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.

[Click to View Box Score]

Sagemont (FL) 72, Central Catholic (PA) 47

Our day two opener was a battle of out-of-state opponents as Catholic Catholic (PA) battled Sagemont (FL). The opening quarter was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams as they exchanged the lead three times and were tied up on five occasions. Debaba Tshiebwe looked to get things going for the Vikings ending the opening quarter with a basket to put them ahead 16-14. Bradley Gompers basket to open the second quarter pushed Central Catholic ahead by four points, the largest lead of the game at that time. Tynan Becker got things going for Sagemont with a pair of steals leading to back-to-back dunks to tie the game at 18-18 with six minutes remaining in the half. Cameron Gibson would score on the next possession for the Lions before Becker added yet another dunk propelling Sagemont on a run to push ahead by as many as 13 points before the half. Dominic Issa's three-pointer sent the Lions to the locker room ahead 36-23 at the half.

Randy Wilkerson and Debaba Tshiebwe kept Central Catholic in the game with a 10-2 run in the first three minutes of the second half to pull within 33-38. Ashton Smith's three pointer to end the third quarter capped a 9-2 run for Sagemont as the Lions took control of the game leading 47-35 going into the fourth quarter. Central Catholic never got closer than ten points in the final period as Sagemont put an exclamation point on their KOB debut leading by as many as 26 points in the closing minutes of the game before finishing with a 72-47 victory.

Sagemont's Tynan Becker earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors with a game-high 17 points. Cameron Gibson added 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Lions. Central Catholic was led by Debaba Tshiebwe with 14 points and 20 rebounds.

Sagemont advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play North Oldham at 4:30pm. Central Catholic will take on the Trinity at 4:30pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

[Click to View Box Score]

Warren Central 63, DeSales 57

The opening four minutes of play between 2nd ranked Warren Central and 18th ranked DeSales was the Kade Unseld show as he scored the first 11 points for the Dragons pushing them ahead 11-4. A pair of baskets by DeSales' Crew Gibson pulled the Colts back within 9-11 with just over two minutes to play in the opening quarter. A pair of free throws by Izayiah Villafuerte capped a 7-0 run by the Dragons to put them firmly in control at 18-9 with 90 seconds remaining in the quarter. Warren Central maintained a 9-point lead at the quarter break ahead 21-12. The Dragons lead reached as many as 11 points before Will Gibson rallied DeSales scoring 5 points as part of a 7-0 run to pull within 21-25. A pair of three-point baskets by Villafuerte and Chappelle Whitney helped the Dragons lead swell back to 10 points midway through the second quarter. DeSales ended the half with their own 7-1 spurt to trail 28-34 at the half.

Warren Central continued to control the game throughout the third quarter. The Colts got as close as three points following a three-pointer by Julian Bunton. The Dragons quickly rebounded though closing out the third quarter with a 6-0 run on back-to-back three-pointers from Unseld and Villafuerte to lead 46-37. The Warren Central lead grew to as many as 12 points in the opening minute of the fourth quarter following an old-fashioned three-point play by Omari Glover. DeSales got hot from behind the three-point line midway through the fourth quarter as Brady Cummins and Bunton spearheaded a 11-4 Colts run to pull within 53-56. DeSales got as close as three points on one other occasion following a pair of Will Gibson free throws with 2:34 remaining in the game. It was a late 5-2 run by the Dragons sealed the victory 63-57.

Warren Central's Kade Unseld earned Central Bank Player of the Game honors with a game-high 24 points. Izayiah Villafuerte added 15 points and Omari Glover had 13 points for the Dragons. DeSales was led by Will Gibson with 17 points and Crew Gibson added 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Colts. 

