This Tournament was played  from June 1st through June 3rd, 2001 at the Kentucky Basketball Academy in Lexington, Kentucky.  The Academy has five regulation basketball courts and is tailor-made for this type of event.

This should be a very interesting tournament with many outstanding players.  The 15 & under division has eight teams entered:  Monticello Bombers, Pendleton Co. Lady Cats, Western Ky. Lady Kats, Morehead Shooters, Northern Ky. Pioneers, Hoptown Hoyas, BMH Players, and Eastern Ky. Stars.  The Hoyas usually have some good athletes and should be a contender for the title.

The 16 & under division has seven teams entered in the competition.  They are Knott County, Bullitt East, Louisville Hoopstars, Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling, Northern Ky. Lady Eagles, Central Ky. Elite, and Central Ky. Storm.  There are some nice teams in this division but Maurice Garrard's Central Ky. Storm will be a heavy favorite to win this division.  The Storm is loaded with talent including the Bryan Station duo of Sharia Young and Tracy Harbut.  Although I have not seen her play, coach Shannon Wathen of Central Ky. Elite reportedly has a good one in 5-9 Tasha Phillips of Campbellsville.

The 17 & under division has four teams entered:  Wayne County, Louisville Lightning, Western Ky. Lady Kats, and Owensboro Independence Bank.  Owensboro would probably be the favorite with a nice perimeter game plus the inside presence of Muhlenberg North's 6-2 Jade Perry.

I managed to view several excellent games and many fine 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 June 1st  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Pendleton Co. Lady Cats vs. Morehead Shooters (15 & under)
Pendleton Co. defeated Morehead by a score of 50-45 and was led by 5-10 Megan Wood with 24 points.  Morehead was led by 5-7 Randi Wallace and 5-8 Ashley McMurtrey with 18 and 12 points respectively.

BMH Players vs. Northern Ky. Pioneers (15 & under)
BMH Players won by a score of 56-43 and were led by 5-6 Patrika Barlow with 24 points.  The Pioneers were led by Tanya Roberts with 12 points.

Western Ky. Lady Kats vs. Monticello Bombers (15 & under)
Monticello won this game by a score of 58-40.   They were led by 5-1 Sara Beaty and 5-9 Ashley Bell with 17 and 13 points respectively.  The Lady Kats were led by 5-2 Chelsea Brown and 5-11 Terisha Hogan with 16 and 11 points respectively.

Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling vs. Bullitt East (16 & under)
Bluegrass Recycling won an easy decision over Bullitt East by a score of 72-35.  They were led by 5-10 Jennifer Witte and 5-11 Kadie Wachs with 11 and 10 points respectively.  Casey Bell led Bullitt East with 14 points.

Louisville Hoopstars vs. Knott Co. (16 & under)
The Hoopstars defeated Knott Co. by a score of 76-36.  They were led by 5-6 Kellie Peyton and 5-7 Ashley Trosper with 17 and 16 points respectively.  Knott Co. was led by 5-4 Amber Scott with 13 points.

Saturday June 2nd  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Morehead Shooters vs. Monticello Bombers (15 & under)
Monticello defeated Morehead by a score of 66-47.  They were led by 5-9 Ashley Bell, 5-4 Meg Phillips, and 5-1 Sara Beaty with 20, 17 and 13 points respectively.  Morehead  was led by 5-5 Abby Alderman with 13 points.

BMH Players vs. Hoptown Hoyas (15 & under)
The Players defeated the Hoyas by a score of 66-49.  They were led today by 5-6 Patrika Barlow, 5-5 Kristy Furkins, and 6-2 Terran Duncan with 16, 16 and 15 points respectively.  The Hoyas were led by Shalea Petty and Jania Betts with 19 and 13 points respectively.

Monticello Bombers vs. Pendleton Co. Lady Cats (15 & under)
Monticello defeated Pendleton Co. by a score of  60-48.  They were led by 5-9 Ashley Bell and 5-1 Sara Beaty with 21 and 13 points respectively.  Pendleton Co. was led by 5-11 Megan Wood with 15 points.

BMH Players vs. Eastern Ky. Stars (15 & under)
BMH Players won a close 57-52 decision over the Eastern Ky. Stars.  They were led by 5-6 Patrika Barlow with 29 points.  The Stars were led by Dawn Cassidy with 28 points.

