Final

It was a pretty good girl's basketball game tonight. Natalie Novosel proved why she is one of the state's best players tonight by driving at will to the basket against LCA and scoring or drawing the foul. If she can improve just a bit on her free throw percentage she will be even more of a threat. Lex Cath overall played good team ball with all sorts of players making big plays tonight including a huge shooting performance in the clutch from Danielle Corbin (really not sure on spelling). Even the steal with 30 seconds or so left that was taken for a layup to make the lead six was just huge.

 

As for LCA, they have some girls that can straight up shoot the ball. Couple that with a pretty good sized big girl and their overall team leader Anna Martin and both teams were impressive for girl's basketball. Natalie Novosel has the maturity, strength, and skills to do a lot on the basketball court but Anna Martin is definately close to as good and probably has a better jumper.

 

Im not sure what went on in Lex Cath's game against Dunbar besides what other people said to me, however from the looks of this game I'd say they are starting to figure a few things out. Lex Cath is a good ball team and can compete with anybody however they have to bring the type of intensity they had tonight to every game they play. I have seen three games this year and this game was by far the most dominant I've seen from Novosel all year.

This was a good win for Catholic. I look for them to pick up more steam after this showdown.

You'd hope. To be honest, after seeing them play quite lethargic against Tates Creek last weekend, and not with as much intensity as you'd hope against Lafayette earlier this week I really didn't know if Lex Cath would stay in this game tonight. However you could tell early on from Natalie Novosel that last year's loss to LCA didn't sit well with her and the team overall really responded well in the clutch.

This is a quality win for Lex Cath. They played more like I expected them to play this year.

As for LCA, they did a good job last night as well but missed a lot of easy shots under the basket early which really could have changed this game. Im not sure if making those shots would mean a win, Natalie Novosel really was on a mission last night and only her suspect jump shot could stop her, but LCA definately had their chances.

 

Look for both of these teams to improve as they integrate certain players into their line ups and gel as a team. Both teams still have some spots they can improve on.

Foul trouble is the main reason LCA lost the game. Novosel played great and LCA missed too many bunnies, but the MAIN reason LCA lost the game was foul trouble. The majority of the fouls called against LCA were ridiculous. Two of the three referees were horrible, and the third was marginal. LCA's weakness is depth and when the referees forced 3 of their 4 starters out of the game, that was all Lex Cath. needed.

Foul trouble is the main reason LCA lost the game. Novosel played great and LCA missed too many bunnies, but the MAIN reason LCA lost the game was foul trouble. The majority of the fouls called against LCA were ridiculous. Two of the three referees were horrible, and the third was marginal. LCA's weakness is depth and when the referees forced 3 of their 4 starters out of the game, that was all Lex Cath. needed.

 

You really think so? The reason for the majority of LCA's fouls was that they couldn't stop Novosel going to the hole unless they fouled her. The game wasn't called well but by the same token, LCA's big girl might as well have had a campfire set up in the lane because she had set up tent in there and didn't leave. The refs were not good and missed many calls for both teams but I felt in terms of LCA's foul trouble they got away with as many as well. Anna Martin is a heck of a player but she has to avoid silly fouls such as the retaliation foul she got in the first half.

 

LCA might have had some mistakes and foul trouble that made this game tough for them but by the same token Lex Cath played pretty good and won this game legit.

You really think so? The reason for the majority of LCA's fouls was that they couldn't stop Novosel going to the hole unless they fouled her. The game wasn't called well but by the same token, LCA's big girl might as well have had a campfire set up in the lane because she had set up tent in there and didn't leave. The refs were not good and missed many calls for both teams but I felt in terms of LCA's foul trouble they got away with as many as well. Anna Martin is a heck of a player but she has to avoid silly fouls such as the retaliation foul she got in the first half.

 

LCA might have had some mistakes and foul trouble that made this game tough for them but by the same token Lex Cath played pretty good and won this game legit.

 

 

Its been from my observations over the past few years that girls basketball games can get out of hand with how play is on the court. Three seconds in the lane is a call that is rarely used it seems like anymore. When it is called, it seems like either the game is out of reach or it wouldn't inpact a game as far as how important a possession is.

It's nice to see LexCath having closer games this season rather than blowing everybody out of the water!

Correct me if I am wrong, but didnt Anna Martin start her career at Catholic?

Correct me if I am wrong, but didnt Anna Martin start her career at Catholic?

 

Ha, guess I got to correct ya. Her brother and sister both attended the school but she has been at Lex Christian since freshman year. She did however begin in the Lex Cath middle school programs and actually went to the same grade school as Natalie Novosel.

Its been from my observations over the past few years that girls basketball games can get out of hand with how play is on the court. Three seconds in the lane is a call that is rarely used it seems like anymore. When it is called, it seems like either the game is out of reach or it wouldn't inpact a game as far as how important a possession is.

 

Its no doubt true as I noted even during the game, however from a Catholic fans perspective, if you don't have centers that matchup well down low size wise with a girl, you'd at least like to see that she has to move occassionally from the lane instead of just standing there for five or more seconds. I don't want to claim this was something that really kept the game close or anything. Frankly I thought while the refs weren't the best that they were at least equally fair with the teams. LCA did get a lot of fouls called on them in transition D where Lex Cath took the ball to the hole but that is an expected call especially at this level. Overall this was a physical and competitive game that was played well between the teams.

I watched the game and I believe Catholic deserved the win. Natalie couldn't be stopped. Alot of fouls called against LCA that i didn't agree with ,BUT when a game is being called that way a team has to realize it and back off on the physical play. It will be interesting come march with both of these teams and Dunbar in the mix.

I have to disagree with Martin being the best LCA player . She is a great player no doubt, but I believe Clifton does it all very well. I would have to take Clifton as my 2009 and Barnette as my 2010 player. (I may be a little biased.)

Imo LCA has the best 4 girls to step on the court but they certianly do not have the best 8 or 9. The question will be , can LCA's big 4 carry them to another state title?

I watched the game and I believe Catholic deserved the win. Natalie couldn't be stopped. Alot of fouls called against LCA that i didn't agree with ,BUT when a game is being called that way a team has to realize it and back off on the physical play. It will be interesting come march with both of these teams and Dunbar in the mix.

I have to disagree with Martin being the best LCA player . She is a great player no doubt, but I believe Clifton does it all very well. I would have to take Clifton as my 2009 and Barnette as my 2010 player. (I may be a little biased.)

Imo LCA has the best 4 girls to step on the court but they certianly do not have the best 8 or 9. The question will be , can LCA's big 4 carry them to another state title?

 

I am shocked that you would be biased towards that player!