Five Seniors Sign Letters of Intent
Congratulations to the following seniors, Phillip Fetter, Delaney Gardner, Sydney Raque, Abby Roberts, and Hannah Talbott for signing to play at the college level! A signing ceremony was held on Wednesday with all 5 athletes officially signing letters of intent to the following schools:
CAL Baseball is KY 2A State Championship Runner-Up!
The Christian Academy Louisville Baseball Centurions are the KHSAA 2021 Kentucky 2A Championship baseball runner-up! CAL lost to undefeated Paducah Tilghman, 10-7, on Sunday afternoon in Owensboro in a tightly contested championship game that developed into a slugfest in the sixth inning. Paducah Tilghman pushed across a first inning run to take a 1-0 lead before CAL tied the game in the third inning. Johnny Pohlman opened the Centurions’ third inning with a sharp single to left field. One out later, Logan McNair lined a single to center field with Pohlman stopping at second base. Avery Hare was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Pohlman scored one out later when Jack Mauzy drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game.
Tilghman scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 3-1 lead before CAL narrowed the margin with a single tally in the fifth inning. Hare opened the inning with a infield single and advanced to second two outs later on a passed ball before scoring when Marshall Mowder grounded a single into centerfield.
CAL took a 6-3 lead with a four-run sixth inning. With one out, Pohlman and Jack Perdue both singled and McNair drew a walk to load the bases. Pohlman tied the game when Hare reached on an infield single. One out later, CAL took a 5-3 lead when Perdue and McNair scored when Mauzy reached base on a throwing error with Hare scampering to third base and Mauzy to second. The Centurions’ fourth run of the inning scored when Mowder lined a single to right field to score Hare, CAL leading 6-3.
However, the lead didn’t last long. Tilghman sent 11 men to the plate in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs on only three hits, taking advantage of two CAL errors, two hit batsmen, and a walk to take a 10-6 lead that the Centurions could not overcome.
CAL did score once more in the game. Pohlman collected his third hit of the game with a one-out single before advancing to second one-out later on a wild pitch. McNair drove him home with a ground ball single into right field, but the late game excitement ended there.
CAL rapped out twelve hits in the game. Pohlman was 3-3 with three singles and a walk and Avery Hare had three singles in the game. Jack Perdue, Logan McNair, and Marshall Mowder all singled twice. Nathaniel Turner started on the mound for the Centurions, going five innings. Turner had relief help from Ben Kirk, Noah McCarty, and Will Thompson. Jack Mauzy made an outstanding running catch on a line drive in centerfield to end a fourth inning rally by Tilghman.
Three Centurions were named to the All-Tournament team: Avery Hare, Marshall Mowder, and Johnny Pohlman.
5 CAL Athletes Sign to Play at College Level
Congratulations to the following seniors, Jack Kemp, Jack Mauzy, Landon Mullaney, Cameron Tapp & Grace Walker who all signed letters of intent to play at the collegiate level.
A signing ceremony was held last Wednesday with all 5 athletes officially signing letters of intent to the following schools:
Jack Kemp (swimming) – University of the Cumberlands
Jack Mauzy (baseball) – Spalding University
Landon Mullaney (baseball) – Hanover College
Cameron Tapp (cross country) – Asbury University
Grace Walker (golf) – Centre College
Centurion Boys Basketball Wins Home Opener and Splits Two on the Road
After a six week Covid delay, our varsity basketball team finally took the court to begin the 2021 season. New coach Aaron Hill was excited to start back in November, but all games between Thanksgiving and the first week of January were canceled. Coach Hill and Athletic Director Brad Morgan tirelessly worked the phones to rework a nearly full
schedule beginning January 4th.
January 4th
CAL 90 Bardstown Bethlehem 56
CAL’s offense exploded for 90 points in a 32 minute game. We hit 55% of our shots and seven Centurions nailed at least one three pointer. Bethlehem had no answer for big man Stephen Wearsch who hit 9 of 10 shots from the field for 20 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore sensation George Washington scored 23 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc. Senior Brayden Daniels hit three treys as well en route to 14 points total. Hodge scored 6. McClure scored 6. Erhardt 7. Lagestee 5. This game was never in doubt as CAL’s confidence grew as the game wore on. We ended the game with a barrage of points scoring 52 in the final 16 minutes to pull away by 30.
