Jenna Martin came out of fire for the Panda's scoring the 1st 7 points, before the Breds took a short lived 8-7 advantage. From there on it was ND in the lead. NewCath missed NUMEROUS short & point blank shots in the 1st half (a FEW were contested though). Haylee Smith with a very nice job from point blank range and killer on the boards.....Breds had no answer for her in that department. Why ND didn't feed her more down low:idunno:. Stallman did her part in keeping the Panda's in the lead, especially with the two trey's.

 

The 2nd half the Breds turned up the pressure and forced turnovers and started hitting shots. Michaela Ware's and 1 got the Breds the lead opening the 3rd quarter and Hannah Daunt's 2nd triple, her only 2 shots of the night, gave the Breds a 1 pt. lead after 3 quarters. Two minutes into the 4th, on a nice assist from Loren Zimmerman to Meg Martin, the Breds took the lead for good. Stallman was fouled shooting a 3 and got the Pandas within 1 at 39-38, but the NewCath press started to create turnovers. NewCath increased the lead to 43-39 with under 3:00, when underneath their own basket, Ware found a COMPLETELY WIDE OPEN Davenport on a cut for an easy lay in. From there it was more pressure and turnovers and Breds hitting foul shots to close it out.

 

Very nice crowds on hand for all 3 games of the "Play to Change a Life Classic" with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Catholic Charities. :ylsuper:

 

Lou. Assumption 55 St. Henry 37

Cov. Holy Cross 39 Lou. Sacred Heart 31

NewCath 50 Notre Dame 41

 

Is that what you do when you have that big of size difference?? :confused:

Was not the prettiest game to watch for the most part, both teams had several point blank shot that would not drop, but both teams played extremely hard. Martin getting two fouls early in the first quarter changed a little bit how the Pandas operated on offense, but they were knocking down a lot of shot in the first half. Ncc was really having a hard time connecting, and was surprised it was only a two point game at the half. 23 -21 Pandas. Third quarter the game was a two to four point advantage either way until Ncc took the lead for good at about mid way through in the fourth quarter and knocked down free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

 

First time I have seen ND this year. Very good size, and shoot the pretty well from the outside. Not trying to stir the pot but, didn't understand why ND did not sub at all the second half, until the end when they were fouling to stop the clock. I know one of their better players has been injuried, but very tough to play almost a whole game with no subs against a team that pressures full court like Ncc.

 

Very nice crowds on hand for all 3 games of the "Play to Change a Life Classic" :ylsuper:

 

Would have been much nicer if they had turned more of the lights on.

It was darker in there than quite a few of the HS gyms around town.

I believe this loss means Notre Dame will have a sub .500 record this season. When was the last time that happened?

I believe this loss means Notre Dame will have a sub .500 record this season. When was the last time that happened?

 

At least 15 seasons. But, you have to credit them for playing a very tough schedule. It would have been easy to mail it in and play "down" and inflate your win column like so many teams do.

Is that what you do when you have that big of size difference?? :confused:

 

I agree 100%. That would have been taking advantage of a definite size advantage over NCC. However, I will also say this...it is easier said than done. The thing is that a team has to be extremely disciplined and mentally tough in order to force that specific game/strategy against NCC. NCC's defense tends to get you running and putting up quicker shots or threes. These "shots" appear to come "easier", therefore teams take them although they are rushed, INSTEAD of the using patience, and mentally tough wherewithal to force your game plan and get the ball into the post. Altough NCC doesn't have any real post defenders, they still defend the post, by virtue of what their defense does on the rest of the court.

Good point. Pressuring the ball very hard is just as good a post defense as anything. Make it difficult to throw the post entry pass.

Good point. Pressuring the ball very hard is just as good a post defense as anything. Make it difficult to throw the post entry pass.

 

I will also add that once the ball goes into the post against NCC, you cannot mess around. Make a move fast and hard. The help and/or weak side defense comes quick and they slap the ball away if you hold it too low or too long. They are like a swarm of bees...and the ball is a pot of honey. :thumb:

I do like the speed and quickness of NCC.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team won the 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.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: NC girls wins rematch of last year's region title game

I like ND team i believe if they can get healthy they have a shot at up setting some good teams, they have size, handle the ball well and shoot well. I think their biggest weakness is their bench, their not very deep and against a team like NCC they struggle down the stretch because they are tired. But look out for them I think they are going to make some noise.

 

I also like NCC, they are quick and play very good defense, they force you inot rushing shots and making quick decisions. They speed you up when you don't want to. They are getting baloanced scoring, if they shoot well they will be a tuff out for sure, we all know they lack in size but they make up for it in out right hustle. They have girls playing out of position like Zimmerman she has to play girls with signicant size advantage. Like last night taking 2 charges and especially the one against Smith was huge, definitely not afraid to sacrifice her body for the the betterment of the team.

I like ND team i believe if they can get healthy they have a shot at up setting some good teams, they have size, handle the ball well and shoot well. I think their biggest weakness is their bench, their not very deep and against a team like NCC they struggle down the stretch because they are tired. But look out for them I think they are going to make some noise.

 

I also like NCC, they are quick and play very good defense, they force you inot rushing shots and making quick decisions. They speed you up when you don't want to. They are getting baloanced scoring, if they shoot well they will be a tuff out for sure, we all know they lack in size but they make up for it in out right hustle. They have girls playing out of position like Zimmerman she has to play girls with signicant size advantage. Like last night taking 2 charges and especially the one against Smith was huge, definitely not afraid to sacrifice her body for the the betterment of the team.

 

That's her M O in soccer and softball as well, tough kid. :thumb: