Williamsburg eliminated from All “A” state tournament

 The Williamsburg Yellow Jackets faced the Danville Admirals in the first round of the 2015 Kentucky Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic state tournament in Frankfort Thursday night. It was the late game of the evening, tipping off at about 10:20 PM, and it was a thriller.

Danville, who comes out of the 12^th Region, was the team to knock off Williamsburg the last time they qualified to compete in the All “A” state tournament back in 2010. Unfortunately for the Jackets, the result was the same Thursday night as the Admirals won in a close one, 68-65.

The loss for Williamsburg was their first of the season, and gives them an overall record of 17-1. Head Coach Patrick Robinson’s Yellow Jackets were the last remaining undefeated team in the state coming into Thursday’s game.

Danville used quickness and accurate shooting to jump out to an 18-10 lead after one quarter of play. Williamsburg played catch-up until the half, where they still trailed 34-30.

The Admirals extended their lead to 39-30 early in the third quarter, but that lead was cut to 39-38 a few minutes later thanks to an Andrew Griffith three-point play. Senior Corey Shelton gave the Jackets the 52-51 lead with two free throws a short time after that, but Danville was able to go back up 54-52 before the end of the quarter.

Williamsburg went back up, 57-56, with 5:50 remaining in regulation, and were able to grab their biggest lead of the night, 61-56, after shots from junior Andrew Griffith and senior Fred Massey.

The Admirals would not quit, however, as senior Cody Woolridge tied the game up from the free throw line, sinking both shots to make it 61-61 at the 4:15 mark. Shelton would do the same for the Yellow Jackets with only 1:04 left on the clock, tying things up again at 65-65.

Woolridge came through for his team again in the end though, hitting a two-point basket plus a free throw with only five seconds remaining to give Danville the 68-65 lead. Williamsburg’s last second shot attempt was no good, meaning they will not advance in this year’s All “A” state tournament.

Three Jackets finished the night in double digit scoring. Shelton had 25 points in the loss, Andrew Griffith had 15 and Skyler Griffith had 12.

Catch Williamsburg in action again on Tuesday, February 3 as they travel to Corbin High School to face the Redhounds in 50^th District basketball action. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.