Covington Catholic forward C.J. Fredrick watches the flight of the ball put up by Trinity guard Brendan King. 19 December 2016

Despite Saturday’s 62-56 loss to South Laurel, the Covington Catholic High School boys basketball team kept the No. 1 spot in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings released Monday.

The Colonels are 12-4 and are scheduled to host Cincinnati’s Winton Woods on Tuesday.

Junior guard and leading scorer C.J. Fredrick (21.9 ppg) has missed Covington Catholic’s past five games with a high ankle sprain. Colonels coach Scott Ruthsatz said Fredrick likely will be out “the next several weeks.”

Ballard (10-3) is No. 2 in the Litratings, followed by Trinity (15-1), Bowling Green (12-2) and Scott County (10-3).

The Litratings are a computerized ranking of every team in the state based on strength of schedule, margin of victory and other factors. Games against out-of-state opponents are not factored.

Here are the complete rankings

Western Warriors head football coach Torrey Shinholster yells instructions to his team. 04 November 2016

Two more Jefferson County Public School football programs are searching for head coaches after the resignations of Western’s Torrey Shinholster and Seneca’s Ted Leasor.

Shinholster resigned Friday after posting a 24-35 record over five seasons at Western. His best season was his first in 2012, when the Warriors finished 6-7 and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4-A playoffs.

“I’ve been at Western since 2009, and it’s time for a change for me; that’s all it was,” Shinholster said. “I have two daughters who play basketball at Butler and another one who plays T-ball, and I want to spend more time with them.”

Western and Seneca are among six JCPS high schools now searching for head football coaches, joining Ballard, Central, Eastern and Pleasure Ridge Park.

Shinholster said it’s not a coincidence that several coaches have stepped down this off-season.

“You look around at other states and coaches are treated more like administrators and paid very well for their time,” he said. “I feel like we give out a lot and we’re not getting much in return. At a school like Western … we haven’t had new uniforms in four years. It’s hard to fundraise at a poor school.

“Guys are getting older, and their kids are getting older. Guys are putting their priorities straight and putting their families first. You can’t be mad at that.”

Western athletic director Jared Baker said the school is accepting applications for Shinholster’s replacement.

Seneca athletic director Scott Ricks said Leasor stepped down Monday after going 1-21 in two seasons, getting his only victory on Oct. 7 of last year when the Redhawks beat Jeffersontown 42-32.

Ricks said the Seneca program started the 2016 season with 50 players and finished with 18.

“He didn’t kick anyone off the team; they either left because of grades or behavioral issues,” Ricks said. “He changed the program around. We went from a 2.1 team GPA when he started to a 2.6 GPA. We didn’t have any classroom issues with the kids. It just came down to a numbers game for us.”

Western Warriors head football coach Torrey Shinholster yells instructions to his team. 04 November 2016

Two more Jefferson County Public School football programs are searching for head coaches after the resignations of Western’s Torrey Shinholster and Seneca’s Ted Leasor.

Shinholster resigned Friday after posting a 24-35 record over five seasons at Western. His best season was his first in 2012 when the Warriors finished 6-7 and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4-A playoffs.

“I’ve been at Western since 2009, and it’s time for a change for me; that’s all it was,” Shinholster said. “I have two daughters who play basketball at Butler and another one who plays T-ball, and I want to spend more time with them.”

Western and Seneca are among six JCPS high schools now searching for head football coaches, joining Ballard, Central, Eastern and Pleasure Ridge Park.

Shinholster said it’s not a coincidence that several coaches have stepped down this off-season.

“You look around at other states and coaches are treated more like administrators and paid very well for their time,” he said. “I feel like we give out a lot and we’re not getting much in return. At a school like Western … we haven’t had new uniforms in four years. It’s hard to fundraise at a poor school.

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“Guys are getting older, and their kids are getting older. Guys are putting their priorities straight and putting their families first. You can’t be mad at that.”

Western athletic director Jared Baker said the school is accepting applications for Shinholster’s replacement.

Seneca athletic director Scott Ricks said Leasor stepped down Monday after going 1-21 in two seasons, getting his only victory on Oct. 7 of last year when the Redhawks beat Jeffersontown 42-32.

Ricks said the Seneca program started the 2016 season with 50 players and finished with 18.

“He didn’t kick anyone off the team; they either left because of grades or behavioral issues,” Ricks said. “He changed the program around. We went from a 2.1 team GPA when he started to a 2.6 GPA. We didn’t have any classroom issues with the kids. It just came down to a numbers game for us.”

COVINGTON CATHOLIC STILL NO. 1 BUT LOSES KEY PLAYER

Despite Saturday’s 62-56 loss to South Laurel, the Covington Catholic boys basketball team kept the No. 1 spot in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings released Monday.

The Colonels are 12-4 and are scheduled to host Cincinnati’s Winton Woods on Tuesday.

Junior guard and leading scorer C.J. Fredrick (21.9 ppg) has missed Covington Catholic’s past five games with a high ankle sprain. Colonels coach Scott Ruthsatz said Fredrick likely will be out “the next several weeks.”

Ballard (10-3) is No. 2 in the Litratings, followed by Trinity (15-1), Bowling Green (12-2) and Scott County (10-3).

The Litratings are a computerized ranking of every team in the state based on strength of schedule, margin of victory and other factors. Games against out-of-state opponents are not factored.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

Butler guard Jaelynn Penn comes between Mercer County forward Faith Lake, left, and Mercer County forward Lyric Houston on the way to the basket. 07 January 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The top teams in the Kentucky Associated Press high school basketball polls, with first-place votes, records, and total points:

BOYS

Rank-SchoolFPVRcdTP1. Trinity(12)15-11372. Covington Catholic(1)12-41023. Bowling Green(1)12-2904. Fern Creek-14-2805. Ballard-10-3626. Scott County-10-3537. Christian County-12-2528. Paul Dunbar-12-4349. Campbell County-14-12610. Cooper-12-322

Others receiving votes: South Laurel 17. Harlan County 14. Lexington Christian 13. Corbin 11. Doss 9. Hopkinsville 8. Lexington Catholic 7. Hancock County 6. Pulaski Southwestern 5. Perry County Central 4. South Oldham 3. Graves County 3. Knox Central 3. Owensboro Catholic 2. Franklin-Simpson 2. Adair Co2. Apollo 2. North Laurel 1.

GIRLS

 Rank-SchoolFPVRcdTP1. Butler(7)14-11312. Male(5)13-11233. Mercer County(1)10-4904. Simon Kenton-11-3655. Manual-12-3546. Sacred Heart-10-4507. Franklin County-12-2478. Elizabethtown(1)10-2449. Murray-12-34010. Henderson County-23

Others receiving votes: Harlan County 16. Mason County 11. Monroe County 9. Scott County 7. Graves County 7. Paintsville 7. Casey County 6. South Laurel 6. Perry County Central 5. Eastern 5. Bullitt East 4. Holmes 4. Clark County 3. North Laurel 3. Bowling Green 3. Glasgow 2. Leslie County 2. Highlands 2. Harlan 1.

 This week’s voters: Daily News, Bowling Green; Times-Tribune, Corbin; Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow; Daily Enterprise, Harlan; The Gleaner, Henderson; Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville; The Courier-Journal, Louisville; The Ledger Independent, Maysville; The Mayfield Messenger, Mayfield; Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro; The Paducah Sun, Paducah; Times Leader Princeton, Princeton; WDKY, Lexington; WSON, Henderson.

St. X head coach Kevin Klein instructs his team against Trinity at Broadbent Arena. Jan. 6, 2017

Just eight games into his varsity career, St. Xavier High School’s Sam Boarman is already making quite the impression on his Tigers teammates.

The sophomore scored a game and career-high 17 points for the Tigers (10-5), who pulled away from Moore 62-50 in the first round of the Republic Bank Boys Louisville Invitational Tournament at Valley on Monday night.

Boarman made 4-of-8 three-pointers, including one with 5:27 left that broke a 45-all tie and gave the Tigers the lead for good. It sparked a 16-2 run as Moore went scoreless for more than four minutes down the stretch.

“Sam is just an unbelievably talented and poised basketball player,” Tigers coach Kevin Klein said. “It’s hard to find a weakness in his game.”

The Tigers needed the strong finish to overcome a nightmarish start and advance to Wednesday, when they’ll face archrival Trinity. Senior forward Pierce Kielser, the team’s leading scorer, drew two fouls in the first 1:09 and sat for the rest of the half. Another starter, freshman James Taylor, also drew two fouls early. While Taylor came back in the second quarter, the Mustangs took advantage of the Tigers’ foul trouble to take a 27-22 halftime lead.

That lead grew to 34-25 before the Tigers used a 9-0 third quarter run to climb back in the game. After sitting for nearly 15 minutes, Kiesler did not show any rust as he scored 15 points, all after halftime, to aid in the rally. Taylor added 13 points, dished out 10 assists and committed just one turnover.

Boarman credited his freshman teammate, Taylor for his ability to set up the Tigers’ offense.

“I think he’s the biggest role player on the offense,” the sophomore said. “he knows how to distribute. He’s actually our floor general.”

