NC Boys advance; Highlands boys and girls, NC girls games cancelled

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This was supposed to be their biggest challenge in the tournament.

All the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team did was respond with an 83-67 victory over the St. Henry Crusaders in the All “A” 9th Region semifinals Friday at Dayton. NewCath (15-3) has won eight in a row and moved to 10-0 in region action.

The Thoroughbreds will be looking for their second straight region crown, eighth since 2004 and 13th overall since the tournament began back in 1990. NewCath won the All “A” State Tournament last year and 2000. The Thoroughbreds play in-town rival Newport (11-5) for the crown at 7 p.m. tonight back at Dayton.

NewCath once again had balanced scoring in the win as four players reached double-digits. Drew McDonald led the way with 26 points and Tanner Moeves scored 23. Teammates Jake Schulte and Zach Pangallo followed with 18 and 11 respectively.

NewCath beat Newport, 61-54 in last year’s title game. The Thoroughbreds beat the Wildcats three times last year on their way to a 30-3 mark that included a fifth straight 36th District championship.

Highlands-Boone cancelled:
The Bluebirds (3-9) saw their third game of the week cancelled Saturday. They travel to Newport Central Catholic (16-3) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

NC-Ryle Cancelled:

The Newport Central Catholic girls basketball team (17-2) was to travel to Ryle for a 9th Region contest today. But it was called off because of the weather.

NewCath takes on Paintsville (11-6) to open the All “A” State Tournament on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m. It will mark NewCath’s first game in 11 days.

Highlands-Bracken called off:

The Highlands girls basketball team had its third game called off this week. The Bluebirds (13-3) were to travel to Bracken County, but it was called off because of the weather.

The Bluebirds are scheduled to take on Bellevue on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.