National City/KHSAA
Boys State Tournament

Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
March 16-19, 2005

Copyright © 2005 Ron Harrison

Wednesday March 16th - Session No. 1

South Laurel (28-4) (Region 12) vs. Ohio County (26-7) (Region 3)

South Laurel coach Steve Wright started the following lineup:  6-4 Jr. Walt Allen, 6-4 So. Jordan Hammonds, 6-8 Sr. Eric Fields, 6-0 Sr. D. J. Perkins, and 6-3 So. Ty Proffitt.  Ohio County coach Kyle Estes countered with 6-11 Sr. Clint Reisz, 6-3 Sr. Matt Karn, 6-10 Jr. Josh Clemons, 5-6 Jr. Shaun Maiden, and 5-11 Jr. Jordan James.

Ohio County went on a 9-0 run to pull within one point, 54-53 late in the final period but South Laurel held on down the stretch to capture a 63-55 decision.  Ohio County had a size advantage in the paint but Walt Allen and Eric Fields more than held their own as they combined for 34 points and 21 rebounds.  Ohio County’s twin towers Reisz and Clemons combined for 18 points and 23 rebounds as they could only combine for seven of 20 from the field.

South Laurel shot 38.6% from the field, connected on 17 of 27 free throws, and pulled down 42 rebounds.  Ohio County shot 34% from the field, connected on 13 of 20 free throws, and grabbed 40 rebounds.

Ty Proffitt led the victors with 21 points.  Walt Allen added 18 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocked shots, while Eric Fields chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds.  Matt Karn led Ohio County with 12 points.  Josh Clemons added 10 points and Clint Reisz chipped in with eight points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

South Laurel	16	16	18	13	-	63
Ohio County	15	11	17	12	-	55

South Laurel	(63) -	Allen 18, Hammonds 4, Fields 16, Perkins 2, Proffitt 21, Gross 2.
Ohio County	(55) -	Reisz 8, Karn 12, Clemons 10, Maiden 9, James 8, Vaught 3, Shrewsbury 5.

Perry County Central (23-7) (Region 14) vs. Elizabethtown (26-4) (Region 5)

Perry County Central coach Allan Holland started the following lineup:  6-1 Sr. Derrick Bowling, 6-2 Sr. Daniel Combs, 6-4 Sr. Chris Chaney, 6-1 Jr. Robert Paul Amis, and 5-10 Sr. Jordan Shepherd.  Elizabethtown coach James Haire countered with 6-4 Sr. Zipp Duncan, 6-0 Jr. Warren Lively, 6-4 So. Steffphon Pettigrew, 5-11 Jr. Todd Atcher, and 5-11 Jr. Quinn Harris.

Elizabethtown dominated the paint area and withstood a sizzling 30 point performance by Perry County Central’s Daniel Combs to take a 70-60 victory. Elizabethtown held a narrow 47-45 advantage at the end of three quarters but pulled away in the final quarter to earn the victory.

Elizabethtown shot 48.1% from the field, connected on 14 of 17 free throws, and pulled down 31 rebounds.  The Panthers scored 18 points off 12 Perry County Central turnovers.  Perry County Central shot 50% from the field including six of 16 from beyond the arc.  The Commodores connected on six of 13 free throws and pulled down 23 rebounds. 

Steffphon Pettigrew led Elizabethtown with 24 points and 13 rebounds.  Zipp Duncan added 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.  Daniel Combs led Perry County Central with 30 points.  Combs was 11 of 16 from the field, including six of 11 from beyond the arc, and connected on two of two free throws.  Derrick Bowling and Jordan Shepherd added 13 and 10 points respectively. 

Perry County Central	12	16	17	15	-	60
Elizabethtown	16	22	9	23	-	70

Perry County Central	(60) -	Bowling 13, Combs 30, Chaney 3, Amis 2, Shepherd 10, Brashear 2.
Elizabethtown	(70) -	Duncan 23, Lively 5, Pettigrew 24, Atcher 8, Harris 5, Jenkins 5.

Wednesday March 16th - Session No. 2

Pleasure Ridge Park (29-5) (Region 6) vs. Pendleton County (29-4) (Region 10)

Pleasure Ridge Park coach Dale Mabrey started the following lineup:  6-1 Jr. Troy Frazier, 6-2 Sr. Keithson Smith, 6-5 Jr. Vincent Crutcher, 6-1 Sr. Jazz Neal, and 6-0 Sr. JaJuan Spillman.  Pendleton County coach Buddy Biggs countered with 6-8 Sr. Keaton Belcher, 6-4 Sr. Joey Verax, 6-6 Jr. Pat Elliott, 6-1 Jr. Tyler Mains, and 6-2 Sr. Mason O’Hara. 

