The teams came into the final regular season game knowing they had two different postseason destinies.
The visiting Walton-Verona Bearcats girls basketball team (16-13) knows it has to win at 32nd District Tournament host Simon Kenton (15-13) on Monday at 7 p.m. to advance to the 8th Region Tournament at Gallatin County. The host Scott Eagles (14-14) know they are in the 10th Region Tournament after winning the top seed in the three-team 37th District as a result of a blind draw.
But they both wanted to fine-tune some things before next week. Walton-Verona finished the first quarter with a 7-0 run to break a 9-9 tie and kept it recording a 67-57 non-region victory over the Eagles. The Bearcats have won four straight and nine of their last 11.
“We’ve not run really as many set plays. Everything we’ve done the last two weeks has been to prepare us for the districts and how to be successful there,” said Rianna Gayheart, Walton-Verona head coach. “It’s just keeping focus and making sure we’re doing all the little things to put us in good positions to succeed. I think they did better than that. You never want to go into the districts on a losing streak by any means. Our schedule put us in position to where we could gain the confidence and momentum going into districts.”
Walton-Verona’s attack started with the dynamic senior wing Grace Brewer who was named KABC Eighth Region Player of the Year earlier in the day attacking the rim in a variety of ways scoring 20 points to go with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. That puts pressure on opponents because if they help, Brewer can pass it out to a number of 3-point shooters or even 6-foot-2-inch sophomore post Braylin Terrell.
“It just has to be a quick help,” said Eric Pouncy, Scott head coach. “You have to almost jump then get back quick. It’s something we struggled with. We’ve played some very good shooting teams and we’ve done a better job. But they spaced the floor out really well I thought just getting people out of position and it’s odd to see we want to get out there and give help above the volleyball line. We have to stay back and wait until they make a move there.”
The Bearcats hurt the Eagles from outside like they’ve been doing to opponents all season. Eighth grade guard Elin Logue and senior wing Jenna Rodgers made three 3-pointers each on their way to 17 and 11 points, respectively and Terrell scored 10. Sophomore Cam Christy added nine points coming up with some big baskets when needed.
“I like a lot of our best threes come from when we get it inside and kick it back out,” Logue said. “That’s where our best percentages are. I’m thankful (to be playing varsity so young). I think it’s really helped me mature playing with older girls and become the player that I’ve become today. I was nervous playing up at first. But since I’ve gotten used to the (varsity game speed), it’s really helped me to keep succeeding playing with them.”
Walton-Verona had nice ball pressure to build the lead recording eight steals, and forcing 17 turnovers. Logue had four steals and one assist with Rodgers recording four assists and two steals. Christy added three assists.
Scott had a chance for a while winning the rebounding battle, 35-22. Brewer and Terrell led the Bearcats with six each.
Scott does not have any players currently averaging in double figures. But senior guard Presley Grant and sophomore guard Kaia Peterson scored 16 and 15, respectively in this game.
“(Grant) hadn’t been shooting the ball well lately,” Pouncy said. “A lot of that is getting in the gym and shooting. I’m hoping it carries over to the districts. In our last game, she was 3-for-3 from three. She’s finally seeing that ball go back in again. That was huge for us.”
The first quarter went back and forth before that Walton-Verona run gave the Bearcats a 16-9 advantage after the first quarter. Logue scored six straight during the run and Brewer added a free throw.
A Rodgers three gave Walton-Verona a 19-12 advantage in the second quarter before senior guard Ava Coleman made a three and senior forward Kayla Peterson put in an offensive rebound to trim it to 19-17 with 5:39 left in the half.
The Bearcats then built two eight-point leads before senior guard Autumn Ponder made a three for the Eagles to trim it to 27-22 with 1:13 left in the quarter. But Logue made another three and Brewer hit a free throw to give Walton-Verona a 31-22 halftime lead.
Walton-Verona came out and saw Rodgers and Logue hit threes to increase the lead to 37-22. But after Scott trimmed it to 37-27, Christy had a basket and free throw to make it 43-29 Walton-Verona.
“It’s a huge key to just take the momentum of them scoring and try to turn it to our offense trying to be quick before they can set up not allowing them to push the lead when they’re ahead of us,” Christy said. “Our defense is our offense.”
Terrell scored eight points in the third quarter for the Bearcats. She had an offensive rebound with 2:29 left in the quarter to put the Bearcats up 47-32.
That’s when Grant scored seven straight to cut the Walton-Verona lead to 47-39 with 1:50 left forcing the Bearcats to call a timeout. Terrell scored to increase the lead back to 10 before Kaia Peterson converted two three-point plays to trim the lead to 49-45 before Terrell scored again to put the Bearcats up 51-45 entering the fourth quarter.
“For us, it’s all about our rebounding and defense,” Gayheart said. “If we can buy into the fact that good defense leads to good offense and you’re more likely to hit a shot if you get a good stop on one end. We just have to refocus with that point every now and then.”
