Beacon Hoops

2-6-24

James Collier

Ashland Beacon

64^th DISTRICT

ASHLAND 15-7

Ashland went 2-1 this week with wins over George Washington and North Laurel and a district overtime loss to Boyd County. 

Ashland defeated GW, 76-68. Zander Carter dropped 35 points in the win. Nate Freize added 13. Braxton Jennings had 12. Tyson Lalonde kicked in 11. 

Ashland fell in overtime to Boyd, 85-79. Carter paced the Tomcats with 30. Asher Adkins had 19. Jennings finished with 10. 

Ashland bounced back with a 73-39 thumping of North Laurel at LCA. Carter paced the Tomcats with 21, Jennings pitched in 14 and Cam Davis 12. 

Ashland heads to Magoffin County Wednesday, Fleming County Thursday and Menifee County Saturday. 

BOYD COUNTY 20-4

Boyd went 3-0 this week with wins over West Carter, Ashland and Rowan County. 

Boyd hammered West, 85-39. Jacob Spurlock led the Lions with 17 points. Jason Ellis had 16. Cole Hicks added 14. Drew Smith kicked in 10. 

Spurlock dropped 28 in an 85-79 overtime win over Ashland. Hicks netted 16. Griffin Taylor finished with 11. Ellis had 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Boyd took down Rowan County, 87-51 on senior night. Spurlock tossed in 21 and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win. Hicks and Ellis finished with 16 each. 

Boyd visits Russell Tuesday and welcomes Perry County Central Saturday. 

FAIRVIEW 7-17

Fairview went 1-2 this week with a win over Rose Hill and losses to Huntington St. Joe and Grace Christian. 

Fairview fell to Huntington St. Joe, 99-74. Steven Day paced the Eagles with 32 points and 14 rebounds. Tamel Smith tossed in 14. 

Fairview bounced back with an 86-47 win over Rose Hill. Aiden Daily and Day each netted 21 points. Day grabbed 10 rebounds. Smith tossed in 18. Eli Shope added 12. 

Fairview fell to Grace Christian, 71-60. No stats were reported in the loss. 

Fairview visits Adams County Christian on Thursday. 

ROSE HILL 5-10

Rose Hill fell to Fairview, 86-47. No stats were reported. 

Rose Hill welcomes Bath County Tuesday, Elliott County Thursday and visits Portsmouth Notre Dame Saturday. 

63^rd DISTRICT

RUSSELL 13-7

Russell went 3-0 this week with wins over Elliott County, West Carter and Raceland. 

Russell defeated Elliott County, 70-49. Tatum Fleming and Caleb Rimmer paced the Devils with 14 points. Ryder Burgess and Elijah Neel each added 11. 

Russell hammered West Carter, 91-52 and picked up a district win over Raceland, 58-55. No stats were reported. 

Russell welcomes Boyd Tuesday, visits Greenup in a key 63^rd District tilt Friday and welcomes Coal Grove Saturday. 

RACELAND 12-10

Raceland went 2-1 this week with wins over Bath County and Lewis County and a loss to Russell. 

Conner Sutton led the Rams with 24 points in an 84-52 beatdown of Bath County. Christian Large added 22. Connor Thacker had 17. 

Raceland notched a tough district win over Lewis, 64-54. Large led the Rams with 25 points. Jonah Arnett had 14. Sutton finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Raceland fell to Russell, 58-55. No stats were reported. 

Raceland visits Greenup Tuesday and welcomes Lewis Friday in key 63^rd District tilts and Fleming County on Saturday. 

GREENUP COUNTY 12-11

Greenup went 1-1 this week with a win over Lewis County and a loss to East Carter. 

Greenup defeated Lewis, 51-35. Eli Adkins led the way with 15. Bradley Adkins added 11. 

The Musketeers fell to East Carter, 59-51. Eli Adkins had 18 in the loss. Cohen Underwood finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

Greenup welcomes Raceland Tuesday, Russell Friday and Morgan County on Saturday. 

Girls Basketball Preview

James Collier

Ashland Beacon

ASHLAND

Head Coach: Stacy Davis (2nd)

Record: 26-8

Season Ended: State Tournament Quarterfinals (51-47 McCracken Co.)