January 8th CAL 85 Holy Cross (Covington) 86
In our first true road game up on the river in Newport, CAL almost stole a victory from a good Holy Cross team, losing a heartbreaker by one point. After a lackluster first half which saw our boys down by 6 or 7 points most of the time, coach Aaron Hill fired the boys up at halftime and we came out with a chip on our shoulder mounting a comeback that almost resulted in a victory. Captain Brayden Daniels was feeling it from deep. Daniels hit 6 three pointers en route to 21 points on the night. Newcomer Luke Erhardt proved his mettle scoring 13 points and hit several key free throws during our fourth quarter comeback. Tyler Lagestee calmly hit 3 three pointers at opportune times to help tie the game late. Stephen Wearsch took it upon himself to score 15 points alone in the third quarter including several old fashioned three point plays. He finished with 19 points. George Washington contributed 13.
CAL tied the game at 85 all with 10 seconds to play. It looked as though the game was going to go to overtime. We would have had a distinct advantage as Holy Cross lost a key guard to fouls and we had big momentum as well as no foul trouble for most of our key contributors. But, alas, the referees never let that happen. As time expired, the referee blew the whistle as two players fought for a rebound. Foul on CAL. Two shots for Holy Cross. He made one. Game over. A bitter pill to swallow for sure, but CAL proved they would never give up no matter what. This lesson learned would prove monumental the very next night.
January 9th CAL 73 Newport Central Catholic 63
After the painful loss the night before, CAL found itself in the same position against NCC. We were behind for three quarters. Down 6 at the start of the fourth. But this time we would not be denied the victory. CAL put it all together, mounted a comeback, and pulled away for a 10 point victory.
Maybe it was the seniors only meeting at BW3’s the night before, or maybe it was the meat and cheese they ate, but no matter, CAL was bent on stealing the win. Senior Conner Haun exemplified this winning attitude with his hustle play. Conner dove, kicked, and scrapped his way to numerous deflections and rebounds, drawing fouls, and getting to the free throw line. He finished with 8 points and many rebounds. George Washington introduced himself to Kentucky high school basketball by dropping 33 points and hitting seven 3 pointers. He will be a force to be reckoned with over the next several years. Brayden Daniels chipped in 6 points. Wearsch scored 9 second half points. Lagestee, of course, hit another 3 pointer. Erhardt scored double digits for the second straight game netting 10.
Our high scoring Centurions are averaging 83 points per game through three games. Eight different players have hit three pointers.
CAL Defeats Rival DeSales 7-3…Heads to 2nd Round of Playoffs!
In their first and only meeting of COVID 2020, a first round playoff matchup no less, CAL exorcises some demons defeating rival
DeSales 7-3.
After a sound defeat ending the 2019 Centurions’ season at the hands of the Colts, 30-7, the Centurions 5-2 (RPI #9) earned a measure of redemption on a cool Fri evening @ Taziki’s Field by holding on to defeat long-time District rival, the Colts of St Francis DeSales (RPI #14) to begin the Playoff season. Both teams were shorthanded as DeSales was without the services of James Johnson, their starting RB/ DE as a late scratch and CAL was without Adam Ballard, starting WR/ DB as a COVID casualty and Gage Geren, starting WR/ DB is recovering from a fractured ankle.
The first half was essentially a back and forth by 2 heavyweights dominated by Defense. CAL was able to move between the 20s on the ground for most of the game with 5 trips to the red zone. The one breakaway was at the end of the first quarter, a 60 yard sprint for the end zone by Easton Messer. DeSales was able to move the ball by the deep pass to the corners but was unable to muster anything except a short FG. The game was tied 7-3 @ half and that ended up the Final. The addition of Easton Messer to CB was also a significant help as he had an INT. Kudos to the O and D lines for holding their own against the most physical team in 3A!!
Notable individual efforts/ game high stats:
Masters – 7/18, 37 yds, 3 INTs
Brandt Babin – 26 rushes 173 yds; 1 catches 5 yds; 7 TT
(Brandt has just surpassed 3000 yards (3017) and we believe he is approximately 330 behind Nick Payne (2011-2014)
Easton Messer – 5 catches, 18 yds
Braeden Babin – 15 TT, 3 TFL, 1 sack
SPEECHLESS, Centurions!! CAL will travel to the District 4 #1 seed, the Mercer Co Titans (RPI #4) in Harrodsburg, KY on Fri 11/27 with the winner being named District 4 CHAMPS!! The Titans previously defeated the Centurions in OT on a FG 31-28 on 9/25 which seems ages ago!!
Remember, 4 weeks to go for the ‘SHIP @ Kroger Field!!
