Ware's lay-up lifts NC to 9th Region crown

Allen Ramsey Photos. Top: NewCath's Michaela Ware (11) scores the game-winning lay-up in overtime. Center: The Thoroughbreds celebrate their fourth 9th Region title since 2003. Bottom: The team poses with the trophy.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – If the script sounds familiar, it’s because it has happened before.

Thoroughbreds edge Lady Indians, 54-52

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Nikki Kiernan (24) puts up a shot in Saturday's 9th Region Semifinal contest against Covington Holy Cross. Kiernan had a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds in the 54-52 Thoroughbred win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The third meeting would either be another charm or go the other way depending on the side.

NewCath girls fall short in bid for All "A" title

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team hoped to redeem itself after missing a golden opportunity a year ago.

NewCath lost 38-36 in overtime to Walton-Verona in the All “A” Championship game at the Frankfort Convention Center last year and blitzed its first three opponents to earn that shot. But after shooting well the first three games, NewCath couldn’t shoot consistently and fell 52-42 to the Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces on Sunday.

This marked the second consecutive runner-up finish after winning the tournament in 2010. NewCath has advanced to at least the semifinals five straight years losing in those games in 2009 and 2011. The Thoroughbreds also finished runner-up in 2001 and 2007.

“I really think Owensboro Catholic got up to play good defense,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “They’ve given up some points so far this tournament. We missed some good looks. But at the same time, they did a great job. They have some length, size and strength. You have to tip your hat off to them.”

Owensboro Catholic won its second title in three years. The Lady Aces knocked off Monroe County, 65-60 in the title game in 2011. But standout forward and Duke University signee Rebecca Greenwell missed last season with a torn Anterior Cruicated Ligamant injury.

NewCath made just 16-of-49 shots for 33 percent, including 3-of-19 from three-point range for 16 percent. But Owensboro Catholic’s size had something to do with that. Greenwell stands 6-foot-1-inches and guarded Thoroughbred standout guard Nikki Kiernan in the second half and limited Kiernan to two points after Kiernan scored 13 in the first half.

“In the first half, I don’t think I did a good job of guarding her,” Greenwell said. “In the second half, I came out and tried to faceguard her more and front her because she would get me down low far under the basket and post me up. That’s how she was getting all her points. I was in foul trouble. I feel like I did better on her in the second half.”

Kiernan still grabbed nine rebounds falling just on shy of her 14th double-double of the year. She also had two blocks and a steal.

“It’s very disappointing,” Kiernan said. “But we can’t hang our heads. We have to keep working harder.”

The other NewCath starters tried to make up offensively. Stephanie Lewis and Alexus Mayes scored eight points respectively. Lewis made two three-pointers and Michaela Ware hit the other on her way to seven points.

Owensboro Catholic played a man-to-man defense. NewCath has seen plenty of zones attempting to take away Mayes and Kiernan down low. The Thoroughbreds hit eight three-pointers in the semifinal win over Bishop Brossart on Saturday.

“I told our girls if they’re going to beat us, they’re going to beat us from behind the arc,” said Ray Zuberer, Owensboro Catholic head coach. “I still want to get a hand up. I felt like (Saturday), (Bishop Brossart) was just letting them shoot. I don’t believe in that. Odds are someone can hit open shots.”

Lewis also took on the difficult task of defending Greenwell. Greenwell finished with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds making two three-pointers. Stoll said Lewis did a good job against her.

“(Lewis) made (Greenwell) give it up a lot,” Stoll said. “Before she even shot it, (Lewis) had her hand up. We held her to 17 points and we weren’t even in a box-and-one (defense). She’s seen a box-and-one this entire tournament. We played a straight man against them.”

But Owensboro Catholic did create problems with its penetration. Post Kaylyn Pearson led the Lady Aces with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Owensboro Catholic won the rebounding battle, 37-23. That included 11-7 on the offensive glass. The Lady Aces outscored the Thoroughbreds, 7-2 on second-chance points.

The Lady Aces made 19-of-40 shots for 48 percent. They also made 12-of-19 free throws for 63 percent.

NewCath tried to catch up with its patented on-ball pressure defense. The Lady Aces had 15 turovers to 11 for the Thoroughbreds. Both teams picked off seven passes. Mayes had three steals to lead NewCath as the Thoroughbreds outscored the Lady Aces, 13-9 off turnovers. Owensboro Catholic used some full-court pressure, but it did not bother NewCath.

