By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Brossart boys basketball team that lost eight games by margins of four points or less during the regular season broke that hard-luck hex Tuesday with a 40-38 win over Scott in a 37th District semifinal game at Campbell County Middle School.
With five seconds left on the clock, Scott made a free throw to pull within two points and got the ball back on a possession arrow call after a tie-up between two players. But a 3-point shot by Brayden Howell missed the mark and the Mustangs came away with the victory.
Brossart (11-18) will play Campbell County (18-10) in the district final at 7 p.m. Thursday and both teams will advance to next week’s 10th Region tournament at Holmes High School. Campbell County defeated Calvary Christian, 85-40, in the first district semifinal game on Tuesday.
There were five ties and eight lead changes in the second semifinal game. Scott scored seven straight points at the end of the first quarter to take a 15-6 lead, but Brossart tied it with a 9-0 run in the second quarter.
Howell made his third 3-point goal to put the Eagles ahead, 28-27, going into the fourth quarter. The final lead change came on a basket by junior Luke Schumacher that put the Mustangs on top, 36-34, and they scored their last four points on free throws by junior guards Anthony Kruse and Brandon Bezold.
Howell took game-high honors with 16 points. The leading scorers for Brossart were senior center David Govan and junior forward Mason Sepate with 12 points each.
Campbell County has a 5-1 record against Brossart over the last four seasons, including a 62-43 win in December. The Camels have won the 37th District championship the last eight years.
Boys district basketball tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.
Friday
Championship: Grant County vs. Simon Kenton-Walton-Verona winner, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT RYLE HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Ryle, 6 p.m.
Conner vs. Boone County, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 5:30 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Covington Catholic vs. Beechwood, 5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross vs. Holmes, 8 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Highlands vs. Dayton, 6 p.m.
Newport vs. Newport Central Catholic, 8 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship: Campbell County vs. Brossart, 7 p.m.
Girls district basketball tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT RYLE HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship: Ryle vs. Cooper, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship: Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 7 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship game: Notre Dame vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship game: Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Wednesday
Championship game: Brossart vs. Campbell County, 7 p.m.