The Mustangs (11-5), making their first appearance in the LIT since 2013, were led by Antwan Hurt’s 10 points. Making it to Valley allowed the coach Roy Sutton’s team to check off one of its goals for the season, but the second-year coach said they are far from content.

“We felt like we could win tonight and left one hanging, but we won’t hold our heads on this one,” Sutton said.

Christian Academy 80, Manual 60: The Centurions (14-3) used a big run and a big night from Parker Jones to put away the Crimsons (3-12) and earn their first LIT win since 2010.

Jones, who entered Wednesday averaging 21.8 points per game, scored 21 of his 35 points in the first half as the Centurions went on a 23-0 runto put the game out of reach by midway through the second quarter.

With 30 left in the first quarter, CAL clung to a 14-12 lead, but the Centurions managed to score the final six points of the period. That started the run that put the game away. Jones scored 12 of his points in the quarter.

“Our team will go as far as Parker Jones goes,” said CAL assistant coach Derwin Webb. “So, if he plays well, we’re going to play well.”

The Centurions saw the lead grow to as much as 33 late in the third quarter before Manual began cutting into it the lead in the fourth quarter. But the Crimsons could not overcome their sluggish start. They made just 8 of 26 shots in the first half, while committing 13 of their 17 turnovers in the opening 16 minutes.

Jones, who also pulled down 11 rebounds, said his team’s pressure defense spurred the run.

“We try to get them running and then we trap as soon as they get past halfcourt,” Jones said. “That forces turnovers, and we’re good at fast breaks. That leads to most of our points.”

The Centurions, who play Ballard Wednesday evening, made 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) in the first half. Jordan McClendon led Manual with 15.

Wyatt Allison came off the bench to pitch in 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting for CAL, and Michael Woodward added 10.

Central 64, Jeffersontown 48: The Yellowjackets (8-6) used pressure defense throughout the game to swarm the Chargers (7-8) and advance in the opening game Wednesday afternoon.

Despite playing on a college-sized court, Central coach Doug Bibby wanted to use a full-court press to keep J’town from getting set in its offense, geared toward forward Delvonte McCloud. The 6-6 senior still scored 15 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, but the Chargers committed 28 turnovers and shot just 39.1 percent (18-of-46) for the game.

We got them out of the rhythm taking some tough shots,” Bibby said.

Central, which advances to play Doss Wednesday afternoon, got 24 points from Devin Firman and 15 from Derron Douglas. Justin Baker added 12 for J’town.

Fairdale 69, Western 62: Glenn Queen’s steal and subsequent layup with 58 seconds left helped the Bulldogs (7-8) hold off the Warriors (6-9) and advance to a second-round matchup with top-seeded Fern Creek on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 14 in the second half and were up 56-44 midway through the fourth quarter, but Western climbed back to within 63-60 with just over a minute remaining behind the efforts of O’Neal Swint, who finished with 22 points, and Dajour Cameron, who added 14. The Warriors then forced a turnover in their end to set up a possible tying basket.

But Queen, a junior guard, came up with a steal on the inbounds pass and went the distance to make it a five-point game. The 5-9 guard finished with 24 points.

“It seems like when we need that big play, he’s the guy that usually comes through for us and makes it happen,” Fairdale coach David Hicks said.

2017 REPUBLIC BANK BOYS LOUISVILLE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

First Round At Valley High School

ST. XAVIER 62, MOORE 50

Moore (11-5)

J.J. Weaver 7p 7r 2b, Antwan Hurt 10p, Rae Von Vaden 3p, Russell Vaden 2p, Maleek Anderson 9p, Shamar Overstreet 8p, Ramon Collins 8p 5r, Keagan Gentry 3p.

St. Xavier (10-5)

James Taylor 13p 10a, Chase Westenhofer 4p, Tyler Barnes 4p, Paul Oberst 6p 5r, Sam Boarman 17p, Evan Walker 3p, Pierce Kiesler 15p.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 80, MANUAL 60

Manual (3-12)

William Britt 6p 3a, Jonah Gelhaus 2, Lesther Perez-Garay 3p, Jordan McClendon 15p 6r, Kenyan Jocob 3p, Brock Casin 7p, Eli Roberts 6p, Terrance Ballard 7p, Alex Conlin 5p, Zach Recktenwald 2p, Andrew Schaaf 4p.

CAL (14-3)

Kenneth Purvis 9p 3b, Parker Jones 35p 11r, Hayden Pass 2p, Wyatt Allison 15p, Austin Carr 2p 5a, Michael Woodward 10p, Milton Wright 7p.

CENTRAL 64, JEFFERSONTOWN 48

Jeffersontown (7-8)

Jalen Davis 5p, Delvonte McCloud 15p 17r 4b, Jaden Rogers 9p, Justin Baker 12p, Chris Trigg 7p.

Central (8-6)

Korey Johnson 5p, Devin Firman 24p, Derron Douglas 15p, Andy Crittenden 6p, Dominique Knight 7p 8r, Twan Thompson 1p, Josh Watkins 4p, Josh Black 2p.

FAIRDALE 69, WESTERN 62

Western (6-9)

Mark Jones 5p, Dajour Cameron 14p 6r, O’Neal Swint 22p, Stoney Mack 3p, Russean Wright 4a, Dazmen Lively 3p, Juvon Thompson 1p, JuJuantae Dickerson 4p, Tyon Pearson 8p, Jaelin Shannon 2p.

Fairdale (7-8, 4-2 Sixth Region)

Glenn Queen 24p 8r 4a, Jay Gaddie 10p 5a, Markelo Sullivan 9p 7r, Ike Roby 11p 9r 3b, Seth Dewboys 3p, Craig Ash 12p.

Welcome to Louisville Invitational Tournament coverage central.

Trinity forward David Burton tries to slow down the driving Fern Creek guard Chance Moore on his way to the basket. 18 December 2016

Jason Frakes and the rest of the Courier-Journal high school sports crew are covering the long-running tournament, now in its 70th edition, so bookmark this page and visit often for scores, bracket updates and links to more in-depth coverage.

The tournament began Monday at Valley High School.

Pre-tournament coverage

►Mid-season grades for all teams in the LIT

►Covington Catholic still No. 1 in Litkenhous Ratings

►Trinity boys top AP High School Basketball poll

Louisville Invitational Tournament Bracket

Schedule

Monday

G1: Central 64, Jeffersontown 46

G2: Christian Academy of Louisville 80, Manual 60

G3: St. Xavier 62, Moore 50

G4: Fairdale 69, Western 62

Tuesday

G5: Waggener 63, Male 58

G6: Eastern 53, Butler 47

G7: Valley 59, DeSales 45

G8: Bullitt East 68, Pleasure Ridge Park 48

Wednesday

G9: No. 14 Central vs. No. 3 Doss, 3:30 p.m.

G10: No. 16 Fairdale vs. No. 1 Fern Creek, 5 p.m.

G11: No. 13 CAL vs. No. 4 Ballard, 6:30 p.m.

G12: No. 15 St. Xavier vs. No. 2 Trinity, 8:15 p.m.

Friday

Quarterfinals at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:45 p.m.

Saturday

Semifinals at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Final at 8 p.m.

For live updates, follow Jason Frakes on Twitter @kyhighs.

DuPont Manual basketball player Tonysha Curry. Nov. 7, 2016.

Tuesday night, a couple of lesser-known players on the Manual girls basketball team gave the Crimsons’ stars a break, coming through in the clutch.

Junior forward Aniah Griffin and senior guard Marlena Groves both made big plays down the stretch in Manual’s come-from-behind, 65-63 victory over visiting Mercy in a matchup of Top 10 teams.

Griffin and Groves combined for 17 of their team’s 21 fourth-quarter points as the Crimsons (13-3), who are No. 5 in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings, erased a six-point deficit against the No. 9 Jaguars (9-8).

Griffin, who didn’t make a shot in the first three quarters, hit a quartet of 3-pointers in the final period. Groves, meanwhile, hit three free throws in the final 30 seconds, then got her own rebound after missing a fourth freebie with 1.2 seconds left to seal the win.

“It’s fun to see different kids have that opportunity and be able to succeed in those kinds of moments,” Manual coach Jeff Sparks said. “We spend a lot of time talking about ‘team,’ and different team members had to step up tonight and help us out.”

The Crimsons, though, had to dig themselves out of an early hole.

Mercy came out on fire, hitting eight of its first 13 shots – including four 3-pointers – to build an 11-point first-quarter lead.

MORE COVERAGE

►LIT scores, bracket and news

►CAL guard Calhoun records quadruple-double

►Boarman leads St. X in win over Moore in LIT

​►Green, Ezell lift Bullitt East over PRP

Josie Woods’ third 3-pointer of the game extended the Jags’ advantage to 30-16 less than a minute into the second period.

But then the Crimsons began their comeback, spearheaded by star Tonysha Curry. The 5-foot-10 senior forward had a part in 13 points (with four baskets, a free throw and two assists) in a 19-4 surge that gave Manual its first lead.

The Jags, though, reclaimed the lead just before the half at 37-35, then added to their advantage in the third quarter. Sadie Zeisloft’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer put Mercy up 50-44 heading into the final frame, setting the stage for the heroics of Griffin and Groves.