Kiernan scored two quick buckets and Mayes added another to give NewCath a 6-0 lead out of the gate. The Thoroughbreds led most of the first quarter until a Pearson score gave Owensboro Catholic the lead at 9-8.

Kiernan then tied the game at 13 with two free throws with seven minutes left in the second. But Greenwell made a three-pointer to give Owensboro Catholic the lead for good.

Owensboro Catholic led 28-26 at halftime and 41-35 entering the fourth quarter. NewCath cut the margin to six twice in the fourth quarter, but came no closer.

NewCath will be heavily favored to return for another title shot next year. The Thoroughbreds graduate just Jillian Hoover in the spring. Hoover unfortunately has not played this season because she tore her Anterior Cruciated Ligament in the fall.

“It’s been really hard for me, but I’m proud of how the girls have played,” Hoover said. “It’s good that they’ve made it this far when no one thought they could.”

NewCath does not play again until Friday. The Thoroughbreds play host to Simon Kenton (19-4). Game time is 7:30 p.m.

NewCath girls thrash Brossart, 63-37 in All "A" Semifinals

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Newport Central Catholic girls basketball players, coaches and trainer watch with joy as the Thoroughbreds pulled away from Bishop Brossart in the second half of Saturday's 63-37 win in the All "A" Semifinals. NewCath faces Owensboro Catholic for the state championship Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – Opposing girls basketball teams have tried it all year long.

They pack the middle against junior standout Nikki Kiernan and force the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds to beat them from outside. It did not work early in the season because NewCath hit shots from outside.

But it began to work some once the Thoroughbreds stopped hitting from there consistently. NewCath still found other ways to win for the most part.

However, the Thoroughbreds knew they’d eventually hit from the outside again. They may have just found their shooting touch in Saturday’s win over the rival Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs, 63-37 in the All “A” State Semifinals at the Frankfort Convention Center. NewCath also beat Bishop Brossart, 65-55 on Dec. 17.

NewCath faces 2011 champion Owensboro Catholic (15-5) of the 3rd Region at 12:30 p.m. Sunday for the title. The Lady Aces beat Gallatin County, 73-60 in the other semifinal.

NewCath (19-4) made 8-of-30 three-pointers – four in each half – for 27 percent as Bishop Brossart (18-5) came out in mixture of zones to pack things in against Kiernan and Alexus Mayes. Ansley Davenport led the way in that department making 3-of-7 shots from outside with Michaela Ware, Stephanie Lewis, Kiernan, Chelsea Schack and Sarah Neace making one each.

“What can be tough is when (opponents) are not playing far off from you, you shoot, miss and it gets to your head,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “That’s what we talked about before during one of the timeouts. We told them to think about how many three-pointers they’ve shot from the wing in their lives. We had to step in there, shoot it with confidence and they’re going to go in.”

Mayes scored 15 of her team-high 17 points in the second half as NewCath pulled away. Lewis added 14 and Davenport had nine as the Thoroughbreds saw nine different players score.

“Once we got the three-pointers going, we felt more confident to take more shots,” Davenport said. “I always try to find different spots and try to get my feet set.”

The Lady Mustangs held Kiernan to eight points – all in the second half – after she torched them for a triple-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 blocks in the December meeting. Kiernan still dominated the glass with 19 rebounds and rejected six shots.

“It was very frustrating because it makes it harder for us to score,” Kiernan said. “Luckily, they laid off our teammates and we had enough teammates come in and make up for them doubling and tripling (myself and Mayes).”

That marked Kiernan’s lone triple-double of the season. She has 12 double-doubles.

NewCath outrebounded Bishop Brossart, 47-37. That included 13-8 on the offensive glass. The Thoroughbreds outscored the Lady Mustangs, 18-0 in second-chance points. Mayes and Lewis nabbed eight rebounds each. Lewis had most of those points off five offensive rebounds.

“They were worried about (Mayes and Kiernan) so I just took advantage of it,” Lewis said. “I went and got the ball then tried to put it back up hoping it would go in.”

The Thoroughbreds hit 21-of-57 shots for 37 percent and made 13-of-21 free throws for 62 percent. They also committed just seven fouls.

On the other side, the Lady Mustangs made 15-of-55 shots for 27 percent including 4-of-14 from three-point land and 3-of-9 free throws for 33 percent. Bishop Brossart committed 17 fouls.

“Offense is the fun part, but defense is what wins games,” Mayes said. “We worry more about defense. If we do well on defense, our offense comes to us naturally.”