Key Returning Players: Ella Sellars, Kenleigh Woods, Jaidyn Gulley, Gabby Karle

Winning a 16^th Regional Championship in your first season as head coach sets the bar high for season two. That is exactly where Stacy Davis is this year after her Kittens defeated Boyd County, 67-50 in the region final to head off to the Sweet 16. Ashland ran the gauntlet in the regional round with wins over Rowan County, 71-61 in the opening round and a 45-44 victory over Russell in the semis. 

But the expectations for year two will remain extremely high as Davis returns everyone from last season’s championship squad with hopes of going back-to-back. 

Kenleigh Woods paced the Kittens with 18.6 points a game from the point guard position. 

Fellow guard Ella Sellars added 16.8 points while leading the team from long range (32.5%). Both were active on the glass, grabbing 4.4 and 4.2 rebounds a game, respectively. Jaidyn Gulley rounded out the double-digit scorers for Ashland with 11 a game and a team-high 7.2 rebounds. 

Gabby Karle (6.7ppg) and Aryanna Gulley (4.9ppg) were key contributors last season as well and Davis expects both to add to their roles this year. Jenna Delaney and Brookelyn Duckwyler added a spark from the bench and will look to do so again this season. 

Ashland opened the season with a visit from 15^th Region champion, Pikeville followed by an early district tilt at Fairview. Ashland travels to Cooper and Ryle after Christmas to face one of the top teams in northern Kentucky. The Kittens welcome their district rival, Boyd County for the first of two meetings on Jan. 18 with a return trip to the Lions scheduled for Feb. 6. Ashland hooks up with Conner at Lexington Christian on Feb. 3 and welcomes George Washington on Feb. 14. 

BOYD COUNTY

Head Coach: Pete Fraley (28^th)

Record: 21-10

Season Ended: Regional Championship (67-50 Ashland)

Key Returning Players: Audrey Biggs, Jasmine Jordan, Taylor Bartrum, Sophia Stevens

Boyd County was poised to claim another region title. 

Ashland did not get that memo leaving the Lions in disarray as the Kittens hoisted the hardware and cut down the nets and the Lions have not forgotten that feeling as they look to return to the Sweet 16 in 2024. Veteran coach Pete Fraley knows how to get the best out of his squad, setting up what should be another crazy year in the 64^th District. 

Jasmine Jordan had a coming out season last year with 18.6 points and 11.7 rebounds a game. This season, Jordan will have help in the post with a fully healthy Audrey Biggs available after a remarkable recovery last year from an ACL tear. Biggs returned for 13 of the Lions contests last season and averaged 12 points and 4.9 rebounds an outing. Taylor Bartrum continued to be the spark plug for the Lions with 10.4 points and 6.1 boards. Sophia Stevens will be another big part of the puzzle for the Lions as the only player that saw action in all 31 games last season. 

Boyd County will also lean on Bella Opell, Myla Hamilton, McKenzie Moore and Jada Ray to be contributors to the Lions this season. Opell is a bulldog on defense and kicked in 3.5 points a game. Hamilton saw limited action last season but will be a part of the rotation coming off the bench. Moore and Ray were both producers off the bench and will play in that same role this season. 

Boyd County has another solid schedule this season highlighted by the top teams in the Tri-State area. Boyd will square off against George Washington and Letcher County Central in the Roundball Classic. They head to the Queen of the Commonwealth before Christmas and tangle with Ryle and Cooper after the holiday. Stepping out to the Mountain State, Boyd plays Morgantown on Jan. 26, Huntington High on the 27^th and Midland on Feb. 3. 

Boyd meets up with Ashland at Anderson Gymnasium on Jan. 18 followed with a home game on Feb. 6. Boyd closes the season with four more home games after the final Ashland contest with visits from Portsmouth, Morgan, Russell and Rowan. 

FAIRVIEW

Head Coach: Brian Deer (1^st)

Record: 8-22

Season Ended: Opening Round 64^th District Tournament (64-12 Ashland)

Key Returning Players: Madison Loving

Fairview continues to rebuild with another new head coach as Brian Deer takes over in Westwood. 

