By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Newport sophomore guard Donnie Miller made a desperation 3-point shot to send the game into overtime and the Wildcats went on to defeat Holy Cross, 76-71, in the quarterfinals of the 9th Region All “A” Classic on Tuesday at Ludlow High School.
Newport guard MeKell Burries, No. 1, looks for an opening while being guarded by Nolan Schrand of Holy Cross. (Photo by Mary Lynn Lampke)
Miller’s shot went in off the backboard to tie the score at 64-64. In the overtime period, Newport jumped out to a 71-65 lead, but Holy Cross cut it to 73-71 on a 3-point goal by Parker Zimmerman.
The Indians came up with a steal after Zimmerman’s trey and missed three shots that could have tied the score or given them a lead. Newport then sealed the win by scoring on an inbound play under its own basket and hitting a free throw in the final seconds.
Holy Cross players made 16 3-point shots during the game. Junior guard Nolan Schrand buried six of them and finished with a game-high 22 points. Newport’s leading scorer was Miller with 17 points, followed by junior guard MeKell Burris and sophomore forward Tahj Harding with 16 each.
In the other quarterfinal game on Tuesday, Newport Central Catholic took a 41-24 lead in the first half and knocked off Dayton, 86-60, to post its 16th consecutive victory in the small-school regional tournament over five seasons.
NewCath’s leading scorer was junior guard Brennan Hall with 17 points. Senior guard Luke Moeves scored 10 of his 12 points during the team’s first-half run. Dayton sophomore Julian Jimenez took game-high honors with 21 points and Draven Garcia netted 18 for the Greendevils.
NewCath will play Newport in a semifinal game at 6 p.m. Friday. NewCath has a 13-0 record against its crosstown rival over the last seven seasons, including a 61-47 win on Dec. 14 this season.
9TH REGION GAMES AT LUDLOW
Wednesday
St. Henry vs. Lloyd, 6 p.m.
Villa Madonna vs. Ludlow, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Semifinals, 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 21
Championship game, 7 p.m.
