Beechwood junior Ben Toebbe drives to the basket against Holy Cross senior Derrick Barnes in the 35th district semifinal game. (Photo by Bob Jackson)
By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Holy Cross boys’ basketball team that had a 5-16 record with two weeks left in the regular season is going to the 9th Region tournament.
Senior guard Will Volpenhein swished a 3-point shot with 4.3 second left in overtime to give Holy Cross a 34-33 win over Beechwood in a 35th District semifinal game Thursday on his team’s home court. The winner and runner-up in each district advance to the regional playoffs so the Indians’ season will continue no matter what they do against Covington Catholic in the district final at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Holy Cross guard Will Volpenhein takes a jump shot during Thursday’s district semifinal game. (Photo by Bob Jackson)
Holy Cross has now won five of its last six games to boost its record to 10-17 — and boost the team’s confidence.
“We’re a new team and you don’t want to play us,” Volpenhein said. “Records don’t matter anymore. Anything can happen in the regional.”
Both teams shot less than 29 percent from the field in Thursday’s low-scoring semifinal game and that’s what set up the dramatic finish.
After Beechwood took a 33-31 lead on a driving basket by junior Ben Toebbe in the opening seconds of the overtime period, more than three minutes ticked off the clock before Volpenhein’s game-winning shot.
With 14 seconds remaining, Holy Cross senior Derrick Barnes took an inbound pass on the right baseline and got the ball to Volpenhein. He dribbled toward the basket, passed the ball back to Barnes and then went to an open area behind the 3-point arc.
“We had a little hand-off in the corner and at first I didn’t get (a shot), ” Volpenhein said. “Then Derrick dribbled out, found me open and I shot it, made it.”
Beechwood called a time out to set up a final play. Senior forward Owen Alcorn took a long jump shot just before the horn sounded, but the ball bounced off the rim.
Beechwood took a 14-7 lead in the first quarter and led by much as 11 points, 22-11, late in the second quarter. But the Tigers were outscored 18-10 in the last two quarters and overtime period. The game’s only double-figure scorers were Toebbe with 17 points and Volpenhein with 10.
“We’re not shooting the ball real well lately and I don’t what it is,” said Holy Cross coach Ryan Schrand. “But we hung in there defensively and only gave up 10 points after the first half. Your defense saves you in a lot of games, and that’s what it did (Thursday).”
Holy Cross ended up shooting 27.5 percent (14 of 51) on its home court compared to Beechwood’s 28.6 percent (10 of 35). The Indians were 4-for-24 from behind the arc, but Volpenhein hit the 3-pointer they needed to win.
“He made a big shot,” Schrand said. “He’s a great kid and he’s worked hard for the four years I’ve been here. I’m just so happy for him.”
Barnes was the Indians’ only returning starter when the season started. The rest of the players had little or no varsity experience and the team’s record dipped to 3-14 at one point in January.
“We lost six seniors from last year and our schedule was brutal,” coach Schrand said. “These guys just hung in there. I know we’ve lost 17 games, but you’ve just got to hang with it and keep believing, and now we’re going back to the regional tournament.”
BEECHWOOD 14 9 4 4 2 — 33
HOLY CROSS 7 9 9 6 3 — 34
BEECHWOOD (15-13): Huff 2 1 7, Schilling 0 1 1, Toebbe 6 5 17, Draud 1 0 2, Alcorn 1 2 4, Baugh 0 2 2. Totals: 10 11 33.
HOLY CROSS (10-17): Williams 4 0 8, Schrand 2 0 5, Zimmerman 1 0 3, Volpenhein 4 0 10, Barnes 3 0 6, Houston 1 0 2. Totals: 14 2 34.
three-pointers; B — Huff 2. HC — Volpenhein 2, Zimmerman, Schrand.
Boys’ basketball district playoff schedules
32nd DISTRICT at WILLIAMSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Saturday
Championship: Walton-Verona vs. Williamstown, 7 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT at BOONE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Friday
Championship: Cooper vs. Ryle, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LLOYD HIGH SCHOOL
Friday
Championship: Dixie Heights vs. Lloyd, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT at HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
Saturday
Championship: Covington Catholic vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT at DAYTON HIGH SCHOOL
Friday
Championship: Newport Central Catholic vs. Newport, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT at CAMPBELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Friday
Championship: Campbell County vs. Scott, 7 p.m.
