Wednesday, March 03, 1999
Burned early, Burns rallies Simon Kenton
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer contributor
HEBRON — Simon Kenton senior center Mike Burns felt partly responsible for the Pioneers blowing a 16-point lead during Tuesday's Ninth Region quarterfinal against Scott.
Burns also had a big part in keeping Simon Kenton in the playoffs. He scored six of his 15 points in the final three minutes to help the Pioneers survive with a 67-55 win at Conner.
Simon Kenton meets Highlands — a 60-56 winner over Holy Cross — in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Senior guard Brenden Stowers led Simon Kenton with 19 points and coach Scott Humphrey said it was such senior leadership that kept his team alive.
“When you have six seniors and you're in the postseason, you expect them not to lose their composure,” Humphrey said.
After the game, Burns took the blame for allowing Scott senior center Anthony Matracia to score 23 points and letting the Eagles come from a 42-26 deficit with 4:13 left in the third period to a 53-51 lead with 3:04 left in the game.
“We eased up on our defense,” Burns said. “Scott's a team that can take advantage of that. I kind of blame myself for it.”
Burns keyed Simon Kenton's late rally. He made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 53, stole a pass, hit two field goals and grabbed a rebound.
Stowers added six free throws over the final 1:05 to seal the win.
“I think it says we're mentally tough (and) smart enough not to get too emotional,” Burns said of the 16-5 run.
Said Scott coach Jeff Trame: “There's only been two games we haven't had a chance to win going to the fourth quarter. We're a hell of a lot better than 9-20. We had shots, we had good looks.”
Simon Kenton started the game with an 11-0 run thanks to its fast-break offense. Senior guard Mark Gaskins scored five points and Burns added four.
Scott's offense early consisted mostly of getting the ball to Matracia. It was a plan that worked — he scored seven of Scott's nine points in the first period — but Simon Kenton had a 19-9 lead after eight minutes.
The Eagles trailed 36-21 at halftime because of their 9-for-26 shooting, Matracia's 5-of-13 from the field and not scoring for more than two minutes of the second quarter.
A 7-0 Scott run midway through the third quarter pulled the Eagles to 42-33, but Simon Kenton scored six over the final 1:48 to take a 48-37 lead, and Burns followed that with a field goal 52 seconds into the fourth quarter.
But Scott was just warming up.
Matracia, who had the flu and a fever, scored three field goals and freshman guard Justin Morris five.
The streak continued with a three-pointer from junior forward Joe Kuenhe and field goals from sophomore guard Chris Thompson and Morris. Thompson's three-point play gave the Eagles their only lead.
“We more or less got tired,” Matracia said. “My legs were cramping up the fourth quarter.”
SCOTT (55) — Matracia 10-2 23, Thompson 5-1 11, Morris 3-0 6, Stevenson 2-0 6, Kuehne 2-0 5, Lye 2-0 4. Totals: 24-3 55.
SIMON KENTON (67) — B. Stowers 4-9 19, Burns 6-3 15, Gaskins 4-0 10, Washnock 1-4 6, J. Stowers 2-0 5, Rump 2-1 5, Coppage 1-0 2, Arrowood 1-2 5. Totals: 21-19 67.
Scott ....... 9 12 16 18—55
Simon Kenton ....... 19 17 12 19—67
Three-point goals: S-Stevenson 2, Kuehne, Matracia. SK-B. Stowers 2, Gaskins 2, Arrowood, J. Stowers. Records: S 9-20, SK 26-4.
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