Courtesy of Richard Skinner.......http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20140202/SPT0302/302020066/&nclick_check=1 click the link for pictures

 

NewCath wins back-to-back titles

 

FRANKFORT — The Newport Central Catholic boys’ basketball team capped a dominant run in the Touchstone Energy All ‘A’ Classic State Tournament with a dominant performance in the championship game.

 

NewCath rolled out to a 13-point lead early in the second quarter and never allowed Cordia closer than eight the rest of the way and went on to win the title for the second straight season, 72-61, on Sunday afternoon in Frankfort Convention Center.

 

It’s the fourth time in the 35-year history of the tournament that a school won back-to-back titles in the event. No school has ever won three in a row.

 

It is also is the third All ‘A’ Classic state championship for NewCath head coach Ron Dawn. He led the 2000 NewCath boys’ team to the title and the 2010 NewCath girls’ team to the championship.

 

NewCath (21-3), which beat Cordia back on Dec. 27 in the Republic Bank Classic, 64-63 in double overtime, held Cordia to 38.6 percent shooting from the field for the game, and that was after it made 10 of 18 fourth-quarter shots in a frantic comeback attempt, while the Thoroughbreds shot 51.4 percent from the fieldbut only had three attempts in the fourth quarter as Cordia kept fouling in an attempt comeback. NewCath was 24 of 32 at the line in the fourth quarter and 32 of 42 for the game, including making 23 of its first 27 attempts.

 

NewCath trailed just once in the game at 2-0 and after taking the lead for good at 3-2 on a three-pointer by senior guard Tanner Moeves continued to build its lead from there.

 

NewCath led by as much as 16 in the first half, the last time at 29-13 with 3:15 left in the half and led 34-21 at halftime.

 

The Throughbreds quickly went up 36-21 to start the second before Cordia forced four straight NewCath turnovers and closed within 36-28 midway through the third quarter. NewCath suffered seven of its 13 turnovers in the third quarter and didn’t turn the ball over once in the fourth quarter.

 

Cordia had a hard time running its half-court offense and of the 32 points it scored in the first three quarters only 14 were in the half-court.

 

Junior point guard Zack Pangallo was selected tournament MVP and led five NewCath players in double figures with 15 points. Senior center Jake Schulte and junior forward Drew McDonald had 14 apiece, sophomore forward Ben Weyer added 11 and Tanner Moeves had 10. Junior Grant Moeves chipped in eight points off the bench.

 

McDonald, Schulte and Tanner Moeves were also named to the all-tournament team.

 

Senior guard Christen Cunningham led Cordia with 32 points, 22 of which came in the fourth quarter. He made 7 of 8 shots in the fourth quarter after being held to 3 of 13 through the first three quarters.

 

PLAY OF THE GAME: Cordia was down just 41-32 with 25 seconds left in the third quarter when Weyer muscled his way for a layup, drew a foul and made the free throw to extend the lead to 44-32 heading into the fourth quarter. Cordia never got closer than 10 the rest of the game and that came with just 51.4 seconds remaining.

 

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: In addition to NewCath’s four players and Cordia’s Christen Cunningham, also selected were Anthony Tagaloa (Cordia), Oumar Keita (Cordia), Jordan Fox (Dixie Heights), Matt Rose (Lexington Christian), Peyton Case (Betsy Layne), Dylan Meade (Betsy Layne), Patrick Hubert (St. Mary) and Jack Schmitt (Louisville Holy Cross).

 

QUOTABLE: Dawn on his team’s plan to get the ball inside to his formidable frontline despite Cordia’s length on its frontline: “We were going at them. I said let’s take it inside and take it to them and we did a great job of that.”

 

Dawn on his team’s defensive performance, especially in the half-court, compared to how it played in the 64-63 double overtime win over Cordia back on Dec. 27: “Until the end I thought we did a much better job helping on Cunningham and taking some of his drives away and I thought we closed out on shooters better and I know we rebounded better.”

 

Dawn on winning his third All ‘A’ Classic state title as a coach: “They’re always nice. I can’t say one means anymore than the other. I know how much work everyone puts into this.”

