Lady Braves are 32nd district runner-ups

Battling in the 32nd district championship, the Grant County Lady Braves once again faced off against the Simon Kenton Pioneers. Initially, Grant took a firm lead before the Pioneers came back and extended their position in the second half to take a 70-53 win over the Lady Braves.

Olivia Ginn and Sarah Russell made the all-tournament team for the Lady Braves as they now advance to the regional tournament.

Grant started the game with the first points as Ginn scored twice. Simon Kenton responded scoring in a fastbreak before converting on a turnover.

Tied at 4-4, several offensive boards from Caroline Barnes and Russell then resulted in Russell getting to the free throw line for one.

Not long after, an offensive board from Barnes allowed Jada Cummins to find Ginn upcourt for a layup. Pushing momentum with a steal, Cummins scored in transition.

Though the Pioneers made a three in the next possession Grant fired back with a jumper from Cummins to make it 11-7.

The Pioneers then rallied with a putback and two free throws, tying the intense game.

Cracking Simon Kenton’s defense Barnes and Ginn both scored for the Lady Braves. After earning a stop on the defensive Grant held possession with just a minute remaining.

Taking the final shot of the quarter, the Lady Braves executed their offense for Russell to score at the rim. This put Grant ahead 18-11 at the end of the first.

Following an initial miss, the Lady Braves’ offense soon took off as Barnes found Skyer Menefee for a fastbreak. In the following possession and inbound, Menefee scored once again, making it 22-11.

Battling on, the Pioneers earned a three-pointer before the Lady Braves broke Simon Kenton’s defense for Ginn to score.

Handling the half-court run and trap by the Pioneers, the Lady Braves moved the ball well. Despite a strong start, however, Grant lost steam halfway through the second quarter.

With and-one and free throws, Simon Kenton closed ground.

Flagging, the Lady Braves then gave up two fastbreaks with turnovers, making it a two-point game. Just before halftime, the Pioneers stole the lead with a foul at six seconds pushing them ahead 25-24.

Unlike the first half the second was much more decisive as Simon Kenton built on the momentum created before halftime.

Coming out of the break Grant let up a putback before then allowing a top of the key three. In a matter of minutes, the Lady Braves’ position fell apart. Though their defense did earn some stops, their offense was unable to break through.

Cummins eventually managed to end the dry spell with a putback but by then Grant trailed 37-26.

During the remainder of the quarter, the Pioneers extended their lead, matching a three from Ginn. Another three by Grant made it 40-32 as they chipped away at the difference.

Simon Kenton put a stop to this with several consecutive makes. Shortly after giving up a three, the Lady Braves took a timeout to slow the game. Following this timeout Ginn scored at the rim before free throws by the Pioneers closed the third.

Trailing 51-34, the Lady Braves opened the fourth quarter with Barnes getting to the line for one. A steal by Ginn then made it 53-37 with Grant’s defense picking up full-court.

With only six minutes in the game, the Braves attempted to build steam. Unfortunately, the Pioneers’ offense advanced onward, earning 19.

Grant regained their offensive strength in the fourth as they also managed to score 19. The defense, in contrast, was unable to earn enough stops with fouls sending Simon Kenton to the line.

Despite trading blows the Lady Braves were unable to recover from the hole they dug in the third resulting in a 70-53 loss.

In the final quarter, several of the Lady Braves scored, with Addyson Vanholten, Isabelle Russell, Ginn, and Ella Miller all contributing. Upon the end of the game, Ginn and Russell made the all-tournament team with Ginn leading the scoring and Russell dominating the boards.