NewCath girls advance to All "A" Semifinals

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic junior standout Nikki Kiernan (24) prepares to shoot a free throw in Friday's 55-35 win over Webster County in the All "A" State Quarterfinals. Kiernan had another double-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds, six blocked shots, a steal and assist in the victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – On paper, the Webster County Lady Trojans basketball team figured to challenge Newport Central Catholic’s run of four consecutive trips to the All “A” State Semifinals.

But the Thoroughbreds jumped on the Lady Trojans from the beginning and made sure that did not happen. NewCath pounded the ball inside to standout Nikki Kiernan and she scored the game’s first seven points as the Thoroughbreds cruised to a 55-35 victory Friday.

Kiernan once again controlled the paint with another double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds against Webster County’s man-to-man defense. She added five blocked shots, an assist and steal in the win. Kiernan made 10-of-15 shots from the field and 11-of-16 free-throw attempts.

“We run four out and one in the middle and it gives her some space to work,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “That’s where our offense starts. It’s not very often that we have a distinct height advantage against a good team, but (Friday) we did. We thought they’d play a little more zone, but they didn’t end up playing it too much. We kept on getting the ball (inside).”

The Thoroughbreds (17-4) have won seven straight since dropping a 63-41 decision to Louisville Sacred Heart at home on Jan. 5. They handed the Lady Trojans their worst loss of the season. Second Region champion Webster County had lost just twice this season to the same opponent in Henderson County by a combined seven points.

“I’ve been saying for several weeks now that we’re about the worst 17-2 team in the state,” said Parker McCalister, Webster County head coach. “We just have not played the level of competition we need to play to get better. Nothing against the teams in our region, but the level of competition in the 2nd Region is not even close to what it is in Lexington, Louisville and Northern Kentucky. But I knew that coming in.”

Kiernan did not receive a lot of double and triple-teams down low like she’s seen throughout the season. She often caught the ball in the paint made and move and scored.

“It was exciting because there wasn’t a lot of pressure so I could pretty much do whatever I want,” Kiernan said. “That surprised me a lot.”

Kiernan scored 20 points in the first half as NewCath built a 28-13 advantage. She made 10-of-13 shots for 77 percent and grabbed nine rebounds in that half.

“We faced (Owesboro Catholic standout and Duke Signee) Rebecca Greenwell in the preseason,” McCalister said. “I told the team (Kiernan) will be as good of a high school basketball player as Greenwell is. She’s pretty amazing. She’ll be a tremendous college player.”

Overall, NewCath made 17-of-38 shots for 45 percent, including 12-of-25 in the first half for 48 percent and 2-of-7 overall from three-point range. NewCath shot better from the free-throw line making 19-of-29 shots for 66 percent.

Stephanie Lewis followed Kiernan with seven points and Alexus Mayes had six. Lewis and MiKayla Seibert hit one three-pointer each for NewCath.

“We were second-guessing our shots. We were going for the second ones instead of taking the first ones,” Mayes said. “We need to pay better attention to defenses. If they come out with their hands down, we need to shoot it. If they have their hands up, we need to drive past them and we’ll have our shots right there.”

Mayes, Lewis and Michaela Ware had two assists each for the Thoroughbreds. Webster County tried full-court pressure in the first half but backed off when NewCath burned the pressure for easy scores.

The Thoroughbreds again played solid defense holding the Lady Trojans to 19 percent (11-of-59) from the field and 0-for-6 from three-point range. That included 3-of-25 from the field for 12 percent in the first half.

NewCath held Webster County junior standout guard Mariah Herrera to a team-high 11 points. Herrera likes to score in transition. No one else had more than five points for the Lady Trojans.

“We did an outstanding job against (Herrera),” Stoll said. “I don’t think she had any lay-ups against us in transition. We also did a great job with our half-court defense. We made them set up in the half-court (offense).”

The Thoroughbreds also won the rebounding battle, 42-31. After Kiernan, Mayes had six rebounds and Lewis had five.

NewCath led 19-6 after the first quarter. The Lady Trojans did not make their first field goal until 3:31 remained in the first quarter when Herrera made a lay-up.

“I was most disappointed at the heart and effort of our kids in the first half,” McCalister said. “It’s okay to lose, but it’s not okay to just quit. They didn’t try very hard so that’s pretty disappointing.”

Webster County cut the margin to 10 once in the third quarter with 3:28 left at 31-21, but came no closer. NewCath’s largest lead was 51-28 with 3:07 left in the game.

The Thoroughbreds face arch-rival and 10th Region champion Bishop Brossart (18-4) at 10 a.m. Saturday. NewCath beat the Lady Mustangs, 65-55 on Dec. 17. Brossart edged Frankfort, 41-40 in the first game Friday.

“Everyone knows Brossart is a big rival for us,” Stoll said. “We’re right next to each other. Most of the girls face each other growing up in grade school. We know each other very well. It’s going to come down to whoever wants it more that day. We just have to be ready to play.”

NewCath beat Brossart, 63-41 in the semifinals last year before dropping a 38-36 overtime decision to Walton-Verona in the title game. NewCath won the tournament in 2010.