CARLISLE, Ky — The Augusta Panthers were in a battle in the first half against the home-standing Bluejackets on Thursday night. However, Jason Hinson’s squad outscored Nicholas County by 13 points in the second half to win the 2024 10th Region All “A” Classic 60-48.
Nicholas County led Augusta 11-10 at the end of the first frame, coming out strong on their home floor – in their first All “A” Classic region finals appearance since 2010.
Since the tournament started in 1990, Augusta has made it the All “A” region finals four times: 2003, 2013, 2015, 2024.
The Bluejackets held a two-possession lead until late in the second quarter.
Noland Young made back-to-back threes at the end of the first half to help put Augusta ahead. Two shots Hinson says might the biggest in All “A” history.
“If Noland Young doesn’t step up we might not win that game. He had two of the biggest shots maybe in Class “A” history. He saved us – and kudos to him. Nobody was hitting shots, and he comes in and has enough courage to hit two of them – those were big shots for us.
Wyatt Clark followed that with a half-court three to cut the Nicholas County deficit to one point heading into the locker room.
Coach Hinson said after the game, “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We knew that they’re on their home court. We knew they were going to come out strong. We just told them to weather the storm and get through the first half. They came out and had a big third and hit a few shots, and that was the difference in the game – being able to get the lead out in the third.”
Augusta outscored Nicholas County 16-6 in the third quarter. Kylan Hinson scored 11 of those points with two threes, finishing the game with 15 points and 7 rebounds.
Coach Hinson said that run was a result of the Panthers just hitting their shots. Hinson said “execution” is what he told his team in the locker room at halftime.
“We just ran our offense. We executed in the second half and that was the difference in the game.”
Keaton Bach’s three with 5:24 in the third quarter gave Augusta the 33-24 lead, their largest of the game so far.
From there, Augusta would cruise to the 60-48 win.
Augusta made their way to the championship by defeating Paris 87-55 and rival Bracken County 93-74.
Conner Snapp led Augusta with 17 points in the finals. He also led with 28 points in their semifinal win. Wyatt Clark led Nicholas County with 18 points.
Kylan Hinson, Connor Snapp, and Devante Jefferson were named to the All-Tournament Team for Augusta.
Coach Hinson led the Panthers to the 2015 All “A” Classic region championship which was the school’s first. This is Hinson’s 17th season as a head coach. All stints have been at small schools in the 10th Region, meaning this is the 17th time his team’s have played in the tournament.
“I was very fortunate to be coaching in 2015 when we won it. We weren’t expected to win that one, but we were expected to win this one.”
Augusta was so unexpected to win their first title in 2015 that Bishop Brossart had already prepared championship shirts. This will be the Panthers’ fifth time in the last twelve seasons making championship shirts, with district titles in 2013, 2014, and 2016, and their two All “A” titles.
“You know me. I’ll play the best team in the state. I don’t care,” said Hinson.
They will need to beat Walton-Verona first, though. Who beat them 74-63 on December 28th in the Mason County Invitational Tournament.
Augusta has also cancelled their game on Friday, January 26th vs. Mason County due to playing in the All “A” Classic State Tournament.
Augusta moves to 11-4 and Nicholas County dropped to 8-8, now 8-9 after their loss to Harrison County on Saturday.
BOX SCORE:
Augusta (60) — Snapp 17, Hinson 15, Jefferson 9, Kelsch 8, Young 6, Bach 5, Johnson 0.
Nicholas County (48) — Clark 18, Martin 11, M. Donovan 10, Blake, 5, Morris 4, D. Donovan 0, Hatton 0.
Augusta:
Field Goals: 19/37 – 51.4%
Threes: 5/15 – 33.3%
Free Throws: 17/22 – 77.3%
Rebounds: 25
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