The All ‘A’ Classic State Basketball Tournament takes place Wednesday in Richmond as Kentucky’s top small school programs battle it out for the championship.
The Women’s Tournament will begin on the first Wednesday at 8:30 am with all eight matches of the first round. The men’s tournament kicks off with his eighth match in the first round, which starts at 8:30 am on Thursday. The quarterfinals are set for Friday, the semifinals for Saturday and the final for Sunday. at the McBrayer Arena at Eastern Kentucky University.
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Here’s what you need to know about tournaments.
Who is your favourite?
On the women’s side, Pikeville, Covington Holy Cross and Bethlehem look like the teams to win.
Pikeville (16-4) features Trinity Row (14.5 points), one of the state’s top junior guards. The Covington Holy Cross (17-5) is led by 6-foot-2 Julia Hunt (averaging 12.9 points, 9.4 reactions). Bethlehem (14-6) won back-to-back All ‘A’ championships in 2020 and 2021.
Harlan (18-2) is the men’s star player. The Green Dragons are led by junior guard Kyler McClendon (22.5 ppg).
Other top contenders include Evangel Christian (16-3), Covington Holy Cross (13-5), Martin County (17-2) and Owensboro Catholic (17-2).
Who are the Louisville representatives?
Region 6 champions Whitefield Academy and Region 7 titleists Portland Christian will represent Louisville as the women’s team.
Whitefield Academy (15-4) reached the All-A quarterfinals last year, led by senior Amy Thompson (14.4 points average). The Wildcats will face Menifee County (14-6) on Wednesday at 5pm.
The Portland Christians (14-1) started the season with 14 straight wins before falling to Adare County 58-48 on Friday. Seniors Ellie Hyde (21.8 win average) and Kaela Ballard (18.3 win average) lead the Eagles against Danville (18-1 win percentage) Wednesday at 11:30 am.
Region 6 Champion Evangel Christian and Region 7 Champion Collegiate Eight will represent the Louisville men’s team.
Evangel Christian (16-3) lost to Pikeville after reaching the All-A semifinals last year. Junior guard Christian Doerr (18.3 points per game) and East Carolina senior sign Sir Malonga (16.8 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game) will be the Eagles against Murray (12-7) on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. leads a team of
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The College Eights (9-7) are led by senior forward Woodford Ragland (14.1 points). The Titans will face Owen County (14-5) Thursday at 1pm. Owen County is led by Senior Teagan Moore, a Western Kentucky University signatory and second highest scorer in the state (32.3 ppg).
Who are the defending champions?
Owen County defeated Owensboro Catholic 49-38 in last year’s women’s final. Owen County will repeat as the Champions of the 8th Region and will face Verrier on Wednesday at 10am.
Pikeville beat Breathitt County 53-44 in last year’s men’s final. Pikeville did not qualify for this year’s tournament, and in the round of 15 Martin County he lost 72–70.th region final.
What is the girl’s schedule?
Wednesday
Leslie County v Covington Holy Cross, 8:30 am. Owen County v Bellair, 10:00 am. Portland Christian vs. Danville, 11:30 am. Carlisle County v. Pikeville, 1 p.m. Whitefield Academy vs. Menifee County, 5 p.m. Monroe County v Hancock County, 6:30 p.m. Jackson County v. Bishop Brossart, 8 p.m.Crittenden County v Bethlehem, 9:30 p.m.
Friday
Quarterfinals 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm
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Saturday
Semifinals 8:30am, 10:00am
Sunday
finals at noon
What is the men’s schedule?
Thursday
Murray vs. Evangel Christian, 8:30 am. Harlan v. Martin County, 10 am. Washington County v Lexington Christian, 11:30 am. University vs. Owen County, 1 p.m. Danville vs. Covington Holy Cross, 5pm. Hazard v. Bishop Brossard, 6:30 p.m. University Heights vs. Raceland, 8pm.Cumberland County vs. Owensboro Catholic, 9:30 PM
Friday
Quarterfinals 5:00pm, 6:30pm, 8:00pm, 9:30pm
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Saturday
Semifinals at noon and 1:30pm
Sunday
2:00 p.m. Finals
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
