Highlands, NCC boys post wins Thursday

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The host Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team won for just the second time in eight games Thursday, 64-54 over the Cincinnati Seven Hills Stingers.

Drew Houliston shot lights out for the Bluebirds (8-12) making 14 free throws and three three-pointers on his way to 29 points. Teammates Bailey Witte and Nick True followed with 12 and 11 respectively.

Highlands won the final quarter, 26-14 to pull away. The Bluebirds trailed 34-29 at halftime and 40-36 entering the fourth quarter.

Brian Goertemoeller led the Stingers (5-10) with 15 points on four three-pointers and T.J. Robinson scored 19. Seven Hills made 11 three-pointers.

The Bluebirds take on Conner (8-9) on Saturday in Fort Thomas. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

All “A” State First Round:

NCC boys 47, Somerset 33:

The Thoroughbreds (18-2) pulled away in second half to beat the 12th Region champion Briar Jumpers (14-6) to open the All “A” State Tournament at the Franklin Convention Center.

Both teams saw three players reach double-digits. Drew McDonald led NewCath with 19 points and eight rebounds. Teammate Jake Schulte turned in a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds to go with a dunk and Michael Bueter turned in another solid game making 7-of-7 free throws for 11 points.

The Thoroughbreds made 17-of-46 shots for 37 percent and held the Briar Jumpers to 11-of-43 shooting for 27 percent. NewCath trailed 20-19 at halftime before pulling away with a 13-5 third quarter to go up 32-25.

NewCath doubled up Somerset in the steals department, 10-5. The Thoroughbreds outscored the Briar Jumpers, 17-6 in points off turnovers. Bueter led NewCath with four steals.

Ryan Dishman led Somerset with 11 points. Teammates Tyson Williams and Matt Gordon followed with 10 each.

NewCath made 13-of-17 free throws for 76 percent. Somerset shot around the same percentage but made four fewer trips to the line making 10-of-13 for 77 percent.

NewCath faces 6th Region champion Louisville Holy Cross (6-15) in the All “A” State quarterfinals tonight. Game time is 8 p.m. back in Frankfort.