Griffin, who entered the game shooting 30 percent from 3-point range, hit her first 3 just 23 seconds into the fourth quarter before adding another three minutes later to tie it up.

“I started shooting when I was open…then once the first one went in it just turned me on,” Griffin said.

Midway through the period, Jaela Johnson, the team’s leading scorer (22.2 points per game), went to the bench with muscle cramps. She did not return. In her place, Griffin delivered.

“I knew I had to step up,” she said.

Griffin’s third 3-pointer broke a 56-all tie and gave Manual the lead for good with 3:36 left. She drilled another one with 2:07 to play to boost the Crimsons’ advantage to five.

The Jags had a chance to win in the final seconds after Curry missed the front end of a one-and-one with 12.6 seconds left. With Manual leading 64-63, Mercy worked the ball around the perimeter before freshman Hope Sivori launched a 3-pointer. Her shot rattled in and out, and Groves was fouled on the rebound.

Groves, who hit a jumper early in the quarter and drilled two free throws with 30 seconds left, hit her first foul shot but missed the second. However, she snared her own rebound to preserve the win.

Curry led Manual with 15 points and 15 rebounds while Nila Blackford added 12 and nine. Johnson finished with 11 points for the Crimsons, who shot 49 percent from the field.

Woods scored a game-high 19 points, on the strength of five 3-pointers, and grabbed nine rebounds for Mercy, which shot 40 percent (20 for 50) from the field. Danielle Feldkamp added 16 points for the Jags, who have played a very difficult early-season schedule.

“It’s one of the top in the country,” Mercy coach Keith Baisch said. “We’re challenging ourselves and that’s what we want to do. I told the kids in there tonight, I’m really proud of them for their fight, but we made some mistakes.”

MANUAL 65, MERCY 63

MERCY (9-8)

Josie Woods 19p, 9r; Hope Sivori 5p; Raquel Reese 5p; Regan Berger 11p, 6a; Danielle Feldkamp 16p, 5r; Sadie Zeisolft 7p.

MANUAL (13-3)

Jaela Johnson 11p; Tonysha Curry 15p, 15r, 4a; Tyonne Howard 8p, 4stl; Nila Blackford 12p, 9r; Marlena Groves 7p; Griffin 12p.

Christian Academy of Louisville basketball player Shelby Calhoun. Nov. 7, 2016.

Shelby Calhoun, a 5-foot-10 guard for Christian Academy of Louisville, completed one of basketball’s rare feats, recording a quadruple-double in the Centurions’ 72-52 loss on Tuesday to Elizabethtown, ranked No. 6 in the latest Courier-Journal Litkenhous Ratings.

Calhoun had a team-high 27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 blocks. She also had three assists.

“It’s impressive no matter what age, but being a freshman, it’s even more impressive,” CAL coach Perry White said. “She had 10 blocked shots which is impressive in itself. She also has good stat lines on the assists. She’s gotten (double-doubles) with steals twice. She’s long, she’s athletic, she’s able to read the passing lanes, and she has a very high basketball IQ for a ninth grader.”

MORE COVERAGE

►LIT scores, bracket and news

►Boarman leads St. X in win over Moore in LIT

​►Green, Ezell lift Bullitt East over PRP

​►Role players take over as Manual edges Mercy

Despite her young age, Calhoun has been playing varsity basketball since she was in seventh grade. And since early in the season, she’s been counted on for the bulk of the Centurions’ scoring as senior guard Emma Wesley recovers from an ankle injury. According to the KHSAA, coming into 2017 Calhoun was averaging 19.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Calhoun has recorded at least a double-double in 12 straight games and has recorded one in 13 of her last 14 games.

“She’ll do things in spurts but she plays the whole game,” White said. “Defensively she’s making things happen and she does so many things you may lose track of her points and rebounds, and she’ll make a move and you’ll say ‘wow that was impressive.’ I’ll literally turn around and look at my assistants and say ‘wow did that just happen.'”

Calhoun was recently voted Courier-Journal Louisville Metro Athlete of the Week.

Here are more girls basketball scores from around Metro Louisville from Jan. 10, 2017:

PRESENTATION 75, THOMAS NELSON 34

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lilly Stephenson tied a school record with seven 3-pointers to lead Presentation (10-5) in a rout over visiting Thomas Nelson (3-10). Twelve players recorded points in the balanced game for the Toppers. Presentation’s defense also did not allow a single player for the Generals to reach double-figures in scoring.

THOMAS NELSON (3-10)

Marley Rogers 5p; Bethany Orr 6p; Valerie Rogers 1p; Marlee Napper 1p; Bailey Stiles 2p; Kenleigh Fritz 4p; Haleigh Reiter 9p; Shelby Ball 6p.

PRESENTATION (10-5)

Nicole Kuchma 8p; Hannah Smith 2p; Ashlynn Tucker 2p; Courtney Jackson 10p; Lauren Nunnelley 3p; Jaelin Thompson 11p; Lilly Stephenson 26p; Maddie Ruxer 2p; Julia Vogt 2p; Madison Perkins 4p; Cassie Jones 2p; Ashley Swearingen 3p.

FAIRDALE 62, ATHERTON 53

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sarah Overley’s career high of 32 points was not enough to overcome Tyasia Brown and Fairdale (6-10). Brown scored 20 points of her own, including 17 in the first half to defeat the Rebels (9-10). Fairdale led the entire game and built on a 36-28 lead at the half.

ATHERTON (9-10)

Lauren Burch 4p; Sarah Overley 32p; Sam Portman 2p; Hailey Stone 4p; Lucy Washington 1p; Samantha Nevitt 10p.

FAIRDALE (6-10)

Shanice Thomas 15p, 3r; Tyasia Brown 20p, 3r, 3a; Maria Nylund 7p, 3r, 7a; Valerie Johnson 4p; Janaesha Jefferson 8p, 5r; Sheree Lattimore 8p, 5r.

BETH HAVEN 34, KENTUCKY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 18

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bearcats (3-7) defeated the Colonels (2-8) behind Becca Sharp’s 12 points. Sharp was assisted by Delaine White’s eight points and Serena Vaughn’s seven points. The Colonels were led by Keaura Davis’s six points.

BETH HAVEN (3-7)

Becca Sharp 12p; Delanie White 8p; Serena Vaughn 7p; Leslie Pierre 3p; Gabby Ellis 2p; Kenzie Davis 2p.

KENTUCKY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (2-8)

Keaura Davis 6p; Zoe Andrews 4p; Kayley Vickers 4p; Haylie Kircher 2p; Abrana Norris 2p.

SACRED HEART 79, OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 41

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Valkyries (10-4) defeated the Aces (11-7), 79-41 Tuesday night. Sacred Heart built a 12-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Sacred Heart was led by Kiki Samsel 18 points. Freshmen Erin Toller and Destinee Marshall both chipped in six points. Owensboro Catholic was led by Sarah Beth Clemens 12 points.

SACRED HEART (10-4)

Destinee Marshall 6p; Kelly Weisbach 4p; Cierra Scott 4p; Ashlee Harris 2p; Kiki Samsel 18p; Caroline Flaherty 5p; Erin Toller 6p; Kia Sivils 8p; Taylor Utter 2p; Natalie Ficthter 12p; Grace Berger 12p.

OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (11-7)

Spencer Harvey 2p; Katelin Maggard 9p; Hannah McKay 8p; Sarah Beth Clemens 12p; Ellie Mitchell 4p; Mackenzie Keelin 6p.

E’TOWN 72, CAL 52

E’TOWN (11-2)

Knight 7p; Murphy 4p; Pack 7p; Hay 9p; Jada Stinson 32p; Walker 6p; Thomas 7p.

CAL (9-5)

Conti 8p, 4r, 3a, 3s; Franks 5p, 4r, 1a; Calhoun 27p, 12r, 3a, 10s, 10b; McDonald 2p, 4r, 1a, 2s; Beam 10p, 3r, 5a, 1s.

HOLY CROSS 48, MOORE 44

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Cougars (6-10) held off the Mustangs (9-4). The Cougars went 17-of-25 from the free-throw line to hold off the Mustangs. Junior Madison Turner led Holy Cross with 13 points and seven rebounds. Moore was led by Daija Stafford nine points.

HOLY CROSS (6-10)

Ally Klein 6p, 3r; Kailey Reed 11p, 4s; Lauren Schraut 8p, 5r; Halle Snyder  9p, 5r; Madison Turner 13p, 7r; Amber Kaufman 1p.

MOORE (9-4)

Daija Stafford 9p; Nicola Adams 3p; Takiya Adams 2p; Stacia Hayes 6p; Sage Blue

ASSUMPTION 56, PRP 32

ASSUMPTION (9-4)

Jacqueline Raque 2p, 3r, 1a; McKenna Schelb 2p; Madalynn Nalley 2p, 1r; Abby McQueary 7p, 2r,1a; Samantha Babey 9p,1r,1a; Reese Sexton 3p,1r, Jenna Calhoun 3r; Maggie Metzger 4p,1a; Piper Gray 10p, 11r, 2a; Kristen Olinick 2p, 2r, 3a; Taylor Allen 6p, 2r, 3a; Grace Bringard 6p, 3r; Payton Cronen 3p, 1r.

