By Michael Canizales
NKyTribune contributor
After months of rehabilitation and slowly working herself back into the lineup, Simon Kenton senior Ally Niece saved her most inspirational performance for Saturday night.
In front of a sellout crowd on her home court, Niece led the Pioneers to an 80-68 win over Anderson County in the 8th Region girls’ basketball championship game with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Simon Kenton senior guard Ally Niece drives past an Anderson County defender during the 8th Region championship game. (Photo by Marc Figgins)
“Tonight is all about Ally,” SK coach Jeff Stowers said after the win. “She pulled this team together to tell them that she didn’t come back to lose. She worked her tail off and is by far the best player in the region.”
The Pioneers reached the 8th Region final for the sixth consecutive year and carried off the championship trophy for the second year in a row. Niece, a double-figure scorer in all three of her team’s tournament victories, was named most valuable player.
“It’s very rewarding,” Niece said. “But it’s not really what I’m worried about. We’re going to celebrate tonight but get back in the gym on Monday to start working again for our next opponent.”
Simon Kenton (20-10) will play the 9th Region champion in the first round of the Kentucky “Sweet 16″ state tournament at 8 p.m. Thursday at BB&T Arena. Ryle will play Holmes in the 9th Region final at 2 p.m. Sunday.
“I wanted to come back and help my team get back to state,” said Niece, a Northern Kentucky University recruit. “After having the season that we were having, we were able to put everything together at the right time.”
The 5-foot-8 Simon Kenton standout suffered an ACL tear in her left knee last summer and missed most of the regular season while recovering from the injury. Coach Stowers worked with the team’s long-time trainer to get the all-state player ready for the playoffs.
Simon Kenton players celebrate with the regional championship trophy. (Photo by Marc Figgins)
“Her whole focus was, if I’m going to blow it out, I’m going to blow it out,” Stowers said. “When the doctor said she was ready, everything else was up to her.”
With a brace supporting her knee, Niece returned to action during the final month of the regular season and was back in the starting lineup for the district tournament.
The Pioneers came out firing on all cylinders in Saturday’s regional final and had a 46-29 lead at halftime. They extended the margin to 57-40 in the third quarter.
Anderson County put together an impressive run and got as close as eight points late in the fourth quarter. But Niece and her teammates showed great resilience and put the game away after hitting a couple of big 3-pointers.
Simon Kenton sophomore Maggie Jones went 5-for-8 from the field with four treys to contribute 16 points. Mattie Vickers, Madison Stamper and Shelby Harmeyer added 14 points apiece to help get the Pioneers get back to the state tournament.
“We’re going there to win,” coach Stowers said. “We know what it takes and we’re going to throw it all on the line and see what happens.”
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Simon Kenton – Ally Niece (MVP), Mattie Vickers, Maggi Jones, Megan Buckner. Owen County – Baileigh Young. Gallatin County – Kaylee Terrell. Spencer County – Lauren Lambdin. Oldham County – Madison Clark, Alexis Head. Walton Verona – Brooke Perry, Rachel Lehkamp. South Oldham – Payton Herold, Anderson County – Lauren Boblitt, Jaclynn Ruble, Amiah Mason.