 

McDonald on making sure he and his frontline teammates were physical with Cordia on both ends of the floor: “They have height, but they don’t have meat on their bone so we knew we could be physical with them. We just had to be strong with the ball and finish strong.”

 

McDonald on what it means to win back-to-back All ‘A’ Classic state championships: “It means so much to all of us and I couldn’t think of doing it with a better group of guys.”

 

Cordia (17-6): Cornett 0-0 0-0 0, Combs 2-7 0-0 4, Keita 0-2 0-0 0, Cunningham 10-21 11-17 32, Tagaloa 2-12 3-4 7, Ortiz 1-3 0-0 2, Chapman 4-6 1-2 9, Lucien 1-3 0-0 2, Frimpong 1-2 0-0 2, Chisolm 1-1 0-0 2, Biallas 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22.

 

NewCath (21-3): Weyer 4-8 3-5 11, McDonald 3-8 8-10 14, Schulte 6-7 2-2 14, Pangallo 2-6 11-15 15, T. Moeves 2-5 5-6 10, G. Moeves 2-3 3-4 8, Franzen 0-0 0-0 0, Rawe 0-0 0-0 0, Verkamp 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-37 32-42 72.

 

Halftime: NewCath 34-21. 3-pointers:: C 2-12 (Cunningham 1-1, Frimpong 1-2, Tagaloa 0-3, Combs 0-3, Lucien 0-2, Ortiz 0-1), NCC 2-8 (G. Moeves 1-1, T. Moeves 1-2, Weyer 0-3, Pangallo 0-1, McDonald 0-1).

Courtesy of Mike Fields......Boys' All 'A' Classic: Thoroughbreds claim title again, set sights on Sweet Sixteen | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

 

Boys' All 'A' Classic: Thoroughbreds claim title again, set sights on Sweet Sixteen

 

FRANKFORT — Newport Central Catholic won its second consecutive boys' Touchstone Energy All "A" championship, and third overall, by beating Cordia 72-61 in the Frankfort Convention Center on Sunday.

 

NewCath's next goal is to do what the last back-to-back small-school titlist did. Shelby Valley won the All "A" in 2009 and 2010, and also captured the 2010 Sweet Sixteen championship.

 

"We want to go for the big one now," said NewCath junior Zack Pangallo, the All "A" MVP. "We want to win both, like Shelby Valley did."

 

Teammate Drew McDonald seconded that.

 

"It's incredible to win back-to-back," he said. "But we've got bigger fish to fry. We want Lexington in March. We don't just want to get there, we want to compete."

 

NewCath, No. 4 in Dave Cantrall's Rating the State, rolled over its All "A" competition. It beat Owensboro Catholic by 21, Green County by 36, Lexington Christian by 29 and Cordia by 11. (The Thoroughbreds led the Lions by 18 points with less than two minutes to go.)

 

Cordia was expected to give NewCath its toughest test. The small school in Knott County has a bevy of big-time talent that has transferred in to play for former UK player Rodrick Rhodes.

 

But NewCath outplayed the Lions with better teamwork, better shooting and better rebounding.

 

It was a lot easier than when they beat Cordia 64-63 in double overtime in a Christmas tournament.

 

"We weren't intimidated at all by them," Coach Ron Dawn said. "We came out and played hard from the get-go.

 

"Overall we did a real good job handling their pressure, and our big guys did what we wanted them to do — take it to 'em inside."

 

NewCath's starters all scored in double figures, led by Pangallo's 15 points.

 

McDonald, a 6-7 junior, had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jake Schulte, a 6-8 senior, had 14 points and seven rebounds. Ben Weyer, a 6-4 sophomore, added 11 points and six rebounds.

 

Senior guard Tanner Moeves, had 10 points.

 

Cordia had only one player — Christen Cunningham — in double figures. The senior guard had 32 points, 22 in the last quarter.

 

NewCath led by 15 early in the second half before Cordia forced four consecutive turnovers and closed the gap to 36-28.

 

But the Lions would get no closer.

 

NewCath spent the fourth quarter shooting free throws, hitting 24 of 32. It made 32 of 42 for the game.

