Pioneers Outlast Bearcats

After spending twenty-four days on the road, Simon Kenton welcomed their 32nd district foe, Walton-Verona to the friendly confines of the "Joe". It took the entire thirty-two minutes for the game to be decided and when the final horn sounded SK had escaped with a three point win, 58-55.

Three weeks ago SK traveled to Walton and plastered the Bearcats by twenty-eight points. Tonight my expectation was that coach Danny Trame would have his Cats ready to show SK that game was a fluke. My expectations were correct. 

SK took the early lead but it didn't last long. The Neers struggle to make more than a few chip shots while also struggling from the line, WV took advantage of the miscues. After one quarter WV led 17-8.

The second quarter was much better for Coach Steiner's squad. An aggressive defense caused multiple turnovers that his boys converted into buckets. SK tied the game at 29, seconds later WV scored two more to take the lead at the half, 31 to 29. 

The defensive pressure continued into the third quarter and with 2:18 left they were finally able to grab the lead, 34-33. Back to back three pointers (Barnes, Mullen) propelled the lead to four, 40-36. 

The Neers' lead lasted until the 2:20 mark, when Zach McNeil made a hoop and was fouled. He missed the free throw and that was the last time WV had a lead, 50-49. Cody Monson drilled a three from the left wing at the 1:52 mark. Fifty seconds later Nick Ayers made a wide open lay up to push the margin to four. WV converted a three point shot to pull within one which was followed by two free throws by Ayers. The Bearcats were able to penetrate into the lane and after a made lay up trailed by one with 15 seconds on the clock. With 5.6 seconds left, Andrew Sampson found himself toeing the free throw line for a one and one attempt. Sampson, who was scoreless in the second half torched the nets on both to stretch the lead to three. WV's McNeil carved his way down the court and was able to get off a deep three which missed by inches, sealing the Pioneer victory. 

Simon didn't have one of their better shooting nights but they were assassins from the line (14-18, 8-9 in the second half) while being opportunistic on the defensive end. Next up for SK is two more road games, both against their Kenton County brethren. First is a trip to Taylor Mill on January 9th followed by a Wednesday night tilt against 9th region favorite, Dixie.

WV...17...14...05...19...55

SK.....08...21...11...18...58