Pleasure Ridge Park utilized their quickness and excellent free throw shooting to defeat Pendleton County team today by a score of 64-61 in overtime.  Pendleton County rallied from a 48-39 deficit late in the third quarter to tie the game late in the fourth quarter on a three point bomb by 6-4 Jr. Jon Elrod to force overtime.  Pendleton County took a 57-54 lead in overtime, but Pleasure Ridge Park tied the game, spread the floor, and hit their free throws down the stretch to take the victory.  Pendleton County had one last chance but missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer.

Pleasure Ridge Park shot 40.8% from the field, including six of 14 from the three point line.  The Panthers were 18 of 19 from the free throw line and outrebounded their taller opponents 33-28. Pendleton County shot 47.1% from the field, including nine of 23 from beyond the arc, and connected on four of nine free throws. 

JaJuan Spillman led Pleasure Ridge Park with 22 points and proved almost impossible to guard in the open court because of his blazing speed.  Vincent Crutcher added 16 points and nine rebounds while Keithson Smith chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.  Joey Verax and Keaton Belcher led Pendleton County with 15 points each and Verax pulled down nine rebounds.  Patrick Elliott added 10 points. 

Pleasure Ridge Park	12	23	15	4	10	-	64
Pendleton County	20	7	17	10	7	-	61

Pleasure Ridge Park	(64) -	Frazier 5, Smith 10, Crutcher 16, Neal 5, Spillman 22, Decker 6.
Pendleton County	(61) -	Ke. Belcher 15, Verax 15, Elliott 10, Mains 3, O’Hara 9, Elrod 9.

Bullitt East (25-7) (Region 8) vs. Ballard (28-2) (Region 7)

Bullitt East coach Troy Barr started the following lineup:  6-2 Sr. Jacob Porter, 6-2 Sr. Ryan Troutman, 6-5 Sr. Justin Troutman, 5-10 Sr. Jason Hammons, and 6-2 Sr. Daniel Alcorn.  Ballard coach Chris Renner countered with 6-3 Sr. Ra'Von Lee, 6-3 Sr. Montel Harvey, 6-6 Sr. Wilbert Reeves, 6-0 So. Johonne Hamilton, and 6-4 So. Antiquawn Beckham.

Ballard led 27-22 at halftime and pulled away in the second half to defeat Bullitt East by a score of 59-41.  Bullitt East’s Ryan Troutman and Daniel Alcorn came into the game averaging a combined 40 points a game.  Ballard’s defense held Bullitt East to 25.6% shooting from the field and limited Troutman and Alcorn to a total of 15 points for the game.

Ballard shot 45.1% from the field, was eight of 14 from the free throw line, and pulled down 34 rebounds.  Ballard scored 20 points off 16 Bullitt East turnovers.  Ballard committed 18 turnovers but Bullitt East could only capitalize for 12 points.  Bullitt East shot 25.6% from the field, including only one of 13 from the three point line.  The Chargers connected on 20 of 29 free throws, and grabbed 32 rebounds. 

Wilbert Reeves led Ballard with 20 points and eight rebounds.  Montel Harvey added 13 points including three three point baskets.  Ryan Troutman led Bullitt East with 11 points on 11 of 12 from the free throw line.  6-4 So. Robert Troutman came off the bench to tally 10 points.

Bullitt East	12	10	12	7	-	41
Ballard	15	12	19	13	-	59

Bullitt East	(41) -	Porter 2, Ryan Troutman 11, J. Troutman 4, Hammons 6, Alcorn 4, Robert Troutman 10, Broughton 4.
Ballard	(59) -	Lee 6, Harvey 13, Reeves 20, Hamilton 8, Beckham 7, Heyman 2, Puzey 3.

Thursday March 17th - Session No. 3

University Heights Academy (30-4) (Region 2) vs. Rowan County (27-5) (Region 16)

University Heights Academy coach Marty Cline started the following lineup:  6-2 So. Chris Evans, 6-1 Sr. Cody Stallons, 6-3 Jr. Patrick Metcalfe, 6-0 Sr. Nathan Owen, and 5-11 Jr. Joshua Mack.  Rowan County coach Don Daniel countered with 6-3 Sr. Tyler Franklin, 6-3 Sr. Creighton Benner-Perry, 6-6 Sr. Bryantt Furman, 5-10 Sr. Cory Gardner, and 6-2 Sr. Jay Hughes.