 

Pangallo led the Breds with 67 points in four games, and ran the point with aplomb.

 

"We knew (Cordia) would bring a lot of pressure. They play a high-tempo game," he said. "We knew we had to take care of the ball and knock down shots."

 

NewCath shot 51 percent (19 of 37). Cordia shot 39 percent (22 of 57), and made 15 of 23 free throws.

 

Rhodes said the Lions' inability to make shots early got them in a hole they never escaped.

 

"That was the difference," he said. "When we missed, (NewCath) leaked out on the break. We knew they were a good transition team.

 

"And our pressure didn't bother them as much as we wanted it to.

 

"They play hard, they're big and physical. They have good guard play, and they're very disciplined with the basketball."

 

This was Dawn's third All "A" title. He coached NewCath's boys to the 2000 crown. A year later he got out of coaching, then returned to coach NewCath's girls and led them to the 2010 championship. After leaving coaching again, he returned this season and won another title.

 

Newport Catholic 72, Cordia 61

 

CORDIA (17-6) — Cunningham 32, Tagaloa 7, Lucien 2, Chisolm 2, Frimpong 3, 3, Chapman 9, Ortiz 2, Combs 4.

 

NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (21-3) —Pangallo 15, McDonald 14, Schulte 14, Weyer 11, T.Moeves 10, G,Moeves 8

 

Cordia 9 12 11 29—61

 

Newport Catholic 14 20 10 28—72

 

All-Tournament: Zack Pangallo (MVP), Drew McDonald, Jake Schulte, Tanner Moeves of NewCath; Christen Cunningham, Anthony Tagaoloa, Oumar Keita of Cordia; Peyton Case and Dylan Meade of Betsy Layne; Jordan Fox of Jackson County; Matt Rose of LCA; Jack Schmitt of Lou. Holy Cross; Patrick Hubert of St. Mary.

 

Read more here: Boys' All 'A' Classic: Thoroughbreds claim title again, set sights on Sweet Sixteen | High school basketball | Kentucky.com

Congrats to the Breds.

 

Now it's back to the 9th.

Courtesy of paNDA in the update thread, "NCC can transfer that trophy back to NKY". Now that's funny, no matter how you look at it.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – They did it last year and hoped to laugh in the face of the challenge again.

That was not a problem. For the second straight year, the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team (21-3) won five games in six days to win the All “A” State championship. They took down the Cordia Lions (17-6) on Sunday at the Frankfort Convention Center. NewCath has won 13 in a row.

It marked the third title overall and second straight for NewCath in its second win of the year over Cordia. Head Coach Ron Dawn led the Thoroughbreds to the 2000 title.

“Our guys are in good condition,” Dawn said. “We need to be. We’re not as deep as I’d like us to be. Our big guys were even running to the floor. It’s my first (title) with these guys. It’s great.”

It marked the first time a team repeated as champion since 2010 when Shelby Valley accomplished the feat. NewCath moves into second in tournament history with the third crown. Only University Heights out of Hopkinsville has more with eight.

The Thoroughbreds began the six-day journey with a 56-28 domination of 36th District rival Highlands on Tuesday. NewCath beat all five opponents by an average of 25 points a game.

All five starters reached double-digits for the Thoroughbreds. Tournament Most Valuable Player Zach Pangallo led the way with 15 points. Posts Jake Schulte and Drew McDonald scored 14 each to find a spot on the all-tournament team. McDonald grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double and Schulte added three blocks.

Tanner Moves also made the all-tournament team scoring 10 points. Post Ben Weyer added 11 and Grant Moeves scored eight. Tanner Moeves played through pain after hurting his left elbow Saturday against Lexington Christian.

“I’m going to get X-rays on it (Monday),” Tanner Moeves said. “I could barely move it (Saturday). I got three cortisone shots before the game. That helped me out a lot. It still hurts really bad right now. But I played through it.”

NewCath faced full-court pressure the whole game and only gave up a few open-court shots. The Thoroughbreds turned the ball over 13 times to seven for the Lions. The Lions had six steals to two for the Thoroughbreds.

