Montgomery County snaps Highlands girls winning streak; boys fall to Conner

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team saw its five-game winning streak snapped by the Montgomery County Lady Indians, 63-52 Saturday in Fort Thomas.

Highlands had fallen behind and rallied in its two recent wins over Conner and Covington Holy Cross. But that did not happen in this game. The Bluebirds trailed 19-11 after the first quarter and 34-25 at halftime.

Montgomery County (19-5) also came into the game on a five-game winning streak. The Lady Indians have won the 10th Region seven of the previous eight seasons.

Highlands (16-7) did cut the margin to 47-40 entering the fourth quarter, but could pull off the win. Montgomery County’s biggest lead was 14 at 41-27 to start the third quarter.

Both teams saw three players score in double-figures. Jesse “Dirt” Daley led Highlands with 19 points making 7-of-11 shots and 5-of-6 free-throw attempts. Fellow Twin Tower Leah Schaefer scored 11 points making 5-of-6 free throws and Haley Coffey made 2-of-4 three-point shots for 10 points. Daley added nine rebounds.

Macie Spence, a 6-foot-3-inch center, led the Lady Indians with 18 points making 9-of-12 shots and eight rebounds. Teammates Erica Rogers and Olivia Colliver followed with 14 and 13 respectively. Colliver made all four three-point attempts and Rogers finished 2-of-7 on three-point attempts.

Montgomery County turned the ball over 12 times to eight for Highlands. The Bluebirds recorded 11 steals to five for the Lady Indians. Schaefer and Brianna Adler led Highlands with three thefts each.

But the Lady Indians shot better despite taking 15 fewer shots. They hit 24-of-45 shots for 53 percent, including 6-of-11 from long-distance for 55 percent and 9-of-11 free throws for 82 percent.

On the other side, Highlands made 18-of-60 shots for 30 percent including 5-of-25 from downtown for 20 percent. The Bluebirds also hit 11-of-14 free throws for 79 percent.

The Bluebirds play host to Beechwood (7-12) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Fort Thomas.

Conner boys 54, Highlands 40:

The Bluebirds hoped for consecutive wins for consecutive wins for the first time since beating Middlesboro to finish off the Pikeville Invitational Tournament and Villa Madonna.

That did not happen as the Cougars (9-10) built an 11-point 25-14 advantage and held on for the win in Fort Thomas on Saturday. Conner also led 36-25 entering the fourth quarter.

Samuel Hemmerich kept hitting big shots to keep Highlands in catch-up mode. He finished with 18 points on four three-pointers and Brady Padgett followed with 11 for the Cougars. Teammate Andrew Way added nine points on three three-pointers.

Junior Nick True led the Bluebirds finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Luke Turner followed with 10 points for the hosts.

Highlands (8-13) hits the road for four straight road games Tuesday. The Bluebirds travel to Cincinnati Schroder for a 7:30 p.m. contest.