The Kentucky State AAU Tournament was this past weekend at the KBA in Lexington and after 117 games between the 9th, 10th and 11th grade, there are now 3 champions and a bright future for Kentucky Basketball.
Here is a recap of the 9th, 10th and 11th grade tournaments.
Let’s begin with who wasn’t at at the KBA this weekend and that is the Kentucky Travelers. The Travelers are the Kentucky representative in the Nike EYBL and didn’t play. I spoke to Jonathan Davis on Friday, father of the Travelers’ Jackson Davis, and he said if they win 2 games in Minnesota this upcoming weekend they will qualify for the Peach Jam. Good luck to them!
There were also some significant injuries that kept two of the top players in the state from showing their skills. The 11th grade Louisville Magic’s Jordan Green and 9th grade Hoop Dreams’ Quentin Goodin were both sidelined due to injury. Green, who plays for Henry Clay, is out 4-6 weeks due to a groin injury. Taylor County’s Quentin Goodin, who many say is one of the top 3 players in the state, had a back injury from lifting weights and was told to rest over the weekend.
The biggest story of the weekend, in my opinion, was the 9th grade entry Team Manimal. Of course, this team was sponsored by Morehead State alum and current Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried. Just walking around the KBA you could hear parents, coaches and players talking about the Manimals. They did not disappoint being a first year team, finishing 2nd, but the game of games was the semi-final double overtime win over the tournament favorite Hoop Dreams. There were two buzzer beaters, including this one by Bullitt East’s Tyler Sharp:
Manimal went on to pull off the upset with a 102-99 win.
That draining performance, which included 8 players fouling out, was too much for head coach Maze Stallworth’s Team Manimal in the finals as the Kentucky Heat won the 9th grade state tournament 74-61.
Here are the Manimals with team sponsor Kenneth Faried:
The 10th grade tournament, which really went under the radar, was won by The Next Level Retros defeating The Ville 62-52. The Retros were led by Ballard’s Corey Douglas and Doss’ Dujuanta Weaver in the championship game. Knott County’s Evan Hall, who played for The Ville, had a great weekend as he dominated the paint and the glass.
Here are the Next Level Retros:
The 11th grade state tournament was dominated by the Louisville Magic, which was loaded with the best players in the state that aren’t playing with the Kentucky Travelers.
Louisville commit Quentin Snider was just a piece to the puzzle that included Henry Clay’s Chris Cunningham and Trey Grundy, PRP’s LaMontray Harris and D’Angelo Hunter, Ballard’s Kelan Martin, Trinity’s Craig Owens and Marshall County’s Austin Rentfro.
Coach Ellis Myles’ club won by an average of 34.5 points per game, which concluded with a 79-44 win over the Shining Stars in the Finals.
One game I would love to see, that we probably won’t get to see, is the Magic vs. the Kentucky Travelers.
Here are the 11th grade champions:
Check back later for an article on standout players, bad officiating and ways to improve the Kentucky State AAU.
