‘It’s a team game, man.’ A defensive switch and ‘Play No. 1’ create path to finals.
Facing perhaps the hottest team this postseason, Lexington Catholic had to change a couple of things defensively to reverse an early deficit in the 11th Region Tournament semifinals Thursday.
But, offensively, one thing for the Knights didn’t change: “Play No. 1.”
“We just get it to No. 33, and things work out pretty well,” said Lexington Catholic Coach Brandon Salsman after his team’s 65-54 win over Frederick Douglass at Eastern Kentucky University’s McBrayer Arena.
That “No. 33” is junior Ben Johnson, Salsman’s pick for Mr. Basketball 2021. He’d vote for him this year if he could (the award is for seniors).
“Ben Johnson is one of the best players that’s ever played in this region,” Salsman said emphatically. “He’s phenomenal — what he’s been able to do this year. He put us on his back. …
“In our program … I’ve been watching Catholic basketball since the ’80s, and I’ve never seen anybody do what he does.”
Johnson scored a game-high 32 points with eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block and helped key an 18-2 LexCath run in the second period that switched the momentum permanently in the Knights’ favor.
Douglass, who stunned then-No. 3 Henry Clay in the 42nd District semifinals and then rode that wave to the district title and an 11th Region first-round rout of Berea, looked like a serious threat to keep rolling after outscoring the Knights 19-10 in the first period.
In that span, the Broncos had four points off turnovers, 10 points in the paint and a three-pointer to cap the period by Aidan Reid.
But the Knights quickly made a couple of defensive adjustments, first slowing the game down by not putting on their signature full-court press, and then also switching to a 3-2 zone defense instead of playing man-to-man.
“I think the zone really stopped the penetration and made them hit outside shots,” Johnson said. “After we got a few stops in a row, I think that’s when we got the momentum.”
With three defenders up top, Lexington Catholic effectively shut down the drives into the lane that were so devastating to Broncos’ opponents last week. Broncos guard DaShawn Jackson had been averaging more than 29 points per game in the postseason. He had 16 points Thursday and only got to the free-throw line twice, missing both. In their upset of Henry Clay, Jackson went to the foul line 18 times and made 17 of those attempts.
Douglass cut the lead to three points twice in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer as Johnson answered each with points on the following possessions.
“We knew Douglass was a really good team,” Johnson said. “We knew we had to come out here and give it everything we got. We played as hard as we could.”
Johnson had a block, two steals and seven points during the decisive second period stretch that also saw a pair of three-pointers from Luke Wedding, a basket and foul shot from Jack Gohmann and a pair of free throws from Jackson Smith.
While Johnson ended up with almost half of LexCath’s total points, he was quick to credit his teammates.
“It’s a team game, man,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t be able to have 32 points without the teammates I have. They got me the ball in good spots. All I had to do is make the easy play.”
Douglass (21-12) also got 12 points from Jaylan Green and 10 from Reid. Gohmann finished with 12 points and Smith had 11 for the Knights.
Next, Lexington Catholic (31-2) will face Scott County, a winner in the late semifinal over Tates Creek.
“We’ve got a lot left, trust me,” Johnson said. “The team’s deep. We’ve got a bunch of people that can play their roles. I think we’ve got a good shot to win it and go to Rupp.”
Scott County finds form
It might be a different kind of Scott County team than the juggernaut that menaced the 11th Region over the years, but this year’s Cardinals secured their customary place in the region finals with a 64-43 win over Tates Creek.
“I told them tonight before we started, I said, ‘Here’s the thing guys: Nobody gave you this opportunity. You’ve totally earned every piece of it. You earned it every day in practice and each of these games we put together here at the end,” said Scott County Coach Tim Glenn, who faced the unenviable task of following the legendary Billy Hicks with a program split by the formation of a new school. “I said, ‘Nobody expected you to do this.”
Scott County made its fifth straight region finals thanks to a commanding second quarter against Tates Creek that stretched the lead to 35-20 at halftime. Tates Creek would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way.
Senior Terrin Hamilton, the Cardinals’ only player that had played significant varsity minutes last season, scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, nine of them on the offensive end. Elias Richardson added 13 points and Mikaleb Coffey had 11. Tates Creek (17-14) was led in scoring by RJ Smith’s eight points.
The Cardinals’ postseason success has pushed their record to 18-16, assuring a winning season for a team that was 8-12 in January.
“It took a while for these guys to figure out what they’re good at and what we’re good at as a team,” Glenn said. “I think these guys have got themselves where they’re good enough now that we’d be dangerous to play anybody.”
Saturday
Lexington Catholic vs. Scott County
What: 11th Region Tournament championship game
Where: EKU’s McBrayer Arena in Richmond
When: 5 p.m.
At stake: Winner advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena March 18-22
Live video broadcast: PrepSpin.com
