The Covington Catholic Colonels had taken down the defending 11th Region champion Madison Central Indians boys basketball team once already in Park Hills.
The Colonels (23-4 overall) did it a second time this year down in Richmond by a closer 63-49 score. CovCath beat Madison Central (19-10), 68-52 in Park Hills on Jan. 21.
“It was a critical win because every (time) we’ve played (in Richmond) since 2011 has a been a really good, competitive game even if they didn’t have as much talent as they might normally have,” said Scott Ruthsatz, CovCath Head Coach. “(Madison Central Head Coach Allen Feldhaus Junior) gets the most out of them. They certainly had these guys ready (Friday). They came out first half, hit big shots, kept it close. We were up three (27-24) at halftime whereas a month ago, we were up 20 at home at half. They made adjustments. That’s why he’s a great coach – one of the best in the state.”
The Indians have three players that average in double figures. Senior power forward Will Hardin leads the way averaging 19.8 points per game with junior wing Jaylen Davis and senior Robby Todd averaging 18.2 and 12.8 points per game.
Hardin scored 20 making 4-of-7 three-point shots. But CovCath held Davis and Todd below their averages with 11 and eight points respectively. Hardin, a Mr. Kentucky Basketball candidate, finished with four fouls.
The five Covington Catholic starters all scored at least seven points. Junior guard Evan Ipsaro led the way scoring 17 points making all six free throws. The tandem down low in 6-foot-6-inch junior forward Chandler Starks and 6-foot-8-inch senior center Mitchell Rylee, a Miami (Ohio) University commit and Mr. Kentucky Basketball candidate, scored 16 and 12 points respectively using their size as the Colonels have done all season. The other two starters in junior guard Kascyl McGillis and sophomore guard Brady Hussey scored eight and seven points respectively.
“(In the) second half, (the CovCath size) was a big factor,” Ruthsatz said. “That’s where both Chandler and Mitchell both came alive in the second half. In the first half, they were really being physical with us around the basket. We were missing lay-ups. They were doubling us in the post. We had some turnovers. In the second half, we made some adjustments. We were able to score some easy buckets and get them some confidence.”
CovCath used its size to win the rebounding battle, 30-14. Rylee had 11 for a double-double and Starks recorded nine.
“It’s what we do. It doesn’t matter what team we play,” Starks said. “It doesn’t matter if they have the number one team in the nation. We do what we need to, work hard and fight for the win. That’s what we did (Friday).”
The Colonels made 21-of-45 shots for 47 percent including 5-of-9 from three-point range for 56 percent along with 16-of-17 free throws for 94 percent. CovCath also had 12 fouls, 15 assists, nine turnovers, one blocked shot and eight steals. Ipsaro had nine assists.
Madison Central made 18-of-38 shots for 47 percent including 8-of-19 from three-point range for 42 percent and 5-of-6 free throws for 83 percent. The Indians finished with 11 fouls, eight assists, nine turnovers and two steals.
CovCath takes on Beechwood (7-18) in the 35th District semifinals. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Covington Holy Cross on Wednesday.
Basketball, Boys:
Highlands 90, Beechwood 61:
The Bluebirds (20-8 overall) concluded the regular season with a convincing 9th Region road win against the Tigers (7-18).
Highlands has won at least 20 games in each of the past four seasons. That includes a 30-4 mark winning the state championship last year.
“We bounced back from a tough loss on Tuesday,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “That’s the biggest thing. We talk about responding all the time. Our kids were hungry. They definitely wanted to go out to end the regular season on a strong note.”
Senior guard Zach Barth and junior guard Will Herald hit 1,000 career points in the victory for the Bluebirds both making four three-pointers. Barth scored 27 and Herald scored 20.
Two others scored in double figures for Highlands. Sophomore 6-6 center Brody Benke scored 13 and senior forward Oliver Harris scored 10.
Highlands learned this week that senior guard Leyton Read is out for the season. Read averaged 6.8 points per game. But he has played big roles defensively this year and last year. He had some crucial steals in the state championship win over Elizabethtown that let the Bluebirds build a huge halftime advantage.
“We’re going to lean on some of those sophomores,” Listerman said. “Brody Benke had a dunk and a couple nice finishes. (Sophomore guard) Brayden Moeves buried a three. (Sophomore) Nathan Vinson came in and did his thing both defensively and running the show. Those are guys that haven’t seen a ton of minutes. But those are guys that we’re going to count on for some critical minutes in the postseason for sure.”
Highlands made 34-of-59 shots for 58 percent including 11-of-23 from three-point range for 48 percent and 11-of-15 free throws for 73 percent. The Bluebirds also had 38 rebounds, 15 fouls, 15 assists, 11 turnovers, one blocked shot and nine steals. Sophomore guard Cam Giesler had four assists to lead Highlands and senior forward Cole Kocher had six rebounds.
“Leyton is a great passer, a great defender and he works hard,” Herald said. “His attitude is one of the best on the team and we love seeing him. We really hate seeing that he’s hurt. But I’m really proud of the way the underclassmen have stepped up. The most important part is they’re not backing down. They’re not afraid of making mistakes. If they mess up, they learn and they continue on to help us win the game.”
Beechwood saw its leading scorer in junior Cameron Boyd score 17 points. Eighth grader Cash Harney added 11 points.
Beechwood made 21-of-53 shots for 40 percent including 4-of-17 from three-point range for 24 percent and 15-of-18 free throws for 83 percent. The Tigers had 24 rebounds, 13 fouls, 10 assists and 12 turnovers.
Both teams play in tournament semifinals on Wednesday. Highlands is the top seed in the 36th District Tournament and will face either Dayton (13-14) or Bellevue (4-21). Game time is 6 p.m.
Beechwood takes on Covington Catholic (23-4) in the 35th District semifinals. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Covington Holy Cross.
Basketball, Girls:
Highlands 38, Beechwood 32:
Highlands (11-15) finished the season with another victory playing without some key players including junior point guard Alyssa Harris against the host Tigers (10-20).
“We found a way to win and that’s what we’re trying to do at this time of the year,” said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. “Some other girls had to have more minutes. They stepped up.”
Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center Marissa Green again led the way scoring 12 points and grabbing 17 rebounds for Highlands. Green also blocked seven shots.
The Bluebirds made 10-of-36 shots including 2-of-10 from three-point range for 20 percent. They shot free throws better than the win Wednesday at Ludlow. But they still only made 16-of-32 for 50 percent.
Senior guard Meg Gessner and sophomore guard Laney Smith scored eight points each. Eighth grade forward Katie Bucher made a key three-pointer on her way to five points. Ten players saw action for the Bluebirds including junior guard Ellie Walz.
“I think the experience for all the younger kids and everyone else just to know that you can do it I think is going to help us in the postseason,” Walz said. “If we’re down, we can come back and have confidence in each other.”
Highlands takes on host Bellevue (16-10) at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Bluebirds are the third seed in the 36th District Tournament.
Beechwood faces Notre Dame (21-3) in the 35th District semifinals on Tuesday at Covington Holy Cross. Game time is 6 p.m.
Other NKY Boys Basketball Scores:
Carroll County 67, Bellevue 55
Cooper 44, Scott 38
Conner 72, Lloyd Memorial 58
Dixie Heights 85, Boone County 56
Gallatin County 62, Ludlow 60
Covington Holy Cross 88, St. Henry 85
Newport Central Catholic 61, Bishop Brossart 60
Williamstown 81, Villa Madonna 46
Holmes 69, Pendleton County 55
Other NKY Girls Basketball Scores:
Bellevue 66, Dayton 54
Bishop Brossart 50, St. Henry 43
Cooper 62, Owen County 58 (OT)
Franklin County 65, Dixie Heights 57
Holmes 61, Villa Madonna 21
Ludlow 64, Newport 31
Newport Central Catholic 72, Tates Creek 59