NewCath girls fall short in bid for All "A" title

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team hoped to redeem itself after missing a golden opportunity a year ago.

NewCath lost 38-36 in overtime to Walton-Verona in the All “A” Championship game at the Frankfort Convention Center last year and blitzed its first three opponents to earn that shot. But after shooting well the first three games, NewCath couldn’t shoot consistently and fell 52-42 to the Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces on Sunday.

This marked the second consecutive runner-up finish after winning the tournament in 2010. NewCath has advanced to at least the semifinals five straight years losing in those games in 2009 and 2011. The Thoroughbreds also finished runner-up in 2001 and 2007.

“I really think Owensboro Catholic got up to play good defense,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “They’ve given up some points so far this tournament. We missed some good looks. But at the same time, they did a great job. They have some length, size and strength. You have to tip your hat off to them.”

Owensboro Catholic won its second title in three years. The Lady Aces knocked off Monroe County, 65-60 in the title game in 2011. But standout forward and Duke University signee Rebecca Greenwell missed last season with a torn Anterior Cruicated Ligamant injury.

NewCath made just 16-of-49 shots for 33 percent, including 3-of-19 from three-point range for 16 percent. But Owensboro Catholic’s size had something to do with that. Greenwell stands 6-foot-1-inches and guarded Thoroughbred standout guard Nikki Kiernan in the second half and limited Kiernan to two points after Kiernan scored 13 in the first half.

“In the first half, I don’t think I did a good job of guarding her,” Greenwell said. “In the second half, I came out and tried to faceguard her more and front her because she would get me down low far under the basket and post me up. That’s how she was getting all her points. I was in foul trouble. I feel like I did better on her in the second half.”

Kiernan still grabbed nine rebounds falling just on shy of her 14th double-double of the year. She also had two blocks and a steal.

“It’s very disappointing,” Kiernan said. “But we can’t hang our heads. We have to keep working harder.”

The other NewCath starters tried to make up offensively. Stephanie Lewis and Alexus Mayes scored eight points respectively. Lewis made two three-pointers and Michaela Ware hit the other on her way to seven points.

Owensboro Catholic played a man-to-man defense. NewCath has seen plenty of zones attempting to take away Mayes and Kiernan down low. The Thoroughbreds hit eight three-pointers in the semifinal win over Bishop Brossart on Saturday.

“I told our girls if they’re going to beat us, they’re going to beat us from behind the arc,” said Ray Zuberer, Owensboro Catholic head coach. “I still want to get a hand up. I felt like (Saturday), (Bishop Brossart) was just letting them shoot. I don’t believe in that. Odds are someone can hit open shots.”

Lewis also took on the difficult task of defending Greenwell. Greenwell finished with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds making two three-pointers. Stoll said Lewis did a good job against her.

“(Lewis) made (Greenwell) give it up a lot,” Stoll said. “Before she even shot it, (Lewis) had her hand up. We held her to 17 points and we weren’t even in a box-and-one (defense). She’s seen a box-and-one this entire tournament. We played a straight man against them.”

But Owensboro Catholic did create problems with its penetration. Post Kaylyn Pearson led the Lady Aces with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Owensboro Catholic won the rebounding battle, 37-23. That included 11-7 on the offensive glass. The Lady Aces outscored the Thoroughbreds, 7-2 on second-chance points.

The Lady Aces made 19-of-40 shots for 48 percent. They also made 12-of-19 free throws for 63 percent.

NewCath tried to catch up with its patented on-ball pressure defense. The Lady Aces had 15 turovers to 11 for the Thoroughbreds. Both teams picked off seven passes. Mayes had three steals to lead NewCath as the Thoroughbreds outscored the Lady Aces, 13-9 off turnovers. Owensboro Catholic used some full-court pressure, but it did not bother NewCath.

Kiernan scored two quick buckets and Mayes added another to give NewCath a 6-0 lead out of the gate. The Thoroughbreds led most of the first quarter until a Pearson score gave Owensboro Catholic the lead at 9-8.

Kiernan then tied the game at 13 with two free throws with seven minutes left in the second. But Greenwell made a three-pointer to give Owensboro Catholic the lead for good.

Owensboro Catholic led 28-26 at halftime and 41-35 entering the fourth quarter. NewCath cut the margin to six twice in the fourth quarter, but came no closer.

NewCath will be heavily favored to return for another title shot next year. The Thoroughbreds graduate just Jillian Hoover in the spring. Hoover unfortunately has not played this season because she tore her Anterior Cruciated Ligament in the fall.

“It’s been really hard for me, but I’m proud of how the girls have played,” Hoover said. “It’s good that they’ve made it this far when no one thought they could.”

NewCath does not play again until Friday. The Thoroughbreds play host to Simon Kenton (19-4). Game time is 7:30 p.m.