The Classic is named after Coach S.T. Roach who compiled a record of 610-167 in the high school ranks.  Mr. Roach achieved 512 of those wins at the old Paul L. Dunbar High School between 1948 and 1965.  He won two state championships and two state tournament runner-ups in the Kentucky High School Athletic League.  He also added two state tournament runner-up finishes in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association in 1961 and 1963.

Tonight's Classic will feature Madison Central (17-6) vs. Pulaski County (16-7) in the first game.  South Laurel (13-5) will play Paul L. Dunbar (15-9) in the nightcap.

Game No. 1  Pulaski County (16-7) vs. Madison Central (17-6)

Pulaski County coach Al Gover started the following lineup:  6-2 Sr. Ben Wilburn, 6-5 So. Jake Tucker, 6-1 Sr. Josh Anderson, 5-8 8th. Cole Draughn, and 5-8 Sr. Bryan Girdler.  5-8 Sr. guard Adam Smith will miss the game due to an injury. Madison Central coach Allen Feldhaus Jr. countered with 6-1 Jr. Lloyd Walker, 6-8 Sr. Kip Kirchbaum, 6-2 Sr. Ryan Jones, 6-2 Sr. Blake Reichenbach, and 6-3 Jr. Eric Broomfield.

Madison Central hit Pulaski County with a 37 point first quarter and rolled to a 91-70 victory.  Pulaski County fought back to within 9, 57-46 early in the third quarter but Madison Central increased the lead to 77-48 at the end of the third quarter.  Madison Central was led by Kip Kirchbaum with 25 points and 17 rebounds.  Reichenbach, Walker, and Broomfield tallied 18, 15, and 14 points respectively.  Pulaski County was led by sharp-shooting guard Josh Anderson with 33 points and 10 rebounds.
 

Pulaski County	19	24	5	22	-	70
Madison Central	37	20	20	14	-	91

Pulaski County	(70) -	Anderson 33, Girdler 10, Tucker 10, Ridner 8, Isaacs 3, Daulton 2, Todd 2, Crowder 2.
Madison Central	(91) -	Kirchbaum 25, Reichenbach 18, Walker 15, Broomfield 14, Stephens 10, Jones 6, Cosby 3.

Game No. 2  South Laurel (13-5) vs. Paul Dunbar (15-9)

South Laurel coach Steve Wright started the following lineup:  5-11 Sr. Neil Warren, 5-11 Jr. Brad Sizemore, 6-1 Jr. Richie Riley, 6-2 Jr. Nathan Valentine, and 6-5 Jr. Travis Hensley.  Paul Dunbar coach Ed Oakley countered with 5-10 Sr. Rayshon Williams, 6-0 Jr. Clark Tatum, 6-4 Sr. Alexious Osumenya, 6-2 Jr. David Byars, and 6-2 Jr. Clay Tate.

Dunbar won a wild one in two overtimes by a score of 88-81.  5-10 Sr. guard Brannon Dunn hit a three-pointer with one second remaining in regulation to earn Dunbar a 71-71 tie.  The first overtime resulted in a 77-77 tie before Dunbar pulled away in the second extra stanza to claim the victory.  Dunbar was led by Osumenya with 26 and 6-3 Jr. Rod Lyvers added 20.  South Laurel was led by Riley with 24.  Valentine and Warren added 19 and 15 points respectively.
 

South Laurel	18	21	15	17	6	4	-	81
Paul Dunbar	8	24	18	21	6	11	-	88

South Laurel	(81) -	Riley 24, Valentine 19, Warren 15, Sizemore 14, Davis 5, Hensley 2, Vance 2.
Paul Dunbar	(88) -	Osumenya 26, Lyvers 20, Tate 12, Williams 10, Byars 9, Dunn 9, Tatum 2.

Conclusion

Both games proved to be interesting.  Madison Central could prove to be a force in the 11th region at tournament time.  Any Feldhaus team will play defense and Walker adds a lot of energy and athleticism to their lineup.  Pulaski County's Josh Anderson is a scorer.  I  was very impressed with him and South Laurel's Richie Riley.  Dunbar can be tough when they come to play.  Osumenya and Lyvers can give most teams major headaches inside the paint.  Add Dunbar to the mix with Lexington Catholic, Lafayette, Madison Central, Bryan Station, etc. and the 11th region could be interesting come tournament time.  South Laurel and Pulaski County should be in the thick of things in the 12th region.

I enjoyed two other moments during this event.  I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Roach for a few minutes.  The gentleman is Class with a capital "C".  It's obvious why he is so respected.  Frank Watson, who retired a the end of last season after a nine year tenure as Paul Dunbar head coach was honored between games.  Coach Watson had two runner-up finish in the Sweet Sixteen, 1993 and 1994.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to Frank Watson and the Dunbar people who are always so helpful and hospitable.  Also thanks to the Madison Central "stats crew" who provided me detailed stats after their game.

Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the games, teams, or players to me at prephoops@yahoo.com