ASHLAND, Ky. – A coaching assist and the high-scoring Villers brothers powered the 2015-20 Tomcats to a sweep of the 2010-14 Tomcats, advancing them to the quarterfinals of the Tomcat Shootout.

Much like in the opener of the best-of-3 series, the Villers’ trio was too much to overcome. But, also like the opener, the 2010-14 Tomcats blew a double-figure lead.

The 2015-20 Tomcats carved out a 106-96 at Anderson gym in front of a large crowd that came for some offensive fireworks.

Christian, Chase and Cole Villers combined for 61 points with the youngest brother, Cole, scoring 34 points. Christian had an off-shooting night, going 5-for-16, but added 16 points and Chase scored 11. Justin Bradley was also in double figures with 10 points and nine rebounds.

“The Villers are killers,” said 2010-14 coach Buddy Biggs. “No matter where you turned, one of them was open and shooting. I thought I was seeing double, or maybe even triple!”

The 2015-20 Tomcats started bombing from the start and connected on 13-of-33 from 3-point range. They limited the 2010-14 Tomcats to 2-of-8 from downtown. That 39-6 advantage on triples was easily the difference in the game.

“We like our threes,” said 2015-20 Tomcat coach Jason Mays. “Those guy can shoot ‘em all day long. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel for them.”

However, much like the opener, the 2010-14 Tomcats were leading late in the game. They took their largest lead at 54-43 when Tyler Stewart stroked a 17-footer from the corner with 53 seconds to play in the first half on the way to a 54-47 halftime advantage.

They lost the lead for good when Nick Miller drained a 3-pointer at the close of the third quarter to put the 2015-20 Tomcats ahead 78-76.

“Huge shot from Nick right there,” Mays said. “We needed that one to take some momentum into the fourth quarter.”

In an unusual turn, Mays was not on the bench for much of the fourth quarter after suffering from a stomach virus (his wife, Lori Beth, said it wasn’t from her cooking but something Dicky Martin made for the family). He turned the coaching duties over to Luke Maze, who got the most out of the 2015-20 Tomcats after getting in their faces a little.

“I wasn’t sure they were going to listen to me at first so I had to knock some heads together,” Maze said. “Then they listened.”

He called three timeouts in the fourth quarter and each time the team answered with a spurt, the last one allowing them to pull away for the win.

“I’ll have to watch the video to see what he did, but the kid is born to coach,” Mays said afterward. “It’s good to have a backup head coach, too. The Tomcats are fortunate to have Luke with us. He’s as much a part of this program as anybody.”

The 2015-20 Tomcats were practically flawless with only eight turnovers. Point guard Colin Porter had nine points and nine assists.

“With the way those guys shoot the ball and with the Villers brothers out there, they have a chance to win this thing,” Biggs said. “I thought we did all we could do. That three at the end of the quarter and the one to start the fourth quarter (by Ethan Hudson) put us in a hole.”

Hudson bombed one in from 25 feet and nobody blinked to make it 81-76. The 2015-20 Tomcats gradually began to pull away and led by as much as 15 points toward the end before settled for the 10-point win.

“I wanted a 20-point win,” Maze said. “But I’ll take it I guess.”

The game featured six lead changes and was tied nine times.

Three free throws from Porter, who was fouled while shooting one from 22 feet, made it 100-89 with 2:41 remaining.

“When I came back out, there was only about a minute to play,” Mays said. “I let my boy Luke finish it off. Give him the game ball for this one. He pulled us through as much as anybody.”

Corey Gregg was superb in the loss with 31 points and 18 rebounds. He also made 11 of 11 free throws. Dikembe Dixscon collected 25 points and nine rebounds, Ryan Whetsel scored 11 and Dylan Delaney 10.

“It was great playing with these guys again,” Delaney said. “They were good. Give them credit. But I love my guys too.”

A blind draw will determine the quarterfinal pairings on Saturday. Seven decades will be represented and one team will get a bye to the semifinals. It will be determined in the draw.

2015-20 TOMCATS (106) – Christian Villers 5-16 4-4 16, Hudson 2-6 0-0 6, Cole Villers 12-19 7-9 34, Chase Villers 4-6 2-4 11, Bradley 5-9 0-0 10, Miller 2-6 0-0 5, Mays 1-3 3-4 5, Porter 2-8 3-3 9, Robinson 1-4 2-2 5, Sellars 2-5 0-0 5. FG: 36-82. FT: 21-26. 3FG: 13-33 (Christian Villers 2-8, Hudson 2-6, Cole Villers 3-3, Chase Villers 1-1, Bradley 0-1, Miller 1-3, Porter 2-6, Robinson 1-4, Sellars 1-1). Rebounds: 38 (Christian Villers 6, Hudson 3, Cole Villers 6, Chase Villers 4, Bradley 9, Miller 1, Mays 5, Porter 1, Robinson 3). Assists: 16 (Christian Villers 2, Hudson 1, Cole Villers 2, Chase Villers 2, Porter 9, Robinson 1). PF: 27. Turnovers: 8.

