In a thrilling high school basketball showdown, No. 4 Madison Central pulled off a stunning upset against No.
1 Covington Catholic, securing a 70-60 victory in Richmond. Earlier this month, Madison Central had briefly lost its top spot due to an upset by Woodford County, but the Indians turned the tables on Friday night, toppling the top-ranked Colonels.
The game featured standout performances from the 9th and 11th Region Players of the Year. Cov Cath’s Austin McGillis led all scorers with 20 points, while Madison Central’s Jake Feldhaus was right behind with 19 points.
However, it was the Indians’ depth that made the difference. Luke Asher contributed 17 points, Grayson Burton added 15, and Cam Steele chipped in 11, helping Madison Central shoot an impressive 56.3% from the field.
Madison Central coach Allen Feldhaus praised his team’s shot selection, emphasizing their strategy to slow down Cov Cath’s fast-paced offense by forcing them into a half-court defense. This tactical approach paid off, as the Indians jumped to an early 8-0 lead, energizing the home crowd and setting the tone for the game.
Cov Cath came into the matchup with a formidable offense, ranking third in the state in scoring and field goal percentage, and riding a 20-game winning streak. Yet, on this night, their shots just wouldn’t fall, ending with a field goal percentage of 38.6%. Despite McGillis’ efforts, his 8-for-24 shooting highlighted the Colonels’ struggles.
Madison Central’s early dominance was evident with a 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, eventually stretching to a game-high 53-33 in the third. The Indians’ three-point shooting was crucial, with three triples in the third quarter alone maintaining their lead.
Jake Feldhaus noted Cov Cath’s struggle with Madison Central’s half-court offense, as the Colonels’ quick-shot strategy backfired. Cov Cath’s defensive plan to play small against the 6-8 Feldhaus by using 6-foot guard Teegan Stava, along with occasional double teams, limited his scoring but opened opportunities for his teammates.
The Indians also controlled the boards, particularly in the first half, with a 21-9 rebound advantage, finishing 35-25 overall. Feldhaus recorded another double-double with 13 rebounds, while Asher added seven boards and Steele provided six assists.
For Cov Cath, McGillis was the lone scorer in double figures, with Cash Harney, Brayden Myrick, and Teegan Stava contributing modestly.
In other news, No. 5 George Rogers Clark saw a reversal of fortunes as No.
2 Daviess County had a win overturned due to the use of an ineligible player, adding to their recent loss to Grayson County. The landscape of high school basketball rankings continues to shift as the season progresses.