Friday Night Hoops

The girls’ team got their turn for opening night at the Joe tonight as the Lady Neers hosted Grant County in an early season 32nd District match-up. Despite away games for the boys teams, a nice crowd turned out to see the girls’ opener in their new Nike uniforms. (Am I the only one who hates it when they schedule this way?) Grant County returned much of the nucleus of their team and was looking for their first W against SK since the Neers joined the district.

The Freshman team rolled to a very easy W. The JV team got off to an unbelievable shooting start making 8 out of their first 9 shots from both ends of the floor and cruised out to a 35 point lead. Freshman Haley Robinson led the JV girls with 18 points. 

The varsity team took to the Joe floor and actually looked a little jittery. SK turnovers and poor shooting allowed the Lady Braves to lead early and through much of the quarter. Senior Hannah Stephenson would hit a couple of big shots and score 8 points in the first quarter. SK went up 8-7 and never looked back. SK would lead at the intermission by a score of 30-20.


The pace of the game caught up with the Braves in the second half as turnovers led to layups for the Pioneers. Sophs Abby Owings and Kristina Cook made basket after basket for SK as the pair would connect for 21 and 14 respectively. SK just looked better conditioned and went out to a 30+ point lead. Coach Stowers was able to get everyone in the action as they cruise to a 64-40 win.

Overall, a nice opening night for SK. They didn’t quite play as good as they did in the scrimmage against Highlands last week but it was a good night to shed some jitters and open up the season. Not much of a break for the girls as they travel to Scott on Monday night. The young Coach Stowers team probably has the toughest schedule in the team’s history. It will be exciting to watch the year unfold.

In boys’ action, the Neers travelled to Warsaw for a regional contest against Gallatin County. SK won the match-up last year by two. What a difference a year makes. SK trailed at half-time by two but fell behind by as many as 20 and end up getting trounced by the Wildcats by a final of 74-55. Gallatin always seemed to find the open man and seemed to scrap for every single loose ball. The Neers matched up with the Cats in size but the Cats were hungrier. Senior Cody Chambers got open shots but had trouble connecting. SK returns to the Joe on Tuesday to take on Conner.

Quick Bake gets to a loose ball.  The speedy soph scored 14.


Freshman Haley Robinson scores here first varsity bucket.


Abby Owings sporting the new Swoosh uniforms scoops up 2 of her 21 in the second half.


Coach Stowers will get to do a lot of coaching this year with his youthful team.  The SK roster is chocked full of sophomores and freshman.


Great job by the pep band.  I'm likin' the extra bass this year.


Owings was tough tonight.


JV tip went for an instantaneous basket.