One of Coach Steiner’s trademarks in the past seasons has been the shedding of his tie and jacket just minutes into the game. For whatever reason, Coach Steiner hasn’t gotten rid of his tie very often during games this season. Tonight was a different story as a game that was nip and tuck and caused the Pioneer coach to pitch his tie during this contest. SK won the game by 15 (65-50) but it was one of those games that you would describe as being much closer than the score.
The game started with both teams trying to establish a game plan. Jeff Slavey opened the game with a leaner in the lane but Walton countered and went down and scored. The two teams traded baskets as neither team was able to get serious runs going. Casey Sorrell got in the game and hit a three just seconds after entering the game. This allowed the Pioneers to go out to a 13-11 lead. Walton finally did get a run going at the end of the quarter to take a 16-13 lead at the end of the first frame.
WV’s Ponzer had a career night the last time the two teams played. Steiner opened up the game with Senior David Dressman taking on the assignment this time as other players rotated and helped out with the defense against the Walton star. The WV Ponzer did get his points but it was the other Bearcats that the Pioneers seemed to lose on defense.
The Pioneers opened the second quarter with back to back baskets by Dressman. A run out bucket on an over the shoulder pass to Slavey allowed the Pioneers to go up by a 17-16 score. Just like the first district game against Grant County, Dressman was absolutely flying to the glass. Dressman, who rarely changes facial expressions, got most of his 13 points off of stick-backs. Walton went back on top but Sorrell hit another three right before the 4 minute mark to put the Pioneers up by a point.
SK was able to get the ball into Brandon Maegley regularly during the first half. Unfortunately, the Senior center had trouble hitting his shots. Maegley ended up scoring a team leading 18 points for the game but did not get his first two points, compliments of two foul shots, until the 3:21 mark of the second quarter. The charity throws got Maegley going as he was able to connect on a couple of field goals before intermission. SK mixed a couple of turnovers with a missed box out on Walton’s offensive end at the end of the quarter and ended up trailing by two at the close of the first half, 33-31. The concession line consensus was the SK defense was giving up too many easy buckets.
SK came out in the third in a zone which seemed to perplex the Bearcats. Point guard Nate Ponzer converted a drive to the basket that was circus like. (See picture) Ponzer’s dippsy do was followed up by a LG Barnes drive and the Pioneers were on top again. Nate then forced a jump ball which SK converted into an easy bucket by Dressman and SK was up 39-35. Maegley then got back to back baskets which allowed the Eers to go up by 43-37. Things started getting chippy on the inside as players from both teams were taking shots at each other. Maegley started playing with a lot of emotion at that point and was more than the Bearcats could handle as the pokes and jabs seemed to get him going. When Maegley wasn’t converting, Dressman was rebounding and getting stick-backs. Barnes was mixing things up by taking the ball to the rim to complement the inside game that was working for the Pioneers. Barnes posted 16 points on the night.
Although the game had been decided, the most exciting play of the night came with less than two minutes to go. Peyton Ponzer went up for a three that Dressman came over and literally put the ball via a volleyball like kill into the fourth row of the Walton side of the stands. It brought the small SK student section to a big ovation. (Yes, it was very small.)
This was a game where Walton led for much of the first half but the Pioneers never cracked like they did in the last game against the Bearcats. SK came out of half-time with a good game plan of changing defenses which allowed them to get some nice runs going. The Pioneers outrebounded the Bearcats by 42-32; 14 of which fell into Dressman’s arms. Dressman also posted 13 points to go with his rebounding and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Nate Ponzer’s presence was also felt again as he posted 6 points, 6 assists and 4 boards tonight and seems to be moving better every minute out on the floor. Ponzer was also named to the all tourney team along with Maegley. Jeff Slavey tallied 4 steals as the Pioneers forced 14 turnovers while only committing 6 for the game.
This game featured a good crowd, two pep bands and two teams of cheerleaders which helped facilitate an atmosphere you expect from Kentucky high school tournament basketball. SK got it done tonight when they had to and moves on to the 8th region tournament next week at Henry County.
Congratulations to the entire program!!!!
Tourney MVP Dressman. His game was pretty simple but very effective tonight. Get the offensive rebound and drop it in the basket.
