This 32nd Semifinal game came down to the wire like expected.
But the host Walton-Verona Bearcats boys basketball team (18-10) held off the Simon Kenton Pioneers (14-12), 69-66 in the 32nd District semifinals. The Bearcats have won seven in a row. They led 56-44 at one point in the fourth quarter before the Pioneers rallied.
Walton-Verona faces the Grant County Braves (18-14) for the district championship back at Walton-Verona on Friday at 7 p.m. The Braves beat the Bearcats, 90-74 in Dry Ridge on Feb. 1.
The Bearcats won the rematch in a battle of two teams that know each other well after Simon Kenton beat Walton-Verona, 68-58 in the same gym Jan. 14. Walton-Verona Head Coach Mike Hester, a 2007 Simon Kenton graduate, spent eight seasons as an assistant on Simon Kenton Head Coach Trent Steiner’s staff before taking the Walton-Verona job in 2019.
“They hit some big threes with a couple minutes left,” Hester said. “What’s been our Achilles Heel all year is the free-throw line. We were able to step up there in the last minute and a half and make some free throws. That was huge for us.”
The Pioneers like to establish things on the block in their 4-Out 1-In Motion offense with 7-foot-2-inch junior Gabe Dynes. Dynes scored seven during the regular season match-up. But he scored just two in the rematch to go with four blocked shots and seven rebounds.
“In the last game we played them, (Dynes) took advantage of us inside not only on the glass, but also finishing around the rim,” Hester said. “We wanted to make sure we plugged everything inside. We gave as much help as we could. I thought defensively, it was probably our best overall game all year. That’s what we needed and it was able to carry us into Friday.”
Walton-Verona knocked off Oldham County, 92-89 in overtime on Friday at home. The defending 8th Region champions feature 6-9 senior Hayden Burgess in the middle running a similar offense.
Both teams still had balanced attacks each putting three players in double figures. Senior guard Brant Smithers and junior Carter Krohman scored 16 points each to lead the Bearcats. Sophomore Julian Dixon scored 14. Krohman made four three-pointers and Smithers three with Dixon making two.
“I really think playing Oldham County (in the previous game) really helped us mentally and physically prepare for Simon Kenton,” Krohman said. “We made sure we were composed and brought our best. As long as we bring the energy, we’re good.”
Walton-Verona made 24 of 51 shots for 47 percent including 12 of 29 from three-point range for 41 percent and 9 of 12 free throws for 75 percent. The Bearcats also had 13 assists, 28 rebounds, six steals, five fouls and six turnovers. Senior post Ethan Gutman grabbed nine rebounds and recorded four assists to go with nine points.
Sophomore guard Travis Krohman led Simon Kenton scoring 17 points making 7 of 9 shots. Seniors Andrew Smith and Jack Marx scored 14 each.
Simon Kenton made 27 of 53 shots for 50 percent including 6 of 17 from three-point range for 35 percent and all six free throws. The Pioneers had one assist, 29 rebounds, two steals, 12 fouls and eight turnovers.
The Pioneers had won the previous two district tournaments. The 32nd District Tournament winner has been either Walton-Verona or Simon Kenton every year since the current format came together before the 2005-06 season except 2015 when Grant County won it.
The 8th Region Boys Basketball Tournament takes place at Henry County.
Boys 35th District Semifinal at Holy Cross:
Covington Catholic 84, Beechwood 54:
The Colonels (24-4) led the Tigers (7-19) just 37-25 at halftime. But they pulled away in the second half for the convincing win.
“We’ve been in games before in the first round of district where we’ve been down at half in a really good game. Beechwood gave us a good game,” said Scott Ruthsatz, CovCath Head Coach. “In the first half, (the Tigers) executed well and hit some big shots. We were kind of flat, didn’t come out with a whole lot of fire. But in the second half, we came out and got after it defensively and starting hitting some shots. Things started to roll.”
CovCath made 33 of 55 shots for 60 percent including 6 of 14 from three-point range for 43 percent and 12 of 20 free throws for 60 percent. The blue Colonels also had 33 rebounds, 17 assists, seven turnovers, four blocked shots and eight steals.
Junior guard Evan Ipsaro led CovCath with 28 points making 11 of 16 shots to go with seven assists and two steals. Senior 6-foot-8-inch post Mitchell Rylee had a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Junior 6-6 forward Chandler Starks and sophomore guard Brady Hussey followed with eight points each. Starks also had five assists and two blocked shots. Ipsaro, Rylee and junior guard Kascyl McGillis had two steals each.
“We got back to what we’ve been doing all season and turned up the energy. It carried us the rest of the game,” Hussey said. “You have to do whatever you need to do to win. It’s a team sport. I do what I think is best and listen to coaches to help get the win. They don’t always really need me to step up. But when they need me to step up, I can.”
Beechwood made 19 of 45 shots for 42 percent including 5 of 19 three-point shots for 26 percent and 11 of 15 free throws for 73 percent. The Tigers also had 19 rebounds, nine assists, 13 turnovers, one blocked shot and two steals.
