When Owensboro Catholic lost Gray Weaver during their All “A” Classic run, some people counted the Aces out. When Catholic lost Brian Griffith a few weeks ago, many more counted Tim Riley and his squad out.
Those people were wrong.
Catholic led wire-to-wire Friday as they took down Ohio County 69-53 for their second-straight 3rd Region Tournament championship appearance.
“Once we lost them, everybody thought we were done,” Riley said. “We played that first game in the district. They kind of thought we were done, our opponent did. Just for these kids to hang out and fight to this point. Got another injury, it’s just part of it. Go with the flow.”
The Aces jumped out to a lead in the first frame with help from junior Ji Webb.
Webb had eight in the first and finished with a game-high 27 parents in the victory.
“I thought Ji’s floor game was the best he’s ever played,” Riley said. “His decision making and the stuff he did on the floor was the best he’s ever done. Just to see that kind growth in him is really, really big for us.”
Catholic led 19-8 after the first and 30-23 at the break.
Ohio County’s Elijah Decker was the reason the Eagles kept it close in the first half as the sophomore had all of his 18 points in the opening two quarters.
Riley said the Eagles pressure caused some issues but they were sorted out quickly.
“We just tried to get a little more familiar with it, try our best to get them organized the best we could,” he said. “This is our fourth game with this lineup so you’re trying to get organized.”
The Aces never trailed in the game and their lead quickly went to double digits in the third quarter as that was the closest Ohio County would get the rest of the way.
Riley said it was important not to let the Eagles back in the game.
“Ohio County is a terrible team to play from behind against,” he said. “We don’t want to get behind to them so fortunately we got a lead and held onto it the whole way.”
Sam McFarland also stepped up for the Aces, as he’s done several times since they lost Weaver and Griffith to injuries. The junior finished with 18 for Catholic.
“Sam’s been so big,” he said. “Sam’s been our No. 2 scorer. He made plays for us.”
Parker Gray also finished in double digits with 12 points, including three 3-pointers.
After their win Friday, the Aces are back in the 3rd Region Tournament championship. Catholic is the defending champions but didn’t get to play at Rupp Arena, due to Covid.
Riley said to get back to the Sweet Sixteen is going to be a difficult assignment as the Aces will battle XXXX at 3 p.m. Sunday for the title.
“It’s going to be really, really hard Sunday afternoon,” he said.
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 69, OHIO COUNTY 53
OHIO (13-11) 8 15 12 18–53
OC (18-9) 19 11 21 18–69
OHIO: Josh Manning 12, Jason Renfrow 7, Isaac Southard 7, Q’Daryius Jennings 7, Elijah Decker 18, Bo Morse 2
OC: Braden Mundy 4, Parker Gray 12, Luke Scales 5, Ji Webb 27, Sam McFarland 18
2021 basketball coverage is presented in part by Rhoads & Rhoads Attorneys at Law.
