Free Throws Lift Newport Catholic Past Lady Royals
By Victor McKay
Maysville, KY – Free throws have always made the difference in the outcome of a basketball game. The Mason County Lady Royals experienced that first hand Thursday night in a tough 59-46 loss to Newport Central Catholic.
NewCath made 19 of 35 free throws compared to Mason County’s 3 of 5 from the charity stripe. You read that correctly. The Lady Royals shot 30 less free throws in their matchup with the Thoroughbreds out of the ninth region.
Mason County played heads up basketball against a much taller NewCath team and despite giving up 12 points from the line in the second half alone, the Lady Royals matched NewCath point for point with both scoring 25 each.
But it was free throws that gave NewCath their second win of the season compared to five loses. The Thoroughbreds were led in scoring by Rylee Turner’s 25 points. The sophomore standout hit 9 of 18 free throws on the night.
Mason County was led in scoring by Rachael Payne’s 16 point effort, followed by Hayley White with seven and Macey Littleton and Nariyah Harrison both scoring six each.
The Lady Royals fell to 2-3 on the season and will travel to Bracken County Friday night for a girl/boy double header against the Polar Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. followed by the boy’s game at 7:30.
Mason County – 06 15 12 13 – 46
Newport Central Catholic – 19 15 14 11 – 59
Scoring:
Mason County: Milyn Henry 5, Haley White 7, Emma Taylor 4, Rachael Payne 16, Macey Littleton 6, Nariyah Harrison 6, Jayden Walton 2
Newport Central Catholic: Annie Heck 7, Rylee Turner 25, Piper Murphy 7, Madison McCloskey 4, Sam Grouse 8, Emma Brackman 5, Sofia Rodriquez 2, Maddie Kramer 1
