Knights knock Rockford boys off Top of Iowa-East top spot

Newman Catholic sweeps varsity basketball doubleheader against Rockford

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

ROCKFORD — It had been getting crowded at the top of the Top of Iowa-East Conference boys basketball standings.

And even after three of the “Top’s” top contenders played meaningful games on Tuesday, the conference is still up for grabs.

But with Newman Catholic completing its regular-season sweep over Rockford by rolling in an 80-55 final, the Warriors no longer have a share of the perch.

Rockford’s conference record was 9-2 going into its home game — the same conference record of Osage. Newman Catholic was 10-3 before traveling to Rockford.

With Osage defeating North Butler at home, 58-31, the Green Devils now have sole possession of the top spot.

Brady Gatton scored 17 points and Joe Scholl added 16 for the Knights, who improved to 12-4 overall. Justin Fausnaugh also reached double-figures for the Knights with 11 points, which included three 3-pointers.

Fausnaugh’s first trey came right after he was re-inserted in the game in the second quarter. It was a 30-foot bomb.

Before Fausnaugh could get rebuked by his coaches for taking such a shot, he hit the floor to retrieve a missed shot on the next Newman possession and found Merritt McCardle spotting up for another 3-pointer which put the Knights up by 13 (33-20) before going into the locker room up 39-25.

Junior Jacob Staudt had a game-high 20 points including four 3-pointers, and senior Zach Bushbaum added 14 for Rockford (12-4 overall), but it was far from enough for the Warriors, who couldn’t crack the Knights’ half-court zone and — despite their press and on-ball pressure resulting in several steals and turnovers — couldn’t get the stops they needed on defense to pose a threat.

* In the previous girls game, Newman Catholic resembled a hockey with its continuous 5-for-5 “line” changes.

The Lady Knights never had a “power play” but were in the penalty for the entire second quarter and half of the fourth while making 18 free throws on way to a 72-52 victory.

Knight all-stater Peyton Olson had 9 of them including several 3’s and 2’s while scoring a game-high 27 points for Newman Catholic (9-8, 7-6).

Kayla Carroll and Jamie Schuster scored 16 and 12 points, respectively, for Rockford (4-12, 4-8).

Girls Basketball

NEWMAN CATHOLIC 72, ROCKFORD 52

Scoring By Quarters

NEWMAN CATHOLIC 20 19 18 15 — 72

ROCKFORD 7 21 11 13 — 52

NEWMAN CATHOLICS (72)

Lily Castle 2, Hailey Worman 9, Faith Wadle 4, Maria Determan 11, McKenzie Sullivan 1, Peyton Olson 27, Kailah Thompson 4, Emma Verstegen 7, Paige Walker 4, Keelan Curley 3.

ROCKFORD (52)

Amber Reams 4, Jamie Schuster 12, Olivia Harden 4, Sierra Kuhlers 2, Morgan Thieman 7, Kayla Carroll 16, Colbie Schmitt 2, Jenna Paulus 5.

Boys Basketball

NEWMAN CATHOLIC 80, ROCKFORD 55

Scoring By Quarters

NEWMAN CATHOLIC 16 23 17 24 — 80

ROCKFORD 10 15 13 17 — 55

NEWMAN CATHOLIC (80)

Isaac Fettkether 4, Joe Scholl 16, Josh Fitzgerald 12, Brady Gatton 17, Justin Fausnaugh 11, Merritt McCardle 3, Ian Holmgaard 7, Jacob Schutt 4.

ROCKFORD (55)

Andrew Longcor 1, Jacob Staudt 20, Zach Bushbaum 14, Alex Schriever 4, Max Rooney 6, Kaden Lyman 3, Jared Marth 1, Matthew Schubert 6.