Saturday, January 29, 2000
NewCath makes All 'A' semis
Free throws save 'Breds
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer contributor
RICHMOND, Ky. — Newport Central Catholic didn't make a field goal in the fourth quarter Friday against Paducah St. Mary.
It didn't matter.
The Thoroughbreds, who were 10-of-14 from the free-throw line over the final eight minutes, hung on for a 62-55 victory in the quarterfinals of the state basketball All “A” Classic at McBrayer Arena.
NewCath (16-5) meets 13th Region champion Harlan in the semifinals at 3 p.m. today. Seventh Region champ Louisville Highview Baptist plays 14th Region winner Owsley County in the first semifinal at 1:30 p.m.
St. Mary missed five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter that would have given the Vikings either a tie or the lead.
“We had what we wanted,” St. Mary coach Steven Middleton said. “Our kids played hard. We lost to a good basketball team.”
Ronny Dawn scored 18 points, and NewCath senior guard Tony Bacigalupo and junior guard Vince Bonhaus also played big roles.
Bacigalupo made two free throws with 5:21 left to stop a 7-0 St. Mary run; Bonhaus was 5-of-6 over the final 5:02.
Bacigalupo almost didn't get the chance. He aggravated a three-week-old knee injury in Thursday's win over Todd County Central.
“I can't tell you how close I was to not starting (Bacigalupo),” NewCath coach Ron Dawn said.
Ronny Dawn, the coach's son, spent the first quarter mired in 1-of-4 shooting from the field, trying to shake free of two St. Mary defenders — and watching the Vikings take a 25-18 lead two minutes into the second quarter.
Dawn's last six minutes of the period, though, turned out fine: two free throws; a 3-pointer to the left of the foul line; a look-right, pass-left assist in the paint to senior Danny Mayer; and another 3-pointer.
Results: a 28-25 NewCath lead with 3:53 left in the half; and 10 points for Dawn in the half.
Four points from Bacigalupo and a Seth Lynn 3-pointer helped NewCath to a 35-29 halftime advantage.
St. Mary closed to 56-55 with 3:06 remaining, but NewCath finished with 6-of-8 from the line.
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (62) — Bonhaus 1 6 8, Bacigalupo 4 3 14, R. Dawn 6 3 18, Myers 2 4 8, Lynn 3 0 8, Mayer 1 0 2, Meyer 2 0 4. Totals: 19 16 62.
PADUCAH ST. MARY (55) — Crider 5 2 14, Hosea 4 4 12, Ryan Cochran 4 1 11, Ross 2 3 8, Paxton 3 1 10. Totals: 18 11 55.
Newport CC ....... 14 21 17 10—62
Paducah St. Mary ....... 19 10 13 13—55
3-point goals: NCC-Bacigalupo 3, R. Dawn 3, Lynn 2; PSM-Paxton, 3, Ryan Cochran 2, Crider 2, Ross. Records: NCC 16-5, PSM 19-4.
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