Hoptown Hoyas vs. Northern Ky. Pioneers (15 & under)
The Hoyas defeated the Pioneers by a score of  62-45.  They were led today by 5-8 Corky Stiger and Shalia Petty with 18 and 14 points respectively.  The  Pioneers were led by Megan Fletcher with 13 points.

Northern Ky. Lady Eagles vs. Central Ky. Storm (16 & under)
The Storm captured an easy 97-34 decision over the Lady Eagles.  The victors were led by Antonia Slaughter and Sharia Young with 18 and 17 points respectively.  Sarah Schell added 15 points and 6-0 Tracy Harbut chipped in with 14 points.  The Lady Eagles were led by 5-9 Jessica Wendelin with 13 points.

Knott County vs. Bullitt East (16 & under)
Knott Co.'s 5-4 Amber Scott hit a free throw with 25 seconds remaining to give her team a 41-40 victory.  They were led by 5-6 Tonya Amburgey and 5-10 Kasa Caudill with 14 and 11 points respectively.   Bullitt East was led by Mary Snider with 13 points.

Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling vs. Louisville Hoopstars (16 & under)
The Hoopstars survived a late rally by Bluegrass Recycling to secure a 68-61 victory.  They were led by 5-6 Kellie Peyton with 27 points.  6-1 Ashley Lewallen added 18 points, all in the second half.  Bluegrass Recycling was led by 5-9 Ashlie Noll, 5-10 Chrissy Isaac, and 5-11 Abby Newhouse with 15, 14 and 11 points respectively.

Central Ky. Storm vs. Central Ky. Elite (16 & under)
The Storm pulled away in the final quarter to handily defeat Central Ky. Elite 67-40.  They were led today by  6-0 Tracy Harbut with 22 points.  Central Ky. Elite was led by 5-9 Tasha Phillips and 6-3 Tamara Shelton with 14 and 12 points  respectively.

Knott County vs. Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling (16 & under)
Bluegrass Recycling defeated Knott Co. by a score of  63-55.  They were led by 5-10 Jennifer Witte with 16 points while Knott Co. was led by 5-6 Tonya Amburgey with 25 points.

Louisville Hoopstars vs. Bullitt East (16 & under)
The Hoopstars defeated Bullitt East by a score of 71-35.  They were led by 5-6 Kellie Peyton with 17 points.  Bullitt East was paced today by Nicki Keenhren  with 16 points

Louisville Lightning vs. Western Ky. Lady Kats (17 & under)
Louisville defeated Western Ky. by a score of  72-63.  They were led by 5-8 Tanisha Johnson, 5-9 Connie Neal, and 5-7 Stephanie Peiper with 20, 16, and 13 points respectively.  Western Ky. was led by 5-0 Brittany Gooch and 5-5 Kala Morton with 22 and 18 points respectively.

Wayne Co. vs. Owensboro Independence Bank (17 & under)
Independence Bank defeated Wayne Co. 73-45 and was led by 5-10 Lindsey Sparks, 5-9 Holly Mills, and 5-10 Jessica Still with 16, 11, and 10 points respectively.  5-9 Jamie Wellen and 5-11 Sandra New each tallied 10 points for Wayne Co.

Louisville Lightning vs. Wayne Co. (17 & under)
Louisville easily defeated Wayne Co. by a score of  60-30.  They were led by 5-6 Tonya Lord and 6-1 Megan Hillman with 11, and 9 points respectively.   Wayne Co. was paced by 5-11 Sandra New and 5-8 Trisha Gothrup with 7 points each.

Owensboro Independence Bank vs. Western Ky. Lady Kats (17 & under)
Independence Bank defeated Western Ky. by a score of  71-59.  They were led by 5-10 Jessica Still, 5-5 Jill Fulkerson, and 6-2 Jade Perry with 15, 14, and 14 points respectively.  Western Ky. was led by 5-0 Brittany Gooch with 22 points.

Owensboro Independence Bank vs. Louisville Lightning (17 & under)
Independence Bank led 33-18 at halftime but had to withstand a furious fourth quarter rally by Louisville to gain a 53-47 victory.  Independence Bank was led by  5-5 Jill Fulkerson and 6-2 Jade Perry with 15 points each.  Perry had 8 points down the stretch to ensure the victory.  Louisville was led by 5-9 Connie Neal with 17 points, 9 points coming in the final period.  5-8 Tanisha Johnson added 14 points.
 

