NCC boys down Ryle; Highlands boys defeat Scott

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic head coach Grant Brannen (center) goes over strategy in Tuesday's home game against Ryle. The Thoroughbreds own the most wins in Kentucky with an impressive 27-2 record.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If there is a time to get a game like this out of the way, it’s before the postseason because a game like this then could mean the end of the season.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds managed to defeat the pesky Ryle Raiders, 63-54 Tuesday on the hill. But they did not put away the visitors from Union like they normally do to opponents.

NewCath won its 15th straight contest to move to 27-2 overall and 15-1 in 9th Region play. Ryle dropped to 10-15.

“(Ryle) is a grind it out, 9th Region team,” said Grant Brannen, NewCath head coach. “I went to watch them against Milford (Ohio). They ended up losing by 19 (61-42). But they were winning midway through the third quarter. We didn’t play NewCath basketball so that’s disappointing. But it’s a win so we’ll take it. I told them we have the most wins in the state of Kentucky and we have to keep that going.”

In the end, the Raiders had no answers for the Thoroughbred size. NewCath won the rebounding battle, 27-18. Sophomore 6-foot-6-inch Drew McDonald led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds. McDonald made all seven free-throw attempts.

“We just have to come out with intensity, match the other team, get big leads and put them away,” McDonald said. “You never know what you’re going to get in the 9th Region. It’s the most competitive region in the state.”

The Thoroughbreds put four starters in double-digits. Zach Pangallo followed McDonald with 14 points on two three-pointers with teammates Jake Schulte and Michael Bueter scoring 13 and 11 respectively. Bueter also nabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists.

Both teams consistently found ways into the paint to create high-percentage shot opportunities. NewCath had 17 assists to nine for Ryle.

Both teams shot 50 percent from the field. NewCath made 23-of-46 attempts including three three-pointers and Ryle hit 20-of-40 with two three-pointers.

Both teams also shot well from the free-throw line. The Thoroughbreds hit 14-of-18 attempts for 78 percent and the Raiders made 12-of-17 for 71 percent.

Drew Mays and Travis King constantly penetrated the lane for Ryle and made things happen. Mays scored 16 points to go with five steals and King scored nine and dished out four assists.

“In past years, Coach Brannen said we’ve had problems with strong guards,” Pangallo said. “We just have to get in the weight room a little more, move our feet and play solid defense.”

The Raiders saw two other players reach double-digits. Post Will Stuhr scored 12 and Mark Fussenegger had 11. Stuhr also had six rebounds.

The Thoroughbreds used a 6-0 run in the first quarter to take the lead for good at 12-8. They led 12-10 after the first quarter and 27-22 at halftime. The Raiders cut the margin to 20-19 at one point in the second quarter.

The teams traded baskets constantly in the third quarter as NewCath managed to increase its lead by just a point and lead 46-40 entering the fourth quarter.

The Raiders cut the lead to four with 6:50 remaining at 48-44 after a Fussenegger score. But the Thoroughbreds answered with a 10-0 to give themselves some breathing room at 58-44 with two minutes left following two Pangallo free throws.

Ryle did not cut the margin back to single digits until 35.2 seconds remained when Mays recorded a steal and score. The NewCath reserves got into the game in the final two minutes.

NewCath concludes the regular season with another 9th Region battle at Conner (12-13) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Thoroughbreds hope to avoid what happened last year when the Cougars won 49-47 on the hill.

“That’s going to be tough out there on their Senior Night,” Brannen said. “We just have to be ready to go.”

Highlands boys 46, Scott 38:

The Bluebirds won their second straight with a home win Tuesday.

Highlands improved to 11-15 after winning just 10 games last year. The Eagles fell to 13-12.

The Bluebirds trailed 33-28 entering the fourth quarter. But they erased with four minutes remaining winning the quarter, 18-5.

Luke Turner led Highlands with 27 points. He made two three-pointers and 13 free throws.

The Eagles saw eight players score. But only Nick Jackson reached double-digits with 10 points.

The Bluebirds conclude the season Friday against Beechwood (8-19) in Fort Thomas. Game time is 7:30 p.m.