Ware's lay-up lifts NewCath

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic junior Loren Zimmerman (right) guards Holy Cross' Aleah Tucker in Friday's All "A" 9th Region semifinal contest. The Thoroughbreds won 39-37 in the final seconds to advance to the title game.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

ERLANGER – Some may call it the Newport Central Catholic Invitational.

It is understandable because the Thoroughbreds have won the previous seven All “A” 9th Region girls basketball crowns. But one region opponent has not been intimidated by that in recent years in the Covington Holy Cross Lady Indians (11-4).

Holy Cross gave NewCath its closest game in last year’s tournament losing just 51-43 in the first round. It took the Thoroughbreds (16-2) the final seconds of this year’s semifinal contest Friday to beat the Lady Indians, 39-37 at St. Henry.

It’s the closest anyone has come to ending NewCath’s run since the two teams went to overtime on Jan. 14, 2008. The Thoroughbreds won that game 62-59 in the first round of the tournament at Bellevue.

“It was tough that someone had to lose that game because (Holy Cross) played great,” said George Stoll, NewCath Head Coach. “My hat’s off to (the Lady Indians). We knew it was going to be a battle. But that’s the sign of a good team. You have to face adversity. We faced it throughout the game.”

Similar to a win at Highlands last year, NewCath junior guard Michaela Ware dribbled to the rim after a nice pick from Alexus Mayes and hit the game-winning lay-up from the right side with 3.8 seconds left in the game. That marked one of the few times NewCath penetrated for a score like that.

“(Stoll) told us to wait seven seconds and I obviously had a lot of weight on my shoulders,” Ware said. “I had to be confident and see it go in. I took it hard to the basket and was able to beat (the Holy Cross defenders). It’s a great feeling.”

Holy Cross junior 6-foot-1-inch twins Cessie and Ally Mayhaus make it tough on opponents to score in the paint. The duo finished with 10 points each. Ally Mayhaus grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double. The Thoroughbreds were only able to get Cessie Mayhaus in foul trouble with four.

“They do a heck of a job with their matchup zone,” Stoll said. “Alexus Mayes had to pick a side at the last second. Michaela Ware made a play off it. At the same time, Nikki (Kiernan) is on the baseline trying to get open. Michaela has to read it. We knew they’d zone in on Nikki. That’s why I wanted to run that play at the end because I knew we might have a lane.”

NewCath posts Mayes and Kiernan finished in double-digits despite not being 100 percent. Mayes made three three-pointers on her way to 13 points and Kiernan finished with 12. Mayes also finished with seven rebounds. Kiernan did not play in the first two games and Mayes saw limited action.

Holy Cross won the rebounding battle, 29-21. But NewCath sped up the game with its patented full-court pressure defense. The Thoroughbreds recorded 14 steals and just nine turnovers to 23 turnovers and three steals for the Lady Indians.

Holy Cross guard Dajah McLendon often penetrated and tried to dump the ball to the Mayhaus twins. NewCath often jumped those passes for steals. Ware had five steals to lead the Thoroughbreds and MiKayla Seibert recorded three.

“We knew (McLendon) was their main ball handler and when she drove, we had to help out,” Seibert said. “We knew that pass was coming. It takes a lot of heart to play defense well. We like that feeling.”

NewCath shot 33 percent (16-of-48) from the field and hit 4-of-6 free throws for 67 percent. Holy Cross took fewer shots making 17-of-33 for 52 percent and 2-of-4 free throws for 50 percent.

NewCath struggled in the first quarter falling behind 10-4. The Thoroughbreds trailed 16-6 in the second quarter before finishing the half with an 8-0 run to trail 16-14 at halftime.

The Thoroughbreds took the lead for the first time with 4:15 left in the third quarter when Kiernan scored. Their biggest lead was seven points after Meg Martin scored with 35 seconds left in the period. NewCath led 31-26 entering the fourth quarter.

Holy Cross opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run to go up 37-33 before Loren Zimmerman hit a free throw. After two missed Holy Cross free throws, Mayes made a triple from the left wing with 2:40 remaning to tie the game at 37.

“Coach (Stoll) says you have to shoot with confidence and believe it will go in,” Mayes said. “When it does, you have that good feeling and have to keep shooting. Once you’re hot, you’re hot.”

Following two Holy Cross misses a couple minutes later, Stephanie Lewis grabbed the rebound for NewCath and passed to Ware. Ware dribbled until 12 seconds remained and NewCath called a timeout to set up her game-winning shot.

After Ware’s lay-up and Holy Cross timeout, the officials put 3.1 seconds on the clock. The Lady Indians threw the ball out of bounds. Holy Cross had just four team fouls at that point so NewCath ran out the clock.

NewCath faces Beechwood (8-6) for the region crown today back at St. Henry. Game time is 4 p.m. because of bad weather supposedly coming into the region Saturday night.