PRP (8-5)

Makenna Combs 5p, Reaunna Halsell 4p, Amani Saunders 7p, Mariah Jones 6p, Perri Mitchell 10p.

CENTRAL 37, FLOYD CENTRAL 36

CENTRAL (7-5)

Lisa Guin 4p; Shamaria Stikes 2p; Precious Hereford 14p, 13r, 5s; Darian Neal 3p; Stephonie Coles 6p, 5r; Aurianna Burnett 1p; India New 7p.

FLOYD CENTRAL (12-7)

Calisa Fosskuhl 6p; Lindsey Dortch 3p; Gracie Fitzgerald 4p; C.J. Clark 16p; Mackenzie Hashem 2p; Grace Hale 5p.

BUTLER 57, BALLARD 12

BUTLER (14-1)

Breia Torrens 7p;  Tasia Jefferies 7p; Kiara Cain 10p; Jaelynn Penn 11p; Teri Goodlett 8p; Molly Lockhart 14p;

BALLARD (4-8)

Cameryn Austin 6p; Kiarah Carney 4p; Naria Reed 2p.

HENRY CO. 43, NORTH OLDHAM 37

NEW CASTLE, Ky. – The Mustangs (9-6) struggled on both ends of the court Tuesday night losing to the Wildcats (2-13), 43-37. The Mustangs were led by Anne-Thomas Proctor with 13 points. Sophie Hale added 11 points and Caitlyn Chen added five points and seven rebounds. Henry County was led by Alean Tuggle with 11 points.

NORTH OLDHAM (9-6) 

Anne Proctor 13p; Sophie Hale 11p; Caitlyn Chen 5p; Alyssa Gordon 2p; Skylar Gillies 2p; Hannah Cleveland 2p; Dani Monroe 2p.

HENRY COUNTY (2-13)

Aleah Tuggle 11p; Jessie Archer 10p; Kaylee Tingle 9p; Haley Miles 7p; Ashley Mullins 5p; Janey Thompson 1p.

Trinity head basketball coach Mike Szabo talks to Trinity forward Jay Scrubb during a break in the action. 20 December 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The top teams in the Kentucky Associated Press high school basketball polls, with first-place votes, records, and total points:

BOYS

Rank-School (FPV)                     Rec    TP

1. Trinity (12)                                  15-1    137

2. Covington Catholic (1)              12-4    102

3. Bowling Green (1)                     12-2     90

4. Fern Creek                                 14-2     80

5. Ballard                                         10-3    62

6. Scott County                               10-3    57

7. Christian County                        12-2    52

8. Paul Dunbar                               12-4    34

9. Campbell County                       14-1    26

10. Cooper                                     12-3    22

Others receiving votes: South Laurel 17. Harlan County 14. Lexington Christian 13. Corbin 11. Doss 9. Hopkinsville 8. Lexington Catholic 7. Hancock County 6. Pulaski Southwestern 5. Perry County Central 4. South Oldham 3. Graves County 3. Knox Central 3. Owensboro Catholic 2. Franklin-Simpson 2. Adair County 2. Apollo 2. North Laurel 1.

GIRLS

Rank-School (FPV)                     Rec    TP

1. Butler (7)                                     14-1    131

2. Male (5)                                       13-1    123

3. Mercer County (1)                      10-4      90

4. Simon Kenton                             11-3     65

5. Manual                                         12-3     54

6. Sacred Heart                              10-4     50

7. Franklin County                           12-2     47

8. Elizabethtown (1)                        10-2     44

9. Murray                                          12-3     40

10. Henderson County                   12-3     23

Others receiving votes: Harlan County 16. Mason County 11. Monroe County 9. Scott County 7. Graves County 7. Paintsville 7. Casey County 6. South Laurel 6. Perry County Central 5. Eastern 5. Bullitt East 4. Holmes 4. Clark County 3. North Laurel 3. Bowling Green 3. Glasgow 2. Leslie County 2. Highlands 2. Harlan 1.

All Associated Press members in Kentucky are eligible to participate in the high school basketball poll. Those who voted for this week’s poll are: Daily News, Bowling Green; Times-Tribune, Corbin; Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow; Daily Enterprise, Harlan; The Gleaner, Henderson; Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville; The Courier-Journal, Louisville; The Ledger Independent, Maysville; The Mayfield Messenger, Mayfield; Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro; The Paducah Sun, Paducah; Times Leader Princeton, Princeton; WDKY, Lexington; WSON, Henderson.

Central Head Coach Doug Bibby gives his team instruction as they take on Pleasure Ridge Park on Tuesday at Pleasure Ridge Park High School. Central won 76-72. (By David Lee Hartlage, special to the Courier-Journal) Feb. 08, 2011

Sitting alone in the locker room after his team’s biggest victory of the season, Central High School boys basketball coach Doug Bibby had tears in his eyes – proud of his team and proud his father, Fred, was on hand to see it.

“I don’t know how many years my dad has left,” Doug Bibby said. “So for him to come out and my players to play for me like that, that’s what is significant to me.”

Devin Firman scored 27 points and Dominique Knight added 11 points and nine rebounds as the Yellowjackets knocked off Doss 59-53 on Wednesday in the second round of the Republic Bank Louisville Invitational Tournament at Valley.

Bibby said the LIT always is special for him, as it’s one of two times a year he sees his father, who lives in Richmond, Virginia, and will celebrate his 74th birthday on Thursday.

“Every game is special to me, but it’s really special when I can look up in the stands and see my dad,” Bibby said. “That’s my motivation this week. I love my guys, but I only get two times a year to show my dad how much I love him.”

Central (9-6) ran its winning streak to four and advanced to face Valley in Friday’s 8:45 p.m. quarterfinal.

The Yellowjackets upset Doss (12-6) behind a pair of zone defenses – 2-3 and triangle-and-two – that were designed to force the Dragons to shoot from the outside.

It worked, as Doss hit just 4 of 24 3-point attempts. Stephon Franklin led the Dragons with 19 points.

“They kind of threw us off slowing the game down,” said Jaylon Hall, Doss’ top scorer who was limited to 11 points on 3-for-12 shooting. “We had zone plays … but they kind of caught us by surprise. We didn’t fight hard enough. We shot way too many jump shots.”

Central took the lead for good, 41-39, on Knight’s layup with 7:17 left in the game and led 49-42 after a Firman free throw with 2:21 remaining. Meanwhile, Doss didn’t make its first field goal of the fourth quarter until the 2:06 mark, a putback by Hall.

Franklin’s 3-pointer pulled Doss within 51-48 with 1:42 left, but that’s as close as it would get.

“I’m just so proud of them because that’s a real-deal team that we just played,” Bibby said. “They are tough to guard. It’s one of those teams you say, ‘We have to give up something because they’re that good.’ Hopefully what we give up they don’t capitalize on.”

Firman said the Yellowjackets will carry momentum into Friday’s quarterfinal after knocking off Doss, which has won two straight Sixth Region titles.

“This is what we’ve been trying to do all season, but we’re finally getting it together,” Firman said. “Everybody thought we were going to lose. We proved everybody wrong.”

* Trinity 72, St. Xavier 57: Jay Scrubb posted 15 points and six rebounds and led four players in double-figures as the No. 3 Shamrocks (16-1) beat the Tigers (10-6) for the second time in six days.

Scrubb had a game-high 25 points when Trinity beat St. X 61-50 on Friday at Broadbent Arena.

“I thought we were much more aggressive tonight, both offensively and defensively,” Trinity coach Mike Szabo said.

Jacob King (12 points), Lukas Burkman (11 points) and David Burton (10 points, six rebounds) also had big nights as Trinity advanced to face Waggener in Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal. The Shamrocks shot 57.8 percent (26 of 45) and won the rebounding battle 26-18.

Down 45-31, St. X put together a 10-0 run to pull within 45-41 on Evan Walker’s basket with 1:23 left in the third quarter. But the Shamrocks scored the final five points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer by Brendan King, and cruised the rest of the way.

Pierce Kiesler hit 5 of 11 3-point tries and scored 26 points to lead the Tigers, who shot 50 percent (20 of 40) but committed 15 turnovers to Trinity’s eight.

* Fern Creek 75, Fairdale 57: Chance Moore scored 30 points and Anthony Wales added 20 as the Tigers (15-2) – No. 6 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – rebounded from Saturday’s 78-58 loss to Hopkinsville and beat the Bulldogs (7-9).

Down 23-20 after Glenn Queen’s 3-point play with 3:25 left in the second quarter, Fern Creek closed with a 16-7 run for a 36-30 halftime lead and then took control in the third quarter.

“Just picking up the tempo,” Tigers coach James Schooler said of the key to the run. “I just think we were playing too slow and too methodical. We just needed to pick it up. Plus, you’re dealing with 17- and 18-year-old kids.”

Fern Creek shot 51.8 percent (29 of 56) and advanced to face Eastern (10-6) in Friday’s 4 p.m. quarterfinal. Schooler said junior guard Ahmad Price (13.2 ppg) will play Friday after missing Wednesday’s game because of a “coach’s decision.”

Queen finished with 24 points and four assists to lead Fairdale.

