Though the Pioneers’ final margin of victory was 15, Simon Kenton led Ryle by just four, 56-52, with 1:22 to play in Independence on Wednesday night.
But SK scored the game’s final eleven points, nine from the free throw line, to win 67-52.
The Pioneers are now 2-0 on the year while Ryle falls to 0-1.
Both teams had four players score double-digits, but Ryle was plagued by fouls, committing 28 with four starters fouling out of the game.
Simon Kenton capitalized hitting 25 of 33 free throw attempts in addition to seven three-pointers to score the win.
“We’ve been practicing our free throws and our girls really take to it,” said Brenden Stowers, Simon Kenton head coach. “But it was more about taking care of the basketball and valuing the game. The more we kept the ball, the more they were going to have to come out and foul. We got the lead and just wanted to keep attacking and putting the pressure on them. We had a lot of girls grow up.”
Eighth grade point guard Brynli Pernell exploded for 15 points in the second half to lead the Pioneers to victory, making three three-pointers and all six free throw attempts. Freshman Anna Kelch battled foul trouble in the first half, but came back to score all of her 14 points in the second half. Senior forward Emilee Eggleston made 10 of 13 free throws on her way to 15 points, and junior guard Rylie Flynn had 10.
“I think it’s mostly about energy and everyone coming together,” Flynn said. “The bench and student section were really loud so that helps. You just have to work as a team.”
Junior forward Quinn Eubank led Ryle with 18 points and junior center Sarah Baker scored 12. Senior guards Abby Holtman and Austin Johnson scored 10 each.
“That’s what we talked to them about. We missed a lot of layups,” said Katie Haitz, Ryle head coach. “Despite everything going on, we still had a chance to win.”
The Raiders scored the game’s first five points. After Eggleston hit 3 of 4 free throws, Ryle used an 8-0 run to go up 12-3. Eubank had an offensive putback and three-point play during that run. Eubank’s fastbreak layup with 28 seconds left gave the Raiders a 17-8 lead after the first quarter.
The Pioneers found their offensive groove in the second quarter using an 8-0 run to trim the Ryle lead to 27-26. Flynn scored six in a row during that run and freshman guard/forward Megan Gadzala hit a key three-pointer in that second quarter. Eubank scored with 24 seconds left in the half to put Ryle up 29-26 at halftime.
“They have the big names. They’re super talented,” Stowers said. “They’re so good and I just wanted our girls to compete. That’s what they did and they just took it from there. The more that you compete, the more that you believe in yourself, the more good things happen. We just started stepping in. We gave up our bodies, took a couple charges and cut down on some drives to the basket. We started getting those rebounds we weren’t getting in the first half. They played awesome. I’m so proud of them.”
The game stayed tight in the third quarter. Kelch gave the Pioneers their first lead with four minutes left hitting a three from the right wing. Pernell made a big triple with three seconds left in the quarter to give Simon Kenton a 44-40 lead entering the fourth quarter.
“The team helps me keep my composure,” Pernell said. “Our shots were definitely on and that was a big part of it. I needed to do it for my team. It was definitely a big boost.”
Ryle plays Campbell County (1-0) at home Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Simon Kenton does not play again until Dec. 6 in the Billy Hicks Classic against Madison Southern at 7:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
Cooper 64, Dixie Heights 33
The defending 9th Region champion Jaguars opened the season with a convincing home victory over the Colonels (1-1).
Dixie Heights made 13 three-pointers in the season-opening win at Highlands on Tuesday butt he Jaguars held them scoreless from beyond the arc with their pressure defense.
Cooper saw eight different players score. Eighth grade guard Haylee Noel led with 14. Senior forward Whitney Lind followed with 12 and junior guard Liz Freihofer scored 10. In her Cooper debut, junior Damysia Knox scored nine points.
“We just had to focus on staying together the whole game making sure we weren’t selfish, making the next pass,” Freihofer said. “Our main harp this game was staying disciplined not gambling for balls trying for steals. We just stayed in front of our player and helped out when we needed. We were all together on the defensive end, which made it easier for each individual player.”
Cooper led 32-9 at halftime and 52-21 entering the fourth quarter. Senior guard Sammy Berman led Dixie Heights with 12 points.
“We knew it was going to be a dogfight coming in just because of how well Dixie’s coached and what they had returning,” said Justin Holthaus, Cooper head coach. “Their guard play is still good. Our girls came out and guarded well. Like I’ve told everyone this year, I think we have a deep bench. We were doing the whole hockey sub thing running girls in and out every two, three minutes. I thought we were definitely fresh. That definitely makes us stronger.”
Both teams play again Saturday. Dixie Heights plays host to South Laurel (1-0) at 2:30 p.m. Cooper plays host to Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) at 6 p.m.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Bourbon County 56, Boone County 52
Holy Cross 66, Lloyd Memorial 23
St. Henry 43, Harrison County 20
Beechwood 1, Cincinnati Riverview East Academy (Ohio) 0 (forfeit)
Boys basketball
Bishop Brossart 81, Newport 75
Host Bishop Brossart nailed eight three-point shots and 25 of its 34 free throw attempts to hold off Newport in Alexandria on Wednesday night.
The Mustangs are now 2-0 on the season while Newport falls to 0-1.
“It’s encouraging and these guys deserve it,” Brossart Head Coach Ben Franzen said. “They’ve all worked very hard. From the time we’ve come in the door, they’ve listened. They’ve done everything we’ve asked, no complaining. They are hungry just to work.”
The Mustangs put five players in double figures. Senior guard Logan Woosley led with 24 points and senior forward Mason Sepate scored 13. Senior guard Brandon Bezold scored 12, senior forward Luke Schumacher added 11, and senior guard Anthony Kruse put in 10.
“It’s great. We have subs coming off the bench that can play to the same level the starting five have,” Woosley said. “We have a deep team and I’m just excited to see what we can do the rest of this year.”
Brossart travels to Holmes on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. game. Newport takes on Augusta at Harrison County on Saturday at noon.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Campbell County 63, Dixie Heights 59
Newport Central Catholic 78, Dayton 34
Willamstown 77, Villa Madonna 61
Walton-Verona 102, Evangel Christian 100 (OT)