The Simon Kenton girls basketball team faced 32nd District rival Grant County for the Billy Hicks Classic championship in Georgetown and came away with a 53-42 win.
Free throws made a big difference, Simon Kenton hit 14-of-18 attempts from the charity stripe while Grant County went 3-of-9. The Pioneers defeated West Jessamine, Scott County and then the Braves on the way to the title.
“It’s a lot of time on the bus. You’re preparing for another team and playing in different surroundings,” Simon Kenton head coach Brenden Stowers said. “The only way you get through that is together. The girls have a lot of fun together. We always want a challenge. But at the end of the tournament, we just want to make sure we got better.”
Simon Kenton had six players score. Brynli Pernell led the way scoring 19 points, making three 3-pointers and Haylie Webb recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Meg Gadzala added eight points.
“I’d say the key to the success for our team has just been being so close to each other and playing together,” Gadzala said. “We all know where each other is going to be. We’ve built good chemistry so we can do well for each other.”
Simon Kenton (5-1) travels to Dixie Heights on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Girls Basketball
Notre Dame 49, Southwestern 26
The Pandas stayed undefeated with a convincing win over the Warriors in the Adams Buick Shootout at Madison Central.
Notre Dame shot 44% from the field and held Southwestern to 24% from the field. Emma Holtzapfel led the Pandas with 14 points with Kendra Collins scoring nine.
The Pandas won the rebounding battle, 39-27. Sophia Gibson led Notre Dame with seven rebounds to go with eight points.
Notre Dame (6-0) hosts Beechwood in a 35th District seed game on Friday at 7 p.m.
Conner 66, Owen County 27
The Cougars won the home game led by Anna Hamilton with 25 points.
Conner hit 51% from the field. Ava Brown and Izelee Kerns followed Hamilton with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Conner (2-2) plays host to Highlands on Monday at 7 p.m.
Lloyd Memorial 65, Harrison County 50
The Juggernauts won their second in a row behind 26 points from Sierra McCoin. Mya Holden-Hopkins and Kierstyn Young added 14 and 12, respectively.
Lloyd (2-3) plays host to Scott on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands 87, North Oldham 46
The Bluebirds bounced back quickly from the Holy Cross loss on Friday with a convincing win in the Ronald McDonald House Classic.
Marissa Green scored 22 points as Highlands shot 49% from the field. Kaylee Mills and Maren Orme scored 13 and 11, respectively, with Avery Barber adding nine as 10 different Bluebirds scored.
Highlands (2-4) plays at Conner on Monday at 7 p.m.
St. Henry 43, Oldham County 40
The Crusaders (4-1) won their third straight game with the victory at the Ronald McDonald House Classic at Oldham County (1-3).
Aubrey Logan, Sydney Bollman and Taylor Hill scored 10 points apiece, Liz Mason leading the way with 13 rebounds while Bollman collected 10. St. Henry grabbed 45 rebounds to the Colonels 24 to help overcome a 2-of-14 shooting night from 3-point land and 3-of-11 from the free throw line.
St. Henry will look to make it four in a row when they host Pendleton County on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Bellevue 65, Robertson County 37
The Tigers had three reach double figures led by the Dowell’s, Jayda Dowell with 17 points, Jaylah Dowell with 12, Ally MacPherson also chipping in 12 points.
Paulina Long led with 10 rebounds to go with her six points.
Bellevue (3-1) hosts Ludlow on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross 63, Scott 33
The Indians (4-2) won their third straight as four reached double figures.
Julia Hunt led the way with 17 points, Aaliyah Hayes with 13, Aniyah Carter 12 and Miyah Wimzie chipping in 10.
Holy Cross owned the rebounding battle 39-22 and held Scott to 12-of-46 shooting from the field. Noelle Price led the Eagles (2-1) with 15 points.
Holy Cross hosts Seton (Ohio) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their lone game this week. Scott plays at Lloyd Memorial on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow 53, Williamstown 31
Addy Garrett paced the Panthers with 18 points, Olivia King with nine and Cheree Pence with seven as they earned a win over Williamstown.
Ludlow won the rebounding battle 43-29, Ava Hoffemesiter with 10 rebounds.
Ludlow (2-3) plays at Bellevue on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Ryle 55, Pulaski County 47
Spencer County 62, Walton-Verona 35
Grace James 59, Beechwood 52
Frankfort 61, Holmes 46
Montgomery County 64, Cooper 55
Raceland 73, Villa Madonna 46
Boys Basketball Scores
Walton-Verona 74, Carroll County 42
The Bearcats (5-1) won their fifth straight as Zach Smith and Aaron Gutman combined for 47 points in the victory, Smith with 24, Gutman 23. Julian Dixon added 16 points and 10 rebounds, Smith knocking down five 3-pointers.
The Bearcats play at Scott on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Calvary Christian 66, Mars Hill Academy (Ohio) 41
St. Xavier 101, Highlands 71
Fleming County 76, Scott 70