2023 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

2023 King of the Bluegrass

All-Tournament Team

Armello Boone - De La Salle

Damone King - Trinity

Cole Edelen - Male

Trent Noah - Harlan County

Taylen Kinney - Newport

Deshaun Jackson - Newport

Drae Vasser - Trinity

Dalton Hicks - Fairdale

Jacob Tucker - Fairdale

Mason Ritter - Bowling Green

M.J. Wardlow - Bowling Green

CJ Washington - Little Rock Central

Daniel Culberson - Little Rock Central

Vince Dawson - Great Crossing

Junius Burrell - Great Crossing

COACH STANLEY HARDIN
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

Annor Boateng - Little Rock Central

BOB WHITE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Malachi Moreno - Great Crossing

GREAT CROSSING 54, LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL (AR) 47

In a display of sheer determination and skill, the Great Crossing Warhawks etched their name in the history books by securing their first-ever King of the Bluegrass (KOB) title. In a closely contested final against the Little Rock Central Tigers, the Warhawks emerged victorious with a 54-47 win, becoming the first KOB champion from the 11th Region since Madison Central's triumph in 1998.

The championship game at the 2023 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass was a tale of two halves, with each team showcasing periods of dominance. Little Rock Central came out of the gates strong, quickly building a 13-4 lead within the first six minutes, putting Great Crossing on the back foot. However, the Warhawks, undeterred by the early setback, stitched together a 9-3 run in the opening minutes of the second quarter, closing the gap to a mere three points at 16-13.

The momentum swung in favor of Great Crossing when Junius Burrell landed a critical 3-pointer, giving them a narrow 19-18 lead over the Tigers, with 2:54 left in the second quarter. By halftime, Great Crossing had established a 24-20 lead, a remarkable turnaround from their early struggles.

The third quarter saw Great Crossing's Malachi Moreno shine. Moreno, who would later be crowned the Bob White Most Valuable Player, extended the Warhawks' lead with a 3-pointer followed by a sensational putback dunk, pushing the score to 29-20. Little Rock Central, which had previously led 15-8 in the first quarter, found themselves trailing 40-30 at the end of the third.

As the final quarter unfolded, Little Rock Central attempted a valiant comeback. Chase Allen's basket narrowed the gap to 42-36 with 5:45 left on the clock. Despite C.J. Washington's putback dunk bringing the Tigers within four points, Great Crossing maintained their composure and control, leading 48-40 with just over two minutes remaining. That was as close as Little Rock Central would get.

Apart from Moreno's stellar performance, Great Crossing's victory was bolstered by significant contributions from Vince Dawson, III, and Junius Burrell, both named to the All-Tournament Team for their impressive displays throughout the championship.

On the other side, Little Rock Central's Annor Boateng, honored as the Stanley Hardin Most Outstanding Player, finished with 10 points. Teammates Daniel Culberson and C.J. Washington, who scored 15 and 8 points respectively and made crucial rebounds, were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

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SCHEDULE OF PLAY - DECEMBER 23RD

3:00PM - CONSOLATION FINAL

#6 Male (7-2) vs. #18 Harlan Co. (9-1)

4:30PM - 5TH PLACE FINAL

#9 Newport (8-2) vs. #3 Trinity (7-2)

6:00PM - 3RD PLACE FINAL

Fairdale (9-2) vs. #7 Bowling Green (7-3)

7:30PM - CHAMPIONSHIP

#2 Great Crossing (9-0) vs. Little Rock Central (11-0)

GREAT CROSSING 78, FAIRDALE 58

In our opening semifinal of the 2023 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic, the second-ranked Great Crossing Warhawks (9-0) used a commanding 78-58 victory over the host Fairdale Bulldogs (9-2) to advance to their second consecutive championship game. Junius Burrell of Great Crossing named the Central Bank Player of the Game, delivering an outstanding performance with a game-high 21 points.

The Warhawks' victory was marked by a decisive 16-2 run in the second quarter, which was a turning point in the game, helping them establish control and never look back. They led by as many as 26 points, showcasing their dominance in a game that had an electrifying start with four lead changes and two ties.

