This Tournament was played in Lexington and Woodford County with the entire championship bracket being played at the Kentucky Basketball Academy in Lexington Kentucky.

This should be an interesting tournament with 58 teams entered for play.  Northern Ky. Fastbreak would probably be considered the favorite, with several worthy contenders lining up for their shot. Some other strong teams should be the Hardwood Warriors, Team Louisville, Derby City Players, Lexington Benjamins, Eastern Ky. Thunder, Lexington Catholic, Scott County, Owensboro Titans, etc.

I managed to view several excellent games and many fine young players but unfortunately you can't observe every game.  I will attempt to give a brief recap of the games I did see and apologize for the games and players I missed in the tournament.  The stats are a combination of stats from the scorebook and ones recorded by me personally.

Pool Play

Friday May 11th  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Nelson County vs. Madison Central
Nelson County defeated Madison Central by a score of  44-35.   Nelson County was led by 5-7 Luke Reed with 11 points.  Madison Central was led by Will Reynolds with 10 points.

Lincoln County vs. Dunbar
Dunbar defeated Lincoln County 58-34.   They were led by Ryan Oakley, 5-2 Bryan Hatton, and 6-0 T. J. Sisler with 16, 15, and 14 points respectively.  Lincoln County was led by 5-8 Jacob Cummins with 7 points.

Scott County vs. Campbell County
Scott County defeated Campbell County by a score of 57-34.  They were led by 5-10 Josh Houston and 5-11 Aaron Dunaway with 13 and 12 points respectively.  5-7 Jeff Dawson and 5-8 Jesse Thompson added 10 points each with Thompson dishing out numerous assists.  Campbell County was led by Brett White with 13 points.

Grant County vs. Northern Ky. Fastbreak
Northern Ky. Fastbreak scored an easy 65-26 decision over Grant County.  Fastbreak was led by 6-0 Jaymes McCowan and 5-8 Heath White with 15 and 13 points respectively.  Grant County was led by 5-3 Boston Howe with 10 points.

Lexington Benjamins vs. Louisville Backcourt Ballers
The Benjamins won this game 48-36, led by 5-7 Tyson Boyd with 20 points.  The Backcourt Ballers were led by 5-6 Shelton Sweeney and 4-9 Josh Thompson with 9 and 8 points respectively.

Central Ky. Warriors vs. Ft. Thomas Imbus
Central Ky. Warriors won by a score of  73-38 and were led by D. Smith with 16 points.  Ft. Thomas was paced by 5-7 Gregory Eaton with 11 points.
 

Saturday May 12th  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Bell County vs. Dunbar
Dunbar defeated Bell County by a score of 58-48.  Dunbar was led today by 6-0 T. J. Sisler who scored 22 points on 11 of 12 shooting from the field.  5-2 Bryan Hatton added 11 points and had several assists.  Bell County was led by James Gray, a very effective inside player, with 22 points.

Elizabethtown vs. Lexington Catholic
Lexington Catholic easily defeated Elizabethtown by a score of 49-20.  Catholic was led today by 6-2 Dexter Davidson with 16 points and 7 rebounds.   Elizabethtown was led by 5-8 Warren Lively with 6 points.

Hardcourt Warriors vs. Bishop Brossart
Hardcourt Warriors won by a score of 49-36.  They were led by 6-0 William Jones and 5-8 Marcus McKeethan with 21 and 14 points respectively.  Bishop Brossart was led by 5-4 Brad Seiter with 15 points.

Northern Ky. Fastbreak vs. Mountain Christian Academy
Fastbreak won this game by a score of 77-20.  6-5 Patrick Elliott led the way with 20 points and 6-0 Jaymes McCowan added 12 points.  Mountain Christian  was led by 5-7 Sean Leslie and 5-6 Lincoln Slone with 5 points each.

Lincoln County vs. Perry County
Lincoln County defeated Perry County by a score of 64-42.  Lincoln County was led by 5-5 Landon Ruckel and 5-8 Jacob Cummins with 15 and 10 points respectively.  Perry County was led by Dennis Farler with 13 points.

Team Louisville vs. Bowling Green Country Oven
Team Louisville defeated Bowling Green by a score of 43-26.  Team Louisville was led by 5-3 Chad Byron and 5-2 Darren Petty with 11 and 10 points respectively.  Bowling Green was led by T. C. Thompson with 9 points.

