The Conner Cougars (12-6, 3-0) took their talents on the road and showed why they are favored to add on to their school-record three consecutive 33rd District Tournament crowns.
Conner features four solid guards that average in double-digit scoring forcing opponents to defend one-on-one. Then when a post like junior forward Ben Fay, senior center Grant Reece or someone else contributes in various ways, it puts even more pressure on opponents. It showed again on the road as the Cougars recorded a solid 64-46 victory over the Ryle Raiders (5-10, 0-3).
“We knew that from what we’ve seen from Ryle this year is it’s not over until the end. They play hard,” said Matthew Otte, Conner head coach. “We had to fight until the end. In one of the timeouts, that’s what we talked about. You have to put them away. They’re not going to go away. That’s not what they are. I thought we responded well staying strong on defense, getting some stops and being smart with the basketball to finish it off.”
Conner shot well, hitting 52% from the field. Senior guards Daniel Campbell, Ayden Lohr and Dalton Kramer scored 17, 16 and 13 points, respectively. The Cougars received some help outside from freshman guard Finn Louden with two three-pointers in the second quarter helping Conner increase a 14-10 lead after one to 31-21 at halftime.
“Growing up together has been generating a lot of chemistry since the young age,” Campbell said. “Myself, Lohr and (senior point guard Landen) Hamilton have been playing on the same (Amateur Athletic Union) team for a long time. We just know how to play with each other.”
Hamilton scored five points. But he continued to make sure his teammates were in the right position.
Fay and Reece did a good job controlling the paint against Ryle junior Logan Verax. Verax scored just five coming into the game averaging 11.2 points per game.
“For us, our defense basically generates our offense,” Lohr said. “That’s how we win games. If we need to, we can push it. If not, we can slow it down and run our sets. It’s more team defense. It doesn’t really matter on one player in particular.”
Ryle was led by sophomore forward/guard Landon Lormes with 13 points and freshman guard Anthony Cappola added 10 to lead the Raiders.
“We told our guys in the locker room after the game to continue to try to play as one, continue to move the ball around and look for the best shot,” said Nick Dorning, Ryle head coach. “One or two reversals gives you a better percentage of open looks. It’s about cutting hard to the basket and knowing where you’re supposed to be with the actions we’re running. (Conner’s) players do exactly what they’re supposed to do. They set great screens. They’re always moving. I think for us, the lesson is ultimately where we want to be. It’s just the consistency of where we’re putting the ball through the bottom of the net. We’ve been harping on that recently.”
The Cougars increased their halftime lead to 17 points at 46-29 with 36.2 seconds left in third quarter after Lohr had an offensive putback and triple. Ryle cut it to 46-33 entering the fourth quarter after Cappola hit a three.
Ryle did not quit, cutting the lead to 54-44 with 4:25 left in the game after junior Grady Reynolds scored. But the Cougars pulled away after that.
Both teams play again Monday. Conner plays host to Newport (15-4) at 7:30 p.m. and Ryle plays host to Beechwood (7-11) at the same time.
Simon Kenton 63, Grant County 51
The Pioneers (14-5) downed the Braves (17-3) to finish 32nd District seed play at 3-0 locking up the top seed in the district tournament they will play host to in February.
“I thought that we were locked into the game plan,” said Trent Steiner, Simon Kenton head coach. “It’s a great bunch of kids. They pay attention to lot of important details. They’re not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But they get the job done.”
Simon Kenton hit 50% from the field and 19-of-29 free throws, taking advantage of 25 Brave fouls while committing 12.
The Pioneers had 28 rebounds, 10 assists, five blocked shots, 10 steals and 11 turnovers to 25 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one blocked shot and 13 turnovers for the Braves. Junior guard Travis Krohman had 19 points with sophomore point guard Jay Bilton, 7-foot-3-inch center Gabe Dynes and senior guard Isaac Gabbard following with 16, 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior small forward Dylan Hammonds and Spencer Breeden came into the game averaging 27.4 and 11.6 points per game respectively for the Braves. Simon Kenton held them to 19 and eight points, respectively.
“Hammonds got loose a little bit,” Steiner said. “We made sure we knew where he was. He’s a great player. He can get to the rim and get to the free-throw line. He can shoot the three. He’s a pretty good player.”
Simon Kenton takes on Collins (16-2) in the Henry County Classic on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Cooper 66, Boone County 37
The Jaguars (11-7) and head coach Tim Sullivan earned the 250th win in program history with the 33rd District seed win on the road against the Rebels (1-13). Sullivan has been the program’s only head coach since the school opened in 2008. Cooper earned the second seed in the district tournament at 2-1 and Boone County earned the third seed at 1-2.
The teams will face off in the district semifinals in February. Boone County’s lone win of the season came at home Dec. 16 against the Ryle Raiders helping the Rebels avoid three-time defending district champion Conner in the district semifinals. Ryle will have to face Heritage Academy in the district tournament play-in game, the winner then facing Conner in the semifinals.
Cooper takes on Bracken County (12-8) at 2 p.m. in the Coach Lake Kelly Classic at Fleming County at 2 p.m. Boone County plays at Augusta (9-8) on Monday at 6 p.m.
Other Scores
Walton-Verona 99, Augusta 94 (OT)
Covington Catholic 54, Lloyd Memorial 43
Mason County 84, Dixie Heights 57
Holy Cross 67, Holmes 40