Rowan County led 28-26 at halftime but University Heights pulled ahead in the third quarter on their way to a 62-53 victory.  Rowan County actually held a 28-17 lead late in the in the first half but UHA started their comeback by scoring nine unanswered points to trim the deficit to two at halftime.  The Blazers continued their run in the second half as they shot 59% in the final 16 minutes. 

University Heights shot 43.6% for the game, connected on 11 of 17 free throws and pulled down 38 rebounds.  Rowan County shot 38.9% from the field, was eight of 17 from the free throw line, and grabbed 32 rebounds. 

The victors were led by Joshua Mack with 19 points.  Patrick Metcalfe added 10 points and 6-8 Sr. Logan Chestnut chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds.  6-2 So. Matthew Daniel came off the bench to lead Rowan County with 14 points, including three three point baskets.  Bryantt Furman added 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

University Heights Academy	9	17	20	16	-	62
Rowan County	16	12	11	14	-	53

University Heights Academy	(62) -	Evans 8, Stallons 4, Metcalfe 10, Owen 2, Mack 19, Whitaker 2, Hopson 2, Rager 6, Chestnut 9.
Rowan County	(53) -	Franklin 9, Benner-Perry 6, Furman 11, Gardner 0, Hughes 5, Daniel 14, Richmond 8.

Corbin (20-10) (Region 13) vs. Lone Oak (23-9) (Region 1)

Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski started the following lineup:  6-4 Sr. Andrew Parks, 6-2 Sr. Jordan Noble, 6-6 Jr. Ryan Swim, 5-11 Jr. Ryan Tate and 5-11 Sr. Brad Lawson.  Lone Oak coach Andy Poore countered with 6-4 Sr. Jarad Key, 5-11 Sr. J. M. Ponting, 6-2 Sr. William Seidelman, 5-11 Sr. Neil Houser, and 6-1 Jr. Chase Denson.

Corbin utilized an advantage in the paint to win a 75-75 overtime thriller over Lone Oak.  The Redhounds held a 46-33 edge in rebounds and their defense stiffened in the second half, holding Chase Denson to six points after he had riddled their defense for 24 points in the first half,

Corbin shot 40.3% from the field, and connected on 22 of 34 free throws.  They also held an 18-8 advantage in second chance points and a 20-10 advantage in bench scoring.  Lone Oak shot 39.7% from the field and connected on 16 of 22 free throws.

Jordan Noble led Corbin with 27 points.  6-4 8th grader Josh Crawford came off the bench to added 20 points and eight rebounds.  Andrew Parks chipped in with 17 points and pulled down 19 rebounds.  Chase Denson led Lone Oak with 30 points and Jarad Key chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds. 

Corbin	14	17	14	12	18	-	75
Lone Oak	22	11	14	10	10	-	67

Corbin	(75) -	Parks 17, Noble 27, Swim 4, Tate 4, Lawson 3, Crawford 20.
Lone Oak	(67) -	Key 14, Pointing 7, Seidelman 2, Houser 4, Denson 30, Shuemaker 4, Looper 2, Toy 4.

Thursday March 17th - Session No. 4

Shelby Valley (26-5) (Region 15) vs. Henry Clay (30-3) (Region 11)

Shelby Valley coach Jason Booher started the following lineup:  6-3 Jr. Mitchell Riddle, 6-3 Sr. Kelsey Friend, 6-4 So. John Johnson, 5-10 Sr. Kris Bentley, and 6-3 Sr. Patrick Tackett.  Henry Clay coach Kirk Chiles countered with 6-2 Jr. Aaron Miller, 6-0 Sr. Bryan Turnage, 6-3 Fr. Aaron Boyd, 5-9 Sr. Noade Day, and 6-2 Jr. Aaron Dunaway.

Henry Clay scored 30 points off 24 Shelby Valley turnovers and pulled away in the second half to defeat Shelby 69-38.  The victors shot 47.5% from the field, connected on 12 of 20 free throws, and pulled down 35 rebounds. Shelby Valley shot 37.2% from the field, connected on four of nine free throws, and grabbed 30 rebounds.