Virgie vs. Glasgow
Glasgow nipped Virgie 47-44.  Glasgow was led by 5-11 Lank Graves with 19 points.  Virgie was led by 6-0 Cade Riddle and 6-0 Mitchell Riddle with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Perry County vs. Bell County
Perry County defeated Bell County in a thriller by the score of 46-45.  Perry County was led by Devin Gross and Dennis Farler with 14 and 11 points respectively.  Bell County was led by James Gray and Jeremy Sanders with 12 and 9 points respectively.

Hardwood Warriors vs. Somerset
The Warriors easily defeated Somerset by a score of 53-18.  They were led by 6-0 William Jones and 6-0 Ryan Swim with 13 and 12 points respectively.  Somerset was led by Sharpe with 6 points.

Henderson Hoops vs. Calloway County
Henderson defeated Calloway County by a score of 66-26.  Henderson was led today by 5-7 Stephen Haile and 5-11 Christopher Lamar with 11 and 10 points respectively.  Calloway County was led by L. Stone, B. True, and  Hargrove with 6 points each.

Derby City Players vs. Owensboro Titans
Derby City defeated Owensboro by a score of 36-26.  They were led by 6-0 Andre Henderson and 6-0 Demarco Williams with 9 and 8 points respectively. Owensboro was led by Owsley with 9 points.

Team Louisville vs. Tates Creek
Team Louisville defeated Tates Creek by a score of 45-33.   Louisville was led by 6-0 Robby Gulick and 5-3 Chad Byron with with 12 and 11 points respectively.  Tates Creek was paced today by Workman with 10 points.

Bowling Green Country Oven vs. Mason County
Bowling Green won this game by a score of 58-30.  They were led by T. C. Thompson with 12 points.  Mason County was led by Estill with 10 points.

Scott County vs. South Laurel
Scott County defeated South Laurel 47-41 in overtime.  Scott County was led by 5-11 Aaron Dunaway with 17 points.  South Laurel was led by 6-2 Walt Allen with 19 points.

Morgan County vs. Campbell County
Morgan County defeated Campbell County by a score of 45-39.  Morgan County was led by 5-5 Jonathan Nickell with 20 points.  Campbell County was paced by 5-9 Braden McCain with 18 points.

Dunbar vs. Perry County
Dunbar defeated Perry County 60-49 today and was led by T. J. Sisler with 32 points.  Perry County was led by Devin Gross with 18 points.

Owensboro Titans vs. Central Ky. Warriors
Owensboro won this contest by a score of 53-34.  Owensboro was led by 6-1 Zack Walker with 15 points.  Central Ky. was led by John Smith and Derrick Smith with 11 and 9 points respectively.

Bell County vs. Lincoln County
Bell County defeated Lincoln County by a score of 40-32.  Bell County was led by Jeremy Sanders with 12 points.  Lincoln County was led by 5-6 Charles Lynn Jr. with 14 points.

Central Ky. Warriors vs. Derby City Players
Cornell Burbage hit a free throw with 12 seconds remaining to give the Warriors an exciting 49-48 victory over Derby City.  Burbage led the Warriors with 23 points including 10 points in the final quarter.  Derby City was led by Antwon Beckham with 12 points.
 

Championship Bracket

Saturday May 12th  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Northern Ky. Rockets vs. Dunbar
The Rockets defeated Dunbar by a score of 59-39.  The were led by 4-11 Tim Tierney with 15 points and 5-8 Brett Sutton added 12 points. Dunbar was led by Muessig with 11 points.

Derby City Players vs. Scott County
Derby City defeated Scott County in an exciting game by a score of 56-51.  Derby City was led by 6-0 Andre Henderson and Antwon Beckham with 14 points each.  Scott County was led by 5-10 Josh Houston, 5-8 Jesse Thompson,  and 5-11 Aaron Dunaway with 18, 12 and 11 points respectively.

Lexington Benjamins vs. Boyle County
The Benjamins won this game by a score of 50-41.  The were led by 5-7 Tyson Boyd with 19 points.  Boyle County was led by Bentram and Stacy with 19 and 14 points respectively.