Six CAL Athletes Sign Letters of Intent
Congratulations to the following seniors, Elise Bearance, Ben Kirk, Molly Mast, Mirabel Noltemeyer, Claudia Thomas & Kaylee Wilson who all signed letters of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to play at the collegiate level. A signing ceremony was held on CAL’s soccer field with all 6 athletes officially signing letters of intent.
CAL Field Hockey Finishes Most Successful Regular Season in CAL History
This past week brought the long-awaited Kentucky state championship for field hockey, but it did not bring the hoped for result. To recap, an exceptionally talented CAL field hockey squad powered their way into the state championship through two exciting overtime games, including a quarterfinal overtime win against defending state champion Assumption, and a double overtime thriller over Ballard, a game decided by flicks. CAL was rolling and brought their 16-1 record into Monday, October 26 expecting to win their second state championship in four years.
But just 4 hours before the start, the KHSAA called off the game due to a player testing positive after the semifinal game between KCD and Sacred Heart. Contact tracing and a two and half week delay ensued. It was a tough blow for a team that had regained momentum and seemed poised to take home the trophy.
November 12 arrived and CAL lined up against Sacred Heart Academy for the fourth time this season in front of a sold out crowd of 650 masked fans. CAL struck first, with a goal by Claudia Thomas early in the second period. Thomas dribbled into the circle, heavily defended on the right side, and somehow slipped the ball through two defenders and past the keeper into the left side of the cage. The CAL faithful erupted, thankful to be watching field hockey again and elated to have the lead. The game momentum seemed to shift back and forth throughout the next two quarters, until midway through the fourth quarter when SHA intercepted a pass and quickly scored to force a 1-1 tie that would lead to yet another overtime. Early in the overtime period, call forced one of just two corners in the game and nearly scored to bring home a sudden victory. Shortly thereafter SHA was awarded its 11th corner of the game and scored the winning goal, putting an end to CALs amazing yet strange season.
Although this was not the result they hoped for, this squad can be proud of their accomplishments in a tenuous season that many thought unlikely to even happen. Despite COVID19 related delays at the start and end of the season, this squad stayed focused and persevered through numerous injuries, cancellations, and setbacks to become one of the most successful and decorated teams in CAL history. They were a force to be reckoned with whenever they stepped on the field. Though 2020 has brought many difficulties and frustrations, this CAL field hockey squad and season has a been a bright spot for all involved. Endings like these seem unavoidably hard, but this team is a great reminder of how there is much to be thankful for, even in the midst of loss.
Girls Cross Country Team are STATE CHAMPIONS!
What a weekend in Paris, KY. The course was hilly and a little soggy, but the high school cross country team was ready to run their hardest. Starting with the boys, Matt Rosenbaum led the centurions with Josh Jorden not far behind. Our 7 runners were able to secure 12th place out of 32 teams in Class 2A making Junior, Tommy Ott, proud as he had to miss to celebrate his brother’s wedding. Special congrats to Josh Schroering for getting a personal best on this difficult course.
After cheering for the boys, the girls were focused and ready to go! Our top 7 girls, including the fast 8th graders, Brooke Greenwell and Kristian Bohn, were all in the front of the pack keeping their lead until the end. Out of 26 teams, our girls took home the Class 2A gold with a rather large State Championship trophy. Way to go ladies!
Thank you, Coach Dewey, Coach Durbin and Coach JD, for making this such great season! We are already excited for next year!
CAL Field Hockey Remains Only Undefeated Team in the STATE!
The Centurions faced Mercy Academy and Seneca High School on Monday and Tuesday this past week and notched two more dominant victories on the road. CAL battled Mercy under the lights overcame a slow start to win 8-0 with goals from Allie Wheeler (2), Elise Bearance (2), Anne Marie Krebs (2), Mia Schoenbeck (1), and Karly Fetter (1). CAL defense anchored by keeper Abby Lala held off Mercy on four defensive corners to force another shutout.
On Tuesday, the Centurions traveled to Seneca High School for their second shutout of the week. Behind goals from Schoenbeck (2), Bearance (3), Wheeler (2), Jenna Doezema (2), Krebs (1) and Mollie Moses (1). This week the Centurions return to Taziki Field for two home matches against Manual (Tuesday, 6pm) and Collegiate (Thursday, 6pm). Don’t miss your chance to check the only undefeated high school field hockey team in Kentucky!
Three CAL Golfers Qualify for State!
Congratulations to Matthew Troutman, Grace Walker, & Hannah Talbott for qualifying at the 6th region golf tournament for this week’s KHSAA State Championship!