Simon Kenton breaks out of regional skid

   Simon Kenton broke a five-season drought in the regional quarterfinals with a blowout of Eminence on Tuesday.

   The Pioneers jumped out to a 15-point halftime lead and extended their lead to 24 through three quarters en route to a 64-33 win over the Warriors in the opening round of the Region 9 tournament at Henry County.

   Simon Kenton outscored Eminence, 16-5 in the second period, as senior guard Andrew Sampson led six Pioneers scorers in that frame with four of his 13 points.

   Eleven Simon Kenton players scored in the game. Senior guard Riley Barnes also scored 13 points, and junior forward Taylor Morrison added 11.

   The Pioneers had lost in the first round of regionals each of the past five seasons, falling to a different opponent each year. Simon Kenton will face South Oldham in a semifinal at 8 p.m. on Friday.

   The Pioneers beat the Dragons, 80-75 in Independence on Jan. 11. Simon Kenton last faced South Oldham in this tournament in 2007-08, with the Dragons winning 60-51.

   That game was also played at Henry County.

   Freshman point guard Jalen Dixie paced Eminence with 12 points.

EMINENCE 9-5-9-10—33
S. KENTON 13-16-18-17—64

   EMINENCE (17-15): Dixie 4 3 12, Rucker 3 1 8, Mitchell 2 0 4, Moore 1 0 2, Overall 1 0 2, McKinnley 1 0 3, Bailey 0 2 2. Totals 12 6 33.

   SIMON KENTON (19-10): Kuntz 1 1 4, Pracht 0 2 2, Barnes 5 0 13, Montgomery 2 0 4, Swanson 1 0 2, Morrison 4 3 11, Sampson 5 3 13, Mullins 1 0 2, Bowling 1 1 3, Robinson 3 2 8, Yanke 1 0 2. Totals 24 12 64.

   3-pointers: SK—Barnes 3, Kuntz. E—Dixie, Rucker, McKinnley.