Grace Christian Academy’s inaugural KCAA Pre-Season Tournament was won by the Lions, with resounding support from visiting teams to make the tournament an annual event.
It was Grace Christian Academy that came away with the championship, beating the Lexington Latin Gladiators in the opening round of the tournament and later in the title game after Lexington had escaped the loser’s bracket.
Logan Cantrell of the Lions took home the Tournament MVP award alongside teammates James Edwards and Elijah Proctor on the All-Tournament team. Landon McKeehan of Valiant Christian (Louisville), Teddy Eidem of Holy Angels (Louisville), Lincoln Say of MICAH (Louisville), Jonah Brown of Valor (Owensboro), Ian Beddingfield of Legacy (Bowling Green), Carter Roach of Legacy (Bowling Green), Mat Butler of Lexington Latin and Davis Corbett of Lexington Latin round out the All-Tournament team.
Jonah Brown won the three-point contest, shooting 50% from behind the arc in the third and final round of the competition. Holy Angels’ own Jacob Flood grabbed the free throw contest, hitting 75% of his attempts on the day.
Grace Christian Academy Head Andrew Hunt was thrilled with the way his team played, while also knowing that playing at the Owensboro Sportscenter provided his team with some memories that they’ll never forget while getting them prepared for the season.
“Playing in the Sportscenter was a great experience for our guys,” Hunt said. “It is something they are likely to remember for a long time to come. It was also good for us as a young team to gain experience playing at a big venue like this. There is no doubt it will help us be better prepared for our upcoming season.”
Jeff Flood—head coach of the Holy Angels—agreed with the notion, saying that the arena atmosphere took the tournament over the top for the players.
“They were blown away from the moment we pulled into the parking lot,” Flood said. “When the lights went down before lineups were introduced, they got to experience what the big teams do. Playing in the Sportscenter was something my young athletes will talk about for years to come.”
The tournament was also a hit because of what the community offers, as Scott Perron—head coach of the Lexington Latin Gladiators—said that two days of great basketball was complemented by 54 Pizza Express, Windy Hollow Biscuit House, Lic’s Deli and Ice Cream. and Smothers Park on the river. He went on to say that they are thankful to the people of Owensboro— from the tournament staff to the local restaurant hosts—whose hospitality helped to make this past weekend a memorable one for players, coaches, parents and fans.
Shanna McGinnis, GCA board member and owner of Blue Bridge Homes, attended both days of the tournament and thoroughly enjoyed it. She went on to agree that the tournament was big for the community noting that they would like the bring the event back year after year.
“Any time we’re bringing people from out of town into Owensboro I think that’s good for Owensboro,” McGinnis said. “I think Owensboro is a really desirable place to visit, I think so many people just haven’t been here. I think once they come for something like this that some are inclined maybe to come back. Events like this are good for the whole community really.”
McGinnis said that discussions for the future of the Pre-Season Tournament will begin here soon, noting that if it was approved that it should be feasible with every team from this year wanting a return invite.
“We were glad to host this event,” McGinnis said. “Win or lose, giving our students this experience was worth it. We are going to make this an annual event. “It’s probably something that we’ll start talking about in the next few months. Having done it this year gives us some experience and we’re going to sit down here soon to discuss what went well, what maybe could’ve gone better and what we can do differently or the same next year to make it an even more successful event.”
McGinnis said that she had to give thanks to GCA Athletic Director Mike Dechman for his ability to put the tournament together, saying that without his work it wouldn’t have been possible.
Dechman himself also shared thanks saying that Thomas Dyer, Director of the Sportscenter, and the rest of the team were great to work with hosting this event and that he looks forward to working with them again to start planning the possible 2023 event soon.