Great Crossing's overall performance was formidable. They scored 78 points, with a significant contribution from their key players. Junius Burrell's 21 points were critical, but he was not alone in this effort, as the team showed depth and skill across the board with five players in double digits. Malachi Moreno added 16 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 4 assists to overwhelm to Bulldogs.

The Fairdale Bulldogs, despite the loss, had impressive performances from Jacob Tucker with 19 points and Dalton Hicks with 18 points. Their journey to the semifinals was a remarkable achievement, especially considering it was their first appearance at this stage since 2006. 

Great Crossing's blend of talent and tactical acumen was on full display, improving their all-time KOB record to 6-1 and propelling them to their second straight KOB championship game.

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Four Teams, One Dream: The Final Showdown at the 2023 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass

As the lights brighten over the hardwood floor of Fairdale High School tonight, four teams stand on the brink of history in the 2023 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass (KOB) semifinals. Each team carries its unique narrative into these high-stakes games, blending talent, tradition, and the thrill of competition.

Fairdale Bulldogs: The Underdogs with a Legacy

The host Bulldogs have stormed into the semifinals, marking their best start in over a quarter-century with a 9-1 record. It's been 30 years since their last KOB title, and tonight, they aim to write a new chapter in their storied history. As the only unranked team left in the tournament, Fairdale carries the underdog spirit, underscored by their impressive tally of 55 all-time wins in KOB play. Their journey to the semifinals, their first since 2006, is a testament to resilience and skill.

Top Players

• Cameron Croney has been a standout performer for the Bulldogs, scoring a total of 21 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. His field goal efficiency has been remarkable, with a 4/7 shooting record.
• Dalton Hicks also made a significant impact with 32 points, contributing 9 rebounds and 5 assists, showcasing his all-around game.
• Jacob Tucker led the team in scoring with 29 points, adding 8 rebounds and 4 assists, demonstrating his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities.

Great Crossing Warhawks: Soaring High with Ambition

Standing in the Bulldogs' way are the second-ranked Great Crossing Warhawks. Unbeaten this season and riding the momentum of winning 15 of their last 16 games, the Warhawks are a formidable force. With a 5-1 record in KOB play and looking to advance to their second consecutive championship game, Great Crossing is a blend of talent and tactical acumen. Their only previous KOB semifinal appearance resulted in a victory, indicating their prowess in crucial matches.

Top Players:

• Vince Dawson III emerged as a key player, scoring 29 points and securing 8 rebounds. His ability to shoot from distance was evident with 4 three-pointers made.
• Junius Burrell added 20 points and 3 rebounds, showcasing his scoring ability.
• Malachi Moreno was dominant on the boards with 28 rebounds and contributed a team-high 33 points, displaying exceptional inside presence and scoring ability.

Bowling Green Purples: The Resurgence of a Powerhouse

The seventh-ranked Bowling Green Purples, making their first KOB appearance since 2017, have re-emerged as a powerhouse in Kentucky basketball. With a 7-2 record and riding a 5-game winning streak, the Purples have shown they can handle pressure and come out on top. Their history in the tournament includes a finals appearance in 1999, and this year, they're aiming to add another chapter to their rich legacy.

Top Players:

• Deuce Bailey contributed significantly with 23 points and 10 rebounds, demonstrating his scoring and rebounding ability.
• Mason Ritter added 29 points and 8 rebounds, showing his prowess as a scorer and rebounder.
• M J Wardlow led the team with 42 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing his dominant presence on both ends of the court.

Little Rock Central Tigers: Arkansas' Pride on the National Stage

The undefeated Little Rock Central Tigers from Arkansas bring a fresh and formidable presence to the KOB. In their first-ever tournament appearance, they have already made history and are looking to become the first out-of-state team since 2018 to win the title. The Tigers' participation adds a national flavor to the tournament, highlighting the KOB as a stage for top-tier basketball talent across the country.

Top Players:

• Daniel Culberson has been a crucial player, scoring 23 points along with 13 rebounds, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
• Annor Boateng stood out with an impressive 46 points and 15 rebounds, highlighting his scoring and rebounding skills.
• Chase Allen also made a significant impact with 18 points and 7 rebounds, showing his ability to contribute effectively.

GREAT CROSSING 48, NEWPORT 46

Under the bright lights of the Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic, a tale of tenacity, skill, and last-minute heroics unfolded. The No. 2 ranked Great Crossing Warhawks (8-0), faced a formidable challenge against the No. 9 Newport Wildcats (7-2). In a game that felt more like a chess match than a basketball match, the Warhawks emerged victorious with a slim 48-46 margin, setting their sights on the upcoming semifinal against the host, Fairdale.

Vince Dawson, III, etched his name into the annals of the tournament. Scoring 20 points throughout the game as the linchpin of his team's offense. But his defining moment came when the clock ticked down to a mere 10 seconds. With the poise of a seasoned warrior, he launched a 3-pointer that sailed through the air and found its mark, etching a permanent place in the memories of all who witnessed it. This was not just a shot; it was a statement, earning him the title of Central Bank Player of the Game.

The Wildcats of Newport, who had battled valiantly, saw their hopes wane in the final 20 seconds as two turnovers turned the tide against them. Newport's Taylen Kinney (29 points), in a moment of brilliance, had given his team a glimmer of hope. His runner, a smooth and precise maneuver, had propelled Newport to a 46-45 lead with just 48.6 seconds left. The crowd was abuzz, the possibility of an upset hanging tantalizingly in the air.

Great Crossing now prepares for a clash against host Fairdale in Friday's 7:30pm semifinal. The Warhawks move to 5-1 all-time in KOB play and look to make it back-to-back appearances in the KOB finals.

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GREAT CROSSING 64, NORTH OLDHAM 61 (OT)

In an electrifying first-round matchup of the King of the Bluegrass tournament, the second-ranked Great Crossing Warhawks survived a heart-stopping overtime challenge against the North Oldham Mustangs with a final score of 64-61. Malachi Moreno, with a dominant double-double, earned the Central Bank Player of the Game honors, racking up 20 points and 17 rebounds in a commanding performance.

As the clock dwindled down in overtime, the Warhawks secured their lead with Junius Burrell's clutch performance at the free-throw line, sinking two vital free throws to put Great Crossing up 64-61 with just 22.2 seconds remaining. The final moments were nail-biting as Brooks Cargould of North Oldham missed a critical 3-point attempt that could have changed the game's outcome.

Earlier in the overtime, back-to-back baskets from Malachi Moreno and Junius Burrell had given Great Crossing a crucial 62-59 lead with 2:22 left on the clock. These moments highlighted Great Crossing's determination and skill under pressure, reinforcing their reputation as a team of resilience and clutch performance.

The drama was not confined to overtime. In the final seconds of regulation, Vince Dawson's fearless drive to the basket scored, locking the game at 57 and pushing both teams into overtime. Prior to that, the Mustangs had a slight edge when Jack Fischer hit one of two free throws, giving North Oldham a 57-55 lead with just 13.3 seconds left. The Mustangs were in a strategic position, able to foul without sending Great Crossing to the line.

Burrell's sharpshooting prowess was on full display as he nailed a 3-pointer, bringing Great Crossing within one point of North Oldham with 15.3 seconds remaining in regulation. The intensity had been mounting, as demonstrated by Grant Neal's powerful drive and dunk, putting North Oldham up 51-49 with 1:30 left. The teams were neck-and-neck, and after Neal and Burrell traded 3-pointers, the score was deadlocked at 49 with just 1:43 to go.

The game was a showcase of high-octane basketball, featuring the impressive athleticism of North Oldham's Neal, who led all scorers with 23 points, and the ice-cold precision of Great Crossing's Burrell, with 16 points. The Warhawks' ability to edge out the win in such a tightly contested game is a testament to their composure and depth, qualities that will serve them well as they continue their quest for their first KOB title.

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Warren Central 89, Great Crossing 56

The 2022 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass came to a close with our Championship featuring top ranked Warren Central, the defending state runner-up, taking on No. 4 Great Crossing. The matchup marked just the second time in the last 15 years that two non-Louisville schools from Kentucky would meet in the championship. Warren Central came into the game having a dominant tournament outscoring their opponents by an average of 13 points, a tournament high. Unfortunately, for Great Crossing the Dragons were just getting started in their dominance. 

