In a tightly contested battle on Friday, the Covington Catholic boys’ basketball team showcased their resilience and defensive prowess, securing a 47-43 victory over the two-time defending 9th Region champion Newport. The win capped a three-game stretch in four days, keeping the Colonels (18-6) among the top teams in the region.
Playing in front of a packed home crowd, CovCath was tested but ultimately triumphed despite a modest offensive output. The victory marked the second-lowest point total of the season for the Colonels, who leaned on their defense to hold off the Wildcats in the second half.
“We’re a special team, and it’s only going to get better for the postseason,” said CovCath junior guard Chase Harney. “We’ve got a lot of grit.” Harney, who earned MVP honors from game sponsor St. Elizabeth Healthcare, contributed key plays in the fourth quarter. His one field goal and two assists helped spark an 11-3 run that gave CovCath a 44-34 lead with under two minutes remaining.
The Wildcats (14-9) rallied late, trimming the deficit to 46-43 with three seconds left, but CovCath sealed the win when junior guard Athens McGillis converted a crucial free throw. McGillis finished the game with a team-high 15 points, while Harney added 12.
Newport, despite strong individual performances from senior guards Yamil Rondon and DaShawn Anderson—who combined for 27 points—struggled in the second half. The Wildcats were held to just 5-of-29 shooting after halftime, allowing the Colonels to outscore them 25-19 over the final two quarters.
Newport coach Rod Snapp expressed frustration with his team’s performance in the paint, where 6-foot-7 post players James Turner and Griffin Starks, both averaging double digits, were held to a combined eight points. “You’ve got to be able to score in the paint,” Snapp said. “You’ve got to be able to get some rebounds and go up strong for put-backs.”
Newport got off to a strong start, opening the game with a 7-0 run and holding a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, CovCath responded with a 14-9 surge in the second, closing the gap to just two points at halftime, 24-22. McGillis and Harney were pivotal in the rally, scoring 12 of the team’s 14 points.
At halftime, CovCath head coach Jake Thelen delivered a stern message to his players, and the Colonels came out energized. “Coach Thelen got us fired up in the locker room, and that’s what we needed,” Harney said. “We needed to come out on fire, and that’s what we did.”
The Colonels’ defense, which had allowed Newport to shoot 40% in the first half, stifled the Wildcats in the third quarter. Newport managed only one field goal in 11 attempts and committed five turnovers during the period, allowing CovCath to take a 31-29 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth, a missed dunk by Turner sparked a fast break, and CovCath senior Nolan Ruthsatz capitalized with a layup and a free throw to help push the Colonels’ lead to 44-34. Ruthsatz played a key role on both ends, contributing five points and providing gritty defense against Newport’s taller players.
“Nolan does an awesome job,” said Thelen. “He always gives you 100 percent every night. He gets rebounds, deflections, live ball stops… I just think he truly accepts his role and just does whatever the team needs to help get the win.”
The Colonels controlled the boards, edging Newport 32-31, with 6-foot-5 center Donovan Bradshaw grabbing a game-high eight rebounds. CovCath finished the night shooting 42.1% from the field (16-of-38), while Newport struggled at 30% (15-of-50).
In free throw shooting, CovCath converted 11 of 17 attempts, while Newport made 12 of 20. The win keeps CovCath on track as they prepare for the postseason, with a renewed sense of confidence following the rough patch earlier in the season.
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