Story Matters

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Bluebirds Handle Visitors from Down Under

Highlands Owns Two Straight Victories

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey. DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Griffin Huber (15) makes a move in a recent game. Highlands won its second in a row Monday with a 77-47 win over Trinity Grammar from Sydney, Australia.
The Highlands Bluebird boys basketball team (2-4 overall) would not mind seeing more lopsided games in their favor like this.

Highlands started the game with a senior Tyler Gulley dunk off a nice feed from junior Nate Roberts. The Bluebirds proceeded to score the game's next 11 points to go up 13-0 and pull away for a 77-47 win over Trinity Grammar from Sydney, Australia on Monday in Fort Thomas.

Things started on the defensive end with Highlands not allowing Trinity many easy looks. Trinity made 21-of-43 shots for 49 percent including two triples and 3-of-6 free throws for 50 percent. Trinity also had 15 turnovers on four Highlands steals.

On the other side, Highlands hit 28-of-51 shots for 55 percent including 10 three-pointers and 11-of-16 free throws for 69 percent. The Bluebirds also had 14 turnovers  on eight Trinity steals.

"What I know about the international teams is they do a tremendous job of moving the basketball and running their stuff so we really tried to pressure them and force them out of their sets and actions," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "I felt for the most part, our kids did a good job of it. We're still finding ourselves. I've been talking to the kids about energy and focus and I thought we had four really good quarters of that. I was very proud of them. What a great experience to be able to do this during the season and it's something they're going to remember for the rest of their lives."

The balance showed on the home side as 14 different Bluebirds scored. Highland senior guard Carl Schoellman made four three-pointers to lead the Bluebirds with 12 points. He made one to beat the buzzer at halftime from beyond the top of the arc.

Gulley and senior Jacob Noe followed with 10 points each. Noe and Jack Hegge made two three-pointers each. Hegge finished with eight points.

"(Monday) felt really good," Gulley said. "I felt we finally put it together. The scoreboard showed it. I think that's promising. When you develop the inside game first, (opponents) have to start crashing down low. You can kick it out. If you can rely on your offense to hit three's, it makes it very difficult to guard that."

Trinity saw two players score in double figures. Jack Nichol finished with 20 points and Earvin Dizon scored 14.

Highlands led 38-15 at halftime and extended the lead to 59-29 entering the fourth quarter. The Bluebirds played their reserves in the fourth quarter. Freshman Sam Vinson scored seven points.

"Anytime you can get those young guys on the floor and get meaningful minutes, it is great," Listerman said. "They stepped up and contributed. That's the mark of a program when you start to develop that depth. (Monday) was a great night to get a lot of guys playing time."

The Bluebirds travel to Ludlow (1-4) on Thursday. Game time is 8 p.m.


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