Top Performers – 11th Region Tournament Quarterfinals (3/1 & 3/2)
The 11th Region Tournament Quarterfinals kicked off this week in Richmond at Eastern Kentucky University’s McBrayer Arena.
The event started on Wednesday with Franklin County falling to Lexington Catholic 52-79, followed by a close match-up between Madison Southern and Lexington Sayre. Sayre would defeat Southern 56-48.
Thursday saw Frankfort get blitz by tournament favorite Scott County 91-35. The night cap between Lexington Christian and Madison Central was one for the ages. In a contest that saw the outcome come under the final minute of play, the Indians of Madison Central survived against LCA 45-44.
11th Region Tournament Quarterfinal Top Performers
- Zan Payne, Lexington Catholic – In Lex Cath’s win against Franklin County, Payne (a junior) contributed 13 points and knocked down a three late in the 2nd quarter that helped spark a run that would set the tone for the rest of the game going into halftime. Zan is the son of University of Kentucky assistant coach, Kenny Payne. He is averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds per game on the year.
- Diablo Stewart, Franklin County – The sophomore guard has impressed all season, averaging just over 18 points per game. In their loss to Lexington Catholic, Stewart finished with 14 points of 39% shooting while also grabbing 4 rebounds.
- Jack Duby, Lexington Sayre – Sayre has been a Cinderella team all year. Duby has led Sayre during the season, averaging 22 points per game. On this night he would lead the team with 15.
- Robbie Goodman, Lexington Sayre – But it was a Robbie Goodman 3-pt field goal with just over a minute left that really got Sayre going. That 3 would put the Spartans up 50-46 and they would not look back after. He would finish with 8 points on the night.
- Caleb Miller, Madison Southern – Miller scored two points above his average and ended the game with 18 on the night. After Goodman’s 3, Miller did hit a field goal to bring the score to 50-48, but it was not enough.
- Bryce Long, Scott County – Scott County is currently ranked #1 in the state according to the ‘Cantrall Rankings’, and has been led by sophomore star Michael Moreno. But on this night Long scorched the Panthers for 19 points, knocking down three 3’s. The sophomore guard is averaging 12 points per game. Look for Moreno and Long to lead Scott County to a state championship trophy before their careers are over, if not this year.
- Isaiah Cozart, Madison Central – Cozart scored 12 points and was easily the best defensive player on the floor. Cozart altered shots all night, which is no surprise as he dismantled Kentucky’s high school basketball single-season blocks record this year. The sophomore also picked up an offer from 11th Region Tournament host Eastern Kentucky University afterward.
- Isaiah Minter, Madison Central – Junior Isaiah Minter, who averaged just over 7 points going into the game, went offfor 16 against Lexington Christian and led all Madison Central scorers.
- Carter Hendrickson, Lexington Christian – Hendrickson carried the Eagles on his back on this night, pouring in 13 points to lead the team. Hendrickson has been a huge factor in LCA’s success this season, and is sure to be going forward. The junior forward averaged 15.4 points and and 8 rebounds this season.