The Bearcats came out and increased their lead to 60-47 after two Brewer free throws with 5:26 left in the game. Scott did trim it to 63-55 with 1:20 left after sophomore guard Ariana Patterson scored for the Eagles. But a Brewer basket and Logue steal and score sealed it for the Bearcats.
Scott plays in the 37th District championship on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at Campbell County Middle School against Monday’s winner between Bishop Brossart (19-11) and Campbell County (10-19).
Girls Basketball
Dixie Heights 53, Franklin County 47
The Colonels hit the road and took down the defending 11th Region and 2022 state quarterfinalist Eagles. Both teams finished the regular season 23-7. Dixie Heights has won 14 of its last 16 games.
Senior guard Ella Steczynski scored 13 points and had 13 steals for Dixie Heights. Senior guard Sammy Berman scored 13 points and freshman guard Coralee Pelfrey scored 12.
Dixie Heights takes on either Ludlow (15-15) or Villa Madonna (3-25) in the 34th District semifinals at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday at St. Henry.
Newport Central Catholic 66, Great Crossing 53
The Thoroughbreds (16-9) concluded the regular season with a home win against the Warhawks (18-12). Sophomore guard Caroline Eaglin again led NewCath with 33 points and junior guard Delaney Green scored 19.
NewCath takes on Newport (11-14) in the 36th District Tournament semifinals on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.
Highlands 62, Beechwood 17
The Bluebirds (21-8) handled the Tigers (14-13) for their fifth straight win to finish the regular season.
Highlands made 35 percent of its shots including 26 percent from three-point range and 12-of-14 free throws to go with 30 rebounds, 18 steals, 10 assists and just six turnovers. Sophomore 6-foot-2-inch center Marissa Green again led the Bluebirds with 13 points to go with 12 rebounds for a double-double and three steals. Freshman Avery Barber scored 12 points and sophomore Adrienne Harris scored 10.
Beechwood hit just six field goals including three three-pointers. Junior guard Harper Birkemeier led the Tigers with six points.
Host Highlands takes on either Dayton (8-22) or Bellevue (17-13) at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 36th District semifinals. Beechwood faces host Notre Dame (16-10) at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 35th District semifinals.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Bryan Station 55, Boone County 40
Bracken County 65, Lloyd Memorial 44
Cooper 58, Owen County 20
Newport 56, Ludlow 41
Tates Creek 65, Holmes 42
Boys Basketball
Lloyd Memorial 48, Conner 45 (overtime)
The Juggernauts (16-9) downed the visiting Cougars (18-7) in a 9th Region battle.
Senior guard Jeremiah Israel led Lloyd Memorial with 22 points and sophomore forward EJ Walker scored 10. Freshman Anthony Blaackar added nine points.
Conner saw two players hit double figures. Senior guard Ayden Lohr led the way with 13 points and senior point guard Landen Hamilton scored 12.
Both teams go into their district tournaments as top seeds playing Tuesday. Lloyd Memorial takes on either Villa Madonna (9-19) or Ludlow (19-11) at 5:30 p.m. Conner takes on either Ryle (9-17) or Heritage Academy (17-10) at 6 p.m. at Cooper.
Highlands 92, Beechwood 64
The Bluebirds (22-8) saw senior guard Will Herald break the 9th Region record for the most career three-pointers made going 6-for-6 to up his total to 339 all-time. Brandon Hatton, a 2014 Dixie Heights graduate, held the previous record with 334.
“I’ve had a lot of good passers,” Herald said. “It’s a lot of hard work. It’s an honor to be on top of that list. A lot of big names are on there. It just says a lot about our offense and how we pass the ball. Not every team can do that. The lack of selfishness on our team is unbelievable. It would be wrong for me to say I did it all by myself.”
Herald made 10-of-11 shots on his way to 28 points. Senior guard Seth Ryan and junior guard Nathan Vinson scored 19 points each and junior post Brody Benke scored 11.
Highlands hit 11 three-pointers in the contest, upping their season tally to 297. The Bluebirds also had 17 assists, 10 turnovers, three blocked shots and 10 steals. Ryan had 10 assists and four steals.
Beechwood (10-18) put two players in double figures. Sophomore Jack Sullivan scored 14 and senior Cameron Boyd scored 11.
Highlands wanted to break its two-game losing streak entering the 36th District Tournament. The host Bluebirds take on Newport Central Catholic (11-18) at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
“It was big,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands head coach. “We wanted to play well. We talked about being focused and finishing plays both offensively and defensively. Getting out of the gate, we did those things. We were able to get up early and dictate from there.”
Beechwood takes on Holy Cross (21-7) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Covington Catholic.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Newport Central Catholic 80, Bishop Brossart 76
Covington Catholic 74, Madison Central 52
Boone County 55, Dixie Heights 49
Newport 94, Ludlow 59
Holmes 45, Pendleton County 40
Villa Madonna 72, Robertson County 44