Simon Kenton snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 54-40 win over Williamstown in the opening game of the 32nd District boys’ basketball tournament on Monday at Grant County.
The Pioneers took a 28-14 lead in the first half and stayed on top with a combination of balanced scoring and good defense. Sophomore Zach Kelch was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points. J.C. Hawkins scored all 11 of his points in the first half to spark the team’s fast start.
Simon Kenton (11-16) will play the winner of the Walton-Verona vs. Grant County game in the district final at 7 p.m. Friday. Both of the district finalists will advance to next week’s 8th Region tournament.
HIGHLANDS 74, DAYTON 53 — Highlands went on a 24-6 scoring run in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory in the 36th District first-round game at Bellevue.
Senior guard Mitchell Cain scored a game-high 16 points for the Bluebirds, who snapped a three-game losing streak. The team’s other double-figure scorers were Braden Posey with 12 points, Kyle Finfrock with 10 and Bo Hebel with 10.
Highlands (7-16) will play Newport Central Catholic (23-4) in a district semifinal game at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a trip to next week’s 9th Region tournament on the line.
BOONE COUNTY 82, HERITAGE 45 — Boone County surged ahead 26-9 in the first quarter and coasted to an easy victory over winless Heritage in the first round of the 33rd District playoffs at Conner.
The Rebels had four double-figure scorers. Sophomore guard Ethan Robbins lead the way with 15 points that he got in the first half. Heritage senior Isaiah Liske finished with 27 points. He made seven of his team’s 14 field goals.
Boone County (5-23) plays Cooper (23-3) at 6 p.m. Wednesday in a district semifinal game. The winner will advance to the 9th Region tournament no matter what it does in the district final.
CALVARY CHRISTIAN 53, SILVER GROVE 38 — The Cougars got a big lift off the bench from eighth-grader Mason Rusch, who scored a game-high 24 points to go along with his six steals and three rebounds in the 37th District game at Campbell County Middle School.
Silver Grove senior guard Randy Kuntz scored 19 points in his final high school game. The other double-figure scorer was Calvary Christian junior guard Akeem Riley with 11 points.
Calvary Christian (16-14) will take on Campbell County (17-12) in a district semifinal game at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will earn a berth in next week’s 10th Region tournament.
LUDLOW 69, VILLA MADONNA 61 — Senior guard Michael Camarena and Kalib Mitchell scored a combined total of 41 points to lead Ludlow to the 35th District victory at Dixie Heights.
Camerena scored 22 points and Mitchell had 19 for the Panthers. They made 14 of their team’s 22 field goals and 13 of the 23 free throws. The only double-figure scorer for Villa Madonna was junior guard Thomas Schutzman with 27 points.
Ludlow (13-16) will play Dixie Heights (17-10) at 6 p.m. Wednesday in a district semifinal game that will decide which team goes to next week’s 9th Region tournament.
BOYS BASKETBALL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Simon Kenton 54, Williamstown 40
Tuesday
Walton-Verona vs. Grant County, 8 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT CONNER HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Boone County 82, Heritage 45
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Boone County, 6 p.m.
Conner vs. Ryle, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 6:30 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Ludlow 69, Villa Madonna 61
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
Covington Catholic vs. Holmes, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Holy Cross vs. Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Highlands 74, Dayton 53
Wednesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands, 6 p.m.
Newport vs. Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Monday
Calvary Christian 53, Silver Grove 38
Wednesday
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 6 p.m.
Scott vs. Brossart, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.