Both teams took good care of the basketball. NewCath had six turnovers and three steals to eight turnovers and four steals for Bishop Brossart. The Lady Mustangs did try to speed the game up with full-court pressure later in the game.

The Thoroughbreds dished out 11 assists to seven for the Lady Mustangs. Ware had five for NewCath.

“They do a great job with the man-to-man press,” Stoll said. “I told them before the game the key is to make sure they take care of the basketball. It’s not just one person. It’s everyone. We did a great job of that in the second half.”

Brossart led early in the contest, 7-2. But Davenport hit her first three-pointer to cut the margin to 7-5 and the NewCath confidence grew from there. Lewis hit her lone triple with 1:01 left in the quarter to give the Thoroughbreds a 10-7 advantage.

NewCath doubled Bishop Brossart in the second quarter to go up 24-14 at halftime. Lewis scored six in that quarter including an offensive putback with 44 seconds left.

“When you have the talent inside with Mayes and Kiernan, you have to pick your poison of what you’re going to do,” said Josh Feldmann, Bishop Brossart head coach. “We tried to take those two away. Our main thing is we couldn’t put the ball in the hole. If we’d have made some shot early, we could have stayed with what we were doing and put some pressure on them.”

The Thoroughbreds kept expanding the lead in the second half. They led 43-25 entering the fourth quarter.

NewCath is making its third appearance in the All “A” title game in five seasons. The Thoroughbreds won it in 2010 and fell in overtime to Walton-Verona in the title game last year.

NewCath girls advance to All "A" Semifinals

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic junior standout Nikki Kiernan (24) prepares to shoot a free throw in Friday's 55-35 win over Webster County in the All "A" State Quarterfinals. Kiernan had another double-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds, six blocked shots, a steal and assist in the victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – On paper, the Webster County Lady Trojans basketball team figured to challenge Newport Central Catholic’s run of four consecutive trips to the All “A” State Semifinals.

But the Thoroughbreds jumped on the Lady Trojans from the beginning and made sure that did not happen. NewCath pounded the ball inside to standout Nikki Kiernan and she scored the game’s first seven points as the Thoroughbreds cruised to a 55-35 victory Friday.

Kiernan once again controlled the paint with another double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds against Webster County’s man-to-man defense. She added five blocked shots, an assist and steal in the win. Kiernan made 10-of-15 shots from the field and 11-of-16 free-throw attempts.

“We run four out and one in the middle and it gives her some space to work,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “That’s where our offense starts. It’s not very often that we have a distinct height advantage against a good team, but (Friday) we did. We thought they’d play a little more zone, but they didn’t end up playing it too much. We kept on getting the ball (inside).”

The Thoroughbreds (17-4) have won seven straight since dropping a 63-41 decision to Louisville Sacred Heart at home on Jan. 5. They handed the Lady Trojans their worst loss of the season. Second Region champion Webster County had lost just twice this season to the same opponent in Henderson County by a combined seven points.

“I’ve been saying for several weeks now that we’re about the worst 17-2 team in the state,” said Parker McCalister, Webster County head coach. “We just have not played the level of competition we need to play to get better. Nothing against the teams in our region, but the level of competition in the 2nd Region is not even close to what it is in Lexington, Louisville and Northern Kentucky. But I knew that coming in.”

Kiernan did not receive a lot of double and triple-teams down low like she’s seen throughout the season. She often caught the ball in the paint made and move and scored.

“It was exciting because there wasn’t a lot of pressure so I could pretty much do whatever I want,” Kiernan said. “That surprised me a lot.”

Kiernan scored 20 points in the first half as NewCath built a 28-13 advantage. She made 10-of-13 shots for 77 percent and grabbed nine rebounds in that half.

“We faced (Owesboro Catholic standout and Duke Signee) Rebecca Greenwell in the preseason,” McCalister said. “I told the team (Kiernan) will be as good of a high school basketball player as Greenwell is. She’s pretty amazing. She’ll be a tremendous college player.”

Overall, NewCath made 17-of-38 shots for 45 percent, including 12-of-25 in the first half for 48 percent and 2-of-7 overall from three-point range. NewCath shot better from the free-throw line making 19-of-29 shots for 66 percent.

Stephanie Lewis followed Kiernan with seven points and Alexus Mayes had six. Lewis and MiKayla Seibert hit one three-pointer each for NewCath.

