NewCath handles in-town rivals, 80-51

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – The in-town 36th District rivals hoped to put up a huge challenge.

But the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team used its balance to send the Newport Wildcats (8-4 overall) tumbling down the hill with a convincing 80-51 victory on Wednesday. NewCath stayed unbeaten at 12-0 and moved to 7-0 in 9th Region action and 5-0 at home.

The route started with NewCath’s shooting percentage. The Thoroughbreds made 33-of-56 shots for 59 percent, including 21-of-30 shots in the second half for 70 percent. NewCath also made 10-of-13 free throws for 77 percent and four three-pointers.

That led to balanced scoring with all five Thoroughbred starters reachind double-digits. Guard Michael Bueter made 8-of-12 shots for 67 percent and all three free throws on his way to 20 points to lead the way. Bueter also had six assists as NewCath recorded 17 to seven for the visitors.

“We shared the ball well,” said Grant Brannen, NewCath head coach. “When we share the ball well, we’re tough to beat. We’ve done that these last two games.”

NewCath also scored a lot of points down low with its size advantage. Drew McDonald scored 12 points for the Thoroughbreds with Nick Seibert and Jake Schulte adding 11 each.

The trio also contributed in other ways. Schulte finished one rebound shy of a double-double with nine as NewCath won the rebounding battle, 33-27. McDonald added three steals and Seibert had rejected two Newport shots.

NewCath’s fifth starter in point guard Zach Pangallo scored four points in the fourth quarter to score 10 points. He also made two three-pointers, dished off three assists and recorded two steals.

“We knew coming into the season that we had to play together to win a lot of games,” Pangallo said. “We have so many weapons on our team so we can do a lot of damage. We want to spread the ball around.”

On the other side, the Wildcats made 22-of-55 shots for 40 percent, including three three-pointers. Newport also made just 4-of-8 free-throw attempts for 50 percent.

The Wildcats saw just two players reach double-digits. Guard JaSean Short and post Cody Pearson had 13 points each. NewCath held Short’s brother JaQuan to three points.

“Those two are really good,” Brannen said. “We were trying to contain (the Short brother). They’re obviously very talented players. There’s a good chance we’re going to see these guys down the road sometime.”

Newport led twice in the first quarter at 4-0 and 8-4. But NewCath used an 18-6 run to go ahead for good at 24-14 with 6:12 left in the second quarter. The Thoroughbreds led 17-14 after the first quarter and 32-23 at halftime.

NewCath pulled away in the third quarter winning it 23-7 to go up 55-30 entering the fourth quarter. The Thoroughbreds ended the quarter with a 14-0 run. McDonald scored his six points of the quarter during that stretch.

That lopsided score let the reserves play in the fourth quarter. NewCath won that quarter as well, 25-21. The Throughbreds saw 11 different players score. After Bueter’s eight points in the final quarter, Pangallo, Jake Haas and Josh Verkamp scored four points each in that quarter.

NewCath plays its next three contests at home against some good competition. The first contest is Friday against the defending state champion and second-ranked Louisville Trinity Shamrocks (9-3).

“They’re very good,” Brannen said of Trinity. “They’re physical. Obviously, we have our work cut out for us. We know it’s a big game. It’s about trying to get respect around the state.”

Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Newport.