Aaron Boyd led Henry Clay with 16 points and six rebounds.  Aaron Dunaway added 15 points and Bryan Turnage chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals.  Noade Day also reached double figures with 10 points. Patrick Tackett led Shelby Valley with 11 points and seven rebounds.  Kris Bentley added eight points and Kelsey Friend chipped in with seven points and eight rebounds.

Shelby Valley	13	7	11	7	-	38
Henry Clay	19	13	19	18	-	69

Shelby Valley	(38) -	M. Riddle 6, Friend 7, Johnson 2, Bentley 8, P. Tackett 11, Potter 2. C. Riddle 2.
Henry Clay	(69) -	Miller 4, Turnage 11, Boyd 16, Day 10, Dunaway 15, Nichols 4, Bowman 2, Cayson 1, Burton 4, Moses 2.

Holmes (24-6) (Region 9) vs. Warren Central (27-4) (Region 4)

Holmes coach David Henley started the following lineup:  6-3 So. Greg Rice, 6-1 So. Nathan Edmondson, 6-6 Sr. Alexie Brown, 6-0 So. Austin Hill, and 5-11 So. Duran Jefferson.  Warren Central coach Tim Riley countered with 6-3 So. Jeremy Anderson, 6-2 Sr. P. J. Smith, 6-1 Sr. Bryson Hall, 5-11 So. Nick Britt, and 5-10 Sr. Troy McFarland.

Warren Central’s Troy McFarland scored the last seven points of the game including two free throws with 8.8 seconds remaining in the game to give his team a come-from-behind 57-55 victory over Holmes.  The Holmes Bulldogs led 55-50 with less than 2:30 remaining in the game before McFarland took control.  Holmes had one last chance to knot the score but missed two shots before time expired.

Warren Central shot 41.2% from the field, connected on 10 of 17 free throws, and pulled down 33 rebounds.  Holmes shot 42% from the field connected on nine of 16 free throws and grabbed 31 rebounds.

Warren Central was led by Jeremy Anderson with 21 points including three three point baskets.  Troy McFarland added 11 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.  Bryson Hall chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.  Greg Rice led Holmes with 21 points and seven rebounds before fouling out with 2:28 remaining in the game.  Austin Hill added 10 points and Duran Jefferson chipped in with nine points and six assists.

Holmes	15	12	16	12	-	55
Warren Central	13	13	15	16	-	57

Holmes	(55) -	Rice 21, Edmonson 5, Brown 4, Hill 10, Jefferson 9, Henderson 2, Avery 4.
Warren Central	(57) -	Anderson 21, Smith 0, Hall 10, Britt 6, McFarland 11, Hudson 2, Hood 7.

Friday March 18th - Session No. 5

Elizabethtown (27-4) vs. South Laurel (29-4) Quarterfinal No. 1

Elizabethtown coach James Haire started the following lineup:  6-4 Sr. Zipp Duncan, 6-0 Jr. Warren Lively, 6-4 So. Steffphon Pettigrew, 5-11 Jr. Todd Atcher, and 5-11 Jr. Quinn Harris. South Laurel coach Steve Wright countered with 6-4 Jr. Walt Allen, 6-4 So. Jordan Hammonds, 6-8 Sr. Eric Fields, 6-0 Sr. D. J. Perkins, and 6-3 So. Ty Proffitt. 

South Laurel scored 21 points off 18 Elizabethtown turnovers in a 77-56 victory.  Elizabethtown star Steffphon Pettigrew was held to two points as he only played a total of 11:06 before fouling out.  South Laurel shot 45.6% from the field, connected on 20 of 35 free throws, and pulled down 36 rebounds.  South Laurel also held a 20-10 advantage in second chance points.  Elizabethtown shot 38% from the field, was 11 of 23 from the free throw line, and pulled down 37 rebounds. 

Walt Allen led South Laurel with 29 points and nine rebounds in only 24:04.  Allen was nine of 13 from the field, including three of three from beyond the arc, and connected on eight of 12 free throws.  Eric Fields added 14 points and seven rebounds.  Elizabethtown was led by Zipp Duncan with 14 points and 15 rebounds.  Todd Atcher added 10 points. 

Elizabethtown	4	23	11	18	-	56
South Laurel	19	22	17	19	-	77

Elizabethtown	(56) -	Duncan 14, Lively 5, Pettigrew 2, Atcher 10, Harris 9, McVey 4, Walters 6, Jenkins 4, Baldwin 2.
South Laurel	(77) -	Allen 29, Hammonds 3, Fields 14, Perkins 2, Smith 4, Proffitt 7, Gross 4, Marcum 6, Riley 4, Hamm 2, Nantz 2.

