NewCath drills Conner to finish impressive regular season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team wanted to finish the regular season strong and avoid a repeat of last year.

The Thoroughbreds accomplished both feats with a convincing 79-49 win over the Conner Cougars in Hebron on Thursday. Conner (12-14) came to the Hill last year and upset NewCath, 49-47 in the season finale.

The Thoroughbreds finished the season with a 16-game winning streak to record the best regular season in school history at 28-2. NewCath also leads Kentucky with the most wins and finished 11-0 on the road, 9-0 on neutral-site games, and 8-2 at home. The Thoroughbreds also won the All “A” State Tournament in Frankfort in January.

NewCath saw four players reach double-digits in the win. Jake Schulte and Michael Bueter led the way with 18 points each with Colin Dupont adding 13.

The Thoroughbreds made seven three-pointers in the win. Bueter and Mac Franzen made two each with Zach Pangallo, Dupont and Jake Haas hitting one a piece. NewCath played without post Drew McDonald, who was out sick.

Sam Hemmerich led Conner with 13 points. No one else scored more than nine for the hosts. The Cougars made six three-pointers and Hemmerich made two of them.

NewCath led 41-18 at halftime. The Thoroughbreds put away the Cougars after struggling to do so with Ryle on Tuesday.

Next on the agenda for the Thoroughbreds is another 36th District Championship. They travel down the road to battle Highlands at 7:45 p.m. in the semifinals at Fort Thomas.