Daviess County triumphed over Owensboro Catholic after successfully halting a potential late-game comeback in what was an intense 58-48 game between two of the top teams in Region 3. DCHS have now won 13 out of their last 14 games and sit 10-1 in regional play.
Luke Beickman opened the scoring after making a free throw, and that set the stage for Jonathan Moss to tie it up early at 3-3 with a three-pointer. Tutt Carrico set the tone of the game early on as he fought for a loose ball that he kicked out to Beickman for an easy two points. Both teams’ defenses were working hard early as Gage Phelps got a steal and finished at the basket at the other end. The Panthers wouldn’t allow them to gain a huge lead early as Ayden Ayer got a rebound and a second-chance basket followed by an open three by Moss to help give DCHS back the lead at 12-10. DCHS held their lead to the end of the quarter at 16-12.
The Panthers were able to make their lead more comfortable as they stopped the Aces on defense long enough to take the score to 27-18. Beickman and Solly Smith both took lanes to the paint in an effort to close the gap as much as possible by halftime.
After leading at halftime 30-22, Jaxon Brown got a steal and a bucket on the other end to kick off a 6-0 run for DC. The Panthers defense were doing well in the third quarter to thwart Catholic’s efforts in the paint, and this helped them extend their lead to 47-34 at the end of the third quarter. Daviess County head coach Neil Hayden said the team made defending the paint a point of emphasis because of how strong Catholic are on the glass.
“It was a huge point of emphasis,” he said. “They’re a good team that goes and attacks the glass and attacks the paint, so we really wanted to put emphasis on matching their physicality. They’re a strong group, so we felt like we had to be to match that. I thought we did a good job of holding our ground.”
Waryn Ebelhar hit a key three pointer early in the fourth to shift the momentum toward the Aces’ favor. After putting the pressure on DCHS with a 9-, OCHS brought the score back to just 6-points at 47-41 with 5:30 left on the clock. In the late stages of the game where every basket matters, Ayer pulled up from the free throw line and sunk the shot to keep the lead out of reach at 49-41. Tutt Carrico once again gave a big effort on both ends of the floor as he scored under the basket to make it a 4-point game at 49-45. He immediately followed up with a steal, but they couldn’t capitalize off of it.
It was at this point that Hayden had to remind the Panthers to stay confident and to play their own game so they did not have the game stolen out from their noses.
“Stay confident, have confidence in your passes and come to meet passes,” he said. Nothing has to change. Just be who you are and hold out.”
After Ayer and Brown both made 2 free throws, Beickman hit a big three-pointer to keep the Aces’ hopes alive at 53-48. Tutt Carrico then drove to the basket for what would have been a crucial and-1 play, but the contact made him miss the bucket and he went on to miss both free throws. DeAaron Watkins and Phelps both hit 2 free throws each to close out the game for Daviess County at 58-48.
Phelps and Moss led the charge for the Panthers with 18 and 15 points respectively as well as having 2 threes each. Watkins had 8 rebounds to go along with his 11 points on the night. Tutt Carrico led the Aces in the scoring with 16 points, and Beickman followed behind with 12 points.
This win takes Daviess County to 18-4 on the season and 10-1 in regional play. Hayden said this may have put the Panthers firmly in the driver seat, but they still have one more left and their game against Apollo on Feb. 9 will be a big one. This game helped them in more ways than one as he said this game forced the team to find new ways to win.
“Finding ways to win; that’s what I like,” he said. “We’re having to win in different ways, and that’s a good test as you go through the season. “
