By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
LEXINGTON — Covington Catholic basketball players knew what to expect when they faced Fern Creek in the quarterfinal round of the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet 16 boys state basketball on Friday at Rupp Arena.
When the teams played each other three months ago, the Colonels didn’t handle Fern Creek’s intense defensive pressure very well and lost their first game of the season. But they did much better in Friday’s rematch and came away with a 66-58 victory.
CovCath guard C.J. Fredrick, left, works hard to get off a shot against Anthony Wales of Fern Creek in a state quarterfinal game. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
CovCath shot 62.5 percent (20 of 32) from the field to offset 15 turnovers and made 11 of 15 free throws in the final four minutes to secure the win. Senior guard C.J. Fredrick knocked down the last six free throws and finished with a game-high 32 points.
“It was a real physical game,” Fredrick said. “We kind of knew coming in they were going to be real aggressive (on defense). I’m really proud of the way we ended the game strong and made our free throws.”
CovCath (33-4) advances to the state semifinals for the third time in five years and faces Oldham County (31-5) at 8 p.m. Saturday.
This is the fifth consecutive year that a 9th Region team has been in the final four. The Colonels started that streak in 2014 when they won their first state championship.
In the first half of Friday’s game, CovCath took care of the ball so well that it opened up a 39-25 lead. Fredrick made two field goals and a 3-pointer during the final 90 seconds to give him 18 points at the break.
“Every game I try to come in and do what I can for our team to get a win,” Fredrick said. “I knew they were going to be really aggressive with me, so I just tried to do a lot off the dribble, create for others and get fouled. Luckily, the shots were going in for me tonight.”
CovCath forward A.J. Mayer gets a forearm to the face while battling for a rebound against Tony Rogers of Fern Creek. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Fredrick scored six of his team’s 12 points in the third quarter that ended with the Colonels ahead, 51-35. But Fern Creek turned up its defensive intensity in the fourth quarter and pulled to within nine points, 59-50, with 1:03 left on the clock.
CovCath did the rest of its scoring at the free throw line with Fredrick hitting the last six. He ended up going 10-for-11 at the line and 10-for-14 from the field with two treys.
“The game was everything we thought it would be,” said CovCath coach Scott Ruthsatz. “We got out to a nice lead, but we knew the pressure was going to come. We had a couple of turnovers that resulted in points (for them). But, down the stretch, making free throws just kind of inhibits any comeback that could take place.”
CovCath finished with a 24-14 scoring advantage at the free throw line. Senior guard Aiden Ruthsatz, the coach’s son, scored eight of his 10 points on foul shots. The Colonels also won the battle on the boards, 27-16, with junior forward Nick Thelen pulling down six rebounds.
Fern Creek shot 38.9 percent (19 of 49) from the floor, scoring just 12 points off the 15 turnovers committed by CovCath.
“That was a major factor because we normally score more off our defense,” said Fern Creek coach James Schooler.
COVCATH 20 19 12 15 — 66
FERN CREEK 15 10 10 23 — 58
COVCATH (33-4): C.J. Mayer 2 5 9, Walter 4 0 8, Fredrick 10 10 32, Ruthsatz 1 8 10, M. Mayer 1 0 2, Thelen 2 1 5. Totals: 20 24 66.
FERN CREEK (27-7): Wickliffe 5 2 14, Howard 1 0 3, Thomas 2 1 5, A. Wales 3 4 11, Price 4 6 14, T. Wales 1 0 2, J. Rogers 1 0 3, T. Rogers 1 0 2, Gordon 1 0 3, Washington 0 1 1. Totals: 19 14 58.
3-pointers: CC — Fredrick 2. FC — Wickliffe 2, Howard, A. Wales, Rogers, Gordon.
WHITAKER BANK/KHSAA SWEET 16 BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT
Wednesday — Upper bracket
Corbin 50, Estill County 40
Scott County 54, Louisville Trinity 53
Warren Central 68, Pulaski Southwestern 44
Pikeville 72, John Hardin 69 3-OT
Thursday — Lower bracket
Campbell County 82, University Heights 65
Fern Creek 69, Boyd County 67 OT
Oldham County 65, McCracken County 58
Covington Catholic 71, Owensboro Apollo 47
Friday
Scott County 73, Corbin 62
Warren Central 74, Pikeville 57
Oldham County 56, Campbell County 55
Covington Catholic 66, Fern Creek 58
Saturday
Scott County (36-1) vs. Warren Central (31-5), 6:30 p.m.
Covington Catholic (33-4) vs. Oldham County (31-5), 8 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 2 p.m.
