By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Walton-Verona shot 62 percent (15 of 24) from the field in the first half to take a 22-point lead and went on to defeat Owen County, 62-42, in the opening round of the 8th Region girls’ basketball tournament on Tuesday at Simon Kenton High School.
Senior guard Rachel Lehkamp scored 12 of her game-high 23 points in the first half for the Bearcats, who ended up shooting 50 percent (24 of 48) for the game. Lehkamp was 10-of-12 from the field with 18 points in the paint. She also had five rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Walton-Verona did a good job on defense, forcing 19 turnovers and limiting Owen County to just two second-chance points. The Bearcats scored 23 points off turnovers with Brooke Perry getting eight and Lehkamp getting six.
Walton-Verona (24-9) advances to the regional semifinals for the third time in the last four years and plays Anderson County (26-5) at 8:15 p.m. Friday. Anderson County has a 13-0 record against regional opponents that includes a 56-41 win over Walton-Verona on Feb. 10.
In the first round of the 10th Region playoffs, Scott knocked off Harrison County, 77-44, on Tuesday behind a 28-point performance by senior guard Anna Clephane.
The Eagles shot 57.6 percent (34 of 59) from the field in the victory. Clephane connected on 12 of 19 field goal attempts and junior Summer Secrist was 9-for-11. Clephane also led the team in rebounds with 11 and assists with five.
Scott (18-14) will play Paris (23-9) in a 10th Region semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mason County Fieldhouse. The two team did not play each other during the regular season.
8th REGION TOURNAMENT AT SIMON KENTON HIGH SCHOOL
Friday
Oldham County (22-7) vs. Simon Kenton (18-10), 6:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona (24-9) vs. Anderson County (26-5), 8:15 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
10th REGION TOURNAMENT AT MASON COUNTY FIELDHOUSE
Friday
Clark County (24-7) vs. Campbell County (29-3), 6 p.m.
Scott (18-14) vs. Paris (23-9), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.