Published: December 27, 2008 11:37 pm      

MARK MAYNARD: Steiner enjoys victory 12/28/08

Being from northeastern Kentucky, Trent Steiner has a good appreciation of the Ashland Invitational Tournament.

That’s why Simon Kenton’s head coach, who is from Louisa, savored a 55-50 victory over Fairview a little more on Saturday afternoon.

Steiner said as he grows older, family becomes increasingly important.

“Being from Louisa and knowing the tradition, it makes it special,” he said. “It’s nice to get to see my family. Nobody is getting any younger. That’s the hardest thing about being three hours away.”

Steiner, who graduated from Lawrence County in 1990, was an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1994-98 and the head coach for the 2000-01 season. He took over at Simon Kenton in 2002 and has been there ever since.

He was an assistant coach at Simon Kenton in 1998-99 when the Pioneers captured the AIT title, so he’s got a little tradition himself.

“Coach (Jeff) Davis and I both being from here, it was kind of a family deal tonight,” Steiner said. “His dad (Jerry Davis) was on the other (Fairview) bench and my dad (Clyde) was in the stands. It was great.”

Jeff Davis said he wouldn’t gloat over the victory either. “No way,” said the Pioneers’ assistant. “I’m happy to get the win and be home.”

Simon Kenton plays conference rival Campbell County, which defeated East Carter 52-48, in tonight’s first semifinal at 7.

Some consolation

The consolation bracket of the AIT will be an all-local affair.

Ashland’s loss to Beechwood was the first time since 1989 the Tomcats fell in the first round of their own tournament.

Back then, it was a single-elimination tournament.

But now the Tomcats will play two more games, beginning today at 4 p.m. against Greenup County in the consolation bracket.

East Carter and Fairview play in the opener at 2:30 p.m.

Football powered

Simon Kenton and Beechwood haven’t had their football players long because they were both playing through the second weekend in December.

The Pioneers have six football players from a team that shocked the state by reaching the Class 6A finals before falling to St. Xavier.

Steiner said the winning attitude has rubbed off on the basketball team.

“I’ve had the football guys for five practices,” he said. “It changed things in a hurry. These football kids don’t like to lose.”

Simon Kenton was reeling after a 42-7 loss to Boone County before bouncing back to reach the state finals.

“It couldn’t have happened to a better group of kids and coaches,” Steiner said.

Beechwood repeated as Class A champions in football.

The Tigers carried that winning edge over to the basketball floor as well on Saturday night while dispatching the host Tomcats.

Next year’s AIT

The field is already set for next year’s 55th annual AIT.

Here are the eight teams who have committed to coming: Bishop Brossart, Christian County, Covington Catholic, Mason County, Glasgow, East Carter, Johnson Central and Ashland.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Jeff Hall, the Glasgow coach, and his son Cameron. Jeff is in his first season at Glasgow this year.

Cole honored

Harold Cole, who coached Ashland basketball from 1965-72, was recognized for the Ashland Tomcat Distinguished Alumni Award on Saturday night.

The award was started in 2001. Previous honorees are: Ralph Felty, Charlie Reliford, Brandon Webb, Bob Wright, the Lynch family, the Salyer family, the Conley family and Jerry Henderson.

Cole was a highly successful coach for the Tomcats, winning four 16th Region titles in seven seasons.

His 1969 Tomcats made it all the way to the state semifinals before falling to Ohio County.

Gaining experience

East Carter and Fairview took the opening-round losses in stride. While not happy about it, both coaches Brandon Baker and Rex Cooksey looked forward to playing two more games.

“We need to play games,” said Baker, whose team is 3-2.

Cooksey said the AIT competition will do nothing but bolster the Eagles.

“We’ll get better because of it,” he said. “We’ll come back tomorrow (today) and take another test.”

The Raiders and Eagles play at 2:30 p.m. in the first consolation bracket game.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.