2010-2014 TOMCATS (96) – Skaggs 1-3 1-3 3, Whetsel 4-7 2-3 11, Stewart 2-11 0-0 6, Dixson 9-14 7-11 25, Gregg 10-19 11-11 31, Delaney 4-6 2-2 10, C.Johnson 0-2 2-2 2, Friley 2-4 0-0 4, Salow 2-6 0-0 4, Withrow 1-3 0-0 2. FG: 35-75. FT: 24-31. 3FG: 2-8 (Whetsel 1-2, Stewart 0-3, Delaney 1-2). Rebounds: 47 (Skaggs 3, Whetsel 4, Stewart 5, Dixson 9, Gregg 18, Delaney 2, C.Johnson 3, Salow 1, Withrow 2). Assists: 21 (Skaggs 6, Whetsel 2, Stewart 1, Dixson 1, Salow 5, Withrow 1, Delaney 5). PF: 25. Turnovers: 13.

2015-20 TOMCATS      24         23         31         28        –      106

2010-14 TOMCATS      24         30         22         20        –     96

ASHLAND, Ky. – One of the highest-scoring games in the Tomcat Shootout series that featured a record 62 3-point attempts came down to a triple-V attack.

The Villers brothers – Christian, Chase and Cole – combined for 74 points and the 2015-2020 Tomcats defeated the 2010-204 Tomcats 118-113 in a game that had fans waiting in line for tickets hours before tipoff.

Part of the allure was the Villers’ brothers and they didn’t disappoint, scoring 38 (Christian), 26 (Cole) and 10 (Chase). The other attraction were members of the 2020 undefeated Tomcats. Ethan Sellars, Justin Bradley, Ethan Hudson and Colin Porter combined for 20 of 22 assists.

The 3-point shot was active for both teams: the 2010-14 Tomcats firing up 15 of 33 and the 2015-20 Tomcats making 9 of 29.

The idea that these teams would score a lot put some butts in the seats and put a smile on Athletic Director Mark Swift’s face. “I selfishly hope this series goes the full three games,” he said. “This place is all maroon-and-white on both sides. I love it! Maybe I can retire a few days earlier if we have two more crowds like this one.”

Buddy Biggs, who was the losing coach in the last series between the 2000-2004 and 2005-2009 Tomcats, fell to 0-3 in series games.

“Surely there is something in the rulebook that says that all three of the Villers’ brothers can’t play at the same time,” Biggs said. “I mean, come on, how fair can that be? That kind of brotherly love can bring you down in a hurry. We honestly couldn’t do much with them but we let it slip away in the fourth quarter. We still should have won. It’s frustrating.”

True enough. The 2010-14 Tomcats led 34-24 at the half and took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. Dylan Delaney was on fire, making 9 of 10 shots and scoring 22. He was one of five in double figures.

At one juncture, the 2010-14 Tomcats led by 14 points at 96-82 with nine minutes remaining in the game.

“You can’t lose games like this one,” Biggs said. “We only scored 17 points in the last nine minutes. That’s horrible.”

Cole Villers scored 10 in the last nine minutes for the 2015-20 Tomcats and he also pulled down 11 rebounds. The Villers were a combined 25-for-55 from the field, 6-of-16 on 3-pointers and 18 of 21 on free throws. Christian Villers made 12 of 13 free throws. None of the three had an assist.

“That’s funny,” Porter said. “Those guys don’t pass too much. You throw it into them, it’s probably not coming back.”

2015-20 Tomcat coach Jason Mays just shrugged. “They combined for 74 points, so I’m not complaing. We can throw it into them a few more times tomorrow night.”

Devaunte Robinson managed to score in double figures too with 10 points and Sellars scored nine.

“You get 118 points and if three players get most of it, so what?” Mays said. “We scored 118. I don’t care how it came.”

Once it was 96-82, the 2015-20 Tomcats came to live with a 12-0 streak to get back in the game at 96-94. Cole Villers and Miller combined for eight of those points.

“We gave up some offensive rebounds during that streak,” Biggs said. “You have to box out and we did a poor job of it.”

It was 99-94 when Sellars scored on a drive to make it 99-96 and Hudson hit consecutive 3-pointers to put the 2015-20 Tomcats ahead 102-99. Cody Withrow tied it with a triple at 102. An 8-2 run, fueled by triples from Christian Villers and Miller, made it 110-104.