* Ballard 69, Christian Academy 61: Dorian Tisby had 12 points and three blocks and Tyron Duncan added 11 points to lead the No. 2 Bruins (11-3) over the Centurions (14-4).

Ballard had defeated CAL 88-47 on Dec. 9, and Bruins coach Chris Renner credited the Centurions’ effort in the rematch. He also lamented his team’s 21 turnovers and 62.5 percent mark (20 of 32) from the free-throw line.

“We looked like we could play in spurts … and we struggled in spurts,” Renner said. “Bottom line, we had a horrible practice (Tuesday) and it showed.”

Clivonte Patterson had seven points and four rebounds but missed the second half with a sprained ankle. Renner said Patterson is questionable to play in Friday’s 5:30 p.m. quarterfinal against Bullitt East.

Ballard never trailed Wednesday and led by as many as 18 points, 31-13, in the second quarter. K.C. Purvis’ basket with 1:49 left in the third quarter pulled the Centurions within 42-37, but that’s as close as they would get.

Parker Jones led CAL with 26 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

CENTRAL 59, DOSS 53

CENTRAL (9-6) – Korey Johnson 8p, 6r; Devin Firman 27p; Derron Douglas 4p, 6r; Andy Crittenden 4p; Dominique Knight 11p, 9r; Antwan Thompson 3p; Josh Black 2p.

DOSS (12-6) – Cam Maddox 11p; Stephon Franklin 19p; Joseph Roberson 1p; Shawn’Kel Knight-Goff 3p, 6r; Jaylon Hall 11p, 7r; Terez Traynor 6p, 12r; DaRon Washington 2p.

TRINITY 72, ST. XAVIER 57

ST. XAVIER (10-6) – James Taylor 10p, 8a; Chase Westenhofer 2p; Paul Oberst 2p; Jack Koch 3p; Matthew Smith 1p; Sam Boarman 8p, 6r; Evan Walker 5p; Pierce Kiesler 26p.

TRINITY (16-1) – Jacob King 12p; David Burton 10p, 6r; David Johnson 8p; L.J. Harris 5p; Walter Johnson 1p; Justin Powell 7p; Brendan King 3p, 3s; Jay Scrubb 15p, 6r; Lukas Burkman 11p, 3s.

FERN CREEK 75, FAIRDALE 57

FAIRDALE (7-9) – Glenn Queen 24p, 4a; Jax Gaddie 10p; Markelo Sullivan 4p, 7r; Ike Roby 5p; Seth Dewboys 6p; Stephen Moore 1p; Jacobi Dixon 1p; Craig Ashe 6p.

FERN CREEK (15-2) – A.J. Thomas 4p, 3a; Anthony Wales 20p, 3a; Daiquan Jones 4p, 3b; Clint Wickliffe 4p; Darian Childress 4p; Chance Moore 30p; Tony Rogers 7p, 7r; Tone Wales 2p.

BALLARD 69, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 61

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (14-4) – Milton Wright 5p; K.C. Purvis 8p; Matthew Duvall 2p; Parker Jones 26p, 8r, 6s, 4a; Wyatt Allison 11p; Austin Carr 2p; Michael Woodward 7p.

BALLARD (11-3) – Kereion Douglas 5p; Marshon Ford 7p, 5r, 3s; Tyron Duncan 11p; Dorian Tisby 12p, 3b; Antoine Darby 3p; Delonta Wimberly 7p, 8r; Jamil Wilson 9p, 3a; Clivonte Patterson 7p; Orlando Higginbottom 8p.

A local tight end is heading to the Big Ten for the next stage of his career.

Christian Academy-Louisville’s Jacob Paulson (80) tries to evade a tackle by Danville’s Dmauriae VanCleave in the KHSAA Class 2A high school football state championship in Bowling Green, Ky., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. Christian Academy-Louisville won, 24-6. (Bac Totrong/Daily News via AP)

Christian Academy of Louisville senior Jake Paulson announced on his Twitter account Wednesday that he had committed to the University of Minnesota. The news was confirmed by Centurions football coach Stefan LeFors. Paulson picked Minnesota over Illinois and LSU, according to LeFors.

#GoGophers Ski-U-Mah 〽️〽️〽️〽️ https://t.co/5ucTW6GU9g

—
Jake Paulson (@jake_paulson80) January 12, 2017

“It was a fun process for me as a coach to kind of see this whole experience for Jake play out,” LeFors said. “It was exciting. He’s obviously blessed to have a lot of opportunities and really Minnesota was the front runner for a while now and then they had the coaching change there, that was kind of a curve ball. There was lots of uncertainty for (Jake) not knowing if the position coach was going to stay or go. (Jake) found out (Tuesday) he was going, but (Wednesday) the new position coach reached out to Jake and expressed their interest in him still, and when he visited there a few weeks back he fell in love with the facilities and what they had to offer.”

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Paulson originally committed to Western Kentucky in August 2016 but he reopened his recruitment after receiving interest from the likes of Minnesota and Illinois, according to LeFors.

Paulson was named second-team all-state in the Courier-Journal’s annual postseason all-state football team as a defensive lineman. Paulson played both tight end and defensive end in high school, but he projects as a tight end in college.

“Minnesota has recruited him as a tight end all along,” LeFors said, noting Paulson is a traditional tight end. “He has his hand in the dirt, he will help out a ton in the run game and blocking at the point at the attack, but he’s skilled enough to hurt you in the passing game. He won’t stretch the field vertically but could be a matchup problem with linebackers.”

Paulson completed his senior season in style, winning the state title in a 24-6 win over Danville. Paulson was second on the team with nine tackles in the title game. For the season offensively, he had 25 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he had 67 tackles (42 solo) in 15 games.

“Jake’s football IQ is extremely high and I think he’ll be head and shoulders above his peers,” LeFord said. “I think he’ll have a great career there.”

Following the 2016 season, which included a Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State, Minnesota parted ways with head coach Tracy Claeys and quickly hired P.J. Fleck from Western Michigan, where he went 13-1 in 2016 and earned a Cotton Bowl berth.

Butler guard Jaelynn Penn comes between Mercer County forward Faith Lake, left, and Mercer County forward Lyric Houston on the way to the basket. 07 January 2017

The Butler High School girls basketball team took the No. 1 spot in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings released Thursday.

The Bearettes are 15-1 and have won 15 straight games since a season-opening loss to No. 2 Male. Butler will return to action at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at No. 8 Mercy.

Butler and Male are followed in the Litratings by Simon Kenton, Manual and Sacred Heart.

Mercer County was No. 1 in last week’s Litratings but dropped to No. 6 following an 80-55 loss at Butler on Saturday.

The Litratings are a computerized ranking of every team in the state based on strength of schedule, margin of victory and other factors. Games against out-of-state opponents are not factored.

Here are the complete ratings:

Jeffersontown High School senior wrestler Lawrence Malala is ranked No. 2 in the state in the 220-pound weight class.

His first three years of high school, Lawrence Malala wrestled as a heavyweight. This year, though, the Jeffersontown senior decided to drop to the 220-pound weight class.

The move has paid off.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Malala is currently No. 2 in 220 in the KentuckyWrestling.com rankings, and last weekend he won his weight class in the Jefferson County Tournament of Champions.

Q: When and how did you get started wrestling?

A: I started wrestling my freshman year. What got me into it was my older brother (Megallan) joined it and seemed like he was having fun with it, so I decided to. At first I was just trying to find some way to fit in, (but) wrestling turned out to be something I just felt comfortable with and had fun with it.

What do you like about wrestling?

I believe with hard work you can achieve anything. Wrestling helped me become a better person, taught me more discipline added on from football and from what my parents taught me. And it’s just fun. You have a great group of guys that you can just go at it with for two, three hours a day, spend Saturdays, the whole day, together, and it’s just fun competing.

Your mom is from Western Samoa and your dad is from Hawaii. What’s that been like growing up here?

I can just tell the (difference in) cultures from me and my family from Samoa and Hawaii in my household and going to friends’ houses and visiting different cultures. In some perspectives they’re the same, in some perspectives they’re different. It’s just cool to see how I’m able to interact with other people even though we don’t have the same culture.

What is one food that you really like but can’t enjoy right now because it’s wrestling season?

It has to be Pani Popo.

What is that?

You get yeast rolls and then you get a can of evaporated milk and pour it at the bottom (of the pan) and then cook it in the oven and the coconut milk gets absorbed in the yeast rolls. It’s good. I’m just waiting for Feb. 22 to come around, as soon as the season is over.

What’s your biggest strength as a wrestler?  

My discipline. If Coach Mike (Clark) tells me to do something in a match I do it, no questions asked because I know that he’s seeing something totally different than what I’m seeing and what I’m feeling.

What’s the difference between wrestling at heavyweight and 220?

At heavyweight I had to move around constantly. (Now) my strength plays more of a factor in matches because when I wrestled heavyweight I had to move, use agility and quickness to try to create angles. I couldn’t shoot directly on them, or else I’d have all that weight on me. But this year I have more control of the guy. I can actually control what I want to do, and I can dictate the match that I want to wrestle.

Why did you drop to 220 this year?

I told myself last year if I didn’t at least place top four or top five (at State), then I was going to drop to 220. I ended up not placing so I just decided to drop. I felt like it would give me the best opportunity for me to achieve my goal that I had in high school.

