To score a basket in Friday’s Covington Catholic-Newport game in Park Hills, you better have brought your body armor.
Nothing came easy, the Colonels locking down in the second half and rallying for a 47-43 victory over the Wildcats. A total of 38 fouls were whistled and 37 free throws attempted.
It was the Colonels second lowest point total of the season, the Wildcats tying two other times where they scored 43 points.
“I thought our guys made some tough plays down the stretch to win the game,” Colonels coach Jake Thelen said. “I thought we rebounded really well, which was a big key for us and we had to defend, which I think we did a really nice job.”
For CovCath, it was their third gritty win in four nights, also taking down Holy Cross and Ryle. They’re undersized in most games they enter, especially on Friday night against the likes of James Turner and Griffin Starks. But that doesn’t matter to the Colonels, not when they have gritty players like Nolan Ruthsatz guarding the team’s best offensive player on a nightly basis.
“The greatest thing about Nolan is he doesn’t care who gets the credit,” Thelen said. “All he wants to do is win and he just goes and plays hard. He always defends the best player and he always gives you 100% every night. He gets rebounds, deflections, live ball stops. He’s awesome to coach.”
Ruthsatz helped hold the front line of Turner and Starks to eight combined points and five offensive rebounds. The trio of Cash Harney, Athens McGillis and Donovan Bradshaw might steal the headlines on a game-by-game basis, but unsung heroes like Ruthsatz is what helps to have the Colonels 18-6 and in the hunt for a region title.
“It’s pretty tough, but I’m getting used to it more and more with each game,” Ruthsatz said. “Just have to be physical and go straight up with them. Make it tough on them to catch it and just do the best you can.”
McGillis led the Colonels with 15 points, Harney adding 12, Bradshaw with six and eight rebounds. Harney was named the game’s MVP after the game for the St. Elizabeth Sports Game of the Month.
“Confidence, keeping confidence the whole game,” Harney said. “Donovan makes it easy for me to get in the paint and I can just dish it to him. We got shooters spread out. They make the game so much easier.”
For Newport, it’s been a similar theme in their now nine losses this season.
“Got to make free throws and got to make more than one three,” Wildcats coach Rod Snapp said.
On Friday, the Wildcats hit just one 3-pointer on 11 attempts and were 3-of-9 from the free throw line at halftime before finishing 12-of-20.
Things got off to a good start for Newport, scoring the game’s first seven points and taking a 15-8 lead into the second quarter. They led 21-16 with 4:30 left in the first half, then the lid came on the basket. They scored just 12 points over the next 12:30 including just one made field goal in the third quarter as they found themselves down 31-29 headed into the fourth. They shot 5-of-29 in the second half.
“Felt like our defense was really strong,” Snapp said. “They did a really good job on James Turner. They’re scrappy and this is one of the toughest places to play in the state. We just got to keep grinding it out, but we got to make some shots.”
Covington Catholic’s halfcourt trap got the Wildcats out of rhythm and after a Turner baby hook made it 33-31 in the opening stages of the fourth, the Colonels went on a 9-0 run to take control with a 42-31 lead with less than three minutes to play.
Newport was able to make it interesting by getting within four with less than 20 seconds to play, but couldn’t get it down to a one-possession game with the ball from there.
The Wildcats were led by Yamil Rondon’s 15 points, but needed 17 shots to do so, going 6-for-17 from the field. DaShawn Anderson added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Newport’s game with Proviso East (Illinois) at Bracken County on Saturday was canceled due to illness. The Wildcats return to the court on Tuesday at home against Dixie Heights.
“I don’t feel like we’ve put together four quarters and peaked yet,” Snapp said. “We’ve gotten better. We’re getting there. We want to peak at the right time, and we’re not there yet. We’re close. We’re getting there.”
Covington Catholic hits the hardwood again on Tuesday as they host Moeller (Ohio). They’ve now defeated Newport 11 straight times, dating back to 2010.