“Cordia is a quick team so they want to speed you up and run you out of your offense,” Tanner Moeves said. “I feel like since we had a bigger floor here than the last time we played them, it gave us a lot more space to beat their press. We were calm and collective. It ultimately led to a big win for us.”

Cordia had just one player reach double-digits in Lexington Henry Clay transfer Christen Cunningham with 32 points. He scored most of his points making 11-of-17 attempts.

“Christen Cunningham made the all-tournament team,” Schulte said. “We had to stay in the lane and make it as tough for him as possible because he’s a scorer.”

Both teams tried to attack the paint. Cordia outscored NewCath, 38-26 in the paint. But NewCath won the rebounding battle, 37-27 and recorded six blocks to three for Cordia.

“We wanted to get (the ball) inside and take advantage of (our size),” Dawn said. “When Jake and Drew are feeling it, they’re tough in there. We also did a good job on the defensive boards.”

Cunningham scored the game’s first two points. But NewCath went on a 5-0 run on a Pangallo triple and McDonald lay-up and never looked back the entire game.

The Thoroughbreds led 14-9 after the first quarter, 34-21 at halftime and 44-32 entering the final stanza. They made their free throws down the stretch to find off the Lions hitting 32-of-42 for 76 percent.

NewCath made 19-of-37 shots for 51 percent including 2-of-8 from three-point land for 25 percent. Cordia made 22-of-57 shots for 39 percent, including 2-of-12 three-pointers for 17 percent and 15-of-23 free throws for 65 percent.

Cordia cut the lead below double-digits three times in the third quarter. The closest was 36-28 with 4:56 left in the stanza following a Richard Chapman score. NewCath’s largest lead was 18 points at 62-44 in the fourth quarterl

Cordia, led by third-year Head Coach and former University of Kentucky player Rodrick Rhodes, made its first appearance in tournament history. But it was not without controversy.

Lion players Josh Ortiz moved in from Harlem (New York) and Chapman moved in from Newark (New Jersey) over the summer and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association declared them ineligible. But a Franklin County Circuit judge reversed the decision Friday. Chapman fouled out after scoring nine points and Ortiz scored just two points.

“When we missed, (NewCath) leaked out on the break,” Rhodes said. “We knew they were a good transition team. They play hard. They’re big and physical. They have good guard play, and they’re very disciplined with the basketball.”

The same thing happened last year as at least six players have transferred to the school in Knott County in the last two seasons. Canadian transfers Emmanuel Owootoah and Marlon King received the injunction after initially being declared ineligible. Owootoah now plays at Fresno State.

NewCath had used its bench most of the week. Many of the reserves did not get in today, but they learned some valuable lessons.

“Having those players (like Michael Bueter) on our team made us a better team this year,” said Josh Verkamp, NewCath senior forward. “Giving them rest when we’re up helps them get ready for the next game. Everybody gets a little more playing time.”

The Thoroughbreds also moved to 23-9 in the tournament all-time with 12 appearances. Only University Heights has more wins with an overall record of 47-11 in 19 appearances.

“We just went out there and played NCC basketball,” Schulte said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. If we play NCC basketball, we can come away with a victory.”

NewCath is also tied for third with Bishop Brossart and Hazard with its 12 all-time appearances. Only Somerset with 15 and University Heights have more appearances in tournament history.

The Thoroughbreds do not play again until Friday. They face in-county rival Bishop Brossart (19-2) back on The Hill. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Girls All “A” Notes:

Newport Central Catholic saw two players make the all-tournament team. They were seniors Nikki Kiernan and Stephanie Lewis. Glasgow beat Danville, 53-43 in the title game for its first All “A” championship in school history.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Thoroughbreds repeat as All "A" State Champions

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – They did it last year and hoped to laugh in the face of the challenge again.

That was not a problem. For the second straight year, the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team (21-3) won five games in six days to win the All “A” State championship. They took down the Cordia Lions (17-6) on Sunday at the Frankfort Convention Center. NewCath has won 13 in a row.

It marked the third title overall and second straight for NewCath in its second win of the year over Cordia. Head Coach Ron Dawn led the Thoroughbreds to the 2000 title.

