All ‘A’ Classic boys: Opening day delivers last-minute heroics.

Several close games, including one buzzer-beating three-pointer, highlighted the opening day of boys’ action at the All “A” Classic small-school basketball state championships in Richmond on Thursday.

Eight first-round boys’ games played out at McBrayer Arena on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. Quarterfinals for the boys and girls were set for Friday.

First-round winners Thursday were Owensboro Catholic, Frankfort, Metcalfe County, Murray, Hazard, Paintsville, Somerset and St. Henry.

Click here to view the updated boys’ bracket with Friday’s quarterfinal pairings.

Click here to view the box scores from Thursday’s first-round boys’ games.

Click here to view the updated girls’ bracket with Friday’s quarterfinal pairings.

Click here to view the box scores from Wednesday’s first-round girls’ games.

In the tightest games Thursday:

▪ Hazard survived and advanced when Jarrett Napier swished a three-pointer at the buzzer to take down Collegiate of Louisville, 42-39. It was Napier’s only basket of the game.

▪ Frankfort placed four players in double figures and slipped past Bishop Brossart 57-52. Chaz Austin had 16, Will O’Bryan 15, Jackson Twombly 12 and Reed Miklavcic 10.

▪ Ray Wyatt Blythe’s jumper with eight seconds left lifted Metcalfe County over Holy Cross of Louisville, 48-47.

▪ Colby Fugate scored 26 points and Nick Keeton had 20 as Paintsville held off Harlan, 67-60.

The girls’ tournament was to resume at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The first boys’ game was set for 5 p.m.