NewCath pulls away from Hancock County

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team had no problem taking care of its first-round opponent to start the All “A” State Tournament on Thursday.

NewCath (17-3 overall) put away the 3rd Region champion Hancock County Hornets, 67-31 with huge runs at the Frankfort Civic Center. The Thoroughbreds outscored the Hornets (12-8), 44-8 in the second and third quarters combined to run away. They led 57-20 entering the fourth quarter after leading just 13-12 following the first quarter.

NewCath is making its third straight appearance in the tournament and 11th in the previous 16 seasons. The Thoroughbreds have only lost in the first round twice during that time in 2001 and 2007. They’ve been to the All “A” State Tournament 13 times total and own three state championships in 2000 and the previous two years.

On the other side, Hancock County had not been to the tournament since 2000. The Hornets have been to the state tournament seven times with a runner-up finish in 1992.

Grant Moeves, Ben Weyer and John Ludwig scored 12 points each for the Thoroughbreds. Senior post Drew McDonald had a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds for NewCath.

Ty Ogle was the lone player for the Hornets to reach double digits in scoring with 11. No one else had more than four points.

Hancock County turned the ball over 16 times to just four for NewCath. The Thoroughbred had nine steals to one for the Hornets. Erik Anderson led NewCath with three steals and Zack Pangallo had two.

The Thoroughbreds had 16 assists to four for Hancock County. Pangallo led NewCath with four assists with Anderson and McDonald making three each.

NewCath unsurprisingly controlled the rebounding, 31-23. After McDonald, Weyer nabbed six rebounds.

The Thoroughbreds made 28-of-54 shots for 52 percent including 8-of-19 from downtown for 42 percent. They did struggle at the free-throw line hitting just 3-of-9 for 33 percent.

Hancock County hit just 11-of-34 shots for 32 percent including 3-of-9 three-point tries for 33 percent. The Hornets also made 6-of-12 free-throw tries for 50 percent.

NewCath plays again Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Thoroughbreds take on 16th Region champion Elliott County (15-4).