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Newport Central Catholic’s coaching staff had to select a most valuable player after their boys’ basketball team defeated Newport, 53-47, in the championship game of the Touchstone Energy 9th Region All “A” Classic on Saturday at Newport High School.
The coaches selected senior forward Matt Giesler to receive the award, but he said teamwork is what actually carried the Thoroughbreds to the title.
“That’s the way it’s been since day one of practice,” Giesler said. “Everybody contributes and everybody does their job and we come out winners.”
The NewCath players worked together so well on offense during the regional championship game that they shot 55.8 percent (19 of 34) from the field compared to Newport’s 29.6 percent (19 of 64).
That’s why the Thoroughbreds were able to take a double-digit lead in each of the last three quarters, but they had to hold off a late rally by Newport to come away with the victory.
With 49 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Newport pulled to within two points, 47-45, on a basket by junior forward Casey McDaniel.
To keep time from running out, however, Newport had to resort to fouling and NewCath players made six of eight free throws in the closing seconds to come out on top.
“You got to give Newport credit,” said NewCath coach Grant Brannen. “They fought back and showed a lot of heart and were tough-minded, but so were our kids.”
This is the fifth time in the last six years that NewCath has won the small school regional title. The Thoroughbreds will play Danville in the opening round of the All ‘A’ Classic state tournament at 9 p.m. Thursday at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
“This was our goal,” Geisler said of the regional title. “We worked hard to get here and finally made it. Now we’re going to go down and do some damage at EKU.”
Giesler scored 10 points in the regional final. NewCath’s team leader was his younger brother, junior center Jake Giesler, with 16 points.
Newport’s scoring leaders were McDaniel with 17 points and senior center David Darnell with 12.
Two weeks ago, Newport had one of its best shooting nights of the season and defeated NewCath, 60-59, but the shots weren’t falling for the Wildcats on Saturday.
“I don’t know if our kids got psyched out and were trying too hard or what. I really can’t explain it,” Newport coach Aric Russell said.
“They hustled and played hard and did what we asked them to do, but sometimes you’re going to have bad shooting nights, and that’s definitely what beat us (Saturday).”
NEWCATH 13-17-9-14--53
NEWPORT 14-7-9-17--47
NEWCATH (10-7): Meyer 3 0 6, Pangallo 4 2 11, J. Giesler 6 4 16, M. Giesler 4 2 10, Ollberding 1 2 4, Connor 1 4 6. Totals: 19 14 53.
NEWPORT (10-10): Tucker 4 0 10, McDaniel 7 3 17, Darnell 5 2 12, Collins 1 1 3, Greene 2 0 5. Totals: 19 6 47.
3-point goals: NCC–Pangallo. NEW–Tucker 2, Greene.
All-Tournament team
NewCath – Matt Geisler (MVP), Jake Geisler, Jake Ollberding.
Newport – David Darnell, Brandon Tucker.
St. Henry – Cameron Speed.
Dayton – Cody Turner.
Ludlow – Kyle Williamson.
Beechwood – A.J. Smith.
Villa Madonna – David Schuh.
Holy Cross – Eric Sullivan.
Heritage – John Michael Schroer.
Bellevue – Mike Young.
Lloyd – Randy Tackett.
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