Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Brossart, NewCath busy at state 'A' Classic
Both schools send boys and girls teams
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Bishop Brossart boys basketball coach Willie Schlarman thinks the best way to prepare for the Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic is to stay in the dark about his opponent.
“I didn't want to know about them,” Schlarman said. “Last time I prepared for somebody before the tournament, I lost.”
The Mustangs make their first appearance in the small-school tournament against 15th Region champion Allen Central at 8 p.m. Thursday at Eastern Kentucky University. If Brossart wins, a potential date with Ninth Region winner Newport Central Catholic (which meets Fourth Region cham pion Glasgow at 9:30 p.m. Thursday) awaits.
One thing Schlarman and the Mustangs should know: at 24.4 points a game, the Rebels' Shawn Newsome is among the leading scorers in the state.
Brossart's challenge is not as great as NewCath's. The Thoroughbreds are the defending champions, but they'll have to contain Glasgow junior guard Brandon Stockton, who leads the state with 30.2 points a game.
“They're tough,” NewCath coach Ron Dawn said of the Scotties. “Brandon Stockton is probably the best point guard in the state; I know Kentucky's recruiting him. He's real quick.”
Look for NewCath to stay with the long-range shooting that brought it another Ninth Region title last week. The Thoroughbreds hit 20 3-pointers in wins over Ludlow and St. Henry, and senior guard Ronny Dawn had seven.
The girls tournament begins today with two games: Ninth Region champion NewCath against Third Region winner Whitesville Trinity at noon, and 10th Region representative Bishop Brossart meets Second Region champion Crittenden County at 8 p.m.
As with the boys tournament, there's a range of experience. Brossart has reached the finals the last three years — and won in 1999 — but NewCath hasn't been to Richmond since 1995. Trinity (11-6) has won its last four games.
Trinity is quick, led by guard Brooke Batman.
“(Batman) penetrates well,” NewCath coach Christie McDonald said. “She shoots the ball well.”
Brossart has the state's leading scorer in senior guard Katie Schwegmann (28.6 points a game). The Lady 'Stangs are 13-5 overall and 9-1 since Jan.3. Crit tenden County is 1-2 since winning the Third Region two weeks ago.
If Brossart wins, its biggest challenge probably awaits in the quarterfinals — Jackson County, the No.1 team in the state and No.12 in USA Today's Super 25. Schwegmann isn't worried.
“We're focused on the first game,” Schwegmann said. “You never know what can happen.”
Boys All 'A' schedule |
Girls All 'A' schedule
Boys basketball coverage
Girls basketball coverage
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Brossart, NewCath busy at state 'A' Classic
