The Walton-Verona and Newport boys’ basketball teams extended their stays in Owensboro at the All “A” state tournament with first round victories on Thursday.
The Bearcats took down Somerset, 47-45, while the Wildcats defeated Lexington Christian Academy at the buzzer, 45-43.
They now head to Friday’s quarterfinals with a bit of a change from original start times due to impending weather. Walton-Verona faces Martin County at 4:30 p.m. CST while Newport will take on Harlan at 6 p.m. CST.
*Note: Semifinals have been pushed back a week to Feb. 1, with the championship also played on that day. That schedule will go as follows:
Updated Schedule – Sunday, February 1 (Central Time) –
Girls’ Semifinals: 8:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m.
Boys’ Semifinals: 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Girls’ Championship: 3:00 p.m.
Boys’ Championship: 4:30 p.m.
Newport 45, LCA 43
With the game tied at 43 and 6.7 seconds remaining, Newport’s Amontae Lowe took an inbounds pass under the Wildcats own basket and went coast-to-coast for a contested layup that dropped in at the buzzer.
It was two of 20 points for Lowe, who also grabbed seven rebounds as the Wildcats leading scorer. Davae Andrews-Glover added 11 points while Keegan Farrell pulled down nine rebounds to go with his five points.
It was a barnburner throughout, as no team led by more than five and the lead changed 13 times. Newport’s advantage was in the paint, where they outscored LCA 30-18.
Walton-Verona 47, Somerset 45
Walton-Verona (12-7) overcame a slow start to take down the Briar Jumpers in Thursday’s first round matchup.
The Bearcats trailed 11-5 after one and as much as 10 points in the second before going into the break down 18-13. They were able to knot things up at 31 after three quarters.
They got a balanced effort from their starting five that was paced by Wyatt Shearer’s 12 points and six assist effort. Cole Dryden added 11 points, Clay Shearer with nine points and eight rebounds, Tatum Thornberry just missing a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds and Adam Gutman adding seven points.