“Our guys are in good condition,” Dawn said. “We need to be. We’re not as deep as I’d like us to be. Our big guys were even running to the floor. It’s my first (title) with these guys. It’s great.”

It marked the first time a team repeated as champion since 2010 when Shelby Valley accomplished the feat. NewCath moves into second in tournament history with the third crown. Only University Heights out of Hopkinsville has more with eight.

The Thoroughbreds began the six-day journey with a 56-28 domination of 36th District rival Highlands on Tuesday. NewCath beat all five opponents by an average of 25 points a game.

All five starters reached double-digits for the Thoroughbreds. Tournament Most Valuable Player Zach Pangallo led the way with 15 points. Posts Jake Schulte and Drew McDonald scored 14 each to find a spot on the all-tournament team. McDonald grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double and Schulte added three blocks.

Tanner Moves also made the all-tournament team scoring 10 points. Post Ben Weyer added 11 and Grant Moeves scored eight. Tanner Moeves played through pain after hurting his left elbow Saturday against Lexington Christian.

“I’m going to get X-rays on it (Monday),” Tanner Moeves said. “I could barely move it (Saturday). I got three cortisone shots before the game. That helped me out a lot. It still hurts really bad right now. But I played through it.”

NewCath faced full-court pressure the whole game and only gave up a few open-court shots. The Thoroughbreds turned the ball over 13 times to seven for the Lions. The Lions had six steals to two for the Thoroughbreds.

“Cordia is a quick team so they want to speed you up and run you out of your offense,” Tanner Moeves said. “I feel like since we had a bigger floor here than the last time we played them, it gave us a lot more space to beat their press. We were calm and collective. It ultimately led to a big win for us.”

Cordia had just one player reach double-digits in Lexington Henry Clay transfer Christen Cunningham with 32 points. He scored most of his points making 11-of-17 attempts.

“Christen Cunningham made the all-tournament team,” Schulte said. “We had to stay in the lane and make it as tough for him as possible because he’s a scorer.”

Both teams tried to attack the paint. Cordia outscored NewCath, 38-26 in the paint. But NewCath won the rebounding battle, 37-27 and recorded six blocks to three for Cordia.

“We wanted to get (the ball) inside and take advantage of (our size),” Dawn said. “When Jake and Drew are feeling it, they’re tough in there. We also did a good job on the defensive boards.”

Cunningham scored the game’s first two points. But NewCath went on a 5-0 run on a Pangallo triple and McDonald lay-up and never looked back the entire game.

The Thoroughbreds led 14-9 after the first quarter, 34-21 at halftime and 44-32 entering the final stanza. They made their free throws down the stretch to find off the Lions hitting 32-of-42 for 76 percent.

NewCath made 19-of-37 shots for 51 percent including 2-of-8 from three-point land for 25 percent. Cordia made 22-of-57 shots for 39 percent, including 2-of-12 three-pointers for 17 percent and 15-of-23 free throws for 65 percent.

Cordia cut the lead below double-digits three times in the third quarter. The closest was 36-28 with 4:56 left in the stanza following a Richard Chapman score. NewCath’s largest lead was 18 points at 62-44 in the fourth quarterl

Cordia, led by third-year Head Coach and former University of Kentucky player Rodrick Rhodes, made its first appearance in tournament history. But it was not without controversy.

Lion players Josh Ortiz moved in from Harlem (New York) and Chapman moved in from Newark (New Jersey) over the summer and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association declared them ineligible. But a Franklin County Circuit judge reversed the decision Friday. Chapman fouled out after scoring nine points and Ortiz scored just two points.

“When we missed, (NewCath) leaked out on the break,” Rhodes said. “We knew they were a good transition team. They play hard. They’re big and physical. They have good guard play, and they’re very disciplined with the basketball.”

The same thing happened last year as at least six players have transferred to the school in Knott County in the last two seasons. Canadian transfers Emmanuel Owootoah and Marlon King received the injunction after initially being declared ineligible. Owootoah now plays at Fresno State.

NewCath had used its bench most of the week. Many of the reserves did not get in today, but they learned some valuable lessons.

