Cold Shooting Ends Simon Kenton’s Season in 8th Region Loss

A challenging shooting performance spelled the end of Simon Kenton’s basketball season as they fell to Spencer County, 64-57, in the quarterfinals of the 8th Region tournament on March 1, 2024. Despite a valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers could not overcome a significant deficit established early in the game.

Simon Kenton faced a steep uphill battle after struggling with their shooting, particularly in the first half. They found themselves down by as much as 21 points in the third quarter, trailing 47-26 by the end of that period. The Pioneers made a late surge, outscoring the Bears 31-17 in the final eight minutes, but critical shots failed to land when needed most.

The Pioneers ended the night with a shooting percentage of just 31.8%, hitting 21 of 66 attempts from the field and struggling from beyond the arc with only 5 of 28 three-point shots converting. Head coach Trent Steiner reflected on the tough outcome, stating, “At the end of the day, the team that makes it wins and the team that misses loses. Unfortunately, that was the end of our season. We shot the ball bad from three.”

Spencer County capitalized on their shooting opportunities, particularly in the first half. They sank six of their seven three-pointers before halftime, leading to a 32-18 advantage. The Bears showcased a balanced offensive effort, with Chris Armstrong leading the way with a game-high 23 points, including 12 in the first half. Rollie Tackett and Keeton Jones contributed with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

As Simon Kenton struggled offensively, their defense intensified late in the game, creating pressure that began to wear on a Spencer County squad missing two of its top scorers due to injury. Head coach Jason Burns acknowledged the challenges his team faced, saying, “With our injuries we’re not very deep. With the combination of what they did and us being tired, we made just enough plays.”

The Pioneers displayed determination as they fought to keep their season alive. Eddie Marx led Simon Kenton with 21 points, 11 of which came during the spirited fourth-quarter rally. Teammate Bray Bilton added 18 points, contributing significantly to the late-game push. Steiner praised his team’s effort, stating, “Effort-wise I thought we played like our hair was on fire.”

Despite the loss, Simon Kenton concluded the season with a respectable record of 16-11. They will say goodbye to senior starters, including center Christian Bounds, point guard Aiden Thomas, and Will Scobee, who was the team’s second-leading scorer this season. However, the returning duo of Bray Bilton, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, and Eddie Marx, who also had a strong season, will provide a solid foundation for next year.

The victory allows Spencer County to advance to the semifinals, where they will face Henry County. The Bears improved their record to 20-13 with this win, while Simon Kenton reflects on a challenging but rewarding season, ready to regroup for the future.

Final Score:
Spencer County — 16-16-15-17 — 64
Simon Kenton — 9-9-8-31 — 57

Scoring Breakdown:
Spencer County (64) — Armstrong 23, Tackett 14, Jones 10, B. Armstrong 9, Allen 7, Cornell 1
Simon Kenton (57) — Marx 21, Bilton 18, Scobee 6, Thomas 5, Bounds 4, Lindenschmidt 2, Hardcorn 1

Game Statistics:
Field Goals: Spencer County 21/41, Simon Kenton 21/66
3-Pointers: Spencer County 7/22, Simon Kenton 5/28
Free Throws: Spencer County 15/27, Simon Kenton 8/15
Rebounds: Spencer County 27, Simon Kenton 24
Assists: Spencer County 18, Simon Kenton 7
Turnovers: Spencer County 16, Simon Kenton 5
Steals: Spencer County 4, Simon Kenton 9
Fouls: Spencer County 14, Simon Kenton 20

As the basketball season comes to a close, Simon Kenton looks to its future with hopes of building on this year’s experiences, while Spencer County prepares for their next challenge.