What is that goal?

I want to win a state championship, be the first one since the 1980s to be a state champion for Jeffersontown High School.

LAWRENCE MALALA UP CLOSE

School: Jeffersontown

Year: Senior

Sports: Wrestling and football

Student-athlete: Lawrence, who has a 3.1 GPA, says his favorite subjects are math, science and orchestra.

Family: Lawrence, 17, lives with his mother, Peata; father, Mike; older brother, Megallan, 19; and younger brother, Chris, 15.

Jeffersontown coach Mike Clark says: “He does everything you ask. You tell Lawrence you need him to move more he’s going to move more. He’s going to come out of his comfort box to do what you want. If you tell him to put more steps in, or if he needs to do something tighter, or get sharper, or cleaner at something he’s going to fix his brain to actually do what it is you’re asking.

“He does what he’s told to do and he tries to go above and beyond when he does it and he also puts his own spin on everything, too. … That’s why Lawrence is good.”

Ballard head basketball coach Chris C. Renner talks to his players during a time-out. 18 December 2016

One of the Louisville area’s top coaching rivalries will be renewed Friday when the 70th annual boys basketball Republic Bank Louisville Invitational Tournament resumes at Valley High School.

The 5:30 p.m. quarterfinal will match two teams in the top 20 of The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – No. 2 Ballard (11-3) and No. 17 Bullitt East (12-5) – and two coaches who know each other well.

Ballard’s Chris Renner and Bullitt East’s Jason Couch were longtime rivals in the Seventh Region when Couch coached at Eastern from 2003-12.

Friday’s meeting will be the first between Renner and Couch since Feb. 24, 2012, when Couch’s Eagles beat Renner’s Bruins 79-76 in the 28th District Tournament final. Couch was 9-14 overall against Renner during his nine seasons at Eastern.

“We have a great time talking to each other, but when the ball goes up we want to beat each other’s brains in,” said Couch, who coached four seasons as Shelby County before taking the Bullitt East job last May. “We’re about as competitive against each other as anybody is. But I’ve always respected the job he’s done at Ballard, and we’ve always had some great talks.”

Bullitt East is in the quarterfinals after blitzing Pleasure Ridge Park 68-48 on Tuesday. The Chargers are led by a trio of guards in junior Luke Ezell (15.1 ppg) and seniors Jared Osborne (14.9 ppg) and Connor Green (13.3 ppg).

Ballard beat Christian Academy 69-61 on Wednesday but lost its top scorer and rebounder when senior Clivonte Patterson (18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg) suffered a sprained ankle and missed the entire second half. Renner said Patterson is questionable for Friday’s game.

MORE COVERAGE

►Louisville Invitational Tournament scores, bracket and news

►Boarman leads St. Xavier in win over Moore in LIT

► Bibby emotional after Central knocks off Doss

Renner downplayed the significance of Friday’s coaching matchup.

“We know each other’s styles, but it’s not going to be won by me or him,” Renner said. “He’s crafty enough to throw a couple of backdoors on us, and I’ll try to throw a few surprises on him. But the players will be the ones who win the game.”

Renner then took a playful jab at his rival.

“I do think I could take him one-on-one, but I could be wrong,” Renner said with a laugh. “I guarantee you I could get him on the golf course.”

Here’s a brief look at Friday’s other quarterfinals. The semifinals (10 and 11:30 a.m.) and final (8 p.m.) are set for Saturday.

Eastern (10-6) vs. Fern Creek (15-2), 4 p.m. – Senior Chance Moore scored 30 points to lead No. 6 Fern Creek over Fairdale 75-57 on Wednesday and now will get a chance to face his former Eastern teammates. Moore led Eastern in scoring (13.2 ppg) and was second in rebounding (4.7 rpg) last season before transferring to Fern Creek.

Tigers coach James Schooler said junior guard Ahmad Price (13.2 ppg) will play Friday after missing Wednesday’s game because of “a coach’s decision.”

Waggener (13-4) vs. Trinity (16-1), 7 p.m. – The No. 2 Shamrocks enter with a 13-game winning streak after beating rival St. Xavier 72-57 on Wednesday. In his second game back from a finger injury, senior guard Jacob King had 12 points, two steals and an assist in 17 minutes of play.

Waggener ran its winning streak to seven with Tuesday’s 63-58 victory over Male. Senior guard JacQuess Hobbs (17.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and sophomore guard/forward Jaago Kalakon (12.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg) lead the Wildcats.

Central (9-6) vs. Valley (11-3), 8:45 p.m. – Central knocked off Doss 59-53 on Wednesday as Devin Firman poured in 27 points and Dominique Knight added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Valley is enjoying a solid start under first-year coach and former University of Louisville star DeJuan Wheat. Junior guard Curt Lewis posted 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in Tuesday’s 59-45 victory over DeSales.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

Four basketball players from the Louisville Metro area have been selected as nominees for the 2017 McDonalds All-American Game.

Butler’s Jaelynn Penn, Bullitt East’s Lindsey Duvall, Kentucky Country Day’s Anthony Mathis, and North Hardin’s Tony Jackson were among the 720 senior players across the country nominated for the annual end-of-season All-American game, set to take place this year at the United Center in Chicago on March 29.

The final 24-player rosters for the boys and girls teams will be determined on Sunday, live on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.

“We are very pleased with the nomination of four local players for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Games,” George Saliba, McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana Owner/Operator and Co-op President said in a statement. “These student athletes display remarkable dedication and commitment to the game and they also set an amazing example by working hard during their time off the court by giving back to their schools and the community. It’s an honor to have these players’ talents recognized at the national level and we are proud to have them representing us from Kentuckiana as nominees for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Games.”

As of Jan. 12, Penn, an Indiana signee who led Butler to a Kentucky Sweet 16 title in 2016, leads Butler in scoring with an average of 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Duvall, a UofL signee, is averaging 24.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, Mathis, who is signed with the Naval Academy, is averaging 24.8 points and four rebounds per game, and Jackson, a Coastal Carolina signee, is averaging 20.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Butler guard Jaelynn Penn comes between Mercer County forward Faith Lake, left, and Mercer County forward Lyric Houston on the way to the basket. 07 January 2017

Grace Berger ensured that the Sacred Heart girls basketball team remained undefeated in the new year.

Sacred Heart High School basketball player Grace Berger. Nov. 7, 2016

The Indiana commit came one rebound away from recording a double-double in an all-around strong offensive and defensive performance as the Valkyries routed Notre Dame Academy, 60-37 Thursday on the road. Berger scored 20 points on 10 of 13 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, three of them on the offensive glass. The Junior guard also had five assists, two blocked shots and four steals.

Berger was the only Valkyrie to score in double figures but four Valkyries finished with eight points; Erin Toller, Ashlee Harris, Natalie Fichter and Kia Sivils.

The Valkyries forced the Pandas into 23 turnovers, which the visitors turned into 26 points. The Pandas only had three points off of Sacred Heart turnovers.

Here’s stats and scores from the rest of the boys and girls basketball action in Louisville and around the Commonwealth on Jan. 13, 2017.

GIRLS

SACRED HEART 60, NOTRE DAME 37

SACRED HEART (12-4)

Ashlee Harris 8p, 3r, 2a, 3s; Kiki Samsel 3p, 2r, 4a, 1b, 1s; Caroline Flaherty 3p, 3r, 1a, 1s; Erin Toller 8p, 2r, 1a, 2s; Kia Sivils 8p, 4r, 2a, 2b; Grace Berger 20p, 9r, 5a, 2b, 4s; Natalie Fichter 8p, 5r, 1b, 2s; Destinee Marshall 2p.

NOTRE DAME (5-11)

Chloe McDowell 9p, 3r, 1a; Sophie Hagan 6p, 3r, 3a, 3s; Kelsey Johnson 2p; Abbey Tierney 5p, 5r, 1s; Sammy Merman 1p, 1b; Allison Gribben 10p, 5r, 1b; Carmen Thapar 2p, 1r; Danielle Rennekamp 2p, 2r, 1a, 1s.

ST. FRANCIS 57, BETH HAVEN 31

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior Alexis Nelson led the Wyverns (5-5) with 37 points to take care of visiting Beth Haven (3-8). The Bearcats were led by Sarena Vaughn’s 19 points.

BETH HAVEN (3-8)

Kenzie Davis 6p; Delanie White 4p; Leslie Pierre 2p; Sarena Vaughn 19p.

ST. FRANCIS (5-5)

Alexis Nelson 37p; Tori Richardson 5p; Jamani Reed 6p; Caroline Pepa 9p.

CAL 49, ASSUMPTION 32

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Centurions (10-5) defeated the Rockets (8-8) 49-32. The Centurions defense was spot on and the Rockets just couldn’t overtake them. Leading the Centurions in scoring was Summer Conti with 19 points and eight steals. For the Rockets was Jenna Calhoun with 10 points.

CAL (10-5)

Summer Conti 19p, 2r, 3a, 8s; Emma Frank 3p, 7r, 1a; Shelby Calhoun 11p, 10r, 3a, 8s, 3b; Sarah McDonald 4p, 1r, 2s; Mia Beam 8p, 3r, 2a, 1s, 1b; Riley Sexton 4p, 3r.

