Owensboro Catholic’s Ji Webb scored 19 of his game-high 27 factors after intermission Friday night time, and the Aces constructed a double-digit lead earlier than cruising to a 69-53 victory over Ohio County within the third Area Match semifinals on the Sportscenter.
With the victory, Catholic (18-9) advances to face Muhlenberg County (18-1) within the match title sport Sunday at 3 p.m.
Aces coach Tim Riley credited Webb, a 6-foot-6 junior ahead, with establishing the tone within the second half — particularly as Catholic continues to play with accidents to a number of key contributors.
“I assumed Ji’s ground sport is the perfect he’s ever performed,” mentioned Riley, whose workforce will seem in its second straight regional championship contest. “His decision-making, the stuff he’s completed on the ground, is the perfect he’s ever completed. Simply to see that development with him is de facto, actually massive for us.”
Webb additionally grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and dished three assists with a block, whereas Sam McFarland completed with 18 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists for the Aces.
“Sam’s been so massive,” Riley mentioned. “Sam’s develop into our No. 2 scorer. He simply made performs for us. He’s been actually good.”
Webb and McFarland mixed for 12 factors as Catholic claimed a 19-8 benefit after the primary quarter, however the Eagles reduce the deficit to seven factors when Josh Manning drilled a 3-pointer to convey his workforce inside 30-23 simply earlier than halftime.
“Ohio County is a horrible workforce to play behind in opposition to,” Riley mentioned. “We don’t need to get behind with them, so happily we received out and received a lead and held on to it the entire approach.”
The Eagles (13-11) trimmed the deficit to 5 factors twice early within the third quarter, however Catholic reeled off a 17-3 run to construct a 49-30 benefit with 1:18 left within the interval.
Again-to-back alley-oop dunks from Webb off high-low lobs from McFarland pushed Catholic forward 55-38, however the Eagles answered with a 12-5 scoring surge, coming inside 60-50 on a pair of Isaac Southard free throws with 1:46 to go.
Nonetheless, Catholic scored 9 of the sport’s last 12 factors to seal the victory.
Parker Grey completed with 12 factors for the Aces, who shot 29-of-42 from the sphere for 69%, together with 5-of-9 from deep (55.6%), and made 6-of-9 foul photographs (66.6%) with 14 turnovers.
Elijah Decker scored all 18 of his factors within the first half to steer Ohio County, whereas Manning completed with 12 factors, seven rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The Eagles made 15-of-42 ground makes an attempt for 35.7%, 9-of-23 photographs from distance (39.1%) and 14-of-18 free throws (77.7%) with 12 turnovers.
With their journey to the regional championship sport, Catholic has an opportunity to advance to its second straight state match — final season’s state competitors was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic — and the Aces’ third within the final six years.
The Aces understand it gained’t be a straightforward job, both.
“It’s going to be actually, actually onerous Sunday afternoon,” Riley mentioned, “however we’re going to be a workforce that has an opportunity to play in that sport.”
OHIO COUNTY8-15-12-18 — 53
OWENSBORO Cath.19-11-21-18 — 69
Ohio County (53) — Decker 18, Manning 12, Jennings 7, Renfrow 7, Southard 7, Morse 2.
Owensboro Catholic (69) — Webb 27, McFarland 18, Grey 12, Carrico 5, Mundy 4, Scales 3.
