Basketball teams will find out if their numbers are lucky when they draw for district seeds

The goal was simple for the Williamstown and Grant County girls' basketball teams this season—put yourself in a position where you did not have to open the 32nd District Tournament against heavy favorite Simon Kenton.

Both failed that goal, but the question of who will play Simon Kenton when the tournament opens on Feb. 25 will be decided on Feb. 17 at the district meeting, where coaches will draw for district seeds in the tournament, which will be played at Grant County High School.

The Williamstown Lady Demons finished the season with a 1-5 district record, with the lone win coming against Grant County.

"We controlled our own destiny and we screwed it up. We need to improve and get back to how we played several weeks ago," WHS head coach Mark Wilhoit said.

Williamstown lost 75-28 and 85-40 to Simon Kenton, and 79-56 and 71-56 to Walton-Verona. The Lady Demons also suffered a 51-44 loss to Grant County.

As for the Lady Braves, they, too, finished the district portion of the season with a 1-5 record, and their lone win came against Williamstown. Darrell Guffey's team suffered losses to Simon Kenton (83-41 and 61-38) and Walton-Verona (48-41 and 62-59).

"I wish we drew a week or two earlier so that we knew who we had. We have a week to prepare and we play two games. Whatever happens, happens. Obviously, you don't want to play Simon Kenton in the first game, but if it happens, we'll lace them up and see if we can sneak one out," Guffey said.

Guffey said Simon Kenton, who swept Walton-Verona this season, and the Lady Bearcats of Walton-Verona, are two completely different teams.

"Simon Kenton pressures you to death and Walton has size. It's a big unknown in terms of our opponent, but we'll work on the basic fundamentals and trying to get better in practice," Guffey said.

The number three seed would play Walton-Verona, while the number four seed would play Simon Kenton.

Seeds for boys'

tourney are up in the air

As is the case with the girls' tournament, the district seeds for the boys' tournament, which opens Feb. 25 at Grant County High School, are also unsettled.

With Walton-Verona's recent 72-69 victory over Simon Kenton, a tie atop the region standings took place between the two teams. Grant County finished the district season with the three seed and a 2-4 record, while Williamstown will be the fourth seed in the district tournament after going 0-6 in district play.

Should Walton-Verona draw the top seed in the tournament, they would play Williamstown. The Demons have lost to Walton-Verona twice this season by scores of 73-47 and 70-56.

However, should Walton-Verona be declared the two seed they will play Grant County, a team that they have also beaten twice this year by scores of 60-55 and 69-62 in overtime.

There is a chance that defending district champion Simon Kenton could claim the top seed and play Williamstown or be the two seed and play Grant County. The Pioneers swept both Williamstown and Grant County this season.

Williamstown head coach Stacey May is hopeful that luck will be on the Demons' side and they will get Walton-Verona in the first game.

"We want them to be the number one seed because I think we match-up better with them than we do with Simon Kenton. It's a 50-50 chance, and it will be interesting. At the beginning of the season, I thought we'd definitely play Simon Kenton, but now there is a chance it will be someone else. I don't know if anyone can beat Simon Kenton, but should we play them, we will give it everything we have," May said.

Grant County coach Ron Kinmon takes a different approach to the Pioneers.

"There is more pressure on Simon Kenton in the first round because if they lose, it's the end of their season. The same can be said of us and the other teams, but if you are ever going to beat Simon Kenton, you have to do it in the first round," he said.

Regardless of who the Braves are matched up against, Kinmon is welcoming the challenge, especially since the games will be played on Grant County High School's home floor. He is hopeful of a home-court edge.

"Anytime you can play at home, you have to take advantage. We are going to concentrate on what we do well in practice and prepare for the opportunity," said Kinmon.