“Having those players (like Michael Bueter) on our team made us a better team this year,” said Josh Verkamp, NewCath senior forward. “Giving them rest when we’re up helps them get ready for the next game. Everybody gets a little more playing time.”

The Thoroughbreds also moved to 23-9 in the tournament all-time with 12 appearances. Only University Heights has more wins with an overall record of 47-11 in 19 appearances.

“We just went out there and played NCC basketball,” Schulte said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. If we play NCC basketball, we can come away with a victory.”

NewCath is also tied for third with Bishop Brossart and Hazard with its 12 all-time appearances. Only Somerset with 15 and University Heights have more appearances in tournament history.

The Thoroughbreds do not play again until Friday. They face in-county rival Bishop Brossart (19-2) back on The Hill. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Girls All “A” Notes:

Newport Central Catholic saw two players make the all-tournament team. They were seniors Nikki Kiernan and Stephanie Lewis. Glasgow beat Danville, 53-43 in the title game for its first All “A” championship in school history.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Thoroughbreds repeat as All "A" State Champions

 

Nice write up Mcheal. :thumb: You do a great service for the athletes of NewCath & Highlands.

With Grant Moeves, Zach Pangallo, Ben Weyer, & Drew McDonald back next year it could be a "3 peat" for the Breds.

 

G. Moeves is a mirror image of his brother and Ben Weyer is gaining way more confidence with his game, he has all the tools, and for a "big"....WOW. He can handle the rock, score from anywhere on the floor, blocks shots, rebound. Love the way he is exploding to the rim, hell he can probably sing the National Anthem. :lol2:

With Grant Moeves, Zach Pangallo, Ben Weyer, & Drew McDonald back next year it could be a "3 peat" for the Breds.

 

G. Moeves is a mirror image of his brother and Ben Weyer is gaining way more confidence with his game, he has all the tools, and for a "big"....WOW. He can handle the rock, score from anywhere on the floor, blocks shots, rebound. Love the way he is exploding to the rim, hell he can probably sing the National Anthem. :lol2:

 

Let's not get carried away LB - lip sync maybe, sing no way.

With Grant Moeves, Zach Pangallo, Ben Weyer, & Drew McDonald back next year it could be a "3 peat" for the Breds.

 

G. Moeves is a mirror image of his brother and Ben Weyer is gaining way more confidence with his game, he has all the tools, and for a "big"....WOW. He can handle the rock, score from anywhere on the floor, blocks shots, rebound. Love the way he is exploding to the rim, hell he can probably sing the National Anthem. :lol2:

 

Agree. I think next year's NCC team is much more dangerous than this year's. Next year, there's no Ballard standing in the way of a State Championship like you see this year. If they can find one or two more kids to pick up some of the slack, NCC could be the #1 team in the state going into next season.

 

Also, congrats to NCC on a dominating performance in this week's action. They left little doubt, and beat a good team for the second time this season, which is never easy to do.

Congrats to NCC and Coach Dawn !!! :banana:

Without blatantly skewing this thread, I'm curious, have any of the posters in this thread that have offered congrats been from CovCath? Excluding Clyde.

Congrats NCC!

Without blatantly skewing this thread, I'm curious, have any of the posters in this thread that have offered congrats been from CovCath? Excluding Clyde.

 

Panda is an honorary CCH fan.

Panda is an honorary CCH fan.

 

Panda is awesome. There's never been any question.

 

I just wonder, very benignly, if there's a "thing" between the two. I am curious, not stirring.

Newcath sports continues to amaze me. Small school with really small feeder schools. They just continue to win and play for championships. Just this year the football team played in the state 2A championship, boys win the ALL A State Title, girls basketball gets to the final four of the A state, both teams are one of the favorites to win the 9th regions titles. Baseball team won the A state title last year and 2 final 8 state finishes 2 of the last 3 years, both had very successful soccer teams this past year, track, cross country, golf-it doesnt matter what sport season it is. They do get some talent for sure but to do this year in and year out is just amazing to me. One thing you have to love is that every Coach in the school encourages the kids to play all the sports they can. None of them like to see kids just concentrate on one sport. Congrats to the Breds. Way to start another new year off in grand fashion and set the tone for the remainder of the year.