CovCath-Holmes rivalry hasn't disappointed
Two schools turn it up a notch vs. each other
Nov. 21, 2013
Written by
Marc Hardin
Enquirer contributor
The Covington Catholic-Holmes basketball rivalry, entertaining Northern Kentucky fans for decades as Covington’s unofficial crosstown showdown, reached a state of extreme excitement last season with three games, two that determined championships by a combined victory margin of three points, including one that was decided by a buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt.
Third-year CovCath coach Scott Ruthsatz quickly became schooled in the ways of the city battle for bragging rights. “There is a lot of pride at both schools,” the coach said. “And that energy is transferred to the basketball court when these two teams play.”
Though Holmes has had the upper hand of late – going 18-12 the past 30 meetings, with 13 wins in the past 14 – five of the past seven games have been decided by four points or fewer.
“The rivalry is a very healthy rivalry and one that both sides have a lot of respect for,” Holmes coach Jason Booher said. “Both have a rich tradition in basketball, and fans from Northern Kentucky usually come to watch this game even though they are not tied to either school.”
Holmes defeated CovCath, 62-60, in last season’s Ninth Region tournament final at Northern Kentucky University for its fifth title in nine years, 13th overall, in front of one of the largest crowds to witness a local regional game. The Bulldogs advanced to the state quarterfinals.
The Colonels have captured eight regional titles, the last in 2006. They’ve been in six of the past 12 regional finals.
In last season’s district final, Nick Ruthsatz’s rainbow launched from beyond the midcourt circle beat Holmes, 73-72, for CovCath’s first win in the series since 2007. It snapped Holmes’ 12-game winning streak in the series, ended the Bulldogs’ five-year reign as district champions and gave coach Ruthsatz his only win in five attempts against them. The last previous CovCath district crown came with a fourth straight title in 2007.
“That meant a lot to us,” said Nick Ruthsatz, who scored 29 points in his most memorable performance since the family moved from New Jersey so his father could take the CovCath coaching job. James Bolden had 19 for Holmes. The dynamic guards went on to become local coaches’ association all-stars. They guarantee that this season’s meetings will crackle with star power.
“I had never been beat on a shot at the buzzer from behind halfcourt until last season,” said Booher, now in his 13th season, fourth at Holmes. The coach added to the rivalry’s allure by hiring Mike Listerman as an assistant after Listerman was let go as CovCath head coach. “He got used to wearing red a lot quicker than others got used to seeing him wear a red sweater vest rather than a blue sweater vest. He loved winning the region title, but I don’t know if playing his former school made it even sweeter. He has a lot of history and respect for the CovCath community.”
The surge in nerve-wracking games has ratcheted up the intensity. When the 2012 district final had to be played at NKU because the rivalry had outgrown its home confines, a fervor had grown to fever-pitch. The Colonels and Bulldogs are scheduled to meet in a Jan. 7 district contest at Holmes. It’s likely they’ll meet in the district tournament final for the 13th time in 15 years, and it’s possible that they could meet in the regional final for the second year in a row and fourth time in eight years.
“Holmes-CovCath is one of the best rivalries in Northern Kentucky, if not the state,” coach Ruthsatz said. “One of these two teams is always in the mix for a region championship, which makes the games all the more intense.”