The Tigers saw two players score in double figures. Junior Cameron Boyd scored 17 and senior Carl Gabbard scored 11.
The Colonels take on the Holy Cross Indians (20-8) for the district title on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Boys 36th District Semifinal at Bellevue:
Highlands 100, Dayton 58:
The defending state champion Bluebirds (21-8) took care of the Greendevils (14-15) to make it back to the 9th Region Tournament for the fourth straight year. This is the most points Highlands has scored all year.
“We did a really good job of getting the game up and down, especially the first quarter,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “They had some foul trouble in the second quarter and we made our free throws. We executed the way I thought we could. We didn’t shoot it particularly well. But our size and our depth wore them down.”
Dayton tried to play physical and Highlands took advantage making 34-of-38 free throws for 89 percent. The Bluebirds had 23 fouls to 22 for the Greendevils. Senior Preston Baggett fouled out for Dayton after recording a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Thirteen different Bluebirds scored in the win. Junior guard Will Herald led the way scoring 19 points making two three-pointers and all nine free throws. Senior guard Zach Barth followed with 17 points and sophomore guard Brayden Moeves scored 16.
“We’re in a one-and-done mindset because if the we lose, that’s the five seniors’ last game,” Barth said. “We just had to represent our school well. Your play is what gets the upper hand.”
The Bluebirds made 30 of 56 shots for 54 percent including 6 of 24 from three-point range for 25 percent. Highlands also had 31 rebounds, 15 assists, four steals and four turnovers.
Senior forward Lorenzo Price led Dayton with 24 points. Senior forward Maveriq Catacora added 10. The Greendevils made 15-of-28 free throws for 54 percent.
Dayton made 20 of 47 shots for 43 percent including 3 of 14 from three-point range for 21 percent. The Greendevils also had 26 rebounds, one steal and 14 turnovers.
Highlands faces Newport (9-17) for the fourth straight year in the district championship game back at Bellevue on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
NKY District Tournament Schedules:
Boys:
32nd District at Walton-Verona:
Semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Grant County 69, Williamstown 49
Semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Walton-Verona 69, Simon Kenton 66
Title Game on Friday, Feb. 25:
Grant County (18-14) vs. Walton-Verona (18-10), 7 p.m.
33rd District at Ryle:
First Round on Monday, Feb. 21:
Ryle 83, Heritage Academy 47
Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb 23:
Cooper 49, Ryle 33
Conner 73, Boone County 62
Title Game on Friday, Feb. 25:
Cooper (22-5) vs. Conner (19-9), 7 p.m.
34th District at Ludlow:
First Round on Monday, Feb. 21:
Ludlow 73, Villa Madonna 48
Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Dixie Heights 84, Ludlow 43
Lloyd Memorial 68, St. Henry 55
Title Game on Friday, Feb. 25:
Dixie Heights (19-6) vs. Lloyd Memorial (21-6), 7 p.m.
35th District at Holy Cross:
Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Covington Catholic 84, Beechwood 54
Holy Cross 85, Holmes 75
Friday, Feb. 25:
Covington Catholic (24-4) vs. Holy Cross (20-8), 7 p.m.
36th District at Bellevue:
First Round on Monday, Feb. 21:
Dayton 76, Bellevue 46
Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Highlands 100, Dayton 58
Newport 64, Newport Central Catholic 62
Title Game on Friday, Feb. 25:
Highlands (21-8) vs. Newport (9-17), 7 p.m.
37th District at Campbell County Middle School:
Semifinal Games on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Campbell County 85, Calvary Christian 40
Bishop Brossart 40, Scott 38
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Campbell County (18-10) vs. Bishop Brossart (12-17), 7 p.m.
Girls:
32nd District at Walton-Verona:
Semifinals on Monday, Feb. 21:
Simon Kenton 68, Williamstown 24
Walton-Verona 48, Grant County 44
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Walton-Verona (14-13) vs. Simon Kenton (17-11), 7 p.m.
33rd District at Ryle:
Semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Ryle 63, Boone County 17
Cooper 51, Conner 18
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Ryle (19-8) vs. Cooper (19-9), 7 p.m.
34th District at Ludlow:
First Round on Monday, Feb. 21:
Lloyd Memorial 61, Villa Madonna 27
Semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Dixie Heights 59, Lloyd Memorial 35
Ludlow 57, St. Henry 44
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Dixie Heights (23-7) vs. Ludlow (25-6), 7 p.m.
35th District at Holy Cross:
Semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Notre Dame 61, Beechwood 19
Holy Cross 65, Holmes 39
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Notre Dame (22-3) vs. Holy Cross (19-12), 7 p.m.
36th District at Bellevue:
First Round on Monday, Feb. 21:
Newport 59, Dayton 39
Semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 22:
Newport Central Catholic 65, Newport 39
Highlands 60, Bellevue 39
Title Game on Thursday, Feb. 24:
Highlands (12-15) vs. Newport Central Catholic (20-10), 7 p.m.
37th District at Campbell County Middle School:
Semifinal Game on Monday, Feb. 21:
Campbell County 39, Scott 33
Title Game on Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Bishop Brossart 40, Campbell County 25