By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
LEXINGTON — As a three-year starter on the Covington Catholic boys’ basketball team, senior forward Bo Schuh enjoyed a lot of success during his high school career, but it didn’t end the way he wanted.
Owensboro defeated CovCath, 69-65, in overtime in the semifinals of the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA state tournament on Saturday at Rupp Arena. The season-ending loss denied Schuh and his teammates a shot at a second straight state title.
“It was just one of those nights where stuff doesn’t go your way,” Schuh said. “I speak for everyone (on our team) when I say we left everything on the floor. There’s nothing else we could have done. Everyone played their hearts out.”
CovCath senior guard Matt Shumate made a 3-point shot with five seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime. But Owensboro outscored the defending state champions, 14-10, in the extra period to come away with the victory.
Owensboro (30-4) will play Bowling Green (30-5) in the championship game at 2 p.m. Sunday. CovCath ends the season with a 31-6 record.
“Like I told our guys in the locker room, this is life’s lessons,” said CovCath coach Scott Ruthsatz. “You work so hard sometimes and things just don’t go your way.”
With 1:09 left in overtime, CovCath pulled to within two points, 65-63, on a driving basket by sophomore guard Cole VonHandorf. After that, however, the Colonels lost the ball on a fast-break, had a shot blocked, turned the ball over on a traveling call and missed a 3-point attempt.
CovCath had to foul to stop the clock after each of those missed scoring opportunities and Owensboro players made four free throws to extend their lead to 69-63. The Colonels got a stick-back basket on their last possession to make the final score 69-65.
“When Shumate hit that three, I thought (the game) was ours, but it didn’t work out our way,” VonHandorf said. “I’m just proud of how our team fought. We weren’t expected to be here so I’m just proud of everything we’ve done this year.”
CovCath took the biggest lead of the game, 46-37, on a basket by Schuh early in the fourth quarter. But Owensboro rallied and went ahead 55-52 when forward Dylan Sanford made a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left in regulation.
After Shumate’s 3-pointer tied the score and sent the game into overtime, CovCath took a 59-58 lead on two free throws by senior guard Cooper Theobald. But Owensboro scored five straight points and stayed on top the rest of the way.
“It was a great shot,” Sanford said of Shumate’s game-tying 3-pointer. “But we had no doubt in our minds that we were going to keep playing and win the game.”
Owensboro shot 56.8 percent (25 of 44) from the field compared to CovCath’s 44.9 percent (22 of 49). The Red Devils also finished with a 28-21 advantage in rebounding.
Owensboro had four double-figure scorers. The leaders were 6-foot-7 senior center Justin Miller and senior point guard Darien Morrow with 18 points each.
Morrow hit two 3-point shots during his team’s fourth-quarter rally and scored five points in the overtime period.
“Hat’s off to Owensboro,” coach Ruthsatz said. “They hunkered down and made big shots when they needed them.”
VonHandorf scored a game-high 21 points for the Colonels. Schuh, who fouled out with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter, ended up with 15 points and five rebounds. The team’s other double-figure scorer was Theobald with 14 points.
VonHandorf and Schuh were named to the state all-tournament team. This is the second consecutive year that VonHandorf has received that honor.
COVCATH 11-19-12-13-10 — 65
OWENSBORO 15-9-12-19-14 — 69
COVCATH (31-6): Schuh 6 3 15, Romes 1 0 2, VonHandorf 6 6 21, Flood 2 0 5, Theobald 5 4 14, Shumate 2 0 6, Heppler 0 2 2. Totals: 22 15 65.
OWENSBORO (30-4): Sanford 2 2 8, Holman 5 1 11, Miller 8 2 18, Morrow 6 3 18, Harris 4 5 14. Totals: 25 13 69.
Three-pointers: CC — VonHandorf 3, Shumate 2, Flood. O — Morrow 3, Sanford 2, Harris.
STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCORES, SCHEDULE
All games at Rupp Arena, Lexington
Wednesday — Upper Bracket
Owensboro 55, Collins 38
Hopkinsville 76, Taylor County 64
Covington Catholic 64, Campbell County 43
Louisville Doss 56, Williamsburg 50
Thursday — Lower bracket
Louisville Ballard 82, Johnson Central 69
Boyle County 60, Lexington Catholic 59,
Bowling Green 86, Elliott County 44
Calloway County 73, Knott County Central 68 2-OT
Friday — Quarterfinals
Owensboro 71, Hopkinsville 50
Covington Catholic 61, Louisville Doss 48
Boyle County 85, Louisville Ballard 70
Bowling Green 65, Calloway County 57
Saturday — Semifinals
Owensboro 69, Covington Catholic 65
Bowling Green 68, Boyle County 58
Sunday — Finals
Owensboro (30-4) vs. Bowling Green (31-5), 2 p.m.