Championship Bracket

Saturday June 2nd  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Hoptown Hoyas vs. Monticello Bombers (15 & under)
The Hoyas won a hard fought 69-65 decision over the Monticello Bombers.  They were led by 5-8 Corky Stiger with 33 points.  Shalia Petty added 15 points.  Monticello was led by 5-9 Ashley Bell and 5-5 Heather Carrender with 20 and 15 points respectively.  5-4 Meg Phillips and 5-1 Sara Beaty added 14 and 12 points respectively.

Eastern Ky. Stars vs. Pendleton Co. Lady Cats (15 & under)
Pendleton Co. defeated Eastern Ky. by a score of 50-32.  Pendleton Co. was led by 5-10 Megan Wood and 5-5 Erin Espelage with 18 and 19 points respectively.  Eastern Ky. was led by led by Dawn Cassidy, S. Preston, A. Derifield, and S. Music with 6 points each.

BMH Players vs. Western Ky. Lady Kats (15 & under)
The Players pulled away in the second half to win a 57-34 decision over Western Ky.  They were led by 6-2 Terran Duncan with 12 points.  Western Ky. was led by 5-2 Chelsea Brown and 5-11 Terisha Hogan with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Central Ky. Storm vs. Bullitt East (16 & under)
The Storm routed Bullitt East by a score of  69-13.  They were led today by  Chelsea Chowning with 13 points.  Bullitt East was led by Mary Snider with 6 points.

Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling vs. Northern Ky. Lady Eagles (16 & under)
Bluegrass Recycling defeated the Lady Eagles by a score of  69-51.  They were led by 5-10 Chrissy Isaac with 21 points.  The Lady Eagles were led by 5-7 Ashley Tomlin and 5-3 Sarah Fogleman with 10 and 9 points respectively.

Central Ky. Elite vs. Knott County (16 & under)
Central Ky. Elite defeated Knott Co. by a score of  52-33.  Central Ky. Elite was led by 5-9 Tasha Phillips and 6-3 Tamara Shelton with 15 and 11 points  respectively.  Knott Co. was led by 5-4 Amber Scott and 5-6 Tonya Amburgey with 10 and 9 points respectively.
.

Sunday June 3rd  (at Kentucky Basketball Academy)

Hoptown Hoyas vs. Pendleton Co. Lady Cats  (15 & under Semifinal)
The Hoyas took the measure of  Pendleton Co. by a score of 62-32.  The Hoyas were led by Patrice Wade and DeErika Jones with 16 and 11 points respectively.  Pendleton Co. was led by 5-10 Megan Wood with 14 points.

Hoptown Hoyas vs. BMH Players (15 & under Championship)
Hoptown's Corky Stiger responded to her fans chants of "MVP" by playing like one; scoring 29 points and leading her team to the championship with a 79-66 victory over the BMH Players.  BMH was led by 5-6 Patrika Barlow and 6-2 Terran Duncan with 16 and 15 points respectively.
 

Hoptown Hoyas	28	17	18	16	-	79
BMH Players	13	14	15	24	-	66

Hoptown Hoyas	(79)	-	Petty 12, Wade 11, A. Brown 5, Stiger 29, Jones 12, Maxie 4, Thomas 2, Sanchez 4.
BMH Players	(66)	-	Barlow 16, Furkins 11, Duncan 15, Perkins 10, Lindsey 2, Turner 3, Bryant 5, M. Romance 2, Shelton 2.