ASSUMPTION (8-8)

McKenna Schelb 2p, 3r; Abby McQueary 8p, 3r, 3a; Samantha Babey 6p, 1r; Jenna Calhoun 10p, 1a; Jacqueline Raque 1p, 2r; Taylor Allen 5p, 6r, 1a.

BUTLER 58, MERCY 35

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bearettes (16-1) dominated Mercy (9-9) to win their 16th consecutive game, led by Jaelynn Penn’s 16 points. Butler showcased its prowess on both sides of the ball, shooting 52 percent from the field while holding the Jaguars to just 30 percent. Danielle Feldkamp led Mercy with 10 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double.

BUTLER (16-1)

Breia Torrens 2p; Tasia Jeffries 14p; Kiara Cain 10p, 4r; Doneah Marshall 3p, 3r; Jaelynn Penn 15p, 6r; Teri Goodlett 2p; Ashley Wright 2p; Molly Lockhart 10p, 7r;

MERCY (9-9)

Ta’Ziah Jenks 3p; Hope Sivori 4p; Sadie Zeisloft 3p; Regan Berger 5p; Josie Woods 6p, 3r; Requael Reese 2p, 4r; Sydney Rivette 2p; Danielle Feldkamp 10p, 9r.

J’TOWN 54, KCD 39

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bearcats (3-12) fell at home to J’town (5-11) despite 15 points and 8 rebounds from Olyvia Green. Telia Perks led all scorers with 16 points for the Chargers, who built 16-6 lead after the first quarter. KCD was unable to get within ten points the rest of the way.

J’TOWN (5-11)

Shelby Dunagan 2p; Kamaya White 10p; Kaleb McDonald 5p; Jasmine Thomas 4p; Nia Cole 1p; Telia Perks 16p; Naomi Johnson 14p; Dezhane Carthen 2p.

KCD (3-12)

Meghana Manchi 11p; Rachel Jennings 7p; Olyvia Green 15p, 8r; Iyla Draw 4p; Maya Rao 2p.

Scores from around the state: 

Anderson Co. 57, Spencer Co. 27

Boyd Co. 58, Ashland Blazer 34

Campbell County, Tenn. 69, Bell Co. 45

Campbellsville 67, Fort Knox 16

Conner 73, Grant Co. 38

Cooper 74, Scott Co. 63

East Carter 59, Fleming Co. 32

Henry Co. 36, Lou. Seneca 29

Highlands 46, Mason Co. 43

Ironton St. Joseph, Ohio 55, Rose Hill Christian 30

Joppa, Ill. 63, Community Christian (Paducah) 31

Lewis Co. 57, Morgan Co. 50

Lex. Christian 57, Model 35

Lex. Henry Clay 60, Lex. Paul Dunbar 48

Madisonville-North Hopkins 67, Ohio Co. 34

Meade Co. 65, Hancock Co. 49

Mercer Co. 72, Franklin Co. 63

North Bullitt 49, Lou. Presentation 39

Pikeville 70, Letcher County Central 59

Riverside Christian 44, Ky. School for the Deaf 24

St. Mary 56, Fulton Co. 53

Webster Co. 53, Daviess Co. 44

West Carter 46, Rowan Co. 39

10th Region All “A” Classic

Nicholas Co. 59, Bracken Co. 33

13th Region All “A” Classic

Harlan 62, Lynn Camp 26

Pineville 73, Barbourville 55

14th Region All “A” Classic

Leslie Co. 66, Breathitt Co. 40Lee Co. 60, Buckhorn 34

15th Region All “A” Classic

Paintsville 43, Shelby Valley 30

BOYS

BULLITT CENTRAL 59, HENRY CO. 57, OT

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. – Ben Higdon shot two free throws in overtime to secure the 59-57 win for the Cougars (6-10) against the Wildcats (6-10. Both Higdon and Aiden Terry had career highs for the Cougars with 26 points and 19 points, respectively. For the Wildcats, Colton Hinkel led the way with 25 points.

HENRY CO. (6-10)

Tyler Raisor 2p; Donovan Aneszko 4p; Tyler Gray 8p; Colton Hinkel 25p; Foree 5p; Devin Mcinintosh 11p; Dylan Mayer 2p.

BULLITT CENTRAL (6-10)

Jacob Mann 4p; Ben Higdon 26p; Aiden Terry 19p; Jax Lester 2p; Tyler Tatum 6p; Tanner Hazlett 2p.

WHITEFIELD 72, EVANGEL CHRISTIAN 47

WHITEFIELD (6-8)

Christian Judd 2p, 5a; Taylor Cash 20p, 6s, 4a; Tyler Nauert 10p; Andrew Harrod 12p; Jonathan Cantrell 2p; Brett Milliner 2p; Brandon Blackwell 4p, 4r; Will Hedgespeth 1p; Gavin Johnson 6p, 6r; Connor Emmitt 13p, 6r.

EVANGEL CHRISTIAN (3-12)

Billy Klinglesmith 7p; Abram Guiroo 2p; Cameron Bain 13p; Malik Shabuzz 9p; Sam Tomah 7p; Caleb Payne 9p.

CAL 63, J’TOWN 41

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Milton Wright’s 16 points led CAL (15-4) to a bounce-back victory over visiting J’Town (7-9). The Centurions hit 18-of-20 from the free-throw line and dominated from the opening tip. The Chargers were led by Delvonte McCloud, who scored 17 points. Blake Colon saw rare minutes in the fourth quarter for J’Town, hitting a late 3-pointer to send the crowd out on a high note.

J’TOWN (7-9)

Jalen Davis 2p; Delvonte McCloud 17p; Jaden Rogers 8p; Jordan Lyons 2p; Justin Baker 4p; Chris Trigg 5p; Blake Colon 3p.

CAL (15-4)

Milton Wright 16p; Jeffrey Peterson 2p; Kenneth Purvis 14p; Parker Jones 14p; Wyatt Allison 11p; Austin Carr 2p; Joseph Steier 2p; Michael Woodward 2p.

NORTH BULLITT 63, COLLEGIATE 46

COLLEGIATE (13-7)

Ryan McDaniel 15p; Eli Allen 8p; Alec Hertzman 8p; Tyler McDaniel 4p;Topher Pirner 4p; Barrett Myers 3p;  Parker Duff 2p; Nayaab Grewal 2p.

NORTH BULLITT (6-11)

Brendan Holt 24p;Travis Donnavan 13p; Peyton Luttrell 11p; TJ Toney 6p; Lance Johnson 4p; Dylan Ing 3p; Logan Steinmacher 2p.

IROQUOIS 68, HOLY CROSS 52

IROQUOIS (9-8)

TC Wright 11p; Damon Richardson 28p; TreSaun Edwards 6p; Davarrio Martin 7p; Markelle McDaniel 2p; Keelan Kennedy 13p; Kalon Howard 1p.

HOLY CROSS (8-8)

Cade Crawley 5p; DeShawn Ellis 8p; Hunter Adams 2p; Sam Bearden 13p; Jaren McDonald 3p; Chase Phillips 2p; Cooper Scott 10p; Ethan Driskell 8p; Keeton Thornsberry 1p.

Scores from across the state: 

Bellevue 75, Conner 39

Butler Co. 70, Whitesville Trinity 48

Cov. Holy Cross 58, Ludlow 53

East Jessamine 74, Garrard Co. 62

Elliott Co. 61, Rowan Co. 53

Highlands 81, Ryle 78, OT

Hopkins Co. Central 72, Frederick Fraize 56

Hopkinsville 88, Fort Campbell 32

John Hardin 60, Breckinridge Co. 57

Joppa, Ill. 64, Community Christian (Paducah) 31

Lex. Paul Dunbar 77, Lex. Henry Clay 59

Lexington Catholic 78, Lex. Tates Creek 50

McCreary Central 69, Barbourville 60

North Bullitt 63, Lou. Collegiate 46

Raceland 74, Russell 59

Red Bird 81, Oneida Baptist 63

Russellville 69, Muhlenberg County 58

Scott Co. 89, Lex. Sayre 58

South Laurel 71, Clay Co. 63

St. Mary 64, Fulton Co. 47

St. Patrick 52, Rose Hill Christian 51

Taylor Co. 71, North Hardin 66

8th Region All ‘‘A’’ Classic

Gallatin Co. 74, Williamstown 70

10th Region All ‘‘A’’ Classic

Bracken Co. 63, Nicholas Co. 58

15th Region All ‘‘A’’ Classic

East Ridge 48, Sheldon Clark 45, OT

A Louisville basketball prospect is heading to the Buckeye State for his college career.

Doss guard-forward Jaylon Hall gets past Bowling Green guard-forward Kyran Jones on the way to the basket. 17 December 2016

Doss senior guard Jaylon Hall announced on his Twitter account that he has committed to Wright State. According to a recent Q&A he did with the Courier-Journal, Hall also had a scholarship offer from Youngstown State.

Blessed! https://t.co/67tdPllCiI

—
713_jay (@713_jayGB) January 13, 2017

Through 17 games this season, Hall is averaging 18.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, leading the Dragons in scoring. As a junior, Hall helped lead the Dragons to the Kentucky Sweet 16 final, averaging 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds through the regional tournament. Hall also went to the state tournament with Doss in 2015.

