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Reunion Assistance
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In the historic Dogwood Azalea neighborhood of Griffith Avenue in Owensboro, OCHS is a special place you spent several milestone years of your life. Maybe you moved on to raise your own family or pursued your dream career here or in another state. We invite you to come home!
Class reunions are the perfect time to get together with classmates and relive old memories. Plan a fun-filled weekend that allows you plenty of opportunities to catch up!
If your class year ends in 6 or 1, it’s your upcoming reunion year!
OCS staff is happy to provide you with a current class contact list and help promote your event. School tours and masses may be scheduled by calling Nicollette Vizuet at 270-686-8896.
Submit Alumni News and Updates
You are a part of our heritage!
What does being an Ace mean to you? We want to hear from you so we can share your stories. Alumni Relations would like to capture and preserve your unique perspective.
If you have moved or are moving, married and changed your name, please contact us and update your information. Share noteworthy accomplishments and events with fellow alumni.
Still receiving your children’s OCS mailings? Please send updates and photos to Haley.hamilton@owensborocatholic.org
Nicollette Vizuet Admissions and Alumni Relations Class of 2011 270-686-8896 nicollette.vizuet@owensborocatholic.org
to face 15th Region champion Martin County (22-12) in Rupp Arena.
The first eight of those Sweet 16 trips came at 4th Region power Warren Central, the team that Riley led to the 2004 state championship and a 2005 state runner-up finish.
Owensboro Catholic’s path to Riley’s 10th regional title was all uphill.
The Aces lost three straight games in December. They had a fourgame losing skid in February. They played five overtime games, losing three.
“We had some bad nights, too,” Riley says. “We had a running clock put on us by Owensboro (in the 22-point loss) and John Hardin (an 81-50 loss in December).”
Part of the issue was youth. Four sophomores, a junior transfer and two seniors comprised Catholic’s regular seven-player rotation.
The two most talented players, lead guard Brian Griffith (16.6 points) and post Ji Webb (13.1 ppg, 7.1 rebounds), are sophomores.
Seniors Drew Hartz (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) - a standout football quarterback pledged to Georgetown College - and Andrew Riney (7.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and junior Gray Weaver (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), round out the starting five.
“We struggled this year. I was worried for a long time,” Riley says. “But the thing about basketball, one good game can allow you to build some momentum.”
After Owensboro Catholic made a second-half charge in what became a 61-59 overtime loss at Muhlenberg County on Feb. 21, Riley says he went in the locker room and told his players “that the team that played in the second half tonight can win the 3rd Region Tournament.”
To turn the tables on Owensboro in the region finals, Riley’s plan called for limiting turnovers, keeping the Red Devils off It worked to perfection.
In a game in which they scored 56 points, the Aces put all five of their starters in double figures.
Griffith, who had struggled vs. Owensboro’s defensive pressure in the 9th District finals, controlled the game when it mattered most.
“He had eight turnovers in the district championship game,” Riley says. “He tried to beat Owensboro by himself. We had to convince him to give the ball up, trust he would get it back. And he did. He may not have had one turnover in the region championship.
He played a flawless game.”
For a fan, is there anything sweeter in sports than seeing your team play a persistent nemesis for an important championship and score a victory that defies all expectations?
“This is the 30th season I’ve cov ered them, and that is the best game I’ve ever seen an Owensboro Catholic boys’ team play,” says Pickens, the Owensboro sportswriter. “Riley has changed the culture there. ... They are not intimidated by Owensboro the way they used to be.”
What has resulted is a euphoria with which longtime Owensboro Catholic backers have little experience.
“Beating Owensboro to win the region was an important mo ment in the history of our school,” says Frank Hein, the longtime keeper of the scorebook for the Owensboro Catholic boys’ basketball program.
Jim Hartz watched his son, Drew, score 11 points and grab six rebounds for Catholic in the 3rd Region title win. In Jim Hartz’s days (1985-87) playing for Owensboro Catholic, the Aces never beat Owensboro at all, much less to win the region.
“Other than winning the state championship, beating Owensboro to (win the region) was as good as it gets,” Jim Hartz says. “It’s just an amazing feeling.” ♠
