AIT highlights Kentucky talent: Tomcats open against Ohio County

Dec. 27—The 68th Ashland Invitational Tournament kicks off on Thursday, and this year the event features teams from all across the bluegrass.

"I'm really excited about the AIT this year," Ashland coach Ryan Bonner said. "Particularly because it's a really good blend of different styles of basketball. There's a lot of high-level athleticism and skill."

For the first time since 2019, all eight teams competing in the marquee event are Kentucky schools, but they come from all across the commonwealth representing six different regions.

"I'm also excited that it's all teams across the bluegrass," Bonner said "Three of the eight teams in the tournament won their respective regions last year and I think all of the teams in the tournament this year are up there as favorites to win their regions this year."

After winning the 65th and 66th editions of the AIT, Ashland came up short last season with a sixth-place finish.

It might have been a letdown for the Tomcat faithful, but the home team won the 16th Region championship before making it to the state quarterfinals.

And while no one will be hanging banners in December, the AIT certainly provides an atmosphere and competition level that mimics the postseason.

"It's going to provide a postseason-like atmosphere within those three days of basketball," Bonner said. "We've already played a tough schedule up to this point, including a three-game stretch up in northern Kentucky, so I'd like to see our defensive numbers continue to trend upwards, keep winning the rebound battle, and clean up our offensive execution going into this tournament."

The Tomcats start the tournament against Ohio County on Thursday at 7.

"They're a very good team that's very well-coached," Bonner said. "There's a great tradition at that program and they've had a lot of success over the years. They're going to be a favorite to win their region. They're big and physical. They have a senior guard/forward named Eli Decker who's one of the better players in the Third Region. So, it's going to be a challenge."

"That's what we're looking for," Bonner added. "We're not going to run from that. It's definitely a really good first-round game for us."

Zander Carter leads the Tomcats in scoring at 24 points a game. The junior nears the scoring record at Ashland and could reach the top mark during the tournament. Tyler Lalonde (14.6 ppg) also averages double figures. Braxton Jennings adds 9.5 points a night.

The Eagles are 5-4 this season and are led in scoring by a pair of shooters, Carter Young (17.1 ppg) and Decker (18.8 ppg).

Morgan County, the reigning 62nd District champions, will be another 16th Region representative in the field.

Reece Griffith took over the team last season after long-time coach Matthew Perry departed.

In his first year, Griffith took a team that hadn't had a double-digit win total in the previous three seasons and led them to a 22-8 record and a trip to Morehead.

"We're really looking forward to being there," Morgan County coach Reece Griffith said. "We want to see all the talent from across the state and see teams we wouldn't normally see on the schedule. It should be a great three days of basketball."

The Cougars have quickly become a team that can cause damage from the perimeter and put up points in bunches.

"Our goal when we made the schedule this year was to schedule teams we wouldn't normally see," said Griffith, who also played in AiT during his high school career at Elliott County. "We wanted to schedule teams that would provide a challenge and put us in spots of adversity to see how our guys respond to it before we head into January and February."

Morgan County opens the tournament up against Danville Christian in the first game on Thursday at 2:30.

"They're a really good ball team," Griffith said. "We're just focusing on the things that we can control right now. But, they're a good team. Obviously, they wouldn't be in the AIT if they weren't. We've had a lot of highs and lows this season. We've taken steps forward and taken steps back defensively. We want to improve on the defensive side of the ball throughout the tournament."

The Warriors, who represent the 45th District in the 12th Region, are 5-2 this season and are led by a trio of scorers: Titus Boyd (12.6 ppg), Emmanuel Dut (12 ppg), Brayden Fugate (11.4).

It's Danville Christian's first appearance in the AIT and the first time it has met Morgan County.

Simon Kenton and Butler return to the event this year and bring plenty of AIT experience.

The Pioneers finished as runner-up in last year's tournament, falling to Martha Layne Collins, 55-48, in the championship game.

Simon Kenton, who won the 32nd District championship last year, could use this year's AIT as a chance to gain some momentum this season after starting 2-7.

The Pioneers won the AIT in 1998 and 2010.

The Bears won the 2018 edition of the AIT, defeating DeSales in the title game.

Butler is 6-4 this year. Senior Dayton Williams averaging 19.7 ppg for the Bears.

Butler won the 22nd District championship last year, before coming up short in the Sixth Region Tournament against Jeffersontown in a match that has the potential to be repeated in this year's AIT.

Jeffersontown enters the AIT with a 4-6 record.

The Chargers are led by Cameron McDaniels with 16.3 ppg.

Jeffersontown's first-round opponent is Martin County.

The Cardinals enter as the reigning 15th Region Champions after defeating Pikeville in last year's title game.

Martin County sports a 5-5 record and is led by Luke Hale in scoring at 24 ppg.

"The AIT is my favorite time of the year for many reasons," Bonner said. "It's an opportunity for coaches to network and establish relationships with one another, meet new people, and be around a lot of high-quality basketball. For me, that's my Christmas present."

AIT SCHEDULE

THURSDAY

FIRST ROUND

Morgan County vs. Danville Christian, 2:30 p.m.

Butler vs. Simon Kenton, 4 p.m.

Ohio County vs. Ashland, 7 p.m.

Martin County vs. Jeffersontown, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

CONSOLATION BRACKET

Morgan County-Danville Christian loser vs. Butler-

Simon Kenton loser, 2:30 p.m.

Ohio County-Ashland loser vs. Martin County-

Jeffersontown loser, 4 p.m.

SEMIFINALS

Ohio County-Ashland winner vs. Martin County-

Jeffersontown winner, 7 p.m.

Morgan County-Danville Christian winner vs. Butler-

Simon Kenton winner, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Seventh place game, 2:30 p.m.

Fifth place game, 4 p.m.

Third place game, 5:30 p.m.

Championship game, 7 p.m.

(606) 326-2658 — wadams@dailyindependent.com

(606) 326-2658 — wadams@dailyindependent.com