There were no upsets in the district semifinal action in the area. But two girls scored their 1,000th career points and two familiar teams in the Ninth Region girls tournament extended their longest run of consecutive region tournament appearances.
Girls Basketball
34th District semifinals at St. Henry
Dixie Heights 64, Ludlow 28
The Colonels (24-7) downed the Panthers (16-16) to make it to the Ninth Region Tournament for the 12th year in a row, which is currently the second-longest streak in the region.
Nine different Colonels scored in the win. Senior guard Sammy Berman led the way scoring 22 points. Freshman guard Coralee Pelfrey followed with nine.
But senior guard Ella Steczynski joined Berman with her 1,000th career point in the first quarter. Dixie Heights led 40-18 at halftime.
“It definitely helps a lot to have a team that works together,” Steczynski said. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of the things I do without the rest of them. We’re finally to a full healthy team. It feels good to have everyone ready to go for tournament time.”
Ludlow will not be in the Ninth Region Tournament for the first time since 2018. Freshman guard Addy Garrett led the Panthers with 11 points and her older sister in senior guard Mylee Garrett scored seven.
“Honestly in the first half, we were a little sloppy with the ball,” said Joel Steczynski, Dixie Heights head coach. “But our defense showed up. That kept us in the game and we extended the lead.”
St. Henry 44, Lloyd Memorial 27
The Crusaders (18-11) are back in the 9th Region Tournament for the first time since 2018 taking down the visiting Juggernauts (13-17).
Six different Crusaders scored. Junior guard Kayla Unkraut again led the way scoring 17 points, Taylor Hill adding seven while freshman Jayne Knollman and Chilota Iloegbunam chipped in six apiece.
“Getting deep in the All A, getting back to NKU, winning district are the types of things we had up on our board with accomplishments,” said Todd Smart, St. Henry head coach. “This win gets us to NKU. But the girls are not satisfied. They’re playing their best ball of the season now. We’ve won eight of our last 10 games. We’re getting Kayla the support she’s needed. It’s been a good experience the last few weeks.”
Lloyd Memorial also saw six players score. Junior guard Sierra McCoin led the way scoring 14 making four three-pointers.
St. Henry and Dixie Heights meet for the district championship Thursday at 6 p.m., at St. Henry. Dixie Heights has won eight straight district championships. St. Henry won its last crown in 2014.
35th District Semifinals at Notre Dame
Notre Dame 57, Beechwood 13
The Pandas (17-10) downed the visiting Tigers (14-14) to make it back to the Ninth Region Tournament for the fifth straight season.
Senior Noelle Hubert led Notre Dame with 14 points, scoring her 1,000th career point in the contest. Junior forward Kendra Collins added seven.
Notre Dame will take on Holy Cross (25-6), which made it back to the district championship and extended the 9th Region’s third-longest streak of appearances to 10 in a row after Holmes forfeited the game down to five healthy players. Game time is 7 p.m., Thursday, at Notre Dame.
36th District Semifinals at Highlands
Highlands 71, Bellevue 35
Sophomore center Marissa Green had 28 points and nine rebounds to help Highlands back to the Ninth Region Tournament extending the region’s longest streak of appearances to 13 in a row. Freshman forward Avery Barber added 18 points as 10 different Bluebirds scored.
Bellevue saw six different players score. Sophomore guard Jaylah Dowell led the way with 13 points and sophomore guard Sydni Massey scored 11 making three three-pointers.
Newport Central Catholic 80, Newport 37
The Thoroughbreds (17-9) made it back to the district championship game for the seventh straight year downing the Wildcats (11-15).
NewCath saw three players score in double figures and 10 score overall. Sophomore guard Caroline Eaglin led the way with 23 points and sophomore forward Jaylee Brannen scored 19 with sophomore guard Madison Wherry-McFarland scoring 10.
Newport had five different players score. Junior DeAyjah White led the way scoring 14 and junior Kaylen Perry scored 12.
Highlands and NewCath will face off Thursday at 7 p.m. NewCath is looking to repeat as district champions while Highlands hopes to win its eighth district crown in nine years.
Boys Basketball
32nd District Semifinal at Simon Kenton
Simon Kenton 77, Williamstown 42
The Pioneers (20-10) are back in the 8th Region Tournament for the first time in two years with the convincing win over the Demons (14-16).
Simon Kenton put three players in double figures in the win. Junior guard Travis Krohman led the way with 29 points, two rebounds and two assists. Senior 7-foot-3-inch center Gabe Dynes had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots for a double-double with senior guard Isaac Gabbard scoring 12 points to go with four rebounds and one assist. Sophomore point guard Jay Bilton added nine points, two rebounds and eight assists.
Simon Kenton plays the winner of Wednesday’s game between Walton-Verona (20-10) and Grant County (24-6) at 7 p.m. Friday.
