The Bishop Brossart Mustangs and Scott Eagles girls basketball teams can say they are battle-tested entering the 10th Region Tournament at Mason County.
After all, the two battled to the last possession in the 37th District championship Wednesday at Campbell County Middle School. Bishop Brossart edged Scott, 43-41 in overtime for its third consecutive district tournament crown. Scott put up a potential game-winning three from the left corner that did not go in.
They learned their opponents Saturday in the region tourney draw knowing one would be on the same side as the favored defending region champion George Rogers Clark Cardinals. The good news is neither could see the Cardinals (23-7 overall) until the semifinals.
Bishop Brossart (21-11) drew the 39th District runner-up St. Patrick Saints (16-15) in the region quarterfinals in the early 6 p.m. game Monday. Brossart beat St. Patrick, 69-52 in the All “A” 10th Region semifinals at Paris on Jan. 10 on its way to the All “A” region crown. Brossart had four in double figures in that game.
“That’s kind of what we’re about,” said Steve Brown, Brossart coach. “One of our strengths obviously is the way we share the basketball. We’ve got some kids that I think can step up. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Mustangs like to work the ball around starting with senior forward Molly Kramer. Kramer leads the Mustangs averaging 11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Zoee Meyers and senior guard Jill Planeaux give Bishop Brossart give Brossart balance averaging 10.5 and 10 points per game.
Senior guard Bella Rowe has made a team-high 52 three-pointers. Senior guard Olivia Lloyd is out for the rest of the season with an injury, but senior guard Claire Hummel has also had some big games this year. Senior forward Cora Bertsch and freshman forward Rachel Shewmaker among others have given the Mustangs depth.
Bishop Brossart has outscored opponents, 1,726-1,486. The Mustangs shoot 42% from the field, 34% from three and 60% from the free throw line.
St. Patrick has two players averaging in double figures in senior guard Caroline McKay and senior forward Isabella Riggs at 12.5 and 11.6 points per game. Riggs also averages a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game. The Saints have outscored opponents, 1,472-1,360 and 34% from the field, 28% from three and 54% from the free throw line.
“They’ve got a very capable team,” Brown said. “They get a lot out of (McKay and Riggs) so we’re going to have to know where they’re at. We’re going to have to play some smart basketball.”
The winner takes on either Pendleton County (21-7) or Montgomery County (20-12) in the semifinals Friday at 6 p.m. Brossart lost to both during the regular season.
The Eagles play Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. against the 39th District champion Bracken County Polar Bears (19-13). The two have not played each other since 2017.
Scott has 10 seniors that would like to make a nice run in the region tournament. Senior post Kayla Overman leads the Eagles averaging 9.4 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. Senior guards Autumn Ponder and Presley Grant lead the Eagles with 38 and 37 three-pointers made respectively. Brossart made it tough to pass the ball inside to the Scott posts.
“It’ll just be kind of similar to the Brossart game. It was everybody. It didn’t matter who they were guarding,” said Eric Pouncy, Scott head coach. “I think it was good to be pressured like that right before the end of the year. In the last stretch, we saw a lot of teams play zone against us, which Brossart maybe did a couple possessions. But they mostly played man and stayed on everybody.”
Scott has outscored opponents, 1,526-1,370. The Eagles have made 37% from the field, 28% from three and 63% from the free throw line.
Bracken County has two players averaging in double figures. Sophomore guard Nicole Archibald and junior guard Ella Johnson average 16.8 and 10.2 points per game. Bracken County has outscored opponents, 1,571-1,387 and has made 36% of their shots from the field, 27% from three and 54% from the free throw line.
“She has a very high IQ and she just gets everybody involved and gets to her spots,” Pouncy said. “Really, you have to guard her as soon as (Archibald) crosses halfcourt. I think she’ll shoot it from anywhere.”
The winner takes on either Nicholas County (15-15) or George Rogers Clark on Friday at 7:45 p.m. Scott lost at Nicholas County and did not play GRC. The championship game is Saturday at 7 p.m.