2001 Kentucky AAU Championship Bracket 15 and Under
 

Hoptown Hoyas	69		Monticello Bombers	65
Pendleton Co. Lady Cats	50		Eastern Ky. Stars	32
Morehead Shooters	50		Northern Ky. Pioneers	42
BMH Players	57		Western Ky. Lady Kats	34
Hoptown Hoyas	63		Pendleton Co. Lady Cats	32		(Semifinal)
BMH Players	45		Morehead Shooters	36		(Semifinal)
Pendleton Co. Lady Cats	42		Morehead Shooters	39	(OT)	(Third Place)
Hoptown Hoyas	79		BMH Players	66		(Championship)

2001 Kentucky AAU All Tournament Team 15 and Under
 

Corky Stiger		Hoptown Hoyas
Shalea Petty		Hoptown Hoyas
Patrice Wade		Hoptown Hoyas
Patrika Barlow		BMH Players
Kristy Furkins		BMH Players
Terran Duncan		BMH Players
Ashley McMurtrey		Morehead Shooters
Joy White		Morehead Shooters
Megan Wood		Pendleton Co. Lady Cats
Erin Espelage		Pendleton Co. Lady Cats
Ashley Bell		Monticello Bombers
Sara Beaty		Monticello Bombers
Megan Fletcher		Northern Ky. Pioneers
Chelsea Brown		Western Ky. Lady Kats
Dawn Cassidy		Eastern Ky. Stars

Louisville Hoopstars vs. Central Ky. Elite (16 & under Semifinal)
The Hoopstars defeated Central Ky. Elite 67-62 in an excellent game.  The Hoopstars were led by 5-6 Kellie Peyton, 5-10 Crystal DeLorch, and 6-1 Ashley Lewallen with 15, 13, and 12 points respectively.  5-7 Mandy Evans added 11 points and played outstanding defense, helping hold Elite standout 5-9 Tasha Phillips to 11 points.  Elite was led today by 5-10 Amanda Miller, 5-8 Whitney Webster, and Phillips with 13, 11, and 11 points  respectively.

Central Ky. Storm vs. Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling  (16 & under Semifinal)
Storm defeated Bluegrass Recycling  by a score of 60-34.  6-0 Tracy Harbut led a balanced Storm attack with 11 points. Sarah Schell added 9 points. Bluegrass Recycling was led by 5-10 Jennifer Witte, and 5-8 Catie Baker with 9 and 8 points respectively.

Louisville Hoopstars vs. Central Ky. Storm  (16 & under Championship)
Central Ky. Storm, coached by Maurice Garrard, continued their tourney domination with a 74-30 victory over the Louisville Hoopstars.   6-0 Tracy Harbut and Antonia Slaughter led the way with 20 and 17 points respectively.  The Hoopstars were led by 5-7 Mandy Evans with 7 points.
 

Louisville Hoopstars	4	9	6	11	-	30
Central Ky. Storm	10	22	19	23	-	74

Louisville Hoopstars	(30) -	DeLorch 6, Evans 7, Lewallen 4, Peyton 6, Trosper 0, Smith-Williams 2, Hudson 5.
Central Ky. Storm	(74) -	A. Slaughter 17, Young 0, Garrard 7, A. Brown 2, Harbut 20, R. Brown 11, Green 2, Schell 8, Chowning 8.

2001 Kentucky AAU Championship Bracket 16 and Under
 

Central Ky. Elite	52		Knott County	33
Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling	69		Northern Ky. Lady Eagles	51
Central Ky. Storm	69		Bullitt East	13
Louisville Hoopstars	67		Central Ky. Elite	62		(Semifinal)
Central Ky. Storm	60		Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling	34		(Semifinal)
Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling	53		Central Ky. Elite	49	(OT)	(Third Place)
Central Ky. Storm	74		Louisville Hoopstars	30		(Championship)

2001 Kentucky AAU All Tournament Team 16 and Under
 

Tracy Harbut		Central Ky. Storm
Sharia Young		Central Ky. Storm
Chelsea Chowning		Central Ky. Storm
Antonia Slaughter		Central Ky. Storm
Kellie Peyton		Louisville Hoopstars
Ashley Lewallen		Louisville Hoopstars
Ashley Trosper		Louisville Hoopstars
Tasha Phillips		Central Ky. Elite
Amanda Miller		Central Ky. Elite
Jennifer Witte		Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling
Ashlie Noll		Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling
Julie Burks		Northern Ky. Bluegrass Recycling
Jessica Wendelin		Northern Ky. Lady Eagles
Amber Scott		Knott County
Nicki Keenhren		Bullitt East

Louisville Lightning vs. Western Ky. Lady Kats (17 & under Semifinal)
Western Ky. led 51-50 at the end of three quarters but Louisville, led by 5-8 Tanisha Johnson and 5-7 Stephanie Pieper, surged ahead in the final period to win a 72-62 decision.  Louisville was led by Johnson with 31 points, including 9 in the final period.  6-1 Megan Hillman added 14 points.  Pieper scored all 6 of her points in the decisive final period.  Western Ky. was led by 5-0 Brittany Gooch, 5-10 Cassie Shemwell, and 5-5 Kala Morton with 14, 12, and 12 points respectively.

