NewCath teams advance in All "A" State; Highlands boys down Bellevue

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Experience helped out in this situation.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team led by just five points in the fourth quarter against the Trimble County Lady Raiders. But NewCath pulled away for a 65-48 All “A” State Tournament quarterfinal win Friday. The game took place at the Frankfort Convention Center.

The Thoroughbreds saw three players reach double-digits. They were Nikki Kiernan, Alexus Mayes and Michaela Ware with 21, 19 and 10 points respectively. They made 18-of-40 shots for 45 percent and 26-of-35 free throws for 74 percent.

Paige Black led the Lady Raiders with 18 points. Trimble County made 20-of-50 shots for 40 percent and 7-of-10 free throws for 70 percent.

NewCath won the rebounding battle by a 34-25 count but committed 22 turnovers to 21 for Trimble County. Mayes led NewCath with nine rebounds with Stephanie Lewis and Kiernan following with eight and seven respectively. Ware collected nine steals.

The Thoroughbreds (19-2) are making their sixth consecutive trip to the tournament semifinals. They face Danville at 11:30 a.m. today.

Basketball, Boys:

All “A” Quarterfinals at Franklin Convention Center:

Newport Central Catholic 69, Green County 33:

The Thoroughbreds (19-3) ran away from the Dragons (11-9) to move on in the All “A” state tournament Friday.

NewCath led 39-13 at halftime and 60-22 entering the fourth quarter. The Thoroughbreds shot a blistering 52 percent (29-of-56) from the field and held the Dragons to 33 percent (11-of-33).

Head Coach Ron Dawn said he’d go to the bench a lot in this tournament and he did in this game. Fourteen Thoroughbreds saw action in the game and 10 scored. Jake Schulte led the way with 18 points with Grant Moeves and Drew McDonald scoring nine each. Schulte also blocked four shots.

For the second straight game in the tournament, NewCath did not allow a player from the opposing team to score in double-digits. Levi Murphy and Jayden Willis led the Dragons with nine points each.

The Thoroughbreds battle the Lexington Christian Academy Eagles at 6 p.m. today in the tournament semifinals. Cordia faces Betsy Layne in the other semifinal contest afterwards.

Highlands 64, Bellevue 52:

The Bluebirds (4-10) finished 2-2 in 36th District play with a win over the Tigers.

Highlands saw three players reach double-digits. Parker Harris led the way with 15 points with teammates Brandon Hergott and Justin Weyer scoring 14 and 12 respectively.

Highlands travels to Conner today for a 9th Region contest. Game time is 4 p.m.