“We were second-guessing our shots. We were going for the second ones instead of taking the first ones,” Mayes said. “We need to pay better attention to defenses. If they come out with their hands down, we need to shoot it. If they have their hands up, we need to drive past them and we’ll have our shots right there.”

Mayes, Lewis and Michaela Ware had two assists each for the Thoroughbreds. Webster County tried full-court pressure in the first half but backed off when NewCath burned the pressure for easy scores.

The Thoroughbreds again played solid defense holding the Lady Trojans to 19 percent (11-of-59) from the field and 0-for-6 from three-point range. That included 3-of-25 from the field for 12 percent in the first half.

NewCath held Webster County junior standout guard Mariah Herrera to a team-high 11 points. Herrera likes to score in transition. No one else had more than five points for the Lady Trojans.

“We did an outstanding job against (Herrera),” Stoll said. “I don’t think she had any lay-ups against us in transition. We also did a great job with our half-court defense. We made them set up in the half-court (offense).”

The Thoroughbreds also won the rebounding battle, 42-31. After Kiernan, Mayes had six rebounds and Lewis had five.

NewCath led 19-6 after the first quarter. The Lady Trojans did not make their first field goal until 3:31 remained in the first quarter when Herrera made a lay-up.

“I was most disappointed at the heart and effort of our kids in the first half,” McCalister said. “It’s okay to lose, but it’s not okay to just quit. They didn’t try very hard so that’s pretty disappointing.”

Webster County cut the margin to 10 once in the third quarter with 3:28 left at 31-21, but came no closer. NewCath’s largest lead was 51-28 with 3:07 left in the game.

The Thoroughbreds face arch-rival and 10th Region champion Bishop Brossart (18-4) at 10 a.m. Saturday. NewCath beat the Lady Mustangs, 65-55 on Dec. 17. Brossart edged Frankfort, 41-40 in the first game Friday.

“Everyone knows Brossart is a big rival for us,” Stoll said. “We’re right next to each other. Most of the girls face each other growing up in grade school. We know each other very well. It’s going to come down to whoever wants it more that day. We just have to be ready to play.”

NewCath beat Brossart, 63-41 in the semifinals last year before dropping a 38-36 overtime decision to Walton-Verona in the title game. NewCath won the tournament in 2010.

Lady Breds hope to continue winning ways despite youth

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a case of a youth movement.

But that does not go for just the players, but also the head coach of the Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds basketball team. George Stoll, a 2006 NewCath graduate, enters his first season as head coach taking over for the retired Ron Dawn. Stoll has been on staff since 2009 when Dawn took over as head coach.

“It’s actually gone in my opinion very smooth so far,” Stoll said. “The girls come to work every day. They know what’s expected of them. They’ve followed through with that. They’re still coming out and getting after it. Since I was here last year, they know how I am as a coach already and I know how we are as a team so we’re already somewhat on the same page heading into this year.”

Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds volleyball team wrapped up a perfect run through District 36 action 2-0 (25-10, 25-7) over Newport High on Tuesday.

NewCath moved to 9-18 overall and 4-0 in district play. The Lady Breds will be the top seed in the district tournament.

Nikki Kiernan led NewCath with four kills and six aces. Molly Mertle added four kills. Alyssa Maier followed with 14 assists and Maria Froendhoff had five digs.

NewCath travels to Conner tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Highlands volleyball loses at Ryle:

Highlands fell 3-0 (25-6, 25-13, 25-19) at Ryle on Tuesday. The Ladybirds have lost 11 in a row to fall to 8-18.

Highlands plays in the Jefferson County Invitational Tournament over the weekend.

Simon Kenton edges NCC:

The tough luck continued for the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds soccer team Tuesday in a 2-1 loss at Simon Kenton.

The Thoroughbreds are 2-7-5 and have a five-game winless streak. Their last win came Sept. 13 at Calvary Christian.

Sam Barth scored the goal for NCC and Nathan Grosser had eight saves at goalkeeper.

NewCath plays host to Russell on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

NCC volleyball wins 15th straight over Highlands

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – It had been a while since the hosts lost a game to their rivals, let alone a match.

That changed in the first game when the Highlands Ladybirds won 25-17 to take their first game over the Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds since the 2008 District 35 Tournament. But the Lady Breds came back and flexed their old muscles winning the next three games, 25-8, 25-19, 25-15 to win their 15th straight over their rivals Tuesday. Highlands last beat NewCath in 2005.