The game was tied at 111 after Dikembe Dixson, who had 19 points and nine rebounds, scored on consecutive inside moves. Cole Villers scored and Christian Villers made two free throws for a 115-111 advantage with 41 seconds remaining.

The 2015-20 Tomcats held on for the five-point victory and 1-0 edge in the series.

Corey Gregg had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Whetsel scored 17. Will Skaggs collected 11 points and nine assists for the 2010-14 Tomcats.

“We can play better,” Gregg said. “I’m not sure what happened to us down the stretch. We had them gasping for breath. We’re going to have to beat them two in a row now.”

2015-2020 TOMCATS (118) – Christian Villers 12-25 12-13 38, Chase Villers 3-9 1-2 10, Cole Villers 10-21 5-6 26, Porter 1-6 5-6 7, Sellars 3-4 3-4 9, Robinson 5-10 0-0 10, Hudson 2-3 0-0 6, Bradley 3-4 0-0 6, Miller 2-5 0-0 5, Mays 0-1 1-2 1. FG: 41-88. FT: 27-33. 3FG: 9-29 (Christian Villers 2-8, Chase Villers 3-7, Cole Villers 1-3, Porter 0-1, Robinson 0-5, Hudson 2-3, Miller 1-2). Rebounds: 45 (Christian Villers 3, Chase Villers 3, Cole Villers 11, Porter 3, Sellars 6, Robinson 4, Hudson 2, Bradley 9, Miller 3, Mays 1). Assists: 22 (Porter 7, Sellars 3, Robinson 2, Hudson 5, Bradley 5). PF: 19. Turnovers: 15.

2010-2014 TOMCATS (113) – Skaggs 3-6 3-3 11, Delaney 9-10 0-0 22, Gregg 5-22 6-11 18, Whetsel 6-10 2-2 17, Dixson 8-15 3-3 19, Stewart 1-6 0-0 2, Friley 1-6 2-2 4, Salow 2-5 0-0 5, Withrow 3-6 0-0 9, C.Johnson 3-6 0-0 6. FG: 41-92. FT: 16-21. 3FG: 15-33 (Skaggs 2-4, Delaney 4-5, Gregg 2-9, Whetsel 3-3, Dixson 0-1, Stewart 0-2, Friley 0-2, Salow 1-2, Withrow 3-5). Rebounds: 45 (Skaggs 6, Delaney 2, Gregg 6, Whetsel 7, Dixson 9, Stewart 3, Friley 5, Withrow 1, C.Johnson 6). Assists: 28 (Skaggs 9, Delaney 1, Gregg 5, Whetsel 2, Dixson1, Stewart 2, Friley 4, Salow 4). PF: 26. Turnovers: 19.

2015-2020 TOMCATS     24        25        33        36         –      118

2010-2014 TOMCATS     34         17        33        29        –       113

ASHLAND, Ky. – The 2000-04 Tomcat All-Stars followed the same script as the series opener in sweeping the 2005-09 Tomcats with a 117-97 victory in the Tomcat Shootout.

It was an identical instant replay.

The 2005-09 tried everything to slow Mark Surgalski – man-to-man, triangle-and-two, box-and-one, matchup zones, 2-3 zone, 1-3-1 zone – and nothing seemed to work. They even pulled down his trunks on one putback attempt.

Surgalski grabbed a rebound, went up for the dunk and his trunks were suddenly at his ankles. Danny Coleman was called for a technical foul, but claimed innocence when the ref blew the whistle and put the T in his face.

“Hey, guys, I didn’t do anything,” he said. “I’m a victim of circumstance just because I’m related to Bill Bradley. And, besides, Surgalski’s shorts were loose. Anybody could see that! I can’t believe you’re giving me a technical!”

Coleman happened to be behind Surgalski when he soared up for the dunk-putback.

“He was tugging at them,” Surgalski said. “Come on Danny, you know you did it.”

Coach Buddy Biggs of the 2005-09 Tomcats, did accomplish the goal of slowing Surgalski, who had “only” 15 points and 10 rebounds. Biggs never used the kitchen sink that was seen under his chair.

But the added attention on Surgalski opened things up for Arliss Beach, who was outstanding with 25 points and 12 assists. The muscular Beach was impossible to stop on drives to the basket and he hit some jumpers, too. He was 10 of 15 from the field. Jeremy Howell also found plenty of openings on the perimeter and scored 22.

The game was a carbon copy of the opener with the 2000-04 Tomcats never trailing. They led 31-18 after the first quarter and built a lead of 26 points.

“Two great games,” said 2000-04 Coach Mike Flynn. “They tried a little bit of everything on Mark but he hung in there with it, even when they pants-ed him. I gotta admit getting a chuckle out of how Danny Coleman reacted to that technical. He was doing anything he could to get into Mark’s head.”