Warren Central advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play DuPont Manual at 9:00pm. DeSales will take on the Woodford County at 9:00pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

[Click to View Box Score]

DuPont Manual 55, Woodford County 52

DuPont Manual got off to a strong start defensively forcing a pair of Woodford County turnovers and holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless on their first eight field goals attempts. Brady Hurley connected on a free throw and field goal on back-to-back possessions for the Crimsons giving them an early 5-point lead. Aden Nelson layup with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter capped a 6-0 Woodford County run to give the Yellow Jackets a 10-9 lead. The two teams would exchange the lead three more times to end the first quarter with Damone King's in the final 10 seconds of the quarter giving Manual the 13-12 lead at the quarter break. A steal and basket by Santonio Wade two minutes in the second quarter would tie the game back up at 17-17. Josh Darst would score five of the next six for the Crimsons who used their own 6-0 run to move ahead 23-17 midway through the quarter. A J.J. Jenkins' three-pointer in the closing seconds of the half capped a 10-2 Woodford County run to give the Yellow Jackets a 27-25 lead. Brady Hurley would connect on Manual's final possession of the first half to send the teams to the locker room tied at 27. 

The two teams battled back-and-forth early in the second half staying within a possession of each other until a 7-2 run by Woodford County looked to give the Yellow Jackets some breathing room at 37-33. DuPont Manual quickly responded with Damone King's basket a minute late tying the game at 37-37. The Woodford County lead grew back to as many as four points before King's basket in the final minute of the quarter pulled Manual within 39-41. An 8-2 run by Woodford County to open the fourth quarter put the Jackets ahead 49-41. The Crimsons just wouldn't give up though with back-to-back three-pointers by Malachi Coleman and Justice Decker ending a 10-1 Manual run that put them ahead 53-52 with 37 seconds remaining in the game. Damone King took a charge on the other end to give the Crimsons possession again with 18 seconds remaining in play. A final basket by Decker gave Manual the 55-52 lead they would hold onto after a last second miss by Aden Nelson.

Brady Hurley led the way for DuPont Manual with 13 points and 6 rebounds earning Central Bank Players of the Game honors. Damone King added 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Crimsons. Woodford County was led by Aden Nelson with a game-high 15 points. Makhi Smith and J.J. Jenkins added 12 points apiece for the Yellow Jackets. 

DuPont Manual advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play the winner of Warren Central vs. DeSales at 9:00pm. Woodford County will take on the loser of Warren Central vs. DeSales at 9:00pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

[Click to View Box Score]

LaRue County 73, Fairdale 67

The host Bulldogs struggled with some early shooting woes as they opened 2022 King of the Bluegrass play against LaRue County. Fairdale, who missed their first four three-point field goals, saw themselves fall behind 10-4 three minutes into the game. The Bulldogs finally got things going from behind the arc with Joe Hurt's three-pointer pulling them within 7-10 midway through the first quarter. The Hawk's lead would extend back to six points on two occasions before a Cam Croney capped a 4-0 run for the Bulldogs to pull within 13-15 with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Six straight points by LaRue County's Daniel Allen could give the Hawks a 21-13 lead at the quarter break. A Carson Childress three-pointer capped a 5-0 LaRue County spurt to extend the Hawk's lead to 11 points less than two minutes into the second quarter. Fairdale would cut the lead back to six points after back-to-back baskets by Dalton Hicks and Jacob Tucker but they couldn't get any closer with the LaRue County lead growing to as many as 13 points before the half. The host Bulldogs trailed 30-40 at halftime.

Daniel Allen opened the second half of scoring with a basket to extend the LaRue County lead to 12 points. Fairdale's Jake Dewboys capped an 11-4 Fairdale run to pull the Bulldogs within 41-46 midway through the third quarter. A pair of baskets by LaRue County's Jagger Mardis kept the Hawks comfortably ahead leading by 8 points. Cam Croney and Dalton Hicks put together their own run for the Bulldogs who cut the Larue County lead back to just 4 points with two minutes remaining in the quarter. A three-pointer by Allen closed the third quarter of play with LaRue County leading 52-45. All added 9 more points for LaRue County as part of a 12-4 spurt early in the fourth quarter pushing their lead back to 64-49. Fairdale wouldn't give up though as the Bulldogs rallied with a 14-2 run to get as close as four points following a Dalton Hicks' three-pointer. LaRue County got four straight free throws from Carson Childress and Jaxson Thomas to close out the game and seal the 73-67 victory.