The Lady Breds moved to 8-13 with their third straight win and the Ladybirds dropped to 8-12 with their fourth straight loss. NewCath head coach Vicki Fleissner, a 1985 Highlands graduate, moved to 8-0 against her alma mater.

“We were shaky in that first game,” Fleissner said. “We weren’t generating anything on offense. We took charge from there. It was a great, balanced attack.”

Both teams used a 5-1 attack. NewCath did better than Highlands in many aspects in the last three games. Setter Alyssa Maier settled down and recorded 26 of her team’s 31 assists and got seven hitters involved.

“I think we shut down more than anything,” said Whitney Mulroney, Highlands head coach. “I think they got so excited and overwhelmed that they won the first game that the emotions confided in them and they didn’t know what to do.”

NewCath added 31 kills, nine blocks and 12 aces. Nikki Kiernan took over at the net for NewCath during that run and libero Maria Froendhoff made a number of digs. Kiernan finished with 12 kills and seven blocks. Molly Mertle and Whitney Fields added seven and six kills respectively with Froendhoff and Fields tallying four aces a piece.

“They key (to good setting) is knowing your hitters in what they like and where to set the ball,” Maier said. “We have been clicking more at practice. That’s helped us push forward.”

Highlands had 20 kills, 17 assists, nine blocks and six aces. Jessica Ginter and Kaitlin Hall once again had good games for Highlands. Ginter had eight kills and Hall recorded 15 assists.

“We weren’t focuse on one hitter because they have several good hitters,” Fleissner said. “So we don’t really key on one. They were trying to pick apart the middle. We did a better job covering the middle (after the first game).”

Highlands came out and led 6-0 to start the first game. NewCath called timeout and took the lead briefly. Highlands finished the game with a 9-1 run. Hall had a block for a kill during the run and Frances Tracy landed an ace for Highlands.

“You still have to understand there is a task at hand,” Mulroney said. “There were still at least two games left to not only play, but to win the match. They don’t have that experience yet to do that in a varsity game.”

NewCath hit the ball at better angles and serve-received a lot better starting in the second game. The Lady Breds used two 6-0 runs to pull away in the second game. NewCath often faked to Kiernan and Fields landed kills down the lines.

The second and third games were closer. But NewCath used an 8-0 run to go up 15-5 in the third game and scored the first six points of the fourth game. The Lady Breds also scored  five in a row toward the end of the fourth game.

Newport Central Catholic travels to Cooper at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Highlands plays in its own Cake Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team moved above .500 with a 25-9, 25-10 victory at the Holmes Lady Bulldogs on Thursday.
Highlands also beat Holmes in the September Slam on Saturday at Scott. The Ladybirds moved to 8-7 to move above .500 for the first time since starting the season 2-0. Holmes is 5-14.
Highlands travels to Conner on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. contest.
Ladybird soccer ties Campbell County:
Highlands turned things around in just more than 48 hours Thursday.
The Ladybirds turned in a much better showing in a 0-0 tie against the Campbell County Lady Camels.
Highlands lost 5-0 at Bishop Brossart on Tuesday. Highlands is 2-4-2 overall and the Lady Camels are 6-3-1.
The Ladybirds allowed just four shots after allowing 17 Tuesday. Senior goalkeeper Jesse Daley played the entire game and saved all four. Campbell County is led by senior Taylor Robinson.
Highlands plays host to South Oldham (3-4) at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Highlands, Simon Kenton soccer cancelled:
Highlands' originally scheduled game against Simon Kenton was called off because of powder puff football.
The Bluebirds (5-3-1) hit the road to Louisville on Saturday to take on state power Louisville St. Xavier at 2:45 p.m. The Tigers are 8-0 entering the contest.
NCC volleyball falls to Boone County:
The Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds volleyball team dropped a close one to the Boone County Lady Rebels, 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 28-26, 27-25) Thursday.
The Lady Breds fell to 4-9 with the loss and Boone County moved to 8-5. Nikki Kiernan had 13 kills and six blocks to lead NewCath. Alyssa Maier added 34 assists with Whitney Fields tallying five aces and Maria Froendhoff making 29 digs.
NewCath plays in the Louisville Volleyball Invitational Tournament today and Saturday.
NewCath, Cooper soccer cancelled:
The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds soccer game at Cooper was cancelled because the field was too wet. The game will be made up on Sept. 18.
NewCath plays host to St. Henry at 3 p.m.