Senior Night up on the "hill", and the Breds come away with the victory. NewCath senior MiKayla Seibert, who has played I think only one game all year due to an injury, gets the start an NBN from the land of 3 to get the Breds on the board 1st. She played the 1st 3-4 minutes, and was done for the game. NewCath really misses her on both sides of the ball.

 

Conner grabs a 1st quarter lead only to see the Breds defense start to take over and create points to take a 24-18 lead at the break. NewCath increases that lead to 41-28 after 3 quarters as the Breds pressure created turnover after turnover, which led to scores at the other end. Michaela Ware picked up her 4th foul with 6:42 remianing and the Breds up 41-31, and the Cougars mounted a mini comeback. Ware returned with NewCath up 42-37 less than two minutes later and the Loren Zimmerman with a strong drive to the hoop and a quick turnover and Davenport finish at the rim gave the Breds a rather quick 46-37 advantage with 4:06 remaining. Following 2 Conner FT's, Conner traded 2's for 3's on the next two possessions and another Cougar FT with @;25 and it's a one point game.

 

Then NewCath goes to the passing game to chew up clock, something IMO they should have done when they were up 11 with 5:00 to go instead of "jacking" up 3's, only to miss a lay-up. Following a Conner miss, the Breds continue to pass around, but Ware is able to find a WIDE open Olivia Schalk under the basket with :28.8 for the score. On the insuing play Ware makes the GREAT hustle move and gets the steal and dishes again up court for a WIDE open Schalk for the lay in and final margin. Ware's speed is flat-out STUPID!!!

 

Both teams missed more than their fair share of lay-ups tonight, NewCath more than Conner, however the Breds defense was the difference in this one. The Cougars FT shooting, especially in the 1st half, was AWFUL, but the Breds were nothing to right home about either. I think Loren Zimmerman took 3 or 4 charges tonight. :thumb:

 

Great team effort on defense by NewCath to come away with the victory.tonight.

 

Congrats to the seniors tonight, Loren Zimmerman, Michaela Ware, Hannah Daunt, Sarah Neace, & MiKayla Seibert. :ylsuper:

 

Ware 16

Zimmerman 13

Davenport 10

 

NewCath 08-16-17-13---54

Conner....13-05-10-21---49

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred girls basketball team finished off the regular season on the right note Friday.

The defending 9th Region champions (18-11) held off the visiting Conner Lady Cougars, 54-49. It marked the final game on The Hill for five NewCath seniors in Loren Zimmerman, Michaela Ware, MiKayla Seibert, Sarah Neace and Hannah Daunt. Seibert played a little and scored three points after missing most of the season.

Ware made a huge play down the stretch recording a steal and passing to Olivia Schalk for the score. Ware finished with 14 points. Loren Zimmerman finished with 13 for the Thoroughbreds.

Shelby Frye finished with 14 points for the Lady Cougars (11-19). Conner went 0-6 in 33rd District play after making the 9th Region Tournament last year.

NewCath faces host Newport in the 36th District semifinals on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: NewCath girls conclude regular season on good note

Really glad that Miss Seibert was able to see some action. Such a great kid and her length and athleticism was missed by this team. :thumb: Congrats to the Breds and good luck next week in districts.