SK PIONEER SPORTS: Neers Wear Out Pandas for W Against #1 NKY Team

The Neer Hoop Teams hit the road tonight. The boys headed south to Grant County while the girls headed north to Park Hills for a triple header with the Pandas. I had a good feeling about what might go down in Park Hills so it was to the girl’s game for me.

The Freshman team lost in double overtime in a very interesting game. I’ll leave it at that. The Junior Varsity team stymied the Pandas holding them to just two baskets in the first half as Coach O went deep into the bench early and often as SK cruised to a 33-23 win.

In varsity action, the Neers jumped out to a 10-2 lead before turnovers plagued SK allowing NDA to take a 12-10 lead. Coach Stowers had his team pushing the ball at a breakneck pace. NDA seemed content to go with the pace. SK leads 17-16 after 1.

The pace in the second quarter didn't slow down. SK made a nice run to go up by 5. Coach Stowers continued to run the Neers in and out of the game using 11 players during the quarter, while NDA only used 7. NDA makes a run at the end of the quarter to lead 33-29 at half. A super fun half to watch and although the Neers trailed by 4, you had to have a feeling the crafty Stowers had the Pandas right where he wanted them. Frankly, both teams looked gassed at the half.

The pace slowed down a bit in the second half although the pace was still much quicker than a normal high school game. SK continued to sub repeatedly. The message from the SK bench during the third was to attack the basket and crash the glass. The game plan worked as a 7-0 SK run turned into a 46-38 SK lead. Some very strong minutes turned in during the period by Mac Hester took Pioneers out to a 49-40 third quarter lead. Once again, Coach Stowers went deep into his bench during the quarter while the Pandas rarely subbed.

The Pandas were hosting a raucous bunch of grade school kids that gave the home team a nice cheering crowd. NDA would score the first 5 points of the fourth quarter before SK would get onthe board. Paige Bosse would pick up her fourth foul with 6 minutes to go but Coach Stowers chose to leave her in the game. Good choice as the senior promptly hit a three. Rachel Cox would turn her ankle with 3 minutes to go while NDA chipped at the lead. That would seem like a big hit to the Neers but the SK pressure went up a notch and SK would grab a 4 point lead. NDA would get it to one with just over a minute to go. A nice drive by Owings would put SK up 62-59. Owings was also fouled on the play. She would miss the throw but a strong rebound by Cox, returning to the game after injury, would get SK the ball back. The SK pressure throughout the game would finally take a toll on NDA as the Pandas had no gas and collapsed, turning the ball over 5 times in the last minute of the game. Cookie would drain 4 straight throws to put SK up 66-59, the final margin of the contest.

The keys to the game:

Preventing the NDA run-outs. NDA got a couple in the first half but SK’s speed kept the Pandas from converting too many quick transition baskets.

Coaching; the Neers game plan was evident early; make the game a track meet, use lots of players, and pressure the ball full court causing turnovers. NDA did not answer the SK game plan. Very difficult to win a game at that pace without subbing often and it showed at crunch time.

Hard hat award; Sarah Tomlin. Although she gave up 6 inches to D1 recruit Olivia Voskuhl, the junior flat got after it on the defensive end and kept Voskuhl in check, especially in the second half.

Scrappery; the refs let ‘em play and SK had just a little bit more heart getting after loose balls. Abby Owings was getting pounded when she drove to the basket. When I made that comment to her after the game, she replied she didn't care, she just wanted to win the game with smile as big as I've ever seen from the SK guard.

Bench points, not even close in SK’s favor.

Congrats to the Neers, now go get Walton tomorrow.

Tori Clark takes a charge in the JV Game.