Thanks to St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine for sponsoring our girls’ high school basketball coverage this season. See all of our girls’ basketball stories here and watch for state tournament coverage March 9-13 from BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
Simon Kenton sophomore guard Ally Niece was named most valuable player in the 32nd District tournament after leading her team to a 76-53 win over Walton-Verona in the championship game on Thursday at Grant County High School.
Both teams advance to the 8th Region tournament that begins Monday at Shelby County High School.
Niece scored 11 of her game-high 21 points in the first half when the Pioneers took a 41-18 lead. In the second half, junior center Madi Meier helped keep the lead in double digits by scoring 12 of her 16 points. The team’s other double-figure scorer was Maggi Jones with 10 points.
Simon Kenton shot 61.2 percent (30 of 49) from the field overall and 47 percent (8 of 17) from behind the 3-point line. Niece was 9-of-13 from the field and Meier made seven of her eight attempts.
Walton-Verona’s double-figure scorers were Hailey Ison with 15 and Morgan Simpson with 11.
HIGHLANDS 81, NEWPORT 58 — Highlands outscored Newport, 25-12, at the free throw line and 36-12 from behind the 3-point arc to become the 36th District champions.
Both teams advance to next week’s 9th Region tournament at BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University
Senior guard Brianna Adler and freshman guard Zoie Barth each scored 17 points for the Bluebirds. Adler made four of the team’s 12 3-point goals. Junior center McKenzie Leigh finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Newport senior Kylie Orr took game-high scoring honors with 31 points. She also had nine rebounds and four steals for the Wildcats.
CAMPBELL COUNTY 89, SCOTT 82 OT — Sophomore guard Taylor Clos scored eight of her 21 points in overtime to help Campbell County nail down the victory in the 37th District finals at Campbell County Middle School.
Scott let an 11-point lead slip away in the fourth quarter. In the final seconds of that period, Campbell County senior guard Taylor Jolly made a pair of free throws that tied the score, 73-73, and sent the game into overtime.
Jolly finished with a game-high 24 points. Scott’s leading scorer was sophomore guard Anna Clephane with 21 points.
Both teams will return to Campbell County Middle School next week to play in the 1oth Region tournament.
RYLE 64, CONNER 41 — Ryle won the 33rd District championship for the second consecutive year and moves on to next week’s 9th Region tournament with a 22-6 record. Conner also gets a berth in the regional to be played at BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.