CovCath basketball team shows its grit in 47-43 win over Newport to complete successful week

By sports reporter Terry Boehmker, NKyTribune

The Covington Catholic boys basketball team remained confident after losing four of their five games in a two-week span. To stay among the best teams in the 9th Region, the Colonels bounced back from the defeats and won three games in four days this week.

In front of a full house on Friday, CovCath defeated Newport, the two-time reigning region champion, 47-43 at home to complete the 3-0 run. The Colonels’ defensive performance made up for their second-lowest point total of the season (18-6).

According to CovCath junior guard Chase Harney, “We’re a special team, and it’s only going to get better for the postseason.” We are very gritted.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the game sponsor, presented Harney with the most valuable player medallion. He contributed two assists and one field goal during CovCath’s pivotal 11-3 run in the fourth quarter, which placed them ahead 44-34 with less than two minutes left.

With three seconds remaining, Newport cut the lead to 46-43, but CovCath junior guard Athens McGillis sealed the win with a free throw. Harney finished with 12 points, while McGillis finished with a team-high 15.

Senior guards Yamil Rondon and DaShawn Anderson, who scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, were also double-figure scorers for Newport. However, the host side outscored the Wildcats 25-19 in the second half, as they only made 5 of 29 field goals.

James Turner and Griffin Starks, both 6-foot-7 post players with double-figure averages, combined for eight points, which was another statistic that annoyed Newport coach Rod Snapp.

Yamil Rondon, a rookie guard, catches a shot beneath Donovan Bradshaw’s arm for CovCath. It was taken by Dale Dawn.According to Snapp, you must be able to score in the paint. You must have the ability to grab rebounds and jump up for putbacks.

Newport led 15–8 at the end of the first quarter after starting the game with a 7–0 run. In response, CovCath rallied 14–9 in the second quarter, reducing the Wildcats’ lead to 24–22 at the half.

During the rally, McGillis and Harney scored 12 of the team’s 14 points, but CovCath coach Jake Thelen was unhappy and told his players so at halftime.

“We needed Coach Thelen’s motivation in the locker room,” Harney remarked. We had to burn to death, and we did just that.

Against CovCath’s heightened defense in the third quarter, Newport committed five turnovers and went only one of eleven from the field. The Colonels were ahead at the end of the session (31–29), and they continued to lead the remainder of the way.

CovCath senior guard Nolan Ruthsatz made a quick break after Turner’s dunk bounced off the back of the basket early in the fourth quarter. His team’s game-changing 11-3 scoring run began when he was fouled while making a layup and made the free throw.

Coach Thelen remarked, “I thought our guys made some tough plays down the stretch to win the game.” Our ability to bounce back was crucial, in my opinion. We also had to defend, and I believe we did a great job.

Donovan Bradshaw, a 6-foot-5 junior center, grabbed a game-high eight rebounds as CovCath prevailed 32–31 in the fight for rebounding. Ruthsatz, a 6-foot-1 guard who challenged Newport’s taller players beneath the hoop, was the Colonels’ defensive star.

According to coach Thelen, Nolan does a fantastic job. Each and every night, he gives you his all. He receives live ball stops, deflections, and rebounds. He genuinely embraces his role, in my opinion, and does whatever the team needs to win.

CovCath’s final field goal percentage was 42.1 percent (16 of 38), whereas Newport’s was 30 percent (15 of 50). The Wildcats made 12 of 20 free throws, while the Colonels made 11 of 17.

The COVCATH 8 14 9 16 47NEWPORT 15 9 5 14 43

COVCATH (18-6): Stewart 0 1 1, Carroll 1 0 2, Stava 1 0 2, Ruthsatz 2 1 5, Gaiser 1 2 4, Harney 5 1 12, and McGillis 4 4 15. 16 11 47 is the total.

Turner 2 1 5, Anderson 4 4 12, Starks 1 1 3, Rondon 6 2 15, Nichols 0 2 2, Lowe 2 2 6 NEWPORT (14–9). 15 12 43 is the total.

Three-pointers: Harney, N. Rondon, and CC McGillis 3.