Lexington Catholic at Tates Creek (Boys)

Tates Creek High School
Lexington, Kentucky
January 18, 2007

©2007 by Ron Harrison

Lexington Catholic (13-7) at Tates Creek (17-2) 

Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman started the following lineup: 6-5 Jr. Taylor Stewart, 6-2 Jr. Tyler Corvin, 6-5 Jr. Nathan Novosel, 6-6 Jr. Jordan Smart, and 6-3 Sr. Zach Newton.  Tates Creek coach Joe Pat Covington countered with 6-3 Sr. John Watkins, 6-2 Sr. D. J. Dowlen, 6-5 Sr. James Johnson, 6-3 Jr. Michael Sparks, and 5-11 Jr. Michael Spalding.

Lexington Catholic raced out to a 16-0 lead midway through the first quarter on their way to a to 71-60 victory over Tates Creek.  Lexington Catholic led 56-35 entering the final quarter but Tates Creek scrapped back to get within nine points, 69-60, late in the game.  The Knights utilized an aggressive half-court defense and 59.5% field goal shooting to avenge an earlier loss to the Commodores.

Lexington Catholic shot 59.5% from the field including six of 12 from the three point line.  The Knights connected on 15 of 22 free throws, pulled down 32 rebounds, and scored 22 points off 13 Tates Creek turnovers.  Tates Creek shot 37.5% from the field including four of 18 from beyond the arc.  The Commodores connected on 20 of 24 free throws, grabbed 24 rebounds, and scored 19 points off 17 Lexington Catholic turnovers.  Tates Creek held a 17-5 advantage in bench scoring.

Taylor Stewart led the victors with 20 points and six rebounds.  Nathan Novosel added 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Jordan Smart recorded 19 points including five three point baskets.  Zach Newton only scored two points but pulled down four rebounds, dished out eight assists, and recorded four steals.

Michael Sparks led Tates Creek with 16 points including 10 of 10 free throws.  Sparks pulled down eight rebounds and added three steals.  5-11 Jr. Carlos Parris and James Johnson added 11 points each.

Lexington Catholic	21	13	22	15	-	71
Tates Creek	5	12	18	25	-	60

Lexington Catholic	(71)	-	Stewart 20, Corvin 6, Novosel 19, Smart 19, Newton 2, Tribble 3, Botkin 2.
Tates Creek	(60)	-	Watkins 5, Dowlen 5, Johnson 11, Sparks 16, Spalding 6, Parris 11, Floyd 3, Wehrle 3.

Acknowledgements:

A special thanks to the Lexington Catholic stats crew Glenn Gentry and Gary Long for providing the computer statistics for tonight’s game.

Please send your comments and questions to Ron Harrison at prephoops@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other basketball events appear on http://www.kyprephoops.com.