Fairview loses nearly all of its offense from last season with the departures of Kiera Loving and Mia Newton. Loving led the way with 15.2 points and 15.7 rebounds a game and Newton added 8.6 points an outing. The Eagles will turn to Madison Loving to lead the way as the leading scorer from last year at 5.4 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. 

Fairview is facing a challenging schedule this season as a member of the 64^th District and contests with Ashland and Boyd. Fairview will play Menifee County in the opening round of the 16^th Region All “A” Classic on Jan. 6^th. The Eagles are scheduled for home-and-home with East Carter, Raceland, Greenup and Johnson Central. 

RACELAND

Head Coach: Marty Thomas (2nd)

Record: 7-24

Season Ended: Opening Round District Tournament (60-36 Russell)

Key Returning Players: Nim Maynard, Kennedy Taylor

High hopes became shattered dreams last season for Raceland after losing their final 10 contests and 12 of 13 while never putting back-to-back wins together. 

Injuries and inexperience haunted the Rams last year but this season the Rams start with a healthy roster with a couple of added additions from transfers. Nim Maynard paced the Rams last season with 17.5 points a game while starting in all 31 contests. She also claimed 6.2 boards, second best on the team. Maynard will work as a shooting guard this season with the addition of Mia Adkins who came in from Russell. Lexi Boggs, Mikenna Lacks and Sophia Maynard will all share the workload at guard. 

Kennedy Taylor anchored the post for the Rams with 8.9 points and 8 rebounds a game in her 22 contests. Taylor will allow the Rams to work inside out to set up the shooters on the perimeter. Carley Boyd will also work in the post for the Rams. 

Raceland has a busy schedule around Christmas with three games in the Mike Bromagen Ladycats Legend at Bath County followed by playing hose of the Ryan Keeton ExP Reality Ohio River Classic after Christmas. Raceland opens district play with Lewis County on Jan. 2 at the Palace followed by a visit from Greenup on the 16^th and a trip to Russell on the 18^th.

RUSSELL

Head Coach: Mandy Layne (14^th)

Record: 22-12

Season Ended: Semifinals 16^th Region Tournament (45-44 Ashland)

Key Returning Players: Shaelyn Steele, Bella Quinn, Hannah Sanders, Kennedy Darnell

After a heartbreaking loss to Ashland in the region semifinals for the second year in a row, Russell has an agenda this season in hopes for regaining the regional crown. 

Having one of the most prolific players in the region certainly helps that hope. 

Russell features Shaelyn Steele whose storied career will come to an end this season after the completion of her senior campaign. Steele led the Devils in scoring and rebounding last season with 19.8 and 7.7, respectively. Joining Steele in the Devils’ potent offensive attack is Bella Quinn who took a step forward last season as a primary scorer and is expected to do more of the same this season. Quinn rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10.8 a game while shooting 37.6 percent from downtown. 

Kennedy Darnell continues to become an additional scoring threat for Russell after netting 7.5 a game. Her length poses problems for teams and fits Russell’s suffocating defensive attack perfectly. Hannah Sanders will be the Devils primary post player and will need to add to her 4.8 a game from last year. 

Courtney Fitzpatrick will round out the starting five after coming off the bench last season. Gabby Oborne is another scoring threat who worked well as the 6^th man for Russell last year while providing another scoring option from downtown. Bethany Allen and Kamyrn Fleming will work in the post as well. 

Russell will work another tough schedule with a meeting against George Washington in the Boyd County Roundball Classic on Dec. 9 followed by a trip to Cooper on Dec. 16. Russell meets Highlands in the Lady Invitational of the South on Dec. 27, Notre Dame on Jan. 6 at Franklin County and a Mountain State showdown with Morgantown and St. Albans on Jan. 26 and 27^th. District play begins on Jan. 5 with a visit from Lewis County with a meeting with Greenup on Jan. 12 and Raceland on the 18^th. Russell closes the season with three of their last four on the road with trips to Raceland, Wayne, WV and Boyd County. Russell will also have a home-and-home against Ashland on Jan. 24 and Feb. 12.