Ballard (29-2) vs. Pleasure Ridge Park (30-5) Quarterfinal No. 2

Ballard coach Chris Renner started the following lineup:  6-3 Sr. Ra'Von Lee, 6-3 Sr. Montel Harvey, 6-6 Sr. Wilbert Reeves, 6-0 So. Johonne Hamilton, and 6-4 So. Antiquawn Beckham.  Pleasure Ridge Park coach Dale Mabrey countered with 6-1 Jr. Troy Frazier, 6-2 Sr. Keithson Smith, 6-5 Jr. Vincent Crutcher, 6-1 Sr. Jazz Neal, and 6-0 Sr. JaJuan Spillman. 

Pleasure Ridge Park’s JaJuan Spillman hit a short jumper in the lane off a jump stop at the buzzer to give Pleasure Ridge Park a 64-62 double overtime victory over Ballard.  Ballard had a chance to win the game in regulation as they held the ball for the last 2:33 before missing a last second shot.  History repeated itself in the first overtime as Ballard held the ball for the final 2:19 before missing a last second shot.  Pleasure Ridge Park turned the tables in the second overtime as they held the ball the final 20 seconds after Ballard’s Wilbert Reeves tied the score at 62-62 on a three point basket.  Pleasure Ridge Park then spread the floor and Spillman dashed into the lane for his winning shot.  This was a highly controversial play as the Ballard contingent felt Spillman walked on the play.

Pleasure Ridge Park shot 42% from the field, including six of 17 from beyond the arc. The Panthers connected on 16 of 18 free throws, and pulled down 32 rebounds.  Ballard shot 45.9% from the field, including five of 19 from the three point line.  The Bruins only visited the free throw line three times, connecting on one shot, and grabbed 33 rebounds.

Jazz Neal led Pleasure Ridge Park with 17 points including three three point baskets.  JaJuan Spillman added 14 points and five assists while Vincent Crutcher chipped in with 14 points.  Ballard was led by Ra'Von Lee with 17 points and eight rebounds before a rare double foul call sent both Ra'Von Lee and PRP’s Vincent Crutcher to the sidelines with their fifth fouls with 3:05 remaining in the second overtime.  Wilbert Reeves, 5-11 Sr. Nick Puzey, and Antiquawn Beckham added 13, 11, and 10 points respectively.

Ballard	22	9	13	8	4	6	-	62
Pleasure Ridge Park	24	7	15	6	4	8	-	64

Ballard	(62) -	Lee 17, Harvey 3, Reeves 13, Hamilton 4, Beckham 10, Johnson 2, Cowherd 2, Puzey 11.
Pleasure Ridge Park	(64) -	Frazier 3, Smith 6, Crutcher 14, Neal 17, Spillman 14, Peerce 6, Phipps 4.

Friday March 18th - Session No. 6

Corbin (21-10) vs. University Heights (31-4) Quarterfinal No. 3

Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski started the following lineup:  6-4 Sr. Andrew Parks, 6-2 Sr. Jordan Noble, 6-6 Jr. Ryan Swim, 5-11 Jr. Ryan Tate and 5-11 Sr. Brad Lawson.  University Heights coach Marty Cline countered with 6-2 So. Chris Evans, 6-1 Sr. Cody Stallons, 6-3 Jr. Patrick Metcalfe, 6-0 Sr. Nathan Owen, and 5-11 Jr. Joshua Mack.

University Heights led 44-42 after three quarters and managed to open up a seven point lead early in the fourth quarter in a 67-61 victory over Corbin. University Heights shot 34.8% from the field, was 17 of 32 from the free throw line, and pulled down 48 rebounds. Corbin shot 44.1% from the field, connected on eight of 19 free throws, and grabbed 40 rebounds.

Joshua Mack led University Heights tonight with 23 points, 19 coming in the second half, and five assists.  Nathan Owen added 14 points and 5-10 Jr. Phillip Whitaker chipped in with 12 points, including three three point baskets.  Patrick Metcalfe added nine points and pulled down eight rebounds.  Andrew Parks led Corbin with 25 points and 15 rebounds.  6-4 8th grader Josh Crawford came off the bench to added 13 points and 11 rebounds.   

