By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The field is set for next week’s 9th Region girls’ basketball tournament with eight teams winning district semifinal games on Tuesday to clinch berths in the bracket.
The regional qualifiers include two-time defending champion Holmes along with Holy Cross, Dixie Heights, St. Henry, Highlands, Newport Central Catholic, Conner and Ryle.
Ryle guard Juliet McGregor, right, attempts a layup after getting past Adrianna Haynes of Boone County in a 33rd District semifinal game. (Photo By Bob Jackson)
Three of the girls’ district semifinal games on Tuesday were decided by five points or less. In the closest game of the night, Newport Central Catholic came from behind to edge Newport, 37-35, in the 36th District.
Senior guard Lexy Breen scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to lead NewCath’s 17-13 final scoring rally. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Thoroughbreds.
In the 34th District girls’ semifinals, St. Henry edged Ludlow, 56-53, and Dixie Heights got past Lloyd, 57-52. This is the ninth time in the last 10 years that St. Henry has earned a berth in the regional tournament.
Ryle, the top-ranked team in 9th Region girls’ basketball for most of the season, defeated Boone County, 69-42, in the 33rd District playoffs. The Raiders have now won 10 straight games, six by margins of 23 points or more.
Campbell County and Scott won 37th District girls’ semifinal games on Tuesday to earn berths in next week’s 10th Region tournament.
The Walton-Verona and Simon Kenton girls’ teams have qualified for the 8th Region tournaments. The winner of the Simon Kenton vs. Grant County boys’ game on Wednesday will be a regional contender along with Walton-Verona.
Girls district tournament schedules
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA
Thursday
Championship game: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT RYLE
Thursday
Championship game: Ryle vs. Conner, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LUDLOW
Friday
Championship game: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights, 6 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT NOTRE DAME
Thursday
Championship game: Holmes vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT HIGHLANDS
Thursday
Championship game,: Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Thursday
Championship game: Campbell County vs. Scott, 7 p.m.
Boys district tournament schedules
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA
Wednesday
Simon Kenton vs. Grant County, 7 p.m.
Friday
Championship game: Walton-Verona vs. Simon Kenton-Grant County winner, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT RYLE
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Conner, 6 p.m.
Ryle vs. Boone County, 8 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LUDLOW
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Villa Madonna, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Wednesday
Covington Catholic vs. Beechwood, 6 p.m.
Holy Cross vs. Holmes, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT HIGHLANDS
Wednesday
Newport vs. Bellevue, 6 p.m.
Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 8:15 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.
