Simon Kenton lost to Franklin Simpson by a final score of 54-40. The Lady Pioneers fell into a hole from the outset of the game. They actually fought their way back and went up by a bucket in the third quarter. The game was closer than the score as FS only led by 4 with 3 minutes to go. FS had played several games on the Diddle Arena Floor and was able to kill the clock and hit their foul shots down the stretch.
I could give lots of details about the game. The things that the girls did good, what they could have done better, and provided other game commentary. But you know what, this game wasn't as much about the game as it was about the community.
I have been a little critical of the student support - or lack thereof the student sections at the games. Tonight, the students packed buses, rode for hours, dressed up, body painted and screamed like crazy for their classmates. The SK section was the biggest student section of the day. Lots of them sported the hard to get t-shirts that sold out at school.
It was also amazing to see the support from the administration from the school and board. Kudos to Mr. Tim Hanner for making long trips to Shelbyville and Bowling Green tonight to support the Pioneers. I lost track of how many teachers there were in the stands tonight.
And how about the bus driver, Dave who was in the first row of the student section cheering like crazy for the girls.
The JV cheerleaders got behind the Girl's basketball team and somehow believed that the team was going to get to the state tournament. It was almost like they adopted the Lady Eers as their team.
And oh yes, the band who rode 3 to a seat on a bus to get here while their parents hauled instruments. They sported their own new t-shirts as they played proudly from the upper deck of the arena.
And finally, the community of Independence was in full force as alumni from every decade since the 40's was in the stands. Some came without rooms but wouldn't have missed watching the team play.
The girls said they just felt special by the support that they got during the last week. The treatment they got here was awesome as well as the Kentucky State Tournament has an NCAA March Madness feel to it. There is definitely something special about Kentucky High School Basketball.
The "Nation" phrase sometimes gets overused at times in the world of sports....but tonight, Pioneer Nation was definitely in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Thank you SK and Independence. You can definitely claim the phrase Pioneer Nation.
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