Bardstown’s Devonte Grundy has blown up this season, making an early bid to be the leading scorer in Kentucky this season with monster efforts in the Tigers’ first three games.

Peter W. Zubaty

Bardstown senior Devonte Grundy (4) has hit the ground running this season, scoring 93 points in the Tigers’ first three games this season, an average of 31 per contest.

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Peter W. Zubaty

Bardstown’s Kasia Stone (4) grabs a rebound Saturday against Washington County.

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With expected starters Marcus Cosby and Dee Yocum out with injuries, Grundy opened the season by going for 25 in a loss last Tuesday at South Oldham, then upped the ante one step further Friday, erupting for 34 in a heartbreaker home loss to John Hardin, the defending region champs.

The next night, Grundy did it again, lighting up Washington County for another 34 points as the Tigers claimed their first win and first district win of the season, 80-39.

That brings the senior’s per-game average to a hefty 31 through three games, a total of 93 points. Bardstown’s visit to Hart County Tuesday occurred after press time for this edition.

Against the Commanders (1-3, 1-1 dist.), the Tigers were able to seize control early, quickly building a double-digit lead and cruising from there. Junior Jayquez Smith and senior Jared Hickman pitched in 10 points apiece for the Bardstown cause.

Alex Marshall’s 16 led Washington County, which was in action after press time Tuesday against Nelson County.

Bardstown is in action next at Tates Creek (2-3) on Monday and at Thomas Nelson (0-4, 0-2 dist.) on Tuesday.

GIRLS: Washington Co. 45, Bardstown 28

The undersized Tigers (1-5, 0-1 dist.) struggled against the formidable Commander front line, as Washington County’s post duo of Kenya Turner (19 points) and Jennifer Keene (11) outscored Bardstown on their own.

ShaTonda Calbert and BreAsia Spalding led the Tigers with eight points apiece.

Washington County (3-2, 2-0 dist.) was in action Tuesday after press time against Nelson County in a game pitting the top two teams in the 19th District. The Commanders host Bethlehem (2-2, 1-1 dist.) on Friday.

Bardstown was at Hart County after press time Tuesday, and hosts Franklin County (2-1) Saturday.

Bardstown holiday tourney field set

Bardstown is introducing a new holiday tournament into the local mix this season with its inaugural Bardstown Boys and Girls Christmas Classic, played Friday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 29.

The boys’ field will feature six teams, with two pools, while the girls’ tournament features four teams and one pool, with teams coming from all over Kentucky. Games are played at the Bardstown High School and Middle School gymnasiums. Teams’ records in pool play determine their seeding in the semifinals and championship.

In the boys’ tournament, the top teams from each pool will advance to Saturday’s championship, and the remaining teams will play consolation games. In the girls’ tournament, all teams will advance to Saturday’s semifinals, with those winners playing later that day in the championship.

Here’s the schedule:

Friday — Girls

Bardstown v. Simon Kenton, Shelby Co. v. Valley, 10 a.m.

Bardstown v. Shelby Co., Simon Kenton v. Valley, 2 p.m.

Bardstown v. Valley, Simon Kenton v. Shelby Co., 6 p.m.

Friday — Boys

Shelby Valley v. Muhlenberg Co., Fern Creek v. Valley, noon

Bardstown v. Shelby Valley, Fern Creek v. Christian Co., 4 p.m.

Bardstown v. Muhlenberg Co., Christian Co. v. Valley, 8 p.m.

Saturday — Girls

Semifinals 10:30 a.m.

No. 1 seed v. No. 4, No. 2 seed v. No. 3

Championship 2:30 p.m.

Saturday — Boys

Consolation games 12:30 p.m.

Championship 4:30 p.m.