Morehead, Ky. — #2 seed Louisa Middle school ( 9-3 ) lost to #1 seed and undefeated Ashland 44-27 in the championship game of the 7th grade OVC basketball tournament.
7th Grade OVC tournament Runner Up
LMS 7th Grade Basketball Roster
Front row L to R Gunnar Woods, Boedy Maynard, Braxton Davis, Owen Pack, Deuce Marcum
Back row L to R Ty Brooks, Kaden Johnson, Weston Vanhorn, Tylan Perry, Caden Muncy, Ashton West
Ashland was the only team to beat Louisa this season.
In the title game Ashland led 8-7 after the first quarter and 21-11 at Halftime.
In third the Dawgs outscored Ashland 10-9 and trailed by nine going to the final period.
Ashland stretched out the lead out in the fourth and won the OVC championship 44-27 over the Bulldogs to finish undefeated.
Hayden Perry led the Bulldogs with 13 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, Braxton Davis tallied 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, Weston Vanhorn had a team high 5 rebounds and scored 2 points, Ty Brooks contributed 3 steals and 2 rebounds, Owen Pack tallied 3 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist.
#2 east Louisa 58 #3 west Simons 29 ( First Round )
After one period Louisa led 12-11 and at halftime it was the Bulldogs leading 23-18.
In the third quarter LMS outscored the youngsters from Fleming Co. 22-3 and cruised to the victory.
Braxton Davis led the victors with 17 points he also picked up 7 steals and 5 rebounds, Gunnar Woods 12 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, Carlo Chicko 11 points and 2 rebounds, Hayden Perry 8 points, team high 8 rebounds,
Ty Brooks and Weston Vanhorn had 5 boards each.
#2 east Louisa 46 #1 west Mason Co. 34 ( Semifinals)
Louisa trailed 9-5 after one period and was down 14-10 at halftime
In the third quarter the Bulldogs turned it on and led 27-22 going to the final period.
In the fourth quarter LMS put the game away with a 19 point outburst to pull of the upset and advance to the title game.
Braxton Davis led LMS with 15 points and 4 assists, Hayden Perry tallied 14 points and 7 rebounds, Weston Vanhorn 10 points and 9 rebounds Tylan Perry 4 points, Carlo Chicko 2 points and 5 rebounds Ty Brooks 1 point and 6 rebounds Owen Pack 4 rebounds.
The Bulldogs went 19 of 25 from the charity stripe.
LMS 8th Grade Basketball finished the year 5-5 and fell in the first round of the OVC tournament to #1 seed out of the west Mason Co.
Front row L to R Gunnar Woods, Kasen Staniford, Sam LeFever, Luke Fetherolf, Landon Fairchild, Eli Fletcher
Back row L to R Wyatt Branham, Keaden Ellis, Coach: Wade Skaggs, Josh Spillman, Braxton Davis
LMS 6th Grade Basketball team finished the season 11-2.
6th grade doesn’t play a postseason OVC tournament.
Front row L to R
Isaah Hughes, Chase Kendrick, Brennan Blankenship, Gavin Shannon, CJ Whitt, Brady Caudill, Mitchell Frazier
Back row L to R
Skyler Fetherolf, Hayden Perry, Alex Meadows, Luka Silva, Andrew Ratcliffe, Grey Derifield, Jace Dunn
Louisa Middle 7th grade Coach Wade Skaggs
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… What a tough but fun basketball season! I’ve been coaching for 7 years now and this team had to deal with adversity that I’ve never seen. They continued all year long to impress my staff and I of their will to win, grow closer as teammates, and make memories that will last forever. This season was a true testament to these young men’s character. They never gave in to the hard times, but instead they continued to believe in each other and our coaching staff. We may have finished as OVC Runner up last night but these men are champions in my book. Love you men!”
Louisa Middle 8th grade Coach Josh Thompson
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… This season was filled with lots ups and downs along with a lot of unknowns. it was definitely not what I had thought nor planned it to be. This was a bittersweet year for me because the majority of this group played as 5th graders in my first year at LMS. I have a special bond with them boys and you include the rest of the team, its just a special group of kids.”
“… Once we were finally able to start practices we had no idea how long it was gonna last. We told the kids from day 1 that our season could end at any moment. So treat every second on the floor like its your last. In all we had to shut down and start again 3 different times. Some of us caught covid and some were just contacts. But all the kids handled it really well.”
“… My 8th grade group had to deal with all of that, plus more. They had to witness me go through some pretty rough health issues, including covid. I didn’t talk about in full length with them, I just gave them the rundown and basically let them know there may be a game or two that I may have to miss, but ill keep fighting to be there. Really, I just didn’t want them to worry or for the season to be made about me. This season needed to be all about them and just then enjoying their last year of middle school basketball. As a result of having covid and being quarantined I had to miss their 8th grade night and that broke my heart. But in all, we got to play 10 games and finished 5-5. This group plays so hard, They are tough as nails and super physical. They are all coachable kids. Overall, watching these kids grow on and off the court and watching their skill levels blossom, watching their relationships grow and watching them make lifelong memories, all while developing into fine young men is what its all about to me. All and all This group are all great kids on and off the court. All of them have such bright futures ahead. It was a privilege to coach them.”
“… Lastly, I have to mention the parents. We as coaches are always extremely thankful when we have a good group of parents and these are hard to beat. In four years I have had one complaint, which worked itself out. I’ll take it.”
Louisa Middle 6th grade Coach Laine Hughes
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Our sixth grade team was young this year. Out of our seven man rotation we played four fifth graders a bunch of minutes”
“… Our two losses to school teams, we got to avenge the Fairview loss, which was by sixteen, that game was Hayden Perry first, and Andrew Ratcliffe hadn’t began playing game yet. We came back beat them by 19. Our other loss was to Russell, who is maybe one of best teams in state, but didn’t get a chance to play them again at home”
“… The group really adapted to new basketball outside of youth league as season went on. With covid quarantines, missed practices and games, we still got better every time we played. Last regular season game we fall behind to Ashland 10-2, then go on a 41-0 run.”
“… Our sixth graders were great leaders all year. Some might not of got a lot of minutes, but their effort was tremendous everyday we were in gym. Great group of kids to Coach, future is very bright for both of these classes.”