Surgalski was a “human” 6-for-15 shooting so Coleman’s mental war may have done a little damage.

“Nah,” said Surgalski. “We were just having fun. My guys picked me up with some good games, too. This team isn’t just me.”

Six players scored in double figures and the 2000-04 Tomcats had 29 assists, led by Beach’s dozen.

Zack Davis had 14 points and nine rebounds and Matt Johnson collected 14 points and seven rebounds. Adam Howard added 12 points.

The second game of the series was a little closer throughout, hovering between 12 and 17 points most of the game. It grew to 26 points with three minutes to play when Howard drove for basket and the rest of the game was played in a near-empty Anderson gym.

“We had some edges on them because of the matchups,” Flynn said. “That happens sometimes although I’m not sure many teams can match up with Mark and Arliss. Most of these teams have some really good players but I wouldn’t trade those guys. We have some other shooters on this team too. It’ll be a tough team to beat.”

Biggs agreed that the Surgalski-Beach duo is a nightmare matchup for anybody.

“But try stopping them and Jeremy and Adam?” he said of the Tomcats’ guards. “Matt Johnson is so tough inside, too. Just a very well-rounded team and Coach Flynn is one of the best around. They dominated us.”

Meanwhile, Coleman was continuing to claim he didn’t deserve the technical foul.

“I guess it’s the ‘Bradley reputation’ that got me there,” he said. “I didn’t do anything, I swear! Why would I do that?”

Matt Thomas collected 19 points, six assists and five rebounds while Drew McDavid and Dylan Delaney scored 15 apiece for the 2005-09 Tomcats. Brett Miller hit 6-of-8 attempts and scored 13 and Ryan Bonner collected seven points and 10 rebounds,

For the second game in a row, the 2005-2009 team got off exactly 100 shots and outrebounded the 2004-05 Tomcats, 49-48.

Biggs also pointed to a large discrepancy at the foul line. The 2000-04 Tomcats were 25 of 40 from the line while the 2005-09 Tomcats were 10 of 19.

“I’m not complaining, mind you, but that’s a pretty big gap,” Biggs said. “And Surgalski … well … let’s just say he gets away with a lot. That ‘star factor’ was at play for him. Ask Danny Coleman about that. He knows.”

“You tell ‘em Coach,” Coleman said. “They guy got away with murder out there!”

The 2010-14 Tomcats play the 2015-2020 Tomcats in the next series to determine the quarterfinalists.

It will not start until later in the week from Anderson gym.

2005-09 TOMCATS (97) – McDavid 6-13 2-2 15, Wilcox 4-10 0-3 10, Thomas 8-22 2-6 19, Delaney 6-17 3-4 15, Bonner 3-6 1-2 7, Skaggs 3-10 1-1 8, Miller 6-8 1-1 13, C.Johnson 1-4 0-0 2, Coleman 3-7 0-0 6, Cannoy 1-5 0-0 2. FG: 41-102. FT: 10-19. 3FG: 5-23 (McDavid 1-2, Wilcox 2-6, Thomas 1-5, Delaney 0-1, Skaggs 1-2, Coleman 0-2, Cannoy 0-3). Rebounds: 49 (McDavid 4, Wilcox 6, Thomas 5, Bonner 10, Skaggs 2, Miller 12, Delaney 4, C.Johnson 1, Coleman 5). Assists: 19 (McDavid 3, Thomas 6, Delaney 1, Skaggs 3, C.Johnson 2, Coleman 2, Cannoy 2). PF: 24. Turnovers: 15.

2000-04 TOMCATS (117) – Beach 10-15 4-7 25, Howell 9-16 4-6 22, Surgalski 6-15 3-4 15, M.Johnson 6-13 2-2 14, Davis 6-8 2-8 14, Salyers 1-4 1-2 3, Howard 4-5 3-4 12, Cooksey 1-2 4-4 6, J.Cook 1-2 2-3, C.Cook 1-1 0-0 2. FG: 45-81. FT: 25-40. 3FG: 2-7 (Beach 1-2, Howell 0-2, M.Johnson 0-1, Howard 1-1). Rebounds: 48 (Beach 4, Howell 6, Surgalski 10, M.Johnson 7, Davis 9, Salyer 3, Howard 5, Cooksey 2, J.Cook 1, .Cook 2). Assists: 29 (Beach 12, Howell 2, Surgalski 3, M.Johnson 2, Davis 2, Salyer 1, Cooksey 4, J.Cook 2, C.Cook 1). PF: 19. Turnovers: 9.

2005-09 TOMCATS         18      22      33       24        –            97

2000-04 TOMCATS         31      26       30      30        –            117