GREENUP COUNTY

Head Coach: Kacey Carver (Interim) 

Record: 15-13

Season Ended: Opening Round 63^rd District Tournament (42-37 Lewis)

Key Returning Players: Dharia Crum, Kennedy Spencer, Katie Shaffer

After a disappointing finish to last season with an early exit in the opening round of the district tournament, Greenup County finds itself in a rebuilding year. That rebuild became even more challenging with the departure of head coach Paul Miller one week before the start of the regular season. Add to the mix the departure of leading scorers and rebounders Rachel Bush and Emily Maynard and it's no secret the Musketeers will have their hands full this year. 

With 35 of the Musketeers 50 points a game gone from Bush and Maynard, Greenup will have to be creative with its offensive production. Three returners from last season in Dharia Crum, Katie Shaffer and Kennedy Spencer will have to pace the Musketeers. Spencer tallied 5.4 points while Crum and Shaffer each had 4.6 a game. 

Greenup will play Estill County on Dec. 15 in the Kentucky 2A Sectional and opens against Montgomery County on Dec. 20 in the Gateway Holiday Classic. Greenup travels to Lewis County on Jan. 9 to open district play followed by a trip to Russell on the 12^th and Raceland on the 16^th. Greenup welcomes Lewis on the 22^nd, Russell on Feb. 1 and Raceland on Feb. 6. 

Beacon Hoops

James Collier

Ashland Beacon

64^th District

ASHLAND 2-1

Ashland went 2-0 this week with wins over Magoffin County and South Point. 

Ashland defeated Magoffin County, 69-45. Tyson Lalonde led the Tomcats with 16 points. Zander Carter had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Nate Freize added 11 and grabbed 10 rebounds. 

No stats were reported on the win over South Point.Ashland travels to Pikeville Tuesday, Fairview Friday and Chapmanville Regional Saturday. 

BOYD COUNTY 4-0

Boyd County won both games in the Roundball Classic with wins over Morgan County and East Carter. 

Boyd upended Morgan County, 83-58 behind a 23-point outburst by Drew Smith who drained 6 of 9 threes. Jacob Spurlock added 17. Jason Ellis had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Rhett Holbrook kicked in 11. 

Boyd hammered East Carter, 92-48 in running clock fashion behind a career performance by Spurlock. The sophomore dropped 43 in the win while hitting nine threes. Boyd hit 13 of 26 triples as a team. Cole Hicks poured in 14 points. Ellis grabbed a game-high 11 boards. 

Boyd County meets Rowan County Thursday in Morehead, Capital, WV Friday and George Washington Saturday. 

FAIRVIEW 3-4

Fairview went 2-2 this week with wins over Grace Christian and Bath County and losses to Greenup and Ironton. 

Tamel Smith dropped 37 and went 11 of 22 from downtown in a 97-62 win over Grace Christian. The Eagles connected on 17 threes as a team. Steven Day added 28. Aiden Daily finished with 10. 

Fairview inched out a win over Bath County, 68-66. Day netted 31 and grabbed 12 boards. Smith kicked in 17. 

Smith led the Eagles with 30 in a 75-71 loss to Greenup. Smith was 8 of 13 from downtown. Day finished with a double-double dropping 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. 

Fairview fell to Ironton, 97-69. No stats were reported. 

Fairview heads to Lawrence County Tuesday and welcomes Ashland Friday. 

ROSE HILL 1-2

Rose Hill fell to Covenant, WV, 72-52 in the Royals only game this week. Christian Blevins led the way with 26 points. Bryant Stephens and Collin Wilburn each added 11 and Wilburn grabbed 12 rebounds. 

Rose Hill visits Adams County Christian, OH on Friday. 

63^rd District

RUSSELL 1-2

Russell went 0-2 this week with losses to Rowan County and Pikeville. 

Russell fell to Rowan County, 75-56 in the EKC Tournament. Elijah Neel and Caleb Rimmer each had 14 points. Gabe Pridemore kicked in 13. 

Russell fell to Pikeville, 62-59 in the Boyd County Roundball Classic. Neel led the way with 20. Rimmer kicked in 17. 

Russell welcomes Eastern, OH Monday and Fleming County Friday. 

RACELAND 3-2

Raceland went 2-1 this week with wins over Bath County and Elliott County and a loss to Lawrence County. 

Raceland torched the nets while ruffing up Bath County, 83-65. The Rams were 50% (30-60) from the field and 52.4% (11-21) from downtown. Christian Large had 28 points and drained five 3s in the win. Connor Thacker added 21 points and three 3s. Conner Sutton added 16 points. 

Raceland dominated Elliott County, 71-36. Large had 22 points. Jonah Arnett had 13. Parker Ison kicked in 10. 

Raceland fell to Lawrence, 75-69 in the Roundball Classic. Large and Sutton led the way with 17 points in the losing effort. Jacob Waller had 11 and Thacker finished with 10. 

Raceland travels to Dayton Friday and Simon Kenton on Saturday.

GREENUP COUNTY 4-4

Greenup went 3-1 this week with wins over West Carter, Fairview and Tolsia and a loss to Fleming County to open the week. 

Greenup defeated West Carter, 71-56. Bryson Chandley had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Musketeers. Eli Adkins and Kasey Gammon added 13 and was 3 of 5 from long range. 

Greenup outlasted Fairview, 75-71. Eli Adkins led the way with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Chandley had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Bradley Adkins kicked in 12. 

Adkins went 9 of 15 from the field and scored 23 points in the loss to Fleming County. Gammon paced the Musketeers with 19 in the win over Tolsia.  

Greenup visits Wheelersburg Tuesday, welcomes Chillicothe Wednesday, visits Estill County Friday in the Class 2A Sectional and welcomes Rock Hill Saturday.               

Ladies’ Hoops

James Collier

Ashland Beacon

ASHLAND 1-1

Ashland defeated Fairview, 76-4 in the Kittens only game this week. Kenleigh Woods had 16 to lead the Kittens. Gabby Karle added 12. Brookelyn Duckwyler kicked in 10.

Ashland welcomes Wheelersburg Thursday, Lewis County Friday and meets Knox Central in the Big Lou Coaches vs Cancer Classic on Saturday. 

BOYD COUNTY 4-1

Boyd County went 2-0 this week with wins over George Washington and Letcher County Central in the Roundball Classic. 

Boyd defeated GW, 68-58. Audrey Biggs had a game high 23 points. 

The Lions knocked off Letcher County Central, 66-34. Jasmine Jordan led the Lions with 17 points. Biggs added 13. McKenzie Moore had 12. Jada Ray kicked in 11. 

Boyd welcomes Elliott County Monday. 

FAIRVIEW 0-7

Fairview went 0-4 this week with losses to East Carter, Ashland, West Carter and Johnson Central. 

Fairview fell to East, 76-12. Madison Loving and Madison Caskey had three points each to lead the way. 

Fairview lost 76-4 to Ashland. Micah Crum and Page VanBibber had two points each. 

The Eagles fell to West, 64-10 and Johnson Central, 63-6. 

Fairview welcomes Portsmouth Clay Monday and Chesapeake Wednesday.

RUSSELL 4-0

Russell went 3-0 this week with wins over Rowan County, Bath County and George Washington. 

Russell defeated Rowan County, 64-40. Shaelyn Steele had 24 points in the win. Bella Quinn added 10. 

Russell defeated Bath, 60-38. Hannah Sanders and Steele each had 17. 

Russell outlasted GW, 48-47 in the Roundball Classic. Steele paced the Devils with a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds including a three-point play with 22 seconds left in the game to give Russell a one point win. Sanders added 13. 

Russell visits Rowan County Monday, Fleming County Thursday and Cooper Saturday. 

RACELAND 3-1

Raceland went 1-1 this week with a win over Dayton and a loss to Villa Madonna. 

Raceland defeated Dayton, 68-32. Nim Maynard had 17 points and was 3 of 4 from downtown. Kennedy Taylor added 14 points and grabbed nine boards. 

Raceland fell to Villa Madonna, 73-46. No stats were reported. 

Raceland visits East Carter Monday and welcomes Rowan County Thursday. 

GREENUP COUNTY 2-4

Greenup went 1-2 this week with a 45-40 win over West Carter, a 47-20 loss to Elliott County and 55-36 loss to East Carter. No stats were reported in any of the contests. 

Greenup visits Estill County Friday in the Kentucky 2A Sectional and welcomes East Carter Saturday.