A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Beechwood celebrates first district basketball title since 1949 after come-from-behind win over CovCath


By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

For the first time in 70 years, Beechwood is going to the 9th Region boys basketball tournament as a district champion.

The Tigers came from behind to beat Covington Catholic, 57-53, in the 35th District final on Thursday in what might be the biggest victory in the history of the program. After winning a district title in 1949, Beechwood had played in only nine district finals over the last seven decades and lost every one.

Beechwood sophomore Scotty Draud scored all of his team-high 17 points during the second half of his team’s win over CovCath. (Photo by Bob Jackson)

When the Beechwood players received the championship trophy after Thursday’s game, it was definitely a special moment for them and their fans.

“This is just incredible,” said senior forward Mitchell Schilling. “This team is just doing incredible things this year. I mean, we’re breaking school records for wins and everything else. It’s just been a lot of fun.”

Beechwood (27-5) won a regular season game against CovCath on Feb. 1, but the Tigers were still ranked behind the Colonels in state and local coaches polls going into the playoffs.

When CovCath opened up a 34-24 lead midway through the third quarter of the district final, it looked like the rankings might be right. But the Tigers made a methodical comeback and took a 49-47 lead on a basket by sophomore guard Scotty Draud with 3:05 left in the fourth quarter.

After CovCath went back on top, 52-50, on a basket by junior center Michael Mayer with 1:44 remaining, Beechwood ended the game with a 7-1 run. Senior forward C.J. Brannen hit a 3-point shot from the corner to start the run and the last four points came at the free throw line.

“We’re not going to back down if get behind a few points,” Schilling said. “We’re going to fight until the end. That’s why we have a special team.”

Schilling, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half that ended with CovCath holding a 26-17 lead. At the break, the Tigers were shooting 30 percent (6 of 20) from the field with nine turnovers.

In the second half, Beechwood shot 52 percent (12 of 23) with six 3-point goals and just one turnover. That’s why the Tigers were able to outscore the Colonels, 40-27, over the final two quarters.

Draud scored all of his game-high 17 points in the second half. Senior forward Zach Deathrage and Brannen had a combined total of 19 points with 15 coming after halftime.

Mitchell Schilling

“We told them the other night, ‘Somebody’s got to make some shots with people chasing Draud everywhere,'” said Beechwood coach Erik Goetz. “Heck, we’re the third-best 3-point shooting team in the the state. The other guys just have to have confidence and step up and make shots.”

CovCath used its size advantage to score most of its points in the paint. The team leaders were Mayer with 17 points and senior forward Nick Thelen with 16. But the Colonels committed 17 turnovers with a good share of them coming against Beechwood’s defensive traps.

“You’ve got two choices with (CovCath) and their size,” Goetz said. “You can either pack (your defense) in and hope they miss or get out and put pressure on them, and that’s what we did.”

After the trophy presentation, Goetz pulled his players together to make sure they appreciate the significance of what they had just accomplished in front of a large crowd of Beechwood fans clad in red.

“I just told our kids to turn around and look at the stands and look what you’ve done to energize this school and this community about boys basketball,” Goetz said. “And it hasn’t been that way maybe ever.”

Pairings for the 9th Region boys and girls tournaments at BB&T Arena will be decided on Saturday morning. The eight-team fields will include the winner and runner-up from the 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th districts.

The boys bracket will be Cooper, Conner, St. Henry, Dixie Heights, Beechwood, CovCath, Newport and Highlands. The girls field includes Ryle, Conner, Dixie Heights, Ludlow, Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Highlands and Newport Central Catholic.

BEECHWOOD   4   13  18  22  — 57
COVCATH         13  13  14  13  — 53

BEECHWOOD (27-5): Brannen 3 1 8, Draud 5 5 17, Baugh 1 0 2, Deathrage 4 1 11, Schilling 4 3 14. bieger 1 3 5. Totals: 18 13 57.

COVCATH (24-7): Disken 2 1 7, Fleek 3 0 6, Thelen 6 4 16, Green 1 1 3, Moser 1 1 4, Mayer 7 3 17. totals: 20 10 53.

3-pointers: B — Schilling 3, Draud 2, Deathrage 2, Brannen. CC — Disken 2, Moser.

ALL-TOURNAMENT
Beechwood — Mitchell Schilling (MVP), Zach Deathrage, Cole Busald. CovCath — Nick Thelen, Michael Mayer. Holy Cross — Pete Knochelman. Holmes — Detrieck Dozier.

Boys district basketball tournaments

32nd District at Simon Kenton
Thursday
Championship: Walton-Verona 62, Simon Kenton 52

33rd District at Cooper
Thursday
Championship: Cooper 56, Conner 48

34th District at St. Henry
Friday
Championship: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.

35th District at Holmes
Thursday
Championship: Beechwood 57, Covington Catholic 53

36th District at Newport Central Catholic
Thursday
Championship: Newport 64, Highlands 61

37th District at Campbell County Middle School
Thursday
Championship: Campbell County 61, Scott 52

Girls district basketball tournaments

32nd District at Simon Kenton
Friday
Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 7 p.m.

33rd District at Cooper
Friday
Championship: Conner vs. Ryle, 7 p.m.

34th District at St. Henry
Thursday
Championship: Dixie Heights 78, Ludlow 47

35th District at Holmes
Friday
Championship: Notre Dame vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.

36th District at Newport Central Catholic
Friday
Championship: Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7 p.m.

37th District at Campbell County Middle School
Friday
Championship: Scott vs. Brossart, 7 p.m.


Related Posts

Leave a Comment