By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Simon Kenton junior guard Ally Niece played a new position in the 8th Region semifinal game against Anderson County on Friday and led the Pioneers to a 66-44 victory at Oldham County High School.
With senior center Maddie Meyer dealing with the flu, Simon Kenton coach Jeff Stowers decided to use Niece in the post position.
The move paid off as Niece scored a game-high 22 points and snagged 11 rebounds to record a double-double. She got most of her points at the foul line, making 12 of 16 free throws, and went 5-for-9 from the field.
The win puts the Pioneers in the regional championship game for the fifth straight year. They’ll play Grant County at 7 p.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to next week’s state tournament. Last week, Simon Kenton defeated Grant County, 65-35, in the 32nd District final.
In the regional semifinal game, Simon Kenton freshman Maggie Jones hit a 3-point shot and junior Megan Buckner made a layup at the end of the second quarter to give their team a 24-22 halftime lead. The Pioneers opened the second half with a 7-0 run and built a 44-33 lead by the end of the third quarter. They doubled that 11-point margin by outscoring Anderson County, 22-11, in the fourth quarter.
Simon Kenton’s other double-figure scorer was junior guard Bailee Harney with 10 points. She also had five rebounds and three assists for the Pioneers, who have a 26-6 record going into the regional final. They won the regional title in 2015 and took home the runner-up trophy in 2016, 2014 and 2013.
MASON COUNTY 51, CAMPBELL COUNTY 47
After taking a 33-29 lead early in the third quarter, Campbell County sputtered on offense and Mason County took advantage of it to win the 10th Region semifinal game. The Royals opened the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to take a 47-37 lead and held off a late rally by last year’s regional champion to come away with the victory.
Campbell County’s leading scorers were junior guard Taylor Clos with 17 points and junior forward Mackenzie Schwarber with 12. The Camels end the season with a 20-13 record.