Somehow, Nate converted this play.
Maegley took some shots but it seemed to get him going.
Brandon connected on this first half bucket.
A couple of Barnes' crashlandings were a little scary.
The game started with both teams trying to establish a game plan. Jeff Slavey opened the game with a leaner in the lane but Walton countered and went down and scored. The two teams traded baskets as neither team was able to get serious runs going. Casey Sorrell got in the game and hit a three just seconds after entering the game. This allowed the Pioneers to go out to a 13-11 lead. Walton finally did get a run going at the end of the quarter to take a 16-13 lead at the end of the first frame.
WV’s Ponzer had a career night the last time the two teams played. Steiner opened up the game with Senior David Dressman taking on the assignment this time as other players rotated and helped out with the defense against the Walton star. The WV Ponzer did get his points but it was the other Bearcats that the Pioneers seemed to lose on defense.
The Pioneers opened the second quarter with back to back baskets by Dressman. A run out bucket on an over the shoulder pass to Slavey allowed the Pioneers to go up by a 17-16 score. Just like the first district game against Grant County, Dressman was absolutely flying to the glass. Dressman, who rarely changes facial expressions, got most of his 13 points off of stick-backs. Walton went back on top but Sorrell hit another three right before the 4 minute mark to put the Pioneers up by a point.
SK was able to get the ball into Brandon Maegley regularly during the first half. Unfortunately, the Senior center had trouble hitting his shots. Maegley ended up scoring a team leading 18 points for the game but did not get his first two points, compliments of two foul shots, until the 3:21 mark of the second quarter. The charity throws got Maegley going as he was able to connect on a couple of field goals before intermission. SK mixed a couple of turnovers with a missed box out on Walton’s offensive end at the end of the quarter and ended up trailing by two at the close of the first half, 33-31. The concession line consensus was the SK defense was giving up too many easy buckets.
SK came out in the third in a zone which seemed to perplex the Bearcats. Point guard Nate Ponzer converted a drive to the basket that was circus like. (See picture) Ponzer’s dippsy do was followed up by a LG Barnes drive and the Pioneers were on top again. Nate then forced a jump ball which SK converted into an easy bucket by Dressman and SK was up 39-35. Maegley then got back to back baskets which allowed the Eers to go up by 43-37. Things started getting chippy on the inside as players from both teams were taking shots at each other. Maegley started playing with a lot of emotion at that point and was more than the Bearcats could handle as the pokes and jabs seemed to get him going. When Maegley wasn’t converting, Dressman was rebounding and getting stick-backs. Barnes was mixing things up by taking the ball to the rim to complement the inside game that was working for the Pioneers. Barnes posted 16 points on the night.
Although the game had been decided, the most exciting play of the night came with less than two minutes to go. Peyton Ponzer went up for a three that Dressman came over and literally put the ball via a volleyball like kill into the fourth row of the Walton side of the stands. It brought the small SK student section to a big ovation. (Yes, it was very small.)
This was a game where Walton led for much of the first half but the Pioneers never cracked like they did in the last game against the Bearcats. SK came out of half-time with a good game plan of changing defenses which allowed them to get some nice runs going. The Pioneers outrebounded the Bearcats by 42-32; 14 of which fell into Dressman’s arms. Dressman also posted 13 points to go with his rebounding and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Nate Ponzer’s presence was also felt again as he posted 6 points, 6 assists and 4 boards tonight and seems to be moving better every minute out on the floor. Ponzer was also named to the all tourney team along with Maegley. Jeff Slavey tallied 4 steals as the Pioneers forced 14 turnovers while only committing 6 for the game.
This game featured a good crowd, two pep bands and two teams of cheerleaders which helped facilitate an atmosphere you expect from Kentucky high school tournament basketball. SK got it done tonight when they had to and moves on to the 8th region tournament next week at Henry County.
Congratulations to the entire program!!!!
Tourney MVP Dressman. His game was pretty simple but very effective tonight. Get the offensive rebound and drop it in the basket.
Somehow, Nate converted this play.
Maegley took some shots but it seemed to get him going.
Brandon connected on this first half bucket.
A couple of Barnes' crashlandings were a little scary.
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