LaRue County junior Daniel Allen's 41 points led all scorers earning him Central Bank Player of the Game honors. His performance ranks 10th all-time in single-game scoring in KOB history. Carson Childress and Jagger Mardis added 12 points apiece for the Hawks. Fairdale was led by Dalton Hicks with 24 points and Joe Hurt added 13 points for the Bulldogs.

LaRue County advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play the winner of Lyon County vs. Harlan County at 6:00pm. Fairdale will take on the loser of Lyon County vs. Harlan County at 6:00pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

[Click to View Box Score]

North Oldham 50, Trinity 48

A pair of early three pointers by No. 3 Trinity's Cam McClain gave the Shamrocks the early lead. North Oldham's Jack Scales would answer with a pair of his own three-pointers to tie the game midway through the opening quarter. Jayden Johnson kept the Shamrock's close early in the third quarter with a three to tie the game at 12-12. The 15th ranked Mustangs took advantage of a poor second quarter shooting performance by Trinity to take control at the half 22-16. 

North Oldham opened the second half with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 29-18. A pair of Trinity free throws by Alex Johnson with a minute remaining in the second quarter pulled the Shamrocks within 7 points. Andrae Vasser helped the Shamrocks cut the North Oldham lead to 6 points on their opening possession of the fourth quarter. Jack Fischer extended the Mustangs lead back to 8 points a couple minutes later before Trinity pieced together a 6-0 run to pull within 38-40. A Luke Anderson basket with just under 3 minutes to play gave North Oldham some breathing room at 43-38. Back-to-back baskets by Jayden Johnson and Matt Toller pulled Trinity back within 42-43 with just over two minutes to play. The teams exchanged buckets before Vasser took advantage of a missed free throw by North Oldham's Ian Higdon to give Trinity their first lead of the second half at 46-45 with 1:25 remaining in the game. Jack Scales nailed a three-pointer on North Oldham's next possession to put the Mustangs back ahead. Andrae Vasser hit a pair of free throws with 22.1 seconds to tie the game at 48-48 and keep the Shamrock's hope alive. A layup with 3.5 seconds remaining by North Oldham Dallas Robert's would give the Mustangs the victory. 

North Oldham's Jack Scales led all scorers with 14 points. Ian Higdon added 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Mustangs and Luke Anderson added 10 points and 9 rebounds. Trinity was led by Andrae Vasser and Jayden Johnson with 12 points apiece.

North Oldham advances to Sunday's quarterfinals to play the winner of Central Catholic (PA) vs. Sagemont (FL) at 4:30pm. Trinity will take on the loser of Central Catholic (PA) vs. Sagemont (FL) at 4:30pm on Sunday in the consolation bracket.

[Click to View Box Score]

Follow Us on Twitter for Updates

Follow us on Twitter
(@kingofbluegrass)
for all the latest tournament updates.

2022 Tournament Preview

The 41st Annual Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass features a field loaded with talent from across the Bluegrass state and the country. Six of the Courier-Journal’s Kentucky Preseason Top 10 teams will compete for the prestigious title. This year’s field features ten teams ranked in the Top 25 in the state, including regional favorites from the second, fourth, seventh, eighth, tenth, and eleventh regions. There’s plenty of individual talent as well with four of the state’s top 10 players competing in the event. This year’s field also includes four former King of the Bluegrass Champions including Fairdale, George Rogers Clark, Male, and Trinity. 