Northern Ky. Fastbreak vs. Oldham County
Northern Ky. Fastbreak routed Oldham County by a score of  74-18.  Fastbreak was led by 5-8 Heath White, 5-8 Andie Cannon,  and 6-5 Patrick Elliott with 15, 12 and 11 points respectively.    Oldham County was led by 5-2 Alex Buckler with 7 points.
 

Sunday May 13th  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Quarterfinal No. 1

Northern Ky. Fastbreak vs. Eastern Ky. Thunder
Northern Ky. Fastbreak defeated Eastern Ky. Thunder by a score of 48-41.  They were led by 5-8 Heath White, 5-10 Peter Gifford,  and 6-0 Jaymes McCowan with 18, 9 and 8 points respectively.   Eastern Ky. Thunder was led by Carrington and Rose with 15 and 11 points respectively.

Quarterfinal No. 2

Hardwood Warriors vs. Team Louisville
Hardwood Warriors defeated Team Louisville by a score of 45-38.  The Warriors were led by 6-0 William Jones with 10 points.  5-8 Marcus McKeethan, Anthony D. Hibbard, and Anthony G. Hibbard each added 9 points.  Team Louisville was led by 5-11 Forrest Smallwood and 5-2 Darren Petty with 13 points each.

Quarterfinal No. 3

Lexington Benjamins vs. Southland Stars
The Lexington Benjamins advanced to the semifinals with a 42-28 victory over the Southland Stars.  They were led by 5-6 Brandon Watts, 5-7 Tyson Boyd, and 5-6 Donovan Brown with 10, 10, and 8 points respectively.  The Southland Stars were led by 6-5 Seth Lawless and 5-11 Adam Grasch with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Quarterfinal No. 4

Derby City Players vs. Northern Ky. Rockets
Derby City earned a close 40-36 decision over the Northern Ky. Rockets.  Derby City was led by 6-0 Andre Henderson and Antwon Beckham with 17 and 11 points respectively.  The Rockets were led by 5-9 Michael Stephens with 10 points.  6-1 Michael Young added 8 points.

Semifinal No. 1

Hardwood Warriors vs. Northern Ky. Fastbreak
Northern Ky. led 45-29 at the end of three quarters but had to survive a furious Warrior rally to win by a score of 58-53.   They were led by 5-8 Heath White with 22 points.  6-5 Patrick Elliott was a force inside with 16 points and 12 rebounds.  The Warriors were led by Anthony G. Hibbard with 25 points including 11 points in the final quarter.  Hibbard had four three-pointers for the game. 6-0 William Jones added 14 points.
 

Hardwood Warriors	11	8	10	24	-	53
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	16	15	14	13	-	58

Hardwood Warriors	(53)	-	A.D. Hibbard 5, Cruse 0, Jones 14, McKeethan 7, A. G. Hibbard 25.
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	(58)	-	Cannon 3, McCowan 12, Elliott 16, Vories 0, White 22, Mains 5.

Semifinal No. 2

Derby City Players vs. Lexington Benjamins
Derby City utilized size and strength inside and some timely outside shooting to defeat the Benjamins by a score of 53-34.  They were led by Chris Weidner with 16 points.  Weidner broke open a close game in the third quarter with four three-pointers.  Weidner's outside bombing opened up the inside for Derby City's post players.  6-0 Demarco Williams added 11 points and 14 rebounds.  6-0 Andre Henderson added 5 points and 14 rebounds.  Julian Brown chipped in with 10 points.  5-7 Tyson Boyd led the Benjamins with 17 points.
 

Derby City Players	5	5	21	22	-	53
Lexington Benjamins	2	12	3	17	-	34

Derby City Players	(53) -	Williams 11, Nobles 5, Henderson 5, Beckham 2, J. Brown 10, D. Brown 2, Probus 2, Weidner 16.
Lexington Benjamins	(34) -	Watts 0, Scott 4, Brown 7, Jennings 2, Boyd 17, Cook 2, Miller 2.

Third Place Game

Hardwood Warriors  vs. Lexington Benjamins
The Warriors pulled away from a 25-25 tie at the end of three quarters to defeat the Benjamins 42-36.   They were led today by 6-0 William Jones with 17 points.  The Benjamins were led by Chris Scott with 15 points.
 

