The Sweet 16 Girls Basketball State Tournament game between Henderson County and Simon Kenton was a thrilling matchup that ended in double overtime. Both teams fought hard, but it was Simon Kenton who came up just short, losing to Henderson County 56-54.
The game started off well for Simon Kenton, as they jumped out to an early 9-point lead in the first quarter. Their defense was stifling, and they made it difficult for Henderson County to get anything going offensively. However, Henderson County didn’t back down, and they managed to cut the deficit to six points by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams playing solid defense, but it was Henderson County who was able to make a run and tie the game up by halftime. Jarie Thomas led the way for Henderson County in the first half, scoring 11 of her 19 points.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but neither could convert. It was tied at 46-46 at the end of the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, both teams had opportunities to win the game, but neither could get it done. Savanna Lacer and Bryn Pernell both hit clutch free throws to keep the game tied, and it was on to the second overtime.
In the second overtime period, it was Henderson County who was able to come up with the big plays. G’Leah Gibson hit a couple of key shots, and Henderson County was able to hold off Simon Kenton for the victory.
In terms of team statistics, both teams had similar shooting percentages, with Henderson County shooting 39.5% from the field and Simon Kenton shooting 36.2%. Henderson County was better from the free-throw line, shooting 86.4% compared to Simon Kenton’s 73.7%. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with Henderson County shooting 21.4% from three-point range and Simon Kenton shooting 40%.
Henderson County had fewer turnovers, with 16 compared to Simon Kenton’s 21. However, Simon Kenton was able to dominate the rebounding battle, pulling down 36 rebounds to Henderson County’s 21.
Individually, Jarie Thomas was the standout performer for Henderson County. She scored a team-high 19 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists. She was also a force on defense, recording 4 steals. G’Leah Gibson also had a solid game, scoring 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
For Simon Kenton, Bryn Pernell was the top performer. She scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down 2 rebounds. She was also clutch from the free-throw line, making all 9 of her attempts. Hayylie Webb had a strong game as well, recording a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
In terms of team strategy, both teams relied heavily on their defense. They made it difficult for the opposing team to score, and it was the team that was able to make the key defensive stops that came out on top. Henderson County was able to do this more effectively, recording 10 steals compared to Simon Kenton’s 3.
Both teams also relied heavily on their starters, with no bench player scoring more than 6 points for either team. This was a game where the stars had to shine, and for Henderson County it was Jarie Thomas who stepped up, while for Simon Kenton it was Bryn Pernell.
Henderson County’s top scorer was Jarie Thomas, who contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds. Her strong performance was critical in keeping her team in the game and giving them a chance to win. She was efficient in her scoring, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. She was also a force on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
Savanna Lacer had a solid all-around game for Henderson County, finishing with two points, five assists, three steals, and two rebounds. She played a key role in getting her teammates involved, dishing out five assists, and was a pest on defense, recording three steals.
Grace Risley added six points and a rebound for Henderson County, while Kaylee Gibson came off the bench to score 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field.
On the other side of the court, Simon Kenton was led by Brynlee Pernell, who had a game-high 19 points, along with two rebounds and six turnovers. She was the driving force behind Simon Kenton’s offense, shooting 4-for-12 from the field and 2-for-6 from beyond the arc, while also getting to the free-throw line nine times, making all of her attempts.
Hayylie Webb also had a strong game for Simon Kenton, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three turnovers. She was a force on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. She also chipped in three assists and three turnovers in the losing effort.
Ella Eggleston contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and two turnovers for Simon Kenton. She was efficient in her scoring, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Megan Gadzala had a solid all-around game for Simon Kenton, finishing with two points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal. She played a key role in getting her teammates involved, dishing out two assists, and was a force on the glass, recording eight rebounds.
Overall, both teams played an impressive game, and it was clear that they were evenly matched. While Simon Kenton came out on the losing end, they can be proud of their effort and the way they battled throughout the game. Henderson County’s ability to stay calm and composed in the face of adversity was critical in their victory, and they will look to carry that momentum into their next game.