Corbin	14	12	16	19	-	61
University Heights	16	11	17	23	-	67

Corbin	(61) -	Parks 25, Noble 6, Swim 0, Tate 8, Lawson 9, Crawford 13.
University Heights	(67) -	Evans 1, Stallons 3, Metcalfe 9, Owen 14, Mack 23, Whitaker 12, Rager 5.

Warren Central (28-4) vs. Henry Clay (31-3) Quarterfinal No. 4

Warren Central coach Tim Riley started the following lineup:  6-3 So. Jeremy Anderson, 6-2 Sr. P. J. Smith, 6-1 Sr. Bryson Hall, 5-11 So. Nick Britt, and 5-10 Sr. Troy McFarland.  Henry Clay coach Kirk Chiles countered with 6-2 Jr. Aaron Miller, 6-0 Sr. Bryan Turnage, 6-3 Fr. Aaron Boyd, 5-9 Sr. Noade Day, and 6-2 Jr. Aaron Dunaway.

Henry Clay led Warren Central 52-40 late in the third quarter but the Dragons exploded in an 18-2 run to take a 58-54 lead on their way to a 64-60 victory.  Warren Central outscored Henry Clay 20-8 in the decisive fourth quarter.  Henry Clay trailed 63-60 late in the game and misfired on two shots in an effort to knot the score and Warren Central tacked on an insurance free throw.

Warren Central shot 51.1% from the field, including seven of 16 from beyond the arc, connected on 11 of 16 free throws, and pulled down 23 rebounds.  Warren Central scored 24 points off 23 Henry Clay turnovers.  Warren Central committed 23 turnovers, but Henry Clay could only capitalize for 12 points.  Henry Clay shot 42.9% from the field, including six of 15 from the three point line.  The Blue Devils connected on six of 12 free throws and grabbed 37 rebounds. 

Jeremy Anderson led Warren Central with 25 points.  6-1 So. Joe Hood came off the bench to add 11 points.  Nick Britt and Bryson Hall added 10 and nine points respectively.  Troy McFarland chipped in with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists.  Aaron Dunaway led Henry Clay with 23 points including three three point baskets.  Aaron Miller added 20 points and although Bryan Turnage was held scoreless he pulled down 12 rebounds, dished out six assists, and recorded four steals.

Warren Central	15	12	17	20	-	64
Henry Clay	12	17	23	8	-	60

Warren Central	(64) -	Anderson 25, Smith 0, Hall 9, Britt 10, McFarland 9, Hood 11.
Henry Clay	(60) -	Miller 20, Turnage 0, Boyd 9, Day 6, Dunaway 23, Bowman 2.

Saturday March 19th - Session No. 7

Pleasure Ridge Park (31-5) vs. South Laurel (30-4) Semifinal No. 1

Pleasure Ridge Park coach Dale Mabrey started the following lineup:  6-1 Jr. Troy Frazier, 6-2 Sr. Keithson Smith, 6-5 Jr. Vincent Crutcher, 6-1 Sr. Jazz Neal, and 6-0 Sr. JaJuan Spillman. South Laurel coach Steve Wright countered with 6-4 Jr. Walt Allen, 6-4 So. Jordan Hammonds, 6-8 Sr. Eric Fields, 6-0 Sr. D. J. Perkins, and 6-3 So. Ty Proffitt.

South Laurel’s Walt Allen scored on a rebound basket off his own missed shot with seven seconds remaining in the second overtime to gain a 66-65 victory over Pleasure Ridge Park.  Pleasure Ridge Park had one last chance to win but South Laurel’s 6-2 Sr. Warren Gross back-tipped the ball away from Spillman to ensure the victory.

Pleasure Ridge Park held a 22-12 lead with 4:13 remaining in the second quarter.  South Laurel finally tied the score 27-27 with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter and the game went back and forth until the wild finish.  There were nine lead changes and 11 ties in a game in which it looked like Pleasure Ridge Park had assumed control in the opening half.

South Laurel shot 46.2% from the field, including seven of 19 from the three point line.  The Cardinals connected on 11 of 18 free throws, and pulled down 28 rebounds. South Laurel scored 13 points off 21 Pleasure Ridge Park turnovers.  Pleasure Ridge Park shot 46.9% from the field including five of 15 from the three point line.  The Panthers were 14 of 17 from the free throw line and pulled down 33 rebounds.  PRP scored 24 points off 20 South Laurel turnovers.

