By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
Balanced scoring and tenacious defense were a winning combination for the Newport Central Catholic boys’ basketball team in the opening round of the Kentucky All “A” Classic on Thursday at the Frankfort Convention Center.
With all five starters scoring in double figures, NewCath knocked off Lexington Christian, 69-48, to post its 13th consecutive victory in the small-school state tournament that it won the last three years.
On defense, the Thoroughbreds forced 17 turnovers, made six steals and blocked five shots to hold Lexington Christian to its second lowest point total of the season.
NewCath made five 3-point goals in the first quarter and opened up a 22-7 lead. Sophomore point guard Brennan Hall scored nine of his game-high 19 points to spark the team’s fast start.
Lexington Christian trimmed the margin to 33-23 at halftime and made the first basket of the third quarter. But NewCath pulled away once more and took its biggest lead of the game, 63-37, on a 3-point goal by senior guard John Ludwig with 5:34 left in the game.
NewCath shot 51.1 percent (24 of 47) from the field overall and 45.8 percent (11 of 24) from behind the 3-point line. The team’s other double-figure scorers were Ludwig, senior forward Ben Weyer and senior guard Brian Anderson with 11 points each and junior forward Luke Moeves with 12. All five starters made one or more 3-point baskets.
Weyer also had 13 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots for the Thoroughbreds (17-3), who will play Danville (11-9) in a quarterfinal game at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
MURRAY 37, BROSSART 33
Brossart lost a low-scoring defensive battle with Murray, 37-33, in the closest first-round game of the Kentucky All “A” Classic on Thursday.
Murray took a 31-21 lead in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Brossart made a comeback and cut it to 35-33 on a 3-point goal by senior guard Jacob Zai with 2:11 remaining. But the Mustangs missed two 3-point attempts and committed two turnovers on their final four possessions.
It was the lowest scoring total of the season for the Mustangs, who shot 33.3 percent (11 of 33) from the field. The team’s leading scorers were Zai with 10 points and senior forward Jackson Crawford with nine.
Murray (16-4) shot 36.1 percent (13 of 36) from the field. The Tigers’ only double-figure scorer was junior guard Preston English with 12 points.
The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for Brossart (16-4). The Mustangs have been knocked out in the first round of the small-school state tournament in five of their last six appearances.
KENTUCKY ALL “A” CLASSIC AT FRANKFORT CIVIC CENTER
BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT
Thursday – First round
Cordia 77, Glasgow 46
University Heights 69, Pineville 34
Danville 75, Louisville Shawnee 43
Newport Central Catholic 69, Lexington Christian 48
Morgan County 84, McLean County 68
Owen County 56, Kentucky Country Day 49
Murray 37, Brossart 33
Green County 79, Shelby Valley 66
Friday – Quarterfinals
Cordia vs. University Heights, 5 p.m.
Danville vs. Newport Central Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Morgan County vs. Owen County, 8 p.m.
Murray vs. Green County, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinals, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.
GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT
Friday – Quarterfinals
Owensboro Catholic vs. Shelby Valley, 8:30 a.m.
Harlan vs. Frankfort, 10 a.m.
Walton-Verona vs. Murray, 11:30 a.m.
Newport Central Catholic vs. Glasgow, 1 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinals, 12 and 1:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 12 p.m.