By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Winning close games in the 10th Region boys’ basketball tournament is becoming a common occurrence for the Scott Eagles.
In a first-round game on Thursday, junior forward Trey Meister hit a shot in the lane with three seconds left to give Scott a 55-53 win over tournament host Mason County. In last year’s regional playoffs, the Eagles won a semifinal game by three points and the championship game on a last-second 3-point shot.
Meister’s basket capped a nice second-half comeback for Scott. After shooting 26 percent (8 of 30) in the first half and trailing by five points at the break, the Eagles went 14-of-29 in the second half to put themselves in position to win the game.
Junior guard Chad Ohmer scored 19 points and senior guard Nelson had 12 for the Eagles. Meister finished with eight points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.
The 10th Region semifinal games on Monday will be Campbell County vs. Clark County at 6 p.m. and Scott vs. Paris at 7:30 p.m. This is the third time in four years that the Camels and Eagles have made it to the semifinal round. Last year, Scott beat Campbell County in the title game.
Simon Kenton freshman guard Kelly Niece scored a career-high 37 points, but his team lost to Gallatin County, 72-69, in the first round of the 8th Region tournament on Thursday at Henry County.
Niece had 12 points in the fourth quarter when the Pioneers took a 19-11 lead, but the margin slipped to 33-31 by halftime. Gallatin County pulled ahead, 49-44, in the third quarter and held off a rally by Simon Kenton in the final period when Niece scored 16 points.
Senior center Zach Kelch was the Pioneers’ other double-figure scorer with 18 points in his final game.
10th REGION TOURNAMENT AT MASON COUNTY FIELDHOUSE
Monday, March 5
Clark County (29-4) vs. Campbell County (26-5), 6 p.m.
Scott (22-9) vs. Paris (23-7), 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6
Championship game, 7 p.m.