Owensboro Independence Bank vs. Louisville Lightning (17 & under Championship)
Louisville took a late lead and held on to subdue Owensboro Independence Bank 50-48 in an exciting championship.  5-9 Connie Neal and 6-0 Carrie Kershner hit key three pointers in the third quarter to help Louisville gain a 41-41 tie at the end of three quarters.  Louisville tallied 10 three-pointers for the game.  They were led today by 5-8 Tanisha Johnson and Kershner with 16 and 14 points respectively.  Owensboro Independence Bank was led by 5-10 Lindsey Sparks, 5-10 Jessica Still, and 6-2 Jade Perry with 13, 9, and 9 points respectively.
 

Owensboro Independence Bank	15	10	16	7	-	48
Louisville Lightning	10	10	21	9	-	50

Owensboro Independence Bank	(48)	-	Fulkerson 7, Sparks 13, Payne 4, Still 9, Perry 9, Mills 6.
Louisville Lightning	(50)	-	Pieper 5, Neal 6, Johnson 16, Hillman 0, Kershner 14, Mineer 3, Lord 3, Fahey 3.

2001 Kentucky AAU Championship Bracket 17 and Under
 

Owensboro Independence Bank	54		Wayne County	35	(Semifinal)
Louisville Lightning	72		Western Ky. Lady Kats	62	(Semifinal)
Western Ky. Lady Kats	53		Wayne County	42	(Third Place)
Louisville Lightning	50		Owensboro Independence Bank	48	(Championship)

2001 Kentucky AAU All Tournament Team 17 and Under
 

Connie Neal		Louisville Lightning
Tanisha Johnson		Louisville Lightning
Megan Hillman		Louisville Lightning
Carrie Kershner		Louisville Lightning
Jill Fulkerson		Owensboro Independence Bank
Jade Perry		Owensboro Independence Bank
Jessica Still		Owensboro Independence Bank
Lindsey Sparks		Owensboro Independence Bank
Brittany Gooch		Western Ky. Lady Kats
Erica Gordian		Western Ky. Lady Kats
Kala Morton		Western Ky. Lady Kats
Sandra New		Wayne County
Trisha Gothrup		Wayne County

Conclusion

Congratulations to the Hoptown Hoyas,  Central Ky. Storm, and the Louisville Lightning for their championships.  This was an excellent tournament with too many players to mention them all here.  Central Ky. Storm lived up to their reputation and are absolutely loaded with talent.  Kellie Peyton had an excellent tourney for the Hoopstars and Elite's Tasha Phillips is an excellent player.  Bluegrass Recycling's Abby Newhouse is a nice player.  Abby normally plays with her back to the basket, but she also appears to be comfortable facing the basket.  I also enjoyed watching Hoopstars' 5-4 Anitha Smith-Williams play.  She always seems to make something good happen for ther team.

Hoptown Hoyas' Corky Stiger is a slashing player who can get to the hoop in a hurry.  BMH Players' Patrika Barlow is another player who had an outstanding tourney.  Sara Beaty of Monticello is the type of player who makes everyone around her better.

Jade Perry had a good tourney for Owensboro Independence Bank and is unstoppable down low on the blocks.  Western Ky's Brittany Gooch is a blur on the court -- excellent quickness.  Louisville Lightning coach Samantha Williams did an exccellent job -- extremely calm and competent under pressure.  Tanisha Johnson had an excellent tourney for the champion Lightning squad, scoring both inside and out.  Louisville Lightning's Connie Neal played with enthusiasm and intensity and seemed to energize her teammates after one of her patented three point bombs.  Most of her points appeared to come in key situations.  It was an entertaining tourney and in today's vernacular "the girls got game."

Once again, my complements to the owners and management of the Kentucky Basketball Academy.  This is a wonderful place for multi-game events and seems to be well received by both players and fans.

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 .