By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Newport boys basketball team should have no problem getting fired up when they face Holy Cross in the 9th Region All “A” Classic championship game at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Newport Central Catholic.
One year ago, Newport lost the championship game on its home court when Beechwood made a last-second shot. The Wildcats also have a score to settle with Holy Cross, the team that handed them a loss in the 9th Region post-season tournament last March.
“We want it bad,” said Newport senior Mahki McGuire. “Holy Cross ended our season last year so we want a payback. We’ll do whatever it takes to win it.”
Both teams won close games in the semifinals on Friday to advance to Saturday’s regional championship game that was rescheduled to 4:30 p.m. because of weather concerns.
McGuire made four free throws in the final nine seconds to secure Newport’s 67-62 win over tournament host NewCath.
In the other game, Holy Cross came away with a 65-63 win after St. Henry missed a layup just before the final horn sounded.
Holy Cross junior guard Nate Niehaus made two 3-pointers at the start of the second half to spark a 23-14 rally that put the Indians ahead, 56-54, going into the fourth quarter.
The Indians extended the lead to 62-56 with 3:33 left in the game, but they missed seven of their final 10 free throws. That opened the door for a final run by the Crusaders and they cut the margin to 65-63.
After a timeout with 6.5 seconds remaining, St. Henry got the ball to sophomore forward Wyatt Vieth. He raced up court, cut toward the basket and attempted a layup, but the ball hit the bottom of the rim as the final horn sounded.
Vieth finished with a game-high 32 points. Holy Cross offset his big game by having four double-figure scorers.
“Everybody who got in did something to help us win,” said Holy Cross coach Brandon Grammer. “That’s what I told them after the game, ‘Guys, this was a team win and not this guy won the game for us.’”
In the second semifinal game, Newport jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter and NewCath countered with a 24-14 run in the second quarter that cut the margin to 33-32 at halftime.
The Wildcats entered the fourth quarter with a 51-41 lead, but the Thoroughbreds rallied once again and trailed by just one point, 63-62, with nine seconds left on the clock.
After two free throws by McGuire made it 65-62, he came up with a steal and was fouled. He made a pair of free throws once again to lock down a five-point victory.
“Our guys are showing a lot of mental toughness,” said Newport coach Rodney Snapp. “We talked about that late in the game, keep your poise and make sure you trust each other, and they did.”
Both teams had three double-figure scorers. The leaders were McGuire with 22 and NewCath junior guard Caleb Jefferson with 20. Newport senior forward Tahj Harding posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. NewCath junior Evan Mullikan did the same with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The Wildcats finished with an 18-3 scoring advantage at the foul line and won the battle on the boards by a 39-27 margin.
ST. HENRY 19 21 14 9 – 63
HOLY CROSS 13 20 23 9 – 65
ST. HENRY (8-10): Vieth 9 14 32, Daniel 3 0 7, Westerbeck 3 0 7, Ryan 1 0 3, Bessler 5 2 12, Ravenscraft 1 0 2. Totals: 22 16 63.
HOLY CROSS (6-10): Knochelmann 3 7 13, McClendon 4 2 12, Castleman 1 0 2, Wahl 4 5 13, Niehaus 4 1 13, Gabbard 2 1 6, Hicks 3 0 6. Totals: 21 16 65.
Three-pointers: SH – Daniel, Westerbeck, Ryan. HC – Niehaus 4, McClendon 2, Gabbard.
NEWPORT 19 14 18 16 – 67
NEWCATH 8 24 9 21 – 62
NEWPORT (16-4): White 3 0 8, Miller 4 4 13, McGuire 6 7 22, Davis 3 2 9, Harding 5 5 15. Totals: 21 18 67.
NEWCATH (9-9): Mueller 4 0 11, Mullikin 9 1 19, Jefferson 9 2 20, Salter 2 0 4, Pangallo 3 0 8. Totals: 27 3 62.
Three-pointers: N – McGuire 3, White 2, Miller, Davis. NC – Mueller 3, Pangallo 2.
All “A” Classic regional tournament schedules
10TH REGION BOYS AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Saturday
Calvary Christian vs. Paris, 2:45 p.m.
Augusta vs. Brossart, 6:15 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 4 p.m.
10TH REGION GIRLS AT CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Saturday
Nicholas County vs. Paris, 1 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. Brossart, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.