Wednesday, February 21, 2001
No. 1 CovCath holds off No. 2 NewCath
Lewin's late play lifts Colonels
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
Before Tuesday's game with No. 2 Newport Central Catholic, Covington Catholic coach Mike Listerman told his Colonels, the No.1 team in The Enquirer's Northern Kentucky coaches poll, to play their hearts out. That's where Brian Lewin took the reminder — to heart.
The 6-foot-5 junior scored a team-high 22 points, including a short push shot with 4.5 seconds to play that gave CovCath a 62-61 victory over the Thoroughbreds in the sweltering NewCath gym.
Lewin grabbed the rebound of Vince Bonhaus' missed free throw with 10.2 seconds left and headed straight upcourt, driving the right side of the lane and banking in the tough shot.
“(Listerman) told us during the timeout that if they missed the first free throw and still led by one, or made one of them and led by two, to take it to the hole,” Lewin said. “He said if they led by three, drive and kick it out for a 3-pointer. I had the lane and I took it.”
It wasn't the first such play for Lewin.
“He did the same thing against Milford on Dec.30,” Listerman said. “The defense is in a quandary in that situation. They don't want to foul, so they can't guard you as close. Against Milford, he made the shot to tie it up and we won going away in overtime.”
Lewin's efforts offset a heroic performance by NCC senior guard Ronny Dawn, the school's career scoring leader. After CovCath took its largest lead, 48-38 with 57 seconds left in the third quar ter, Dawn hit five 3-pointers in a 21-7 run that gave the Thoroughbreds a 59-55 lead with 4:03 left in the game.
Lewin responded with two free throws and a 6-foot jumper from the right baseline to tie the score at 59. Dawn, who scored a game-high 29 points and made seven 3-pointers in his NewCath regular-season finale, made two free throws with 43.8 seconds left to restore the lead to the Thoroughbreds.
Chad Wachs set up Lewin's game-winning play by hitting a free throw with 24 seconds left.
“I thought the key was when we were up by four and we missed a 3-pointer from the corner,” said NCC coach Ron Dawn, Ronny's father. “We just missed a couple of shots. That last free throw looked like it hung on the rim for 10 seconds.
“It would've been great if we won, but it would've been bigger for the fans. We didn't do anything special to prepare for this game. I told the kids after the game that it could've been worse. It could've been two weeks from now.”
That would be the date of the Ninth Region championship game. Many observers looked upon Tuesday's game as a preview of that game.
“I told the kids that this was a one-point ballgame on Feb.20. March 12 is the one that really counts,” Listerman said.
“This isn't the one we wanted,” Lewin said. “That will be in 2 1/2 weeks, if we face them again. This gives us confidence going into the region. That's about it.”
COVINGTON CATHOLIC (62) — Hiltz 3 2 10, Lewin 8 5 22, Finke 6 0 13, Quast 2 0 6, Blazejewski 2 0 5, Wachs 0 2 2, Middendorf 2 0 4. Totals: 23 9 62.
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (61) — A. Dawn 1 0 3, Bonhaus 2 1 6, Colson 2 0 4, R. Dawn 10 2 29, Myers 6 1 13, Lynn 2 0 6. Totals: 23 4 61.
Covington Catholic ....... 12 20 18 12—62
Newport C.C. ....... 9 21 14 17—61
3-pointers: C—Hiltz, Quast 2, Lewin, Finke, Blazejewski. N—R. Dawn 7, Lynn 2, A. Dawn, Bonhaus. Records: C 19-5, N 22-6.
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