Saturday Basketball Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds recorded another huge win in the King of the Bluegrass Tournament at Louisville Fairdale.

NewCath (5-0) moved on to the tournament semifinals with a 69-53 win over the Fort Myers (Florida) Green Wave on Saturday. That marked the 12th-ranked Thoroughbreds’ second win against an out-of-state opponent in the tournament.

The Thoroughbreds will battle the top-ranked Louisville Ballard Bruins (7-1) at 9 p.m. in the West Gym. Ballard finished state runner-up last year and is led by guard Quinten Snider.

NewCath once again had balanced scoring in the win as three players reached double-digits. Senior forward Jake Schulte made 10-of-11 shots for 23 points with fellow post Drew McDonald scoring 14.

Junior guard Zach Pangallo followed with 16 points for the Thoroughbreds. He made 3-of-6 three-point shots.

NewCath made 26-of-47 shots for 55 percent including 5-of-14 from three-point range for 35 percent. The Thoroughbreds also made 12-of-18 free throws for 67 percent.

For Myers hit 19-of-45 for 42 percent from the field including 6-of-18 from downtown for 33 percent. The Green Wave made 9-of-12 free-throw attempts for 75 percent.

For Myers saw just one player reach double-digits. That was guard Mark Matthews with 21 points.

The Thoroughbreds outdid the Green Wave in the assist and foul categories recording 13 assists to six turnovers and just 13 fouls. Fort Myers had

 21 fouls, five assists and 15 turnovers. McDonald and Tanner Moeves had five assists each for the Thoroughbreds.

Basketball, Girls:

Highlands 63, Campbell County 43:

The Bluebirds moved to 5-1 with their fifth straight win against the Lady Camels (2-5) in Fort Thomas on Saturday.

Highlands dominated the game at the free-throw line making 20-of-29 attempts for 69 percent. Campbell County made just 6-of-9 for 67 percent.

Brianna Adler led Highlands with 20 points making 7-of-9 free-throw tries. Post McKenzie Leigh followed with 12 points and Haley Coffey had 11. Seventh-grader Zoie Barth followed with nine points.

Campbell County saw just one player reach double-digits. That was Carson Gray with 12 points.

Highlands recorded 13 steals to six for Campbell County. Adler led the Bluebirds with four thefts.

Highlands next plays Thursday in the State Farm Classic at Conner. Highlands faces Louisville Moore (1-5) at 3 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 60, Green County 43:

The Thoroughbreds stayed undefeated at 7-0 with another win against the Lady Dragons (4-2) Saturday in the Edmonton State Bank Ladies Showcase at Glasgow.

NewCath saw three players reach double-digits. They were Nikki Kiernan, Alexus Mayes and Loren Zimmerman with 15, 14 and 10 points respectively.

NewCath next plays on Friday to open the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County. The Thoroughbreds battle the 7-0 Glasgow Lady Scotties.