Kentucky senior All-Stars edge juniors in scrimmages
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Boys' All-Stars beat their junior counterparts 87-85 on two last-second free throws by Cordia's Christen Cunningham on Wednesday night, but the seniors left the game at Bryan Station feeling they must improve to defeat high-powered Indiana in this weekend's two-game series.
Cunningham, who scored a team-high 18 points, stole a sideline inbounds pass with 4.7 seconds left and was fouled driving to the goal, converting both free throws with 0.1 seconds to go.
"It means everything (to make the winning play)," said Cunningham, who has not committed to a college but will visit Samford next week. "It feels great, especially at such a prestigious event and to be here and be able to win."
The narrow victory was a contrast to Monday night's 107-80 rout by the seniors in a scrimmage at Lexington Christian.
"I think we're disappointed because our effort was nowhere near where our effort was against the juniors on Monday night," coach Chris O'Hearn of Mason County said. "Every loose ball, it seemed like we never got one. I think that's usually a telltale sign if you're mentally ready to play. … But this was an exhibition to get ready for the big one on Friday, and that's the one that counts."
Ballard's Kelan Martin added 17 points for the seniors, and future Butler University teammate Jackson Davis of Lafayette scored 16.
Henderson County's David Simmons scored 21 and Henry Clay's Jeremiah Tisdale 19 for the juniors, who had only seven players.
The seniors played without Mr. Basketball Quentin Snider of Ballard, who is recovering from an injured ankle. O'Hearn hopes he'll play against Indiana on Friday at Transylvania and Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
• Senior girls 82, Juniors 74: Sacred Heart's Raven Merriweather scored 14 points and Miss Basketball Ivy Brown of LaRue County and Javonna Layfield of Ballard each added 11 for the seniors.
Elizabethtown's Reauna Cleaver scored 22 to lead juniors, and Clark County's Sandra Skinner added 17.
Merriweather and Layfield each hit three 3-pointers, and their team finished with nine to combat the taller juniors.
"I didn't know I was going to hit as many shots because I was off in warmups," said Merriweather, a Bellarmine signee. "But I felt good helping the team any way I can. … I see my role as knocking down shots when needed and passing to the open person."
The seniors have been practicing only since Sunday.
"For what we've been able to produce in a short amount of time I think is pretty great," Layfield said. "We feel strong going into the Indiana game."
BOYS
KENTUCKY JUNIORS 85 — David Simmons 21, Jeremiah Tisdale 19, Jaqualis Matlock 14, James Bolden 13, Raymond Spalding 10, L.J. Cowherd 8, Jax Levitch.
KENTUCKY SENIORS 87 — Keon Williams 14, Chris Porter-Bunton 2, Nick Ruthsatz 2, Christen Cunningham 18, Justin Johnson 7, Jackson Davis 16, Jordan Green 9, Kelan Martin 17, Chris Hudson 2, Quentin Snider DNP.
Halftime — Juniors 38-37. 3-point goals — Juniors 7 (Tisdale, Simmons 3, Spalding, Bolden, Matlock), Seniors 6 (Williams 4, Green, Martin).
GIRLS
KENTUCKY JUNIORS 74 — Nora Kiesler 7, Darien Huff 5, Sandra Skinner 17, Reauna Cleaver 22, Asia Sims 7, Alexis Robinson 9, Morgan Turner 2, Alexis Switzer 2, Alexis Brewer 3.
KENTUCKY SENIORS 82 — Ivy Brown 11, Jamie Castle 1, Abby Owings 10, Essence Gray 3, Raven Merriweather 14, Javonna Layfield 11, Eriel McKee 8, Makenzie Cann 2, Sarah Cooley 6, Shalika Smith 6, Brooke Todd 2, Danielle Lawrence 8.
Halftime — Seniors 33-29. 3-point goals — Juniors 3 (Huff, Sims, Robinson), Seniors 9 (Owings 2, Merriweather 3, Layfield 3, McKee).