A pair of early three-pointers by senior Damarion Walkup got the Dragons off to a hot start leading 10-2 less than three minutes into play. A timeout by Great Crossings helped slow Warren Central as the Warhawks battled back to within 11-13 following a basket by Jeremiah Godfrey. Walkup added a basket to give him 10 first quarter points and put Warren Central ahead 16-11 at the quarter break. Vince Dawson's basket to open the second quarter pulled Great Crossing back with three points, but the Warhawks wouldn't get closer than four for the rest of the half. Warren Central ended the half on a 14-3 run to take a dominating 40-25 lead into the half.

Midway through the third quarter the Warren Central lead swelled to as many as 20 points following a basket by Damarion Walkup. The Warhawks would not get closer than 18 points for the remainder of the game. A final basket by Walkup pushed the Dragons lead to 32 points before both benches were emptied and reserves entered the game. A three-pointer by Cade Hammer with thirty seconds to play would give Warren Central their biggest lead at 89-54. The Dragons would hoist their first KOB trophy moments later with the 89-56 victory. 

All-Tournament Team selection Chappelle Whitney led the way for Warren Central with a game-high 26 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Bob White Most Valuable Player honors went to Warren Central's Kade Unself after a 14 point and 6 rebound performance for the Dragons. Damarion Walkup added 18 points for Warren Central. Warren Central. All-Tournament Team selections Vince Dawson and Malachi Morano had 11 points and 10 points respectively for the Warhawks. Gage Richardson led the way for Great Crossing with 13 points.

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Great Crossing 69, Lyon County 61

Our first semifinal of the evening was a battle of preseason regional favorites as No.7 Great Crossing battled No. 10 Lyon County. Lyon County's Travis Perry got things started with a quick three-pointer on the first possession of the game. The Lyons would score again for another four minutes as Great Crossing soared to an 18-5 early lead. A dunk to end the period by Perry would cut the Warhawks lead to 12-20 at the quarter break. The Lyons held Great Crossing scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the second quarter as they battled back to tie the game on a Travis Perry basket with 4:38 remaining in the half. The Warhawks offense broke out in the second half of the quarter as Gage Richardson's three-pointer kick started an 11-0 run for Great Crossing who led 31-23 at the half.

It was Lyon County who got off to hot start in the second half with a 9-5 run to cut the score to 32-36 following Brady Shoulders basket two minutes into the half. Great Crossing smashed the offensive glass capitalizing on offensive rebounds to push back ahead 40-32 a minute later. A pair of late three-pointers including one from Vince Dawson put Great Crossing ahead 54-38 going into the final quarter. Dawson's basket with 4:28 remaining in play extended the Warhawks lead to 18 points at 58-40. Travis Perry poured in nine points during a 12-2 Lyon County run to pull them within 55-63 with 2:15 remaining. A Jack Reddick three-pointer on Lyon County's next possession pulled them within 7 points, but they never got any closer. Great Crossing would advance to their first KOB Championship in history with the 69-61 victory.

Vince Dawson, III earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors with 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Warhawks. Gage Richardson added 14 points and Malachi Moreno added 11 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks for Great Crossing. Travis Perry led Lyon County with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Jack Reddick added 20 points for the Lyons.

Great Crossing advances to Tuesday's Championship to play the winner of Warren Central vs. North Oldham at 7:30pm. Lyon County will take on the loser of Warren Central vs. North Oldham at 6:00pm on Tuesday for third place.

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Great Crossing 64, George Rogers Clark 62 (OT)

In the third quarterfinal of the evening, it was top ranked George Rogers Clark taking on 7th ranked Great Crossing. The defending state champion Cardinals used four first quarter three-pointers to help propel them to an early lead. George Rogers Clark led by as many as nine points in the first quarter on two different occasions. Great Crossing's Malachi Moreno was able to cut the lead to 1-point midway through the quarter, but they couldn't maintain the momentum trailing 18-11 at the quarter break. George Rogers Clark got back-to-back three-pointers from Reshaun Hampton and Jerone Morton to open the second quarter expanding their lead to 11 points. Junius Burrell scored five points as part of a 7-0 run for the Warhawks to cut the Cardinals lead to 24-20 midway through the second quarter. George Rogers Clark responded with a 4-0 spurt of their own to give them some breathing room as they led 30-25 at the half.

