By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Brynli Pernell
Spencer County scored off a steal in the final seconds and upset defending champion Simon Kenton, 46-45, in the opening round of the 8th Region girls basketball tournament on Monday at Anderson County.
The Pioneers had a one-point lead, 45-44, with 15 seconds left when their long inbounds pass was stolen by Spencer County senior Ella Brown. She threw the ball to junior teammate Hawley Johnson, who was alone under the basket for an uncontested layup.
The final field goal gave Spencer County its only lead of the game. Simon Kenton was ahead 40-32 late in the third quarter and had a 45-40 lead with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, but the Pioneers weren’t able to score on their last four possessions.
The game’s only double-figure scorers were Brown with 17 points and Simon Kenton freshman guard Brynli Pernell with 15. Sophomore forwards Anna Kelch and Haylie Webb both had nine points for the Pioneers, who finish with a 21-11 record.
George Rogers Clark 61, Scott 33
George Rogers Clark entered the 10th Region girls basketball tournament ranked No. 3 in the state and showed why with a 61-33 running-clock win over Scott in the opening game on Monday at Bourbon County.
The Cardinals took a 23-8 lead in the first quarter and limited Scott to one point in the next period to extend the halftime margin to 42-9.
The game’s only double-figure scorer was GRC junior guard Jailenn Green with 21 points. Scott’s team leader was eighth-grader Noelle Price with eight points, followed by eighth-grader Nakiah Mejia and junior Kaia Peterson with seven each.
The Eagles finished the season with a 17-15 record. Campbell County (20-10) will play Montgomery County (21-8) in a 10th Region first-round game at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday
