gore (Glasgow), Spencer Harvey (Owensboro Catholic), Hannah McKay (Ownsboro Catholic), Haylee Neeley (Walton-Verona), Kasey Spalding (Bethlehem), Emma Strunk (Walton-Verona), Ella Thompson (Bethlehem), Baeli Young (Bethlehem), and MVP Amelia Hodges (Bethlehem).

A special thanks to the Event Stats Crew for providing the comprehensive statistics for today’s game.