Beechwood was ready for the moment.
After some shortcomings earlier this season in four-point losses to Conner, Ryle and Covington Catholic, the Tigers prevailed on Saturday night over Newport at Dayton High School 59-57, winning their second 9th Region All “A” Classic tournament in program history.
“It’s why we play these big schools like Ryle and Conner, CovCath,” Tigers coach Ross Hart said. “I told the guys before the game it’s time for us to take that next step. We’re showing everyone we’re there, we can compete, but can we beat them? Tonight, they showed they could.”
Jack Sullivan poured in 27 points and couldn’t have scripted things much better. In a game where he scored his 1,000th career point, he was also named tournament MVP and helped guide his team to victory.
“I could barely hear myself think sometimes, no, I don’t think you could have scripted it better,” Sullivan said. “This was storybook stuff, it’s amazing.”
The Tigers (11-5) did it by limiting their turnovers down to 11, shot 40% from the 3-point line and did just enough down the stretch to hang on for the victory and sending them to Owensboro for the All “A” state tournament.
For the first 16 minutes, Newport (9-7) looked every bit of ready to defend their All “A” title. The Wildcats activity on the defensive end turned into transition baskets on the offensive end, clicking with a 35-27 halftime lead. The Wildcats were 58% from the floor, blocked five shots and led by as much as 11.
“Played with a high motor. Got to our spots and had good shot selection,” Wildcats coach Rod Snapp said. “Some of the blocks James Turner had were unbelievable.”
But it’s a 32-minute game and Beechwood came out with a purpose in the second half. They’d end the third quarter on a 11-2 run to take a 45-43 lead, Sullivan hitting a 3-pointer from Bellevue to tie the game up at 41. A Carson Blackburn layup and two Sullivan free throws gave them the two-point edge going into the fourth.
“We put the ball in Jack Sullivan’s hands,” Hart said. “We put him at point guard, just looked to try and get some mismatches with some ball screens and then some other guys slipped to the basket when they had the opportunity. Everybody stepped up, did their role, hung on, played just enough defense to get the job done.”
Execution down the stretch then became vital.
PHOTOS: Beechwood-Newport 9th Region All “A” Championship (provided by Charles Bolton)
A couple of layups from Kingston Brockett, Ayden Way and Owen McCormack added layups of their own and the Tigers led 55-49 with less than three minutes to play.
The 9th Region and All “A” state defending champs responded with a 5-0 run, but Sullivan answered with a triple to make it 58-54 with less than two minutes to play.
Yamil Rondon hit a free throw and James Turner got a tip-in to make it 58-57 with 16 seconds remaining.
In a bit of a confusing play, Beechwood was in danger of committing a second straight turnover, but as a traveling violation was called, Beechwood was granted a timeout prior to the violation.
“I was yelling time out,” Hart said. “The official was right in front of me and I was yelling it and he was called for the travel before he could get the whistle for the time out. Called it multiple times. I know the Newport fans aren’t gonna like it, but you know, to defend that referee, he made the right call.”
Sullivan would then hit 1-of-2 from the line to make it 59-57 with 9.7 seconds left.
Newport’s opportunity to come tie it in the closing seconds came up empty after last ditch shot attempts from Yamil Rondon and Griffin Starks were unsuccessful.
The Wildcats were a bit depleted as they were already without both Adonaje Lowe and then Amontae Lowe missing the majority of the game with an injury. They’re still trying to figure things out as they navigate this season. It was just their fourth game with Yamil Rondon back in action from injury and now with the injury to both Lowe’s, they’ll have to fight through a new challenge.
“Came out flat in the second half. Some of our guys were huffing and puffing and getting on each other. That’s where we’re at right now,” Snapp said. “Still had chances. Just put some pressure on ourselves.”
The Wildcats were led by Turner’s 22 points and 11 rebounds to go with four blocked shots. Griffin Starks added 15 with nine rebounds, Rondon tallying nine points and three assists.
Beechwood certainly had to earn their second All “A” regional title in program history. They first took down St. Henry, followed it up with wins over Holy Cross and Newport Central Catholic and then in the finale against Newport.
“As an alumni it means the absolute world,” Hart said. “I was on staff with Coach Goetz when we won it last time (2018), same deal against Newport, heavy underdogs and we just played with heart.”
After Sullivan’s 27, Carson Blackburn put up 11 points with seven assists and three steals, the mixture of Owen McCormack, Ayden Way and Kingston Brockett combining for 18 points and 10 rebounds.
They’ll head to Owensboro to face Owensboro Catholic on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CST at the Owensboro SportsCenter. You could call it a rematch of sorts, the two meeting in December for the Class 2A state football championship. The Tigers are hoping the scoreboard will be in their favor once again.
All Tournament Team
Nate Bessler — St. Henry, Mykah Foster — Dayton, Adam Kues — Bellevue, Gavin Goetz — Holy Cross, Lex Palmer — Heritage Academy, Byron Conley — Ludlow, Ian Mann — Newport Central Catholic, Ayden Way — Beechwood, Carson Blackburn — Beechwood, James Turner — Newport, Griffin Starks — Newport
MVP: Jack Sullivan, Beechwood