Ty Proffitt led four South Laurel players in double figures with 17 points.   Jordan Hammonds added 14 points including four three point baskets.  Walt Allen added 14 points and nine rebounds while Eric Fields chipped in with 13 points and 14 rebounds.  Keithson Smith led Pleasure Ridge Park with 23 points and Jazz Neal tallied 17 points.  Vincent Crutcher added 12 points and eight rebounds and 11 rebounds, while JaJuan Spillman recorded 10 points. 

Pleasure Ridge Park	10	12	16	11	2	14	-	65
South Laurel	5	11	19	14	2	15	-	66

Pleasure Ridge Park	(65) -	Frazier 2, Smith 23, Crutcher 12, Neal 17, Spillman 10, Phipps 1.
South Laurel	(66) -	Allen 14, Hammonds 14, Fields 13, Perkins 0, Proffitt 17, Gross 4, Smith 4.

Warren Central (29-4) vs. University Heights (32-4) Semifinal No. 2

Warren Central coach Tim Riley started the following lineup: 6-3 So. Jeremy Anderson, 6-2 Sr. P. J. Smith, 6-1 Sr. Bryson Hall, 5-11 So. Nick Britt, and 5-10 Sr. Troy McFarland.  University Heights coach Marty Cline countered with 6-2 So. Chris Evans, 6-1 Sr. Cody Stallons, 6-3 Jr. Patrick Metcalfe, 6-0 Sr. Nathan Owen, and 5-11 Jr. Joshua Mack.

Warren Central held a 21-3 three point advantage in a 69-55 victory over University Heights. The Blazers trailed 32-30 early in the third quarter but Warren Central scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a 42-32 lead and gain a little breathing room.

Warren Central shot 44% from the field, including seven of 15 from beyond the arc.  The Dragons connected on 18 of 33 free throws, and grabbed 33 rebounds.  University Heights shot 38.6% from the field, including only one of 12 from the three point line.  The Blazers connected on 10 of 21 free throws, and pulled down 39 rebounds. 

Jeremy Anderson led Warren Central with 22 points including four three point baskets.  Nick Britt added 12 points and Bryson Hall chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.  6-8 Sr. Logan Chestnut came off the bench to lead University Heights with 10 points and 11 rebounds.  Joshua Mack also added 10 points.  Nathan Owen and Chris Evans chipped in with nine points each.

Warren Central	12	18	18	21	-	69
University Heights	15	9	16	15	-	55

Warren Central	(69) -	Anderson 22, Smith 4, Hall 10, Britt 12, McFarland 8, Hudson 2, Hood 7, Driver 2, Fields 2.
University Heights	(55) -	Evans 9, Stallons 4, Metcalfe 6, Owen 9, Mack 10, Whitaker 5, Hopson 2, Chestnut 10.

Saturday March 19th - Session No. 8

Warren Central (30-4) vs. South Laurel (31-4)  Championship Game

Warren Central coach Tim Riley started the following lineup: 6-3 So. Jeremy Anderson, 6-2 Sr. P. J. Smith, 6-1 Sr. Bryson Hall, 5-11 So. Nick Britt, and 5-10 Sr. Troy McFarland.  South Laurel coach Steve Wright countered with 6-4 Jr. Walt Allen, 6-4 So. Jordan Hammonds, 6-8 Sr. Eric Fields, 6-0 Sr. D. J. Perkins, and 6-3 So. Ty Proffitt.

South Laurel raced out to a 20-7 first quarter lead and utilized a MVP performance (30 points, 9 rebounds) by 6-4 230 pound Walt Allen to defeat Warren Central 72-59. South Laurel claimed the 2005 state title by defeating a hot Warren Central team who had notched 21 consecutive victories.

South Laurel shot 54.5% from the field including a blistering seven of 11 from the three point line.  The Cardinals connected on 17 of 20 free throws, and pulled down 27 rebounds. Warren Central shot 43.1% from the field including eight of 20 from the three point line.  The Dragons connected on seven of 13 free throws, and pulled down 28 rebounds.

Walt Allen led South Laurel with 30 points and nine rebounds.  Allen was 10 of 16 from the field, including three of five from beyond the arc, and seven of eight from the free throw line.  Eric Fields and Ty Proffitt added 15 and 13 points respectively.  Jordan Hammonds only attempted three shots but he recorded nine points on three three point baskets. Jeremy Anderson led Warren Central with 18 points including three three point baskets.  Troy McFarland added 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists.  Bryson Hall added nine points and six rebounds while 6-1 So. Joe Hood chipped in with nine points on three three point baskets.   

