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Ralph Beard was one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. He was a two time first team All-American, an Olympic Gold winner, and a member of the University of Kentucky's "Fabulous Five" team that won the 1948 and 1949 NCAA National Championships. Ralph Beard was an avid basketball fan and always enjoyed the King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic...especially the "Hospitality Room". Unfortunately, Ralph passed away on November 29, 2007. He was also a member of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame as well as a Board Member. Because of his great passion fro the game and his love for the King of the Bluegrass the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame Board voted to honor Ralph by selecting one player in the tournament that played with that same spirit, hustle and determination. The award is appropriately called the "RALPH BEARD SPIRIT AWARD". The award also includes a $1000 scholarship in his name from the KAHF and Kosair Charities. The very first recipient of this award is Nick Fudge from Adair County. This 5'9" junior was the "spark plug" for the Adair County Indians from Columbia, Kentucky. On hand to make the presentation to Nick was Ralph's widow Betty, his son Scott, Randy Cole from Kosair Charities, Bill Malone and Gene Rhodes from the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, and Tournament Director Lloyd Gardner. |
Day
4 - Championship
All-tournament team: C.J. Penny (Anderson County), Darren Ballou (Adair
County), Aaron Morris (Madison Central), JaQuan Ransom (Fairdale), Chad Jackson
(Rose Hill), Brandon Boykins (Fayette County, Ga.), Noel Johnson (Fayette
County, Ga.), Brandon Moore (Holy Cross, La.), Tony Kimbro (Manual), Aaron
Williams (Manual), Tyshawn Edmondson (University Heights), Scotty Hopson (University
Heights), Rodd Lanon (Male).
Bob White Tournament MVP: Scotty Hopson (University Heights).
Championship: Male 53, University Heights 51 - Rodd Lannon snunk
a running jump shot with three seconds left to lift the Bulldogs over the
Blazers in the championship of the 27th annual King of the Bluegrass Holiday
Classic. Scotty Hopson's half court attempt faltered at the buzzer
for University Heights. Brice Mitchell led Male with 14 points and
Lannon chipped in 13. Scotty Hopson, who was named tournament MVP,
paced University Heights with 19 points. The Bulldogs last won the KOB crown
in 2001.
Third Place: Manual 109, Fayette County (Ga.) 106
Fifth Place: Fairdale 55, Holy Cross (La.) 50
Seventh Place: Adair County 72, Henry Clay 47
