Notre Dame downs Holmes in 35th final

By Dave Malaska

FORT MITCHELL, Ky. – By now, there's little doubt who owns the 35th District in girls' hoops.

Notre Dame, behind Olivia Voskuhl's 18-point, seven-rebound night, claimed their seventh district title in a row, racing past Holmes, 58-27, Thursday night at Beechwood High school.

The title was the Pandas' ninth since 2000.

Notre Dame (23-5) built an early double-digit lead while holding the Lady Bulldogs to just 26 percent shooting from the field. Voskuhl scored eight points early to pace the Pandas, while Holmes continued to struggle.

And NDA continued to methodically pile on the points, taking an 18-point lead by half.

Haylee Smith added 12 points to NDA's total, while Carlee Clemons chipped in with eight and Elly Ogle seven as the lead continued to grow.

"You've got to tip your hat to them," said Holmes coach Scott Calcaterra, whose team struggled with injuries en route to a 13-17 record. "Notre Dame's a great team with undoubtedly the best player in the area (Voskuhl)."

"We lost them by 15 at our place earlier. He had them in the districts last year and lost by 16. They're just a tough, tough matchup," he added.

The Bulldogs were led by Abby Moore's eight points, helping the senior earn a spot on the all-district squad.

Deja Turner, who finished the night with four points, grabbed another spot on the honor roll after leading the Bulldogs to the upset of Holy Cross on Tuesday. She had 23 points against the Indians.

But Thursday belonged to the Pandas and Voskuhl, who was named the district tournament MVP. Paige Killam was also honored with a spot on the district squad.

"The one thing that we've consistently done all year is that anybody can have the big night. If Olivia has an off night, someone will step up," said Pandas coach Nicole Levandusky. "Olivia was on tonight, but we still played as a team. That's why we've been successful and, hopefully, will continue to be."

The Pandas will carry a 12-game win streak into the regionals next week.

HOLMES 6-8-8-5—27
N. DAME 14-18-12-14—58

HOLMES (13-17): Moore 3 2 8, Salaah 2 2 6, Harris 2 2 6, Turner 1 2 4, Kilburn 1 0 2, Price 0 1 1. Totals: 9 9 27.

NOTRE DAME (23-5): Voskuhl 8 1 18, Smith 6 0 12, Clemons 4 0 8, Ogle 1 5 7, Kellam 3 0 6, Hellman 2 0 4, Stallman 1 0 3. Totals 25 6 58.

3-pointer: ND—Stallman.

Also named to the all-tournament team: Anna Matchinga (Covington Latin), Macy Stuempel (Beechwood), DeAsia Beal (Holy Cross).