tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35355007583150148812024-02-06T18:42:55.171-08:00Fort Thomas Matters SportsMark Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11541893600137325198noreply@blogger.comBlogger1795125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-86552282445717798682022-02-14T21:45:00.005-08:002022-02-14T21:45:51.398-08:00Highlands Girls Fall in Independence<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Two Games Left in Regular Season for Bluebirds</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnawq4CemEHs_Qli-m31TgLX8nDrcEx8lLWxmsrBHUp2xIGS3whroP2iEV3H2gAOiw1kSEG-N7o3lUeBbeqiGlMKp6SDAOxfwDZVEJWaVFHzHDy5kS6sRP9tkogwY0bfv6uv89puRZyypmhfnfq_jV3Iu9fQbRLrO6Uq5zFHr9ATqq_kru--WBeaPW=s720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="720" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnawq4CemEHs_Qli-m31TgLX8nDrcEx8lLWxmsrBHUp2xIGS3whroP2iEV3H2gAOiw1kSEG-N7o3lUeBbeqiGlMKp6SDAOxfwDZVEJWaVFHzHDy5kS6sRP9tkogwY0bfv6uv89puRZyypmhfnfq_jV3Iu9fQbRLrO6Uq5zFHr9ATqq_kru--WBeaPW=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlands sophomore center Kasey Gross and junior guard Ellie Walz try to cut off a driver during a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (9-15 overall) dropped a road decision against the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers (16-10) on Monday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds had no answer for Simon Kenton eighth grade forward/guard <b>Anna Kelch</b>. She made four triples on her way to 20 points. The Lady Pioneers made 4-of-9 free throws for 44 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 8-of-17 free throws for 47 percent. Junior point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b> led the way scoring 10 points. Freshman center <b>Marissa Green</b> and senior guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> scored eight points each.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Ludlow (22-5) on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-2347277218972891162022-02-13T20:42:00.002-08:002022-02-13T20:53:06.235-08:00Highlands Hits Season-Low in Points in Region Loss<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Struggles Against Top Teams in Region Continues for Bluebirds</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoV4Zo8gukyqnYt70ldHJMBZBf4zSAe11dasQo7uh_THmjuAWnSxA9PgEPhn-uvbaAOT-e_7BUPOBkoGVxKWA7VuGai-Cu2Pf36fLa0BClcB2ZQuTfyg7oC3JaVvPwSoHIusbtOrNLGj_qS2RKgg29Os_y6spdhHImu58ehas1aJHvuO4DLIYKedqi=s313" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="313" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoV4Zo8gukyqnYt70ldHJMBZBf4zSAe11dasQo7uh_THmjuAWnSxA9PgEPhn-uvbaAOT-e_7BUPOBkoGVxKWA7VuGai-Cu2Pf36fLa0BClcB2ZQuTfyg7oC3JaVvPwSoHIusbtOrNLGj_qS2RKgg29Os_y6spdhHImu58ehas1aJHvuO4DLIYKedqi=w400-h279" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands sophomore Laney Smith (19) dribbles into position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The struggles against the top teams in the 9th Region continued Saturday for the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (9-14 overall).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands has yet to score more than 29 points in any game against a team ranked in the top seven in terms of the Ratings Percentage Index in the region in six games. The Bluebirds recorded their season-low in a 53-16 loss at the Conner Lady Cougars (21-3).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds made just 6-of-30 shots for 20 percent including just 1-of-15 from three-point range for seven percent and 3-of-9 free throws for 33 percent. Highlands collected 27 rebounds to go with 26 turnovers, five assists and three steals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman 6-foot-20-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> had seven points and six rebounds to lead the Bluebirds. Freshman guard <b>Ellie Mohr</b> also had six rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Conner had two players score in double figures. Senior forward <b>Lauren Hawthorne </b>had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Junior forward <b>Juliet Strange</b> added 11 points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lady Cougars made 20-of-56 shots for 36 percent including 7-of-27 from three-point range for 26 percent and 6-of-11 free throws for 55 percent. Conner also collected 34 rebounds.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Simon Kenton (15-10) on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-3665816189055990732022-02-11T18:09:00.011-08:002022-02-13T20:06:25.864-08:00Highlands Dominates Newport<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Earn Third Seed in 36th District Tournament</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZO21fanZxXzYpD837lDWsVhkqsjyipbeu0LPZ8MjLEr-2Tp5TUNCOatud0FeC2hCC707cDvLN3Bsm8iZfI-9UflTR7dVE0xeiUOxHrisyQz1F-PkUd9YtrsJFXjO16c-eDwmtr_s93sR4CJGf8kgi2ybTP-rHCeqL_z5mYd3IcFuNVdas7L7-IYbA=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZO21fanZxXzYpD837lDWsVhkqsjyipbeu0LPZ8MjLEr-2Tp5TUNCOatud0FeC2hCC707cDvLN3Bsm8iZfI-9UflTR7dVE0xeiUOxHrisyQz1F-PkUd9YtrsJFXjO16c-eDwmtr_s93sR4CJGf8kgi2ybTP-rHCeqL_z5mYd3IcFuNVdas7L7-IYbA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior point guard Alyssa Harris sets up to shoot a free throw in a game earlier in the week.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (9-13 overall) knew another district loss would mean having to win twice in the 36th District Tournament to make it to the 9th Region Tournament.</p><p>The Bluebirds made sure that did not happen dominating the Newport Ladycats (15-6), 50-13 on Friday at Russell Bridges Gym. Highlands finished 1-2 in district play and will be the third seed in the district tournament to be played at Bellevue.</p><p><b>"It was great how the girls responded from that (52-45) loss at Bellevue (on Wednesday),"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"We watched film from that game for about an hour or so then came back up and went over things for about 45 minutes. Film is such a teachable tool we try to use whenever we can. The things that we did on Wednesday aren't things that we're supposed to do. When they saw that on film, they were like, 'Oh.' So we made sure we didn't do the same things (Friday)."</b></p><p>Highlands saw nine different players score in the win. Junior point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b> led the way with 13 points making three three-pointers and freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> scored 10. Green also had nine rebounds.</p><p>Highlands made 19-of-41 shots for 46 percent including 7-of-19 three-point shots for 37 percent and 3-of-4 free throws for 75 percent. The Bluebirds also had 17 assists, 12 steals, 14 turnovers and 23 rebounds.</p><p><b>"We preach that to them,"</b> Richey said. <b>"When we're watching film, some of those girls didn't get in. In the film, it's one person. But it's really all of them that we're talking to so we don't make the same mistakes."</b></p><p>Newport did not have anyone score more than five points. The Ladycats made 2-of-4 free throws for 50 percent.</p><p>The win marked the 401st since Richey took over the program in 2002. That ties her for 35th on the all-time wins list for Kentucky girls basketball head coaches with 25-year Villa Madonna Head Coach <b>Don Shields</b>, who retired in 2014.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Highlands travels to Conner (20-3) on Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m.</p>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-91121354657948458332022-02-09T20:06:00.003-08:002022-02-09T20:06:18.885-08:00Bellevue Stuns Highlands<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Drop District Game</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3aOEZM0Q-V03riAuVoE2pGddoxt0d6MuKgDYGlDybroKwXBclXAxqClkGNmVYrOZJrYEaNxVxiZRWgpJEu8KDvp1Izd_bsuwqdrtDIsnqyWQCxEZyS_kuhVnj_i-SqeCtWYlLq7CvZpHWiSCYzybfKhUIyVuQMBgP578gqzeAjQOOSNIxS1IODpep=s1266" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="834" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3aOEZM0Q-V03riAuVoE2pGddoxt0d6MuKgDYGlDybroKwXBclXAxqClkGNmVYrOZJrYEaNxVxiZRWgpJEu8KDvp1Izd_bsuwqdrtDIsnqyWQCxEZyS_kuhVnj_i-SqeCtWYlLq7CvZpHWiSCYzybfKhUIyVuQMBgP578gqzeAjQOOSNIxS1IODpep=w264-h400" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands sophomore Laney Smith (1) gets in defensive position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Two days after a huge win, the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (8-13 overall) dropped a 36th District contest.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands built a 29-19 halftime lead. But ended up losing 52-45 to the Bellevue Tigers (14-7) on Wednesday. The Bluebirds are 0-2 in district play.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Free throws made a huge difference in this game. Bellevue made 12-of-15 for 80 percent and Highlands made just 8-of-18 for 44 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands placed two players in double figures. Freshman center <b>Marissa Green</b> and freshman guard <b>Ellie Mohr</b> scored 11 points each. Eighth grade guard <b>Kaylee Mills</b> scored eight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bellevue had one player reach double digits in senior forward <b>Jaden Bivens</b> with 12. Two freshmen in guard <b>Sydni Massey</b> and forward <b>Courtney McCarty</b> scored nine points each.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays host to Newport (15-5) on Friday. Game time is 6 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-38279852734236164962022-02-07T11:45:00.002-08:002022-02-07T11:45:31.785-08:00Highlands Weekend/Monday Notes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Highlands Boys Swimming, Diving Team Wins Region for Fifth Straight Year</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4KJDa2LpofD2MKPK--uWlsfUo2ot-6N0UYlTwiqA2MWp6x22M6fWyZ5e1AH9a698_nkb2zu47i2jOS4UOMbFfRbrtMo7xncxuwc4jWRg3zVflqlRXpvFv-NqGmK668Ke4omtvtbobGEBX3KyGlZ2G5hR3BNhbDLq8NXhBfJxpejifE809EG8Ei1BP=s701" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4KJDa2LpofD2MKPK--uWlsfUo2ot-6N0UYlTwiqA2MWp6x22M6fWyZ5e1AH9a698_nkb2zu47i2jOS4UOMbFfRbrtMo7xncxuwc4jWRg3zVflqlRXpvFv-NqGmK668Ke4omtvtbobGEBX3KyGlZ2G5hR3BNhbDLq8NXhBfJxpejifE809EG8Ei1BP=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facebook Photo. The Highlands Swimming and Diving Teams participated in the 7th Region Meet over the weekend. The Highlands boys won it for the fifth straight year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds boys swimming and diving team won its fifth straight 7th Region Crown over the weekend.</div><p>Highlands won it with 447.5 points edging Ryle by 5.5 points. The Highlands girls took fifth with 193 points.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Junior <b>Matt Herfel</b> won the 100-yard Breaststroke in one minute, 1.06 seconds and senior <b>Benjamin Vaught</b> took second in 1:01.44. Senior <b>Sam Jones</b> won the 500 Freestyle in 4:41.66 and the 200 Freestyle in 1:43.84.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Herfel and Jones also helped the 400 freestyle relay team to a second-place finish in 3:18.06. Other members of that team are juniors <b>Evan Jones</b> and <b>Adam Pawlak</b>. Pawlak finished second in the 100 Butterfly in 55.54 seconds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Herfel also helped the 200 freestyle team finish runner-up in 1:30.38. Other members of the team were sophomore <b>Charlie Banks</b>, junior <b>Bode Russell</b> and seventh grader <b>Chanith Abeysinghe</b>. Jones, Vaught, Pawlak and Charlie Banks helped the 200 Medley Relay team to a second-place finish in 1:39.36.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman <b>Sarah Jones</b> won the 100 Backstroke in 59.35 seconds. Eighth grader Ragan Moore finished second in the 50 Freestyle in 25.27 seconds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bowling:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Highlands Girls Fall in First Round:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds lost in the first round of the state tournament at Executive Strike and Spare to Cooper, 3-1 (139-142, 171-128, 148-132, 163-132). They earned the 12th seed bowling a total of 736 in the preliminaries Monday.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands has advanced to the state tournament eight times. They have not advanced past the first round since 2019 when the Bluebirds bested Harrison County before losing to Campbell County in the state quarterfinals.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-9338298645776538482022-02-04T09:54:00.004-08:002022-02-04T09:54:51.185-08:00Highlands Girls Bowling Wins Region Crown<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Headed to State for Eighth Time in Program History</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj5tJJvRPA4heYGIRTVN0dnkPd1fjZYg18aDWm14-xkGP_I7jEsd6fHbrbVC9OsOsdMBWQpHZqQz13L8KUESWEKJQwgf8bCdlbkLwdriX5Y1L43RLPj5516CTww_no-3jyqZJiy9FIX1ZS64moh00EbNvo_WgfF5w92xay_UyVx3FIf0NAbQaHkLrN=s680" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhj5tJJvRPA4heYGIRTVN0dnkPd1fjZYg18aDWm14-xkGP_I7jEsd6fHbrbVC9OsOsdMBWQpHZqQz13L8KUESWEKJQwgf8bCdlbkLwdriX5Y1L43RLPj5516CTww_no-3jyqZJiy9FIX1ZS64moh00EbNvo_WgfF5w92xay_UyVx3FIf0NAbQaHkLrN=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twitter Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds girls bowling team won its first 5th Region crown since 2018 on Tuesday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls bowling team came together well despite a lot of inexperience posting a record of 7-1.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds hoped to put it together in the 5th Region Tournament held at their home Bellewood Lanes. They did it claiming their first region championship since 2018 Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands bowled a total of 799 to take the third seed out of six teams in the preliminary round. The Bluebirds then took down sixth-seeded Pendleton County, 3-2 (118-167, 114-100, 135-168, 165-131, 135-92).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the Bluebirds took down second-seeded Campbell County in the semifinals and Newport Central Catholic in the championship game by 3-0 scores. Highlands bested Campbell County by scores of 113-111, 191-125, 180-129 then NewCath by 125-117, 151-94, 180-129 scores.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We started off slow. But we were able to get on a roll and after that, we were unstoppable,"</b> said <b>Madison Clore</b>, Highlands senior. <b>"We never gave up and we continued to persevere in order to win. Our team has worked hard to get to this point and I am proud to be a part of it. This team is full of positivity, determination and energy, which will helps us go far in state."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Clore and senior <b>Kristen Egan</b> were the only two with varsity experience returning from last year's team that qualified for state. But the likes of seniors <b>Macy Hedenberg</b>, <b>Carissa Armstrong</b>, <b>Jade Rehberger</b> and <b>Chloe Bramble</b> made quick contributions. Bramble credited Head Coach <b>Andy Eckerle</b> for creating the positive environment</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We obviously had our work cut out for us at the beginning,"</b> Bramble said. <b>"I know a lot of the girls joined the team simply because it sounded like something fun to do without all the pressure. However, everyone that had joined this year grew to love the sport very quickly and we were all very invested. We had practice twice a week aside from matches and bowled frequently in our free time. A lot of the girls would go to (Coach) Eckerle's classroom throughout the day to look at standings and talk about strategies."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands saw <b>Abby Bach</b> go down and win the first individual girls state championship in school history last year. But no bowler made it individually for the boys or girls teams this year. Hedenberg placed seventh in the region meet making it to the semifinals out of 30 bowlers. The highest score on the boys side was 20th out of 31 bowlers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands boys finished 4-4 on the season. The Bluebirds earned the fifth seed in the preliminaries bowling 994. The lost to Dayton, 3-1 (190-189, 141-150, 197-165, 177-141) in the first round.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The state tournament takes place Monday at Executive Strike and Spare in Louisville starting at 8:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Highlands bowls on Lanes 45 and 46.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This marks the eighth time the Highlands girls have qualified for state as a team. They own four region crowns in school history.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-17845541789276636502022-02-01T11:38:00.005-08:002022-02-01T11:38:44.262-08:00Highlands Wins Second Straight Game<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Win with Balanced Attack<br /></i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNrh3D7gdWHgAD0tptBxzpCO481kxXMvBq3JM7G73ZjAXBYfnKak_yGWqRlsMguU7kHXFqBd2uzTcQo48tA7T0BmVsyov2s-I2Z0Lo1cbU5OVCkZBURw9409nL2GxgwC_aHNIIAToET_dD1LP_TXTL3Rnob97c-WilhyYugtHSM1hiog2MyKMoy7DA=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNrh3D7gdWHgAD0tptBxzpCO481kxXMvBq3JM7G73ZjAXBYfnKak_yGWqRlsMguU7kHXFqBd2uzTcQo48tA7T0BmVsyov2s-I2Z0Lo1cbU5OVCkZBURw9409nL2GxgwC_aHNIIAToET_dD1LP_TXTL3Rnob97c-WilhyYugtHSM1hiog2MyKMoy7DA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands juniors Alyssa Harris (4) and Megan Calme (30) get in position defensively in the win over Roger Bacon on Monday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The balance pleased the coaching staff more than anything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With almost everyone healthy, the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (7-12 overall) put four players in double figures in a 50-40 win over the St. Bernard (Ohio) Roger Bacon Spartans (5-15). Highlands equaled its longest winning streak of the season with its second straight win.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"It's great to see all these girls stepping up, playing to their potential and doing whatever the team needs them to do,"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"There in the beginning, we took some lumps because my younger girls got great experience. It's great to see we have so many players we can put in the game."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Roger Bacon's head coach is former Highlands assistant <b>Joe Finnegan</b>. <b>Leah Schaefer</b>, a 2013 Highlands alum, is one of his assistants. Roger Bacon has recorded winning records in each of the past five seasons. That includes a 20-8 record in 2020 that resulted in a Greater Catholic League Co-Ed, Sectional and District championships in Ohio's second-largest Division II. Roger Bacon lost 41-38 to Dayton (Ohio) Carroll in the region championship game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands 6-foot-2-inch freshman center <b>Marissa Green</b> led the way scoring 13 points to go with six rebounds. Green hit 4-of-8 field-goal attempts and 5-of-7 free throws.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"It's pretty tough. You have to pretty physical (inside),"</b> Green said. <b>"If they get in your head, you just have to be the bigger person. We're rebounding and protecting the ball better. We're not losing the ball and giving easy lay-ups up and we're closing out and not giving up easy three-pointers."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Things opened up down low because the Bluebirds had a nice game shooting from outside making 7-of-15 three-point tries for 47 percent and 17-of-41 total for 41 percent. Highlands hit 9-of-14 free throws for 64 percent to go with 13 assists, four steals, 27 rebounds and 11 turnovers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The three most-experienced guards combined to hit the seven three-pointers for Highlands. Senior <b>Meg Gessner</b> made three and two free throws on her way to 11 points. Junior <b>Alyssa Harris</b> and sophomore <b>Laney Smith</b> made two on their way to 10 points each. Smith hit one as time expired in the third quarter to put Highlands up 37-22 entering the fourth quarter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands built a 15-6 lead after the first quarter. That lead doubled to 26-13 at halftime. That allowed Highlands to go to a four-corner spread offense. Players such as eighth grader <b>Kaylee Mills</b> took good care of the ball.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We push the ball and we cheer each other on,"</b> Mills said. <b>"That makes it a better environment. It kind of says we trust each other. We pick each other up."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Roger Bacon made three three-pointers and 11-of-16 free throws for 69 percent. Junior forward <b>Krystin McWhorter</b> led the way scoring 15 points and junior guard <b>Isabel Ernst</b> scored 11. Richey credited the Bluebirds for rebounding well, especially the guards coming in to help Green and senior 6-1 center CC Shick. Gessner had five rebounds and four assists and Harris led Highlands with two steals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Spartans tried to get back in the game employing some zone and man full-court presses. Richey said the Bluebirds tried to new wrinkle in their press offense.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We just wanted to see if they could execute it,"</b> Richey said. <b>"We will learn from it and won't make the same mistakes."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Boone County (2-19) on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-90759321044055150022022-01-31T11:05:00.002-08:002022-01-31T11:05:08.490-08:00Highlands Girls Down Lloyd Memorial<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Receive Contributions from Many Players in Win</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtN3tbci7tSZX5BhxH7w8ADIKQ38Q3_wEPfbdOxkVRdxZuYNUt7zcCsMsK99aulcHKoX_T7SyJ1Nh8ZX8ghpmXXDSCSNck91jqWsqpr6IChPAuSfPNIL3K5OwphBElbazm6Nw482PCY_zwyeKHHDApxuXMqrF9zJ_oq0nlqQQN0t_Hs19Xmg0tZ5od=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtN3tbci7tSZX5BhxH7w8ADIKQ38Q3_wEPfbdOxkVRdxZuYNUt7zcCsMsK99aulcHKoX_T7SyJ1Nh8ZX8ghpmXXDSCSNck91jqWsqpr6IChPAuSfPNIL3K5OwphBElbazm6Nw482PCY_zwyeKHHDApxuXMqrF9zJ_oq0nlqQQN0t_Hs19Xmg0tZ5od=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman center Marissa Green (10) had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win at Lloyd Memorial on Saturday.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (6-12 overall) won its first 9th Region game of the year in seven tries with a 58-39 road win at the Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (7-12).</p><p><b>"I was really proud of how the girls came out and competed,"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"It was a great contribution from everybody."</b></p><div style="text-align: left;">It started inside with double-doubles from their two tall centers. The 6-foot-2-inch freshman <b>Marissa Green</b> had 20 points and 12 rebounds with 6-1 senior <b>CC Shick</b> scoring 13 and grabbing 10 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eight different Bluebirds scored in the win. Highlands made 23-of-50 shots for 46 percent including 2-of-12 three-point tries for 17 percent. The Bluebirds also made 10-of-12 free throws for 84 percent to go with 38 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals and 17 turnovers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sophomore guard <b>Laney Smith</b> led Highlands with six assists and sophomore center <b>Kasey Gross</b> had two steals. Third-year starting point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b> made her return to the line-up a few weeks ago. Harris was the lone starter returning from last season. Harris was not able to play soccer or run cross country in the fall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"It's been amazing to finally get back out on the court,"</b> Harris said. <b>"Obviously getting to still see the girls play before when I was hurt, it was nice to be a part of the team. But finally being able to do something that could make a change to the game was really nice."</b></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays host to Cincinnati (Ohio) Roger Bacon on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-9954483623413250382022-01-26T12:06:00.005-08:002022-01-26T12:06:40.131-08:00Highlands Unable to Record Home Win<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Play First Game in Two Weeks</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr-OGaZx4vVT7mdLIsYmGDHDLlXAfXh0iAAfu6yd8PLR4U2pLM9SPHW0LhoCWO5F8bH9VwEpD0TDGGApC6-pbF9ivhocN7XroRh6YqtKgsK5Ht2114-Go5O7HiJ-kUh8RhjWMJoYq9Rxy4T6Djt6dzCjkNJTztnMdLