Simon Kenton freshman point guard Brynli Pernell has had an eventful couple of days.
Last week, Pernell celebrated her 15th birthday. Five days later, Pernell scored her 1,000th career point on a free throw to help the host Pioneers hold off the Highlands Bluebirds, 60-54. Pernell came into the game needing 23 points and finished with exactly that many making three 3-pointers.
“Something we’ve been working on is tight games in late game situations and the girls actually handled it better than I thought they would because it’s so new,” Simon Kenton head coach Brenden Stowers said. “We haven’t really had those tight games. We executed and that’s been a main thing. We just came together as a team and kept battling.”
A number of other players stepped forward with Simon Kenton down starters Bella Ober and Anna Kelch. Katelin Blevins also hit three 3-pointers on her way to 11 points then Haylie Webb and Meg Gadzala scored 10 points each. Rylie Flynn added a crucial three-point play down the stretch.
“I just think we took a lot of steps forward with (Ober and Kelch) out,” Pernell said. “I feel like we all knew that we needed to get it right. I feel that gave us our encouragement and helped us step up to the challenge because we knew this game was going to be hard.”
Junior center Marissa Green gave Simon Kenton issues inside with her size, scoring 18 points. Saylor Macke and Maren Orme followed with 12 each.
Simon Kenton (18-9) plays at Campbell County on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands (18-8) travels to Beechwood on Friday for a 6 p.m. game.
Girls Basketball
Holy Cross 65, Lexington Catholic 37
The Indians rolled past the Knights in their final regular season home game.
Aumani Nelson led the way scoring 21 points. Miyah Wimzie and Aniyah Carter followed scoring 16 and nine, respectively.
Holy Cross (24-5) has won 12 in a row. The Indians travel to Conner on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Bishop Brossart 63, Lloyd Memorial 41
Zoee Meyers scored 22 points leading the Mustangs.
Eight different Mustangs scored. Kylie Smith followed with nine points.
Sierra McCoin scored 12 points to lead the Juggernauts.
Bishop Brossart (17-8) hosts Walton-Verona on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Lloyd Memorial (12-16) hosts Bellevue on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Campbell County 72, Beechwood 39
The Camels had 13 different player score in the victory.
Freshman Amerie Mullins led the way scoring 13 points and making three 3-pointers. Madeline Barbian and Macie Peoples followed with nine and eight points, respectively.
Gia Jones led Beechwood with 13 points, making four 3-pointers and Charley Conarroe scored 10.
Campbell County (18-10) hosts Simon Kenton on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Beechwood (8-19) plays at Williamstown on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona 79, Bracken County 58
The Bearcats won their fourth in a row downing the Polar Bears on the road, shooting an astounding 63% from the field including eight made 3-pointers.
Elin Logue made seven 3-pointers on her way to 31 points. Braylin Terrell and Cam Christy followed scoring 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Walton-Verona (17-9) travels to Bishop Brossart on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Girls Basketball Score
DuPont Manual 50, Notre Dame 36
Boys Basketball
Scott 72, Cincinnati Trailblazers Home School (Ohio) 49
The Eagles saw third-year starter Dylan Giffen score his 1000th career point in the convincing win. Giffen finished with a team-high 18 points.
Xarek Sarakatsannis and Connor Griffin followed scoring 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Scott (13-15) travels to Cooper on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. battle.
Ludlow 70, Holmes 59
Spencer Brandenburg made six triples on his way to 27 points to lead the Panthers to the 9th Region win.
Ludlow had nice inside-out balance making eight 3-pointers. Ethan Powell scored 19 points and Elijah Perrin added 17.
Holmes also saw three players score in double figures. Mark McCutchin scored 16 to lead the way with Tony Kutcher and Dominic Scott scoring 12 and 11, respectively.
Ludlow (17-11) has won four in a row. The Panthers conclude the regular season hosting Williamstown on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Holmes (2-19) hosts Bellevue on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Villa Madonna 63, Francis Parker 56
The Vikings won their fourth in a row as three hit double figures in the victory.
Adam Brandstetter led the way with 18 points, Michael Callioni adding 15 points while Henry Thole chipped in 10 points with 15 rebounds. Jonah Martin added eight points and eight rebounds.
Villa Madonna (13-13) looks to make it five in a row on Wednesday at Paris at 7:30 p.m.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Bellevue 94, Heritage Academy 57