Ladybirds fall at buzzer

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Brianna Adler shoots a free throw in a recent game.

It came down to the last shot between two girls teams that had been playing great basketball lately.

Highlands senior Brianna Adler tied the game with free throws in the final seconds. But Simon Kenton sophomore Ally Niece made the most of the chance firing up a prayer just beyond the opposing three-point line. The shot beyond half-court went in lifting the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers to a 60-57 victory on Senior Night.

Niece finished with 23 points for a game-high for the hosts. She scored her 2,000th career point in the win.

Simon Kenton (20-5 overall) entered the game on a seven-game winning streak and Highlands (19-10) had won five in a row. The home team has won six in a row in the series dating back to Feb. 19, 2010 when Highlands last won in Independence by a 48-45 score.

Highlands saw four players score in double figures. McKenzie Leigh led the way with 14 points with Adler scoring 12. Lauren Epperson hit two three-pointers on her way to 10 points and Zoie Barth added 10.

Simon Kenton had one other player in double digits. Junior Madi Meier scored 18.

Highlands earned the top seed in the 36th District Tournament at Bellevue. The Ladybirds take on either Dayton or Bellevue on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals. The championship is Thursday at 7 p.m.