Warren Central	7	21	11	20	-	59
South Laurel	20	17	15	20	-	72

Warren Central	(59) -	Anderson 18, Smith 3, Hall 9, Britt 5, McFarland 13, Hudson 2, Hood 9.
South Laurel	(72) -	Allen 30, Hammonds 9, Fields 15, Perkins 5, Proffitt 13.

All Tournament Team

Wilbert Reeves	6-6	Sr.	Ballard	2 games	16.5 PPG	7.0 RPG
Andrew Parks	6-4	Sr	Corbin	2 games	21.0 PPG	17.0 RPG
Zipp Duncan	6-4	Sr.	Elizabethtown	2 games	18.5 PPG	13.0 RPG
Aaron Dunaway	6-2	Jr.	Henry Clay	2 games	19.0 PPG
JaJuan Spillman	6-0	Sr.	Pleasure Ridge Park	3 games	15.3 PPG	4.7 APG
Vincent Crutcher	6-5	Jr.	Pleasure Ridge Park	3 games	14.0 PPG	7.0 RPG
Joshua Mack	5-11	Jr.	University Heights	3 games	17.3 PPG
Nathan Owen	6-0	Sr	University Heights	3 games	8.3 PPG
Ty Proffitt	6-3	So.	South Laurel	4 games	14.5 PPG
Eric Fields	6-8	Sr.	South Laurel	4 games	14.5 PPG	7.5 RPG
Walt Allen	6-4	Jr.	South Laurel	4 game	22.8 PPG	10.3 RPG	M.V.P.
Bryson Hall	6-1	Sr.	Warren Central	4 games	9.5 PPG	6.0 RPG
Jeremy Anderson	6-3	So.	Warren Central	4 games	21.5 PPG	12 3-pt goals
Troy McFarland	5-10	Sr.	Warren Central	4 games	10.3 PPG	5.8 RPG	5.3 APG

Conclusion

Congratulations to Coach Steve Wright and the South Laurel Cardinals for capturing the big prize.  The Cardinals served notice this summer they would be a contender by capturing the Kentucky AAU High School Championship. They came into this tourney ranked number one and proved they were indeed number one when it counted. 

What about Warren Central?  The defending champions lost four starters from last year’s championship squad but reloaded and Coach Tim Riley’s squad scrapped their way into another championship game.  PRP coach Dale Mabrey is a seasoned veteran of the state tourney and the Panthers provided a thrill a minute in their three classic overtime battles.  University Heights captured the All A Classic early this season and reached the semifinals in the state tournament.

Someone forgot to tell 6-4 8th grader Josh Crawford(Corbin) that he should be nervous under the big lights as he tallied 33 points and 19 rebounds in two games.  MVP Walt Allen is the ultimate blue collar warrior.  He will hammer you relentlessly in the paint and if you relax he will nail the long range three.  Allen’s South Laurel teammate Ty Proffitt did a great job running the offense and this was truly a team effort.  PRP’s JaJuan Spillman is an absolute jet from baseline to baseline.  Perry County Central’s 6-2 Sr. Daniel Combs had a great performance with 30 points and six three point baskets.  Chase Denson (Lone Oak) also turned in a 30 point performance.

Six of the players named to the All Tournament Team are underclassmen.  The six players are Aaron Dunaway (Henry Clay), Vincent Crutcher (Pleasure Ridge Park), Joshua Mack (University Heights), Ty Proffitt (South Laurel), Walt Allen (South Laurel), and Jeremy Anderson (Warren Central).  South Laurel should contend again next year as they only graduate three players from the roster including starters D. J. Perkins and Eric Fields.

There are too many teams to mention them all here but I have a rather simplistic approach to the state tourney.  Regardless of the outcome in any game here this week, there area absolutely no losers at this tourney.  There will always be discussions of the teams that didn’t make it—the should-have-beens, would-have-beens, could-have-beens.  However, 16 teams descended upon Rupp Arena for this special week and event that ultimately crowns the championship of Kentucky High School Hoops.

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to the KHSAA for maintaining an excellent website with tons of information about the tourney as well as comprehensive stats on each and every game.  Also a special thanks to WL Stats for all their hard work providing all the computerized stats for the various media.

Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the tournament, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com .

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.