Highlands, NewCath to meet again for 36th Girls hoops crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Alex Combs goes in for the score in a recent game against Simon Kenton. Highlands recorded a sound 36th District semifinal win over Bellevue on Tuesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

For the second straight year since the 36th District changed from the blind draw to the seeding format, the top-seeded Highlands Ladybirds will take on the second-seeded Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds for the crown.

Last year, Highlands beat NewCath, 45-40 on The Hill to earn the top seed. But the Thoroughbreds won the district championship, 55-45 at the same location. That marked the fifth title in six seasons for the Thoroughbreds. The teams meet for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m.

Highlands (28-3 overall) blew out Bellevue, 66-13 in the first semifinal game at Newport. Twelve different Ladybirds scored in the win. Lydia Graves led the Ladybirds with 12 points and Alex Combs scored 11. Lauren Epperson came in and scored nine.

Bellevue turned the ball over 30 times on 19 Highlands steals to five turnovers for the Ladybirds and two Lady Tiger steals. Graves and Olivia McQueary led Highlands with three steals each. Highlands outscored Bellevue, 41-0 in points off turnovers.

Highlands made 26-of-52 shots for 50 percent, including 10-of-25 from three-point range for 40 percent. The Ladybirds also hit 4-of-7 free throws for 57 percent.

Bellevue made just 5-of-19 shots for 26 percent and none of its three three-point tries. The Lady Tigers hit 3-of-6 free throws for 50 percent.

Eleven of the Bellevue points came from one person. That was junior Kira Ross.

NewCath (19-11) took care of the host Newport Ladycats in the second game, 66-43. Newport last made the district title game two years ago.