Covington Catholic showed why it’s the top boys’ basketball team in state power rankings with an impressive 63-36 win over Holmes in the semifinals of the 35th District tournament on Tuesday at Beechwood High School.
After taking a 23-12 lead in the first eight minutes, CovCath held Holmes to just two points in the second quarter and extended the margin to 35-14 by halftime.
The Colonels ended up shooting 54.3 percent (25 of 46) from the field compared to the Bulldogs’ 31.8 percent (14 of 44). CovCath also had a 33-23 advantage on the boards.
CovCath junior guard Cole VonHandorf made 11 of 12 field goal attempts and scored a game-high 25 points. One of the three sophomores in CovCath’s starting lineup also put up some good numbers. A.J. Mayer had 12 rebounds, four points, five steals and two blocked shots.
The only double-figure scorer for Holmes was senior forward Brandon Moore with 12 points. Senior guard Markel McClendon was limited to seven points, 12 below his season average.
CovCath will play the winner of the Holy Cross-Beechwood game in the district final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Colonels have already secured a berth in next week’s 9th Region tournament and will be bidding for their third consecutive regional tirle.
WALTON-VERONA 52, GRANT COUNTY 51 — Senior guard Chance Sullivan made two free throws in overtime to secure his team’s win in the 32nd District semifinal game at Grant County High School.
It was a tight game from the start and the teams were within three points at the end of every quarter. Grant County missed a last-second shot in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.
Walton-Verona sophomore guard Zach Clinkenbeard posted a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Grant County’s leading scorer was Mitchell Stone with 15 points.
The Bearcats committed 20 turnovers, but they offset that by shooting 45.9 percent (17 of 37) from the field and having a 38-22 rebounding advantage. The Braves shot 36.7 percent (18 of 49) on their home court.
Walton-Verona will play Simon Kenton in the district final at 7 p.m. Friday. Both teams will advance to next week’s 8th Region tournament.
This is the first time since 2011 that Walton-Verona has qualified for the regional tournament.
BOYS BASKETBALL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Simon Kenton 54, Williamstown 40
Tuesday
Walton-Verona 52, Grant County 51 OT
Friday
Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT CONNER HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Boone County 82, Heritage 45
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Boone County, 6 p.m.
Conner vs. Ryle, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 6:30 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Ludlow 69, Villa Madonna 61
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 7:45 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday
Covington Catholic 63, Holmes 36
Thursday
Holy Cross vs. Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Highlands 74, Dayton 53
Wednesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands, 6 p.m.
Newport vs. Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Monday
Calvary Christian 53, Silver Grove 38
Wednesday
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 6 p.m.
Scott vs. Brossart, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game, 7 p.m.