Boys’ 11th Region finals: Dunbar advances to Sweet Sixteen

Boys' Sweet Sixteen tournament bracket

After 19 years, Paul Laurence Dunbar battled its way back to the boys’ Sweet Sixteen.

No. 2 Dunbar defeated No. 11 Scott County 51-39 in the regional finals in EKU’s Alumni Coliseum on Monday night. The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 in 11^th Region title games after winning in 1993, 1994 and 1997.

Taveion Hollingsworth scored a game-high 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had three steals to earn tournament MVP honors for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs took a 12-8 lead on a bucket by junior Dontell Brown late in the first quarter, an advantage it wouldn’t relinquish. Scott County pulled to within two points a few times, including with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter, but Dunbar always responded against an upstart Cardinals squad that will return all but one player next season.

“They came out playing harder and tried to limit their turnovers,” senior point guard Jordan Lewis said of Scott County. “And they played zone.”

That zone, which the Cardinals seldom employ, played a part in the Bulldogs shooting 30 percent in the game, well below their 48.1 percent average. Dunbar was just 1-for-10 from behind the three-point line.

But Dunbar didn’t let its own cold shooting detract from its defense. The Bulldogs limited Scott County to 29.5 percent shooting and 3-for-13 from long distance, far off their marks on the year. Following a 7-for-13 three-point shooting performance against Madison Central in the first round, the Cardinals finished 5-for-29 over their final two games.

Michael Moreno, a freshman, had 11 points, nine rebounds, five blocks and two steals for Scott County. He and Cooper Robb, a sophomore who had 13 points but also nine turnovers, figure to keep the Cardinals in the top-10 conversation for the next several years.

Dunbar excelled in creating second chances Monday night; it finished with a 40-30 advantage on the glass, including a 16-9 edge in offensive boards. It scored 28 points in the paint compared to just 16 for Scott County.

Dontell Brown finished with a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with 13 points.

“Rebounding is our No. 1 priority going into every game,” Brown said. “If we’re outrebounded, we didn’t win the game. Even if we did win the game.”

Lewis contributed in multiple ways despite going 1-for-6 from the floor. He had eight points — four on free throws late to seal the victory — seven rebounds, five assists and two turnovers.

Bulldogs star Darius Williams, a Mr. Basketball finalist, had nine points and eight rebounds. He was held scoreless in the second half and finished 4-for-16 from the field but didn’t let that detract from his postgame elation.

“This is crazy,” Williams said. “This is the toughest region in the state. People say that but until you actually come and watch it, it really is the toughest region.”

Dunbar Coach Scott Chalk has been coaching in the 11th Region for 24 years. The Bulldogs gave him his first title in the region Monday night.

“It’s been a long time,” Chalk said. “That’s part of it. When you get the right players, the things you try to do, all of a sudden they work. … We’ve got the right players so that’s the great thing about it.”

Chalk had a few teams at Franklin County that he believed could have gotten to Rupp Arena but circumstances conspired to prevent it. He came to Dunbar in part because of the talent Lexington is capable of producing and the measuring stick the 43rd District provides. The district is typically no cakewalk — it featured four top-25 teams at the end of the regular season — but winning it means you’ve got a shot in regional play, Chalk said.

The Bulldogs entered the season coming off a 14-16 campaign. Expectations were still through the roof because of their senior class and the emergence of Hollingsworth as a Division I prospect. Dunbar has answered doubters who questioned its mental makeup.

“We just didn’t quite have it (mentally) yet,” Chalk said. “ … They learned something from that (year) and realized that you have to make some mental plays to win the thing. It’s not just about being athletic.”

Dunbar will meet the winner of the 12th Region Tournament in the opening round of the Sweet Sixteen. Mercer County will play Casey County for that title at Pulaski County on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs will likely enter Rupp Arena as the favorite after No. 1 Covington Catholic’s loss to Newport Central Catholic in the 9th Region championship.

“We have a good shot just like anybody else,” Chalk said. “ ... This year there’s a lot of teams that are capable and even so it’s gonna be a challenge. But we’re looking forward to it.”

MVP—Taveion Hollingsworth, Paul Laurence Dunbar

Team—Dontell Brown, Paul Laurence Dunbar; Clem Damron, Scott Co.; Evan Dreux, Lafayette; Michael Jefferson, Madison Southern; Jaelin Jenkins, Lafayette; Jordan Lewis, Paul Laurence Dunbar; Justin Mitchell, Henry Clay; Michael Moreno, Scott Co.; Diablo Stewart, Franklin Co.; Cooper Robb, Scott Co.; Keagan Stromberg, Woodford Co.; Isaiah “Pun” Tisdale, Henry Clay; Darius Williams, Paul Laurence Dunbar; John Williams, Madison Central

Coach of the Year—Billy Hicks, Scott Co.

MVP—Taveion Hollingsworth, Paul Laurence Dunbar

Team—Tim Dunn, Bryan Station; Ross Jenkins, Lafayette; Luke Johnson, Lexington Catholic; Harrison Lane, Lafayette; Jordan Lewis, Paul Laurence Dunbar; Terique Miller, Madison Central; Michael Moreno, Scott Co.; Leander Ridgeway, Henry Clay; Kyle Rode, Lexington Christian; Isaiah “Pun” Tisdale, Henry Clay; Darius Williams, Paul Laurence Dunbar;

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Boys’ 11th Region finals: Dunbar advances to Sweet Sixteen."