This was one of those games where a recap doesn’t do the game justice. Sure, Stowers’ Blue Curtain D was operating at peak performance as they held the Bearcats to 14 first half points and they opened the game shooting lights out, but this was a game of effort, attitude and emotion. Sitting under the basket, I was literally shaking for the kids as they took turns stepping up to the line to take their foul shots. Nerves were abundant for the girls but they did what they needed to do. Every girl that Coach Stowers sent out on the floor contributed to the cause in way or another whether it was playing their guts out on defense, making big foul shots down the stretch, making stops on all-region players, sticking their nose in to take a charge or cheering from the bench in front of a very partisan crowd. I’ve been watching SK girls basketball for decades but I can’t remember finding myself into a game more than this one. It was awesome and it was great to see a strong contingent of Southern Kenton County folks make the trip to Bourbon Trail Territory for this memorable victory.
No moment was more defining of the game and maybe the season as when Abby Owings fouled out with less than a minute to go in the game. Owings, who is normally a pretty even keeled player, instantly got emotional once she heard the whistle for her fifth foul. She immediately pulled her blue uniform up over her face to hide her emotion, even for just a brief moment. Tears and sweat poured down her face but she collected herself, walked to the bench, got a pat on the top of the head from Coach to say well done and took her spot on the bench. She parked her smallish frame on the front edge of her chair almost looking for something she could do to make a difference. On the Neers’ next offensive trip to the floor, Senior Hannah Stephenson, got ready to go to the foul line, did the double pump point to her heart and turned to the bench in the direction of Owings and said, “we’ve got this one for you Abby.” It was that emotion that you could see pouring from Stephenson that you just kind of felt that these kids were going to win the game. It was special, one of those moments where you are reminded that high school sports are the last frontier of real sport. Kids playing for the love of sport and getting it done for their teammates and school. I’ve watched Hannah for 5 years now and she never looked more mature than she did stepping up to the line in those final moments of the game. The ironic thing was I’ve never seen her more nervous. She will usually put on that tough girl attitude but tonight, she showed maturity and leadership. Well done young lady.
Great job girls. Enjoy it tonight and while you are the stars on campus tomorrow. Get back to work tomorrow at the Joe and let me throw out this reminder; you have a real game on Friday.
Cookie with a great defensive effort.
Coach Stowers telling the girls, "I told you if you stick your nose in that you can take a charge."
Owings came out ready to roll on the offensive end to start the game.
Tough moment for the feisty Owings but the team did what they needed to and rallied for her.
Getting congrats from coach.
Stephenson with an emotional job of leading her team tonight.