The 2022 Chad Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass will tip-off with a four-game slate on Friday. The opener is a matchup of preseason regional favorites as seventh region favorite and 3rd ranked Trinity take on 15th ranked North Oldham, the favorite in the eighth region. Trinity, returns senior Cam McClain who made a school record 95 3-pointers as a junior last year. The Shamrock will look to new additions Jayden Johnson, a 6’5” freshman transfer from Male, and Drae Vasser, a 6’2” transfer from Jeffersontown averaged 13.6 points per game last season. North Oldham is led by 6’2” guard Dallas Roberts who led the Mustangs in scoring last season with 16.8 points per game helping the Mustangs reach their first Boys Sweet 16 in school history. In the second game of the day, host Fairdale will take on LaRue County. The Bulldogs are led by the junior duo of Dalton Hicks and Jacob Tucker who combined to average nearly 37 points per game last season. LaRue County is led by senior guard Carson Childress. The 7:30 game on opening night will feature 13th ranked Woodford County taking on 24th ranked DuPont Manual. The Yellowjackets are led by 6’8” John McCrear, a transfer from Lexington Catholic who committed to Murray State this summer, and sophomore Jasper Johnson, an ESPN top 25 prospect in the class of 2025. DuPont Manual will be led by Damone King, preseason pick for seventh region player of the year, who averaged 15.1 points per game last season. The final game on Friday evening will feature 2nd ranked Warren Central taking on 18th ranked DeSales. The defending state runner-up Dragons return four starters from last season’s team including the senior duo of Omari Glover and Chappelle Whitney. DeSales will be led by 6’6” junior forward Will Gibson.

The first round of action continues on Saturday with Central Catholic of Pittsburgh, PA taking on Sagemont of Weston, FL in the opener. The Vikings of Central Catholic will look to incoming transfer Debaba Tshiebwe, brother of former West Virginia and now Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe, to lead the way. Sagemont School is coming of a Florida Class 2A state runner-up finish last season. The Lions won 25 games last season and are currently ranked 22nd in the state of Florida in the SBLive Sports Florida Boys Basketball Power 25. The second game of the evening will feature 7th ranked Great Crossing taking on Spencer County. The Warhawks, the preseason favorite in the 11th region, are led by 6’11” sophomore center Malachi Moreno who has numerous Division I scholarship offers and is ranked as the nation’s 10th best center prospect in his class according to 247Sports’ rankings. Spencer County is led by junior Luke Erhardt, who averaged 22ppg for the Bears last year. The 7:30 game on Saturday will feature defending Kentucky State Champions George Rogers Clark taking on 6th ranked Male. The top ranked Cardinals are currently ranked 14th in nation in the MaxPreps Top 25 and return their top three scorers from last season in Morehead State pledge Jerone Morton, Sam Parrish and Trent Edwards. The Bulldogs,will look to senior Jack Edelen to help them build off their regional championship last season. The final first round matchup will feature 10th ranked Lyon County taking on Harlan County. The Lyons will be led by guard Travis Perry who currently has 3,190 career points heading into his junior season and is on pace to break the state record (4,337), which has stood since 1956. Harlan County is led by talented has their own talented junior in 6’7” guard Trent Noah who ranked seventh in the state last season averaging 28.1 points per game.

The 2022 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass will continue with the quarterfinal round beginning at 4:30pm Sunday with all 16 teams in action. All 16 teams will return to the courts on Monday for a full slate of games beginning at 4:30pm with the semifinals scheduled at 7:30 and 9:00pm. The final day of action will tip off at 3:00pm on Tuesday with the Championship game scheduled for 7:30pm.

2022 KOB Bracket

 

2022 KING OF THE BLUEGRASS FIELD ANNOUNCED

41ST ANNUAL GARDNER LAW

KING OF THE BLUEGRASS

DECEMBER 16-20, 2022

FAIRDALE HIGH SCHOOL

2022 Participating Teams

DeSales High School (Louisville, KY) 

DuPont Manual High School (Louisville, KY) 

Fairdale High School (Fairdale, KY)

George Rogers Clark High School (Winchester, KY)

Great Crossing High School (Georgetown, KY)

Harlan County High School (Baxter, KY)

LaRue County High School (Hodgenville, KY)

Lyon County High School (Eddyville, KY)

Male High School (Louisville, KY)

North Oldham High School (Goshen, KY)

Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA)

Spencer County High School (Taylorsville, KY)

The Sagemont School (Weston, FL)

Trinity High School (Louisville, KY)

Warren Central High School (Bowling Green, KY)

Woodford County High School (Versailles, KY)