One minute into the second half the Cardinals lead grew to 12 points at 36-25. Junius Burrell's three-pointer with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter capped an 11-2 run for the Warhawks who trailed by just three points. A pair of Malachi Moreno free throws got Great Crossing within one point with 2:26 remaining in the quarter before a 7-0 run by the Cardinals sent them to the quarter break leading 48-42. Christian Martin scoring six points early in the fourth quarter on an 8-4 run for the Warhawks before Burrell tied the game at 52-52 with 4:07 remaining. The teams exchanged buckets over the final minute before Malachi Moreno's basket with 22 seconds remaining tied the game at 56-56. Reshaun Hampton and Junius Burrell each tried for a late heave at the end of regulation but missed to send the game to overtime. 

Rashaun Hampton got things started in overtime with a three-pointer for George Rogers Clark to push the Cardinals ahead 59-56. Gage Richardson answered with his own three pointer on the Warhawks next possession to tie it back at 59-59 with three minutes to play. A Malachi Moreno putback with just under two minutes to play gave the Warhawks their first lead of the game at 61-59. George Rogers Clark's Jerone Morton would connect on one-of-two free throws to trim the lead to one with 1:28 remaining. Jeremiah Godfrey would connect on one-of-two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to put the Warhawks back ahead by two points. Jerone Morton connected with a layup on GRC's next possession to tie the game at 62-62, but Hampton was called for a foul on the ensuing inbounds play to send Burrell to the free throw line. With 1.5 seconds remaining Burrell connected on a pair of free throws to give Great Crossing a 64-62 lead. George Rogers Clark never got a shot off before time expired on the inbounds play. The 64-62 win by Great Crossing snaps a 37-game winning streak for the Cardinals who hadn't lost since December 19, 2021 against Dorman (SC) in the KOB last season.

Great Crossing's Junius Burrell earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Malachi Moreno added 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 blocks for the Warhawks. George Rogers Clark was led by Reshaun Hampton with a game-high 26 points. Jerone Morton added 17 points for the Cardinals. 

Great Crossing advances to Monday's semifinals to play Lyon County at 7:30pm. George Rogers Clark will take on LaRue County at 6:00pm on Monday in the consolation bracket.

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Great Crossing 78, Spencer County 67

Spencer County used some hot shooting from long range to take an early 10-4 lead. Great Crossing turned up the defensive pressure forcing 3 turnovers and holding the Bears scoreless for nearly four minutes as the reeled off an 8-0 run to take a 14-10 lead. A Camden Cox three-pointer with just over a minute to play in the quarter would tie the game at 16-16 and Keaton Baird would put the Bears back ahead on their next possession. Great Crossing's Junius Burrell connected on a late basket to tie the game at 18-18 at the quarter break. It would take Spencer County nearly five minutes to score their first basket of the second quarter as the Warhawks soared ahead by as many as 15 points at 33-18 with three minutes to play in the half. Jack Armstrong would pull Spencer County back to within 8 points at 27-35 but the Bears trailed 40-29 at the half.

The Great Crossing lead swelled back to 18 points in the opening minutes of the second half. Spencer County held the Warhawks scoreless for nearly three minutes cutting the lead to 34-47 following a Luke Erhardt three-pointer with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. The Bears would get as close as 12 points on three occasions before a late 5-0 spurt by Great Crossing sent them to the quarter break leading 58-44. Keaton Baird would give Spencer County one last bit of hope with a basket midway through the fourth quarter to pull back within 12 points. A Malachi Moreno basket with 2:48 remaining would put Great Crossing ahead by 18 points at 72-54. Jonathan Combs three-pointer with 1:27 pulled Spencer County back to within 11 points but the Bears couldn't pull within single digits until there were only thirty seconds remaining. Great Crossings advanced with the 78-67 victory.

Malachi Moreno earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors for Great Crossing with a 22 point, 14 rebound, 3 block performance. Vince Dawson, III led the Warhawks in scoring with a game-high 26 points. Spencer County was led by Luke Erhardt with 17 points and Keaton Baird with 15 points.

Great Crossing advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play the winner of George Rogers Clark vs. Male at 7:30pm. Spencer County will take on the loser of George Rogers Clark vs. Male at 7:30pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

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