By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Walton-Verona forward Austin Lay, No. 15, gets off a shot against two Simon Kenton defenders in the 32nd District semifinal game. (Photo by Carla Martin)
Walton-Verona held off a furious fourth-quarter rally and defeated Simon Kenton, 56-53, in a 32nd District semifinal game on Tuesday at Williamstown High School.
The Bearcats had a 40-23 lead going into the fourth quarter, but their defense broke down and Simon Kenton scored 30 points in the final period to make it a close game.
Walton-Verona shot 58.8 percent (20 of 34) from the field compared to Simon Kenton’s 40 percent (18 of 45). But the Pioneers were 6-of-14 from behind the 3-point arc and won the battle on the boards by a 28-18 margin.
Simon Kenton senior J.C. Hawkins scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead his team in both categories. He shared game-high scoring honors with Walton-Verona guard Austin Lay, who was 8-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line.
Sophomore guard Garrett Jones netted 14 points for the Bearcats. Junior guard Zack Clinkenbeard finished with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Walton-Verona clinched a berth in next week’s 8th Region tournament with the victory. The Bearcats will meet the winner of the Grant County-Williamstown game in the district final at 7 p.m. Saturday to decide their places in the regional tournament bracket.
SIMON KENTON 11 10 19 16 — 56
WALTON-VERONA 7 10 6 30 — 53
WALTON-VERONA (25-6): Lay 8 4 20, Jones 4 5 14, Clinkenbeard 4 0 10, Pardee 3 2 8, Miles 1 0 2, Moran 0 1 1, Anderson 0 1 1. Totals: 20 13 56.
SIMON KENTON (15-14): Hawkins 7 2 20, Lair 2 4 8, Perry 3 0 8, Sergent 3 1 7, Robinson 2 0 4, Kitchens 0 4 4, Niece 1 0 2. Totals: 18 11 53.
Three-pointers: WV — Clinkenbeard 2, Jones. SK — Hopkins 4, Perry 2.
Boys’ basketball district playoff schedules
32nd DISTRICT at WILLIAMSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday
Grant County vs. Williamstown, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship: Walton-Verona vs. Grant County-Williamstown winner, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT at BOONE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Boone County, 6 p.m.
Ryle vs. Conner, 8 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LLOYD HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT at HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Covington Catholic vs. Holmes, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Holy Cross vs. Beechwood, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT at DAYTON HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Dayton, 6 p.m.
Highlands vs. Newport, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT at CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Wednesday
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 6 p.m.
Scott vs. Brossart, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
