Not much to say about this one, 46-11 at the half.

Really sad that Highlands has fallen this far.

Wow!

Not surprised by this score. Breds just in another league.

NewCath...23-23-08-13----67

Highlands 02-09-06-11----28

 

McDonald 18 &11

Weyer 12

Pangallo 9

E. Anderson 7

Ludwig 5

 

Harris 10

Noe 5

Help is on the way in Fort Thomas.

Help is on the way in Fort Thomas.

 

I agree Q.....Just can't compete when your not that Talented. It showed tonight that your best ball handler is a Freshman in Posey. That's a problem!

The program hasn't had a true PG in several years. You gotta have someone who can put pressure on the opposing guard. Birds JV recently defeated NCC and the FRosh program made the finals of the CovCath tourney so a solid offseason should pave the way for a better season next year.

 

Still very tough for the Sr's to play their final game. I know what the kids and parents are going through and its tough. Brighter days are ahead for all of those boys though.

Help is on the way in Fort Thomas.

 

I thought somebody said that last year to?

I thought somebody said that last year to?

 

That is what they have been saying in Independence since they started playing football. Show some class.

I still harp on the fact of Highlands big man fleeing to Ncc set the program back 5 years. If you put him on Highlands, he eats up the opposing big men, and everyone else on Highlands looks that much better. Highlands has hard working kids, but it's imperative to have basketball only guys as your core.

Very proud of the boys from Highlands. Didn'the turn out like they had hoped. They didn't quit. Weyer and Harris finish there high school sports careers. And Ball will help the Bluebirds baseball team. I am quite sure that all 3 have their best days ahead of them. Especially proud of Parker. He had a stress fracture in his foot and was in a boot for 4 weeks before the season started. Had stress fractures in both legs since the season started. Sprained his ankle and has been icing 3 times a day for the past month. Hasn't practiced since the 2nd week in January. Tough kid. I also believe there are better days ahead for the Bluebirds. Listermann will get this thing turned around.

Who is next for NewCath?

Who is next for NewCath?

 

Newport

NEWPORT – These two rival boys basketball team would prefer not to see each other in the postseason with the season on the line unless it is for the 9th Region championship.

That has not happened since 2000. So when the season has been on the line since then, they’ve seen each other in the district tournament trying to advance to the championship game. It had mostly been because of the 36th District’s old blind draw format.

But for the second straight year, the Highlands Bluebirds and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds played their district rivals in the regular season to determine seeds. The teams had to meet in the semifinals because NewCath again blazed through district competition and Highlands went 1-3 in district play to take the fourth seed then beat Dayton in the first round of the tournament.

The determined Thoroughbreds (27-3) again used their size inside and speed outside to handle the Bluebirds, 67-28 Wednesday at Newport High. NewCath has beaten Highlands 11 straight times and won 30 in a row against district opponents.

“We have one thing on our mind and we know what our goal has been all year – to get to Rupp Arena,” said Ron Dawn, NewCath Head Coach. “I have no idea how many games in a row we’ve won (16). They don’t care about that. Let’s get to the next game.”

NewCath knew this game was the first of many steps needed to reach its ultimate goal of its first region championship since 2000. The Thoroughbreds will go for their seventh straight district championship Friday against the host Wildcats (14-15). The Wildcats beat Bellevue, 74-49 in the second semifinal contest. Game time is 7 p.m.

“We know we have to get better every day in practice and games,” said Seth Freppon, NewCath senior. “We have a great group of leaders. We’re all focused. We know what we need to do.”

NewCath senior Drew McDonald again scored a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds to go with two blocks as the Thoroughbreds saw 11 players hit the scorebook. They forced the running clock in the second half with a comfortable 46-11 lead at halftime.

“People get on him about his defense, but I think his defense is improved. He doesn’t give up many easy shots (inside),” Dawn said. “They were trying to crowd (McDonald) early. We hit some shots. One-on-one, he’s a load in there so once we got them to come outside, I felt our chances to get the ball in there were great.”

Thoroughbred junior Ben Weyer followed with 14 points and five rebounds. Zack Pangallo added nine points and five assists.

NewCath won the rebounding battle, 31-16. The Thoroughbreds also recorded 15 assists to six for the Bluebirds.

“They’re a difficult matchup,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “I’m proud of our kids and the way they battled. It’s tough to change culture and those kids have started to do it.”

But the biggest sign that NewCath executed better came in the turnover department. The Thoroughbreds had just four turnovers to 16 for the Bluebirds. The first NewCath turnover did not come until 1:53 remained in the first half.

The Thoroughbreds took 10 more shots than the Bluebirds and made the most of them. They hit 27-of-50 shots for 54 percent to 12-of-40 for 30 percent for the Bluebirds. NewCath also hit 9-of-16 free-throw tries for 56 percent to 2-of-4 for 50 percent for Highlands.

The Bluebirds (8-17) saw seven players score. But only senior Parker Harris had more than five points with 10 in his final game. Harris, Kenny Ball and Justin Weyer graduate this spring for Highlands.

NewCath scored the first two buckets of the game before Nick Kendall answered with a jumper with 6:40 left in the first quarter. But the Thoroughbreds followed that with 21 straight points to go up 25-2 with 7:30 left in the half. They finished the half with a 12-0 run.

Highlands returns three starters to build around next year. They are Mitch Cain, Bo Hebel and Nick Kendall.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: 36th Boys Hoops Semis: NewCath eliminates Highlands