The Simon Kenton girls basketball team achieved a significant victory against Sacred Heart, defeating the five-time reigning champions 56-49 in Louisville. This marks the second consecutive year that Simon Kenton has triumphed over Sacred Heart, following last year’s surprising upset. The Lady Pioneers improved their record to 25-2 with this win, further solidifying their status in the Elite 16 statewide media poll, where they now hold a remarkable 6-0 record.
Brynli Pernell played a pivotal role in the game, scoring an impressive 28 points, which also allowed her to surpass the significant milestone of 2,000 career points. Along with her scoring prowess, she contributed four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Her performance has been crucial to the team’s success, showcasing her skill and determination on the court.
Strong Team Effort Leads to Victory
In addition to Pernell’s standout performance, teammates Haylie Webb and Angela Kabeya also made valuable contributions, each scoring 10 points. Webb managed to secure four rebounds while navigating foul trouble and shooting an efficient 5-of-6 from the field. Kabeya was instrumental in the rebounding department, pulling down seven boards, which helped maintain Simon Kenton’s advantage throughout the game.
Anna Kelch also had a noteworthy performance, grabbing 12 rebounds, six of which were offensive, while adding six points to the scoreboard. Simon Kenton established an early lead, jumping out to a 19-8 advantage after the first quarter and maintaining a 36-26 lead at halftime. Sacred Heart attempted to rally in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 48-41, but could not get any closer in the final period.
The Lady Pioneers excelled at the free-throw line, hitting an impressive 12-of-13 attempts. They also capitalized on turnovers, outscoring Sacred Heart 14-8 in points off turnovers, and held their opponents to a challenging 2-of-19 shooting performance from beyond the arc.
As the regular season concludes, Simon Kenton looks ahead to their final game at home against Highlands on March 5, 2024, before entering the postseason with the 32nd District tournament the following week. This victory over Sacred Heart is not just a personal achievement for the Lady Pioneers but also reflects the growing competitiveness of Northern Kentucky basketball, as evidenced by Cooper’s victory over Sacred Heart earlier this year on January 2.
With momentum on their side, Simon Kenton is poised to make a significant impact as they progress into the postseason.
