Ladycats earn bi-district championship over Bellevue

Ladycats earn bi-district championship over Bellevue News Staff Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:58 pm

• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Newcastle Ladycats earned a bi-district championship Monday, Feb. 12 with a 54-20 win over Bellevue. The Ladycats will progress in the playoffs with an area round matchup to be determined.
• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle’s Mattie Dollar (22) brings the ball up the court with teammates around her to help Monday, Feb. 12 during the team’s 54-20 bi-district win over Bellevue.
• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle’s Camren Mallory passes the ball off to one of her teammates Monday, Feb. 12 during the Ladycats’ 54-20 bi-district win over Bellevue.

There was understandably some rust to shake off after not playing for about a week, but it didn’t matter as the Newcastle Ladycats eventually got on a roll and earned a bi-district championship win over the Bellevue Lady Eagles 54-20.

Playing at a neutral site in Forestburg, Newcastle was well represented as the Ladycats earned the first of what many hope will be multiple playoff wins this postseason. It took a few minutes to get going but the Ladycats showed why they’ve been one of the top-ranked teams in Class 1A all season.

“I thought we were a little rusty. Early on, we gave up a few buckets that we shouldn't have given up but then we kind of figured life out and stepped it up,” head coach Ryan Dollar said. “We haven't played in a week so it's kind of like coming off Christmas break. You’ve got to get back in the flow of things.”

The Ladycats controlled the opening tipoff but took a couple minutes to get their first basket, which they did on a shot at the rim from senior Mya Cabrera. Newcastle missed a few more shots early on but still opened up a 6-0 lead before Bellevue knocked down a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter.

Over time, the Ladycats began to settle in and run their offense more efficiently. Junior Mattie Dollar scored six points in the opening frame to help her team go up 13-5 before the Lady Eagles hit another 3-pointer to make it 13-8 at the end of the first quarter of play.

As the second quarter got underway, the Ladycats figured things out on both sides of the ball. Over the next eight minutes of game time, Newcastle outscored Bellevue 15-1.

Dollar scored the team’s first seven points to start the second quarter while the only point Newcastle allowed in the period was on a free throw from Bellevue. Sophomore Sophie Terrell scored near the basket on a quick pass from outside by Cabrera and at halftime, Newcastle led 28-9.

“It's not always perfect, but we're going to play hard and we're going to play together,” Ryan Dollar said. “That's kind of what we preach is if they can't score, they can't win. It's kind of our motto.”

Defense became the focal point for Newcastle the rest of the game. The Ladycats hadn’t allowed a Bellevue basket since the final minute of the first quarter and didn’t allow another one until two minutes into the third quarter.

Many of the Lady Eagles’ possessions involved a lot of standing around and dribbling, with some passes mixed in but not many shots due to Newcastle’s active defense. Meanwhile, the Ladycats’ offense continued to work as Dollar and freshman Camren Mallory did all the scoring in the third quarter. Heading into the final frame the Ladycats led 37-11.

Newcastle’s starters continued to push Bellevue on offense and defense. Cabrera scored the team’s only 3-pointer in the game early in the fourth quarter on an assist from Mallory. With a little more than three minutes remaining, the Ladycats’ reserve players entered the game to finish things off.

“I thought (my team) stepped up well defensively,” Ryan Dollar said. “We ran the floor, pushed the ball well and got some easy buckets. (We) executed really well offensively late, early in the fourth quarter. I thought we ran some sets and we ran them really well.”

Dollar led the way for the team with 22 points while hauling in eight rebounds. Mallory was second on the team in scoring with 14 points and she contributed a team-high five assists. Cabrera was the other Ladycat in double figures in scoring with 11 points.

The Ladycats walked off the court with a huge bi-district championship win and will move on to the area round of the playoffs. Newcastle will take on Bloomburg with a date and time still to be determined.

• Sports

Breaking News Off