In The Courier-Journal’s preseason poll of coaches, Hall was the No. 2-ranked player in the Sixth Region and No. 24 in the state.

“Jaylon has a ton of potential,” Doss coach Tony Williams said in the Q&A. “He’s long and he can play the 1 and 2 and stretch to the 3. He’s only tapped into 30 or 40 percent of his potential. He’s not quite a man yet physically, and he still has a lot to learn about the game. I think Youngstown and Wright State are following him for his potential. Once he grows into his frame, the sky is the limit for him.”

Fern Creek’s Chance Moore (22) goes up for a dunk during the second half of the Mitchell Irvin Tournament, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 in Crestwood KY.

Playing against his old team, Chance Moore came up big for the Fern Creek High School boys basketball team in the second half.

The 6-foot-6 senior scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half as the Tigers, the No. 6 team in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings, knocked off Eastern 58-44 in Friday’s opening quarterfinal of the Republic Bank Boys Louisville Invitational Tournament at Valley.

Moore drew two quick fouls five seconds apart midway through the first quarter, forcing him to sit for more than half of the opening 16 minutes. The senior claimed it had less to do with nerves than just careless play that got him in early foul trouble. But the team’s leading scorer and rebounder got some encouraging words from his coaches and teammates at halftime.

“They just told me to keep my composure and do what I’ve been doing all year,” Moore said.

Fern Creek (16-2) never trailed and came out strong early, leading 19-4 with 5:24 left in the first half thanks to the Eagles committing 10 turnovers in the game’s first 10 minutes.

Fern Creek coach James Schooler credited Moore’s defense with helping set the tone throughout the game. He said he talked with his star player coming into what the coach called an emotional game, urging him to focus on defense and rebounding.

“Subsequently, you do those little things, you get to score a little bit, too,” Schooler said.

Eastern (10-7) eventually started taking care of the basketball and climbed back into the game. Caleb Williams hit a layup with 1:47 left in the third quarter to pull within 36-31. However, Moore responded by scoring the next two baskets just 17 seconds apart to make it a nine-point game and the Eagles never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

“They’re just unbelievably talented,” Eastern coach David Henley said. “I’ve seen Trinity, Fern Creek and all the top 10 teams in the state and those are by far the two most talented teams in the state.”

Clint Wickliffe came off the bench to lead Fern Creek, scoring 12 of his 20 points in the first half. Williams finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles.

FERN CREEK 58, EASTERN 44

Eastern (10-7) – Sugar Ray Wyche 12p, Isaiah Ross 3p, Braxton Johnson 1p, Myles Goodrich 2p, Kahill Garmon 2p, Caleb Williams 16p 10r, Javen Rushin 8p.

Fern Creek (16-2) – A.J. Thomas 3p 4a, Anthony Wales 7p 6r, Ahmad Price 7p 3s, Clint Wickliffe 20p Kyree Hawkins 2p, Chance Moore 17p, Jaylen Gordon 2p.

Ballard’s Kereion Douglas (3) shoots between the defense of Bullitt East’s Grant Skaggas, left, and Noah Wilson during their game in the Louisville Invitational Tournament, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Louisville Ky.

Chris Renner went back to his coaching roots Friday night and helped his Ballard High School boys basketball team pick up a victory.

Up seven points after three quarters, the Bruins milked the clock in the fourth, hit 13 of 16 free throws and pulled out a 72-61 victory over Bullitt East in the quarterfinals of the Republic Bank Louisville Invitational Tournament at Valley.

Ballard has been renowned in recent years for staying in attack mode regardless of the score, but Renner said that wasn’t the case in his early coaching days.

“We held the ball a bunch, and people criticized me for doing it at that point,” Renner said. “We had some success, and we had some times we weren’t.”

Renner said he installed the offense during Thursday’s practice after top scorer and rebounder Clivonte Patterson was diagnosed with a sprained ankle that will keep him out at least two more weeks.

“We were shorthanded, and we felt we could maximize getting (Bullitt East) to come out and guard,” Renner said. “I thought the guys did a really good job with it.”

Jamil Wilson scored 16 points and Tyron Duncan added 11 points and four assists as the Bruins (12-3) – No. 2 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – advanced to face Fern Creek in Saturday’s 10 a.m. semifinal. A win would give Ballard a spot in the LIT championship game (8 p.m. Saturday) for the fifth straight year.

Connor Green scored 22 points and Luke Ezell added 17 points, four assists and three steals for No. 17 Bullitt East (12-6).

Chargers coach Jason Couch said he’s never seen a Ballard team go into stall mode as it did during the fourth quarter Friday.

“I know we lost, but that’s a testament to what time of team you are if Ballard is pulling it out,” Couch said. “That hurt us. You’re in a game when you think you have so many possessions … and that last four or five minutes we didn’t get as many.”

Ballard hit 12 of 17 shots in the first quarter for a 28-14 lead, and Antoine Darby scored the first four points of the second quarter for a 32-14 edge.

But the Chargers put together a 20-2 surge – getting 10 points from Green and seven from Ezell – to tie the score at 34 with 1:28 left in the half. Couch said the next 88 seconds were crucial, as Ballard scored the final seven points of the half for a 41-34 lead.

“If we had been a little tougher with the ball, who knows?” Couch said. “Maybe we make a run or two and we grab the lead once or twice.”

Bullitt East pulled within four points twice in the fourth quarter, the latter coming on Derrick Donigan’s tip-in that made it 60-56 with 3:40 remaining.

But the Bruins stayed patient, forced Bullitt East to foul and hit 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2:33 to seal the victory.

Ballard was 20 of 27 (74.1 percent) from the charity stripe for the game and – even with the 6-foot-4 Patterson sidelined – won the rebounding battle 34-31.

“We knew everybody had to step up and rebound, even me,” Wilson said. “We had to be more efficient. Each possession is more valuable now with a big part of our offense gone.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

BALLARD 72, BULLITT EAST 61

BALLARD (12-3) – Tyrese Duncan 6p, 3a; Kereion Douglas 4p; Marshon Ford 9p; Tyron Duncan 11p, 4a; Dorian Tisby 7p, 7r, 2b; Antoine Darby 8p; Delonta Wimberly 9p, 9r; Jamil Wilson 16p; Alexander Holley 2p.

BULLITT EAST (12-6) – Luke Ezell 17p, 4a, 3s; Connor Green 22p; Sean Johnson 3p; Jared Osborne 9p; Konnor Polson 6p, 7r; Grant Skaggs 2p; Derrick Donigan 2p.

Trinity’s Jacob King (1) drives against St. X’s Cameron McDonogh (3) during their game at Broadbent Arena. Jan. 6, 2017

Jacob King came off the bench to score 18 points for the Trinity High School basketball team, which overcame a sluggish start Friday to beat Waggener 68-53 in the Republic Bank Boys Louisville Invitational Tournament quarterfinals at Valley.

After missing the first 14 games of the season because of a broken left pinky finger, King has seen his scoring improve in each of the four games he’s played for the Shamrocks (17-1), the top-ranked team in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings.

“The finger is at 100 percent, but I’m definitely trying to knock off the rust a little bit,” King said. “It feels really good to be getting back out there.”

Waggener (13-5) led 23-10 in the opening seconds of the second quarter before Trinity stormed back. The second-seeded Rocks finished the half on an 18-4 run over the final 4:46, with Lukas Burkman’s layup at with 1:38 remaining finally putting them on top, 28-27.

MORE LIT COVERAGE

►Louisville Invitational Tournament scores, bracket and news

►Moore lifts Fern Creek past Eastern in LIT

►Renner, Couch meet again in LIT quarterfinals

►Bibby emotional after Central knocks off Doss

►Boarman leads St. X in win over Moore in LIT

Trinity never trailed the rest of the way, as the Rocks built the lead up to 18 four times in the final period. However, coach Mike Szabo wasn’t completely satisfied with his team’s performance, saying his team did not match the Wildcats intensity at the start.

“Tonight, I thought we just kind of survived,” said Szabo, whose team shot 52.7 percent (29 of 55) and outrebounded the Wildcats 40-25 but gave away 14 turnovers. “We hung on and won.”

L.J. Harris added 16 points for Trinity. Jacquess Hobbs led Waggener with 25 points.

Wildcats coach Bryan O’Neill said his young team, which started two sophomores, did not do a good enough job of negating the Shamrocks’ height advantage.

“I think we didn’t do a good job rebounding the ball,” said O’Neill, as Trinity grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 13 points. “They really crash the boards hard.”

TRINITY 68, WAGGENER 53

Waggener (13-5) – Ron Fell 3p, Ethan Taylor 3p, Kevion Hudson 5p, Jaago Kalakon 13p 6r, Jacquess Hobbs 25p, Ben Simic 3p, Jocobi Hendricks 1p.

Trinity (17-1) – Jacob King 18p, David Burton 3p, David Johnson 9p 8r, L.J. Harris 16p 7r, Justin Powell 4p, Jay Scrubb 6p, Stan Turnier 1p, Lucas Burkman 11p.