Hardwood Warriors	9	14	2	17	-	42
Lexington Benjamins	4	13	8	11	-	36

Hardwood Warriors	(42) -	A.D. Hibbard 8, Cruse 2, Jones 11, McKeethan 8, A. G. Hibbard 7.
Lexington Benjamins	(36) -	Brown 4, Boyd 8, Jennings 0, Scott 15, Watts 5, Cook 2, Rankin 2.

Championship Game

Derby City Players vs. Northern Ky. Fastbreak
Northern Ky. Fastbreak raced out to an early lead and easily defeated Derby City by a score of 65-29.  Northern Ky. Fastbreak  was led by 6-0 Jaymes McCowan with 20 points.  5-8 Heath White and 5-7 Jeff Vories added 16 and 10 points respectively.  6-5 Patrick Elliott added 8 points and 7 rebounds.  Derby City was led by Antwon Beckham and Chris Weidner with 7 and 6 points respectively.
 

Derby City Players	8	14	0	7	-	29
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	23	14	16	12	-	65

Derby City Players	(29) -	Williams 0, Nobles 3, Henderson 4, Beckham 7, J. Brown 0, Probus 2, Schmitt 2, Thomas 4, Weidner 6.
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	(65) -	McCowan 20, Cannon 0, Elliott 8, White 16, Mains 2, Gifford 4, Vories 10, Johnson 2, Rose 3.

2001 Kentucky AAU Championship Bracket Boys' 13 and Under
 

Northern Ky. Rockets	59		Dunbar	39
Derby City Players	56		Scott County	51
Lexington Benjamins	50		Boyle County	41
Southland Stars	29		Lincoln County	23
Eastern Ky. Thunder	43		Nelson County	23
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	74		Oldham County	18
Hardwood Warriors	55		Lexington Catholic	41
Team Louisville	50		Henderson Hoops	38
Derby City Players	40		Northern Ky. Rockets	36	Quarterfinal No. 1
Hardwood Warriors	42		Southland Stars	28	Quarterfinal No. 2
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	48		Eastern Ky. Thunder	41	Quarterfinal No. 3
Hardwood Warriors	45		Team Louisville	38	Quarterfinal No. 4
Derby City Players	53		Lexington Benjamins	34	Semifinal No. 1
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	58		Hardwood Warriors	53	Semifinal No. 2
Hardwood Warriors	42		Lexington Benjamins	36	Third Place
Northern Ky. Fastbreak	65		Derby City Players	29	Championship

Conclusion

Congratulations to coach Mark Mains and the Northern Kentucky Fastbreak team for their championship.  This was an excellent tournament with good coaching and too many players to be mentioned here.  5-8 Heath White had an excellent tourney for Fastbreak.  6-0 Jaymes McCowan, who is both quick and strong, provided Fastbreak opponents matchup difficulties.  6-5 Patrick Elliott provided the champions with a strong presence in the paint.  Derby City coach Wiley Brown had several athletes on the team:  Demarco Williams, Andre Henderson, Leroy Nobles, Antwon Beckham, etc., who could have good futures in basketball.

Eastern Ky Thunder and the Hardwood Warriors had very good teams who gave Fastbreak very competitive games.  6-0 T. J. Sisler had a very productive tourney for Dunbar and 5-8 Jesse Thompson from Scott County shows outstanding court awareness and could be a good one for coach Billy Hicks down the road.  6-2 Dexter Davidson displayed a lot of potential for Lexington Catholic.  Team Louisville always puts a good team on the floor and this year was no exception.  Mike Scott did a good job coaching the Benjamins and guided them to the final four.  Cornell Burbage had a great game leading his Central Ky. Warriors to a victory over Derby City in a pool game.  When Derby City's designated long range bomber Chris Weidner came in the game, a buzz would go through the crowd as this young man could shoot the three.  The Hardwood Warriors' Anthony G. Hibbard also had good range.  Dunbar's Bryan Hatton is a nice little playmaker who manages to find the open man.

I missed teams and players who made it to the final eight and there was also good performances by other players and teams in the pool games.  It is difficult sometimes to remember that these young athletes will just be in the 7th and 8th grades next year.  This particular age group is also interesting because of the great support by the families.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to the Mills family and to Ken Farley for all the help.  I also greatly appreciate the hospitality afforded me by the staff of the Kentucky Basketball Academy.  The coaches and parents, as usual, were very helpful in providing me with info about their teams.

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