Girls’ All ‘A’ Classic: Small-school event will crown new champ

The statewide girls’ All “A” Classic basketball tournament gets underway Wednesday at the Frankfort Convention Center and one thing’s a given: a new champion will be crowned.

Covington Holy Cross, which defeated Murray by a point last season to claim its first All “A” crown before winning the true state tournament in March, isn’t in this year’s field. Murray’s Tigers, ranked eighth in the latest Cantrall Ratings, are back and will be the favorite to win the 2016 edition of the small-school showcase.

The snow that crashed into the state on Friday delayed many of the regional tournaments. The 11th Region played its finals on Monday after its semifinals were pushed to Sunday afternoon, usually a space free of interscholastic competition.

Frankfort advanced from the 11th Region after defeating Sayre 71-46 behind a tremendous outing from senior Brianna Burbridge: 42 points, 11 rebounds and nine steals in a little more than 27 minutes of action. The Panthers (9-8) ended the Spartans’ two-year streak of All “A” appearances and are back in the main event for the first time since 2013, their only prior appearance. They reached the quarterfinals that season.

Murray, Danville and Glasgow advanced to the statewide tournament on Monday, too.

Click here to view the girls’ All “A” Classic tournament bracket.

Like Frankfort, Murray played its semifinal game Sunday. Danville, which defeated Somerset 57-45, advanced a full week after its semifinal win over Washington County. Glasgow upset No. 15 Monroe County, 69-63, after the two teams cruised to semifinal wins about six hours earlier.

The Scotties were the last public school to win the All “A” Classic, in 2014. Private schools have won eight of the last 11.

Nine regions are represented by different schools than they were a season ago. In addition to Frankfort, they are: Livingston Central (2nd), Glasgow (4th), Green County (5th), Walton-Verona (8th), Newport Central Catholic (9th), Breathitt County (14th), Shelby Valley (15th) and Menifee County (16th).

Returning from the 2015 tournament are: Murray (1st), Owensboro Catholic (3rd), Harlan (13th), Danville (12th), Kentucky Country Day (6th), Presentation (7th), Bracken County (10th).

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Girls’ All ‘A’ Classic: Small-school event will crown new champ."