NC girls wins rematch of last year's region title game

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Michaela Ware (11) goes up against Notre Dame's Allison Gribben (15) in Sunday's game at Thomas More College. NewCath won 50-41.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team won the 2014 9th Region title game rematch Sunday at Thomas More College.

NewCath (15-9 overall) downed the Notre Dame Pandas, 50-41 for its second win in three days. The Pandas (10-15) led 23-21 at halftime.

The Thoroughbreds again won with balanced scoring. Loren Zimmerman led the way with 13 points. Ansley Davenport and Michaela Ware followed with 10 each. Ware hit the game-winning lay-up in overtime of the title game last year.

Haylee Smith led the struggling Pandas with 15 points and Sydney Stallman scored 10. Notre Dame has lost two in a row and may not make it out of the 35th District this year after winning the 9th Region two years ago with the seasons that Covington Holy Cross (23-3) and Holmes (23-1) are having. Holy Cross won the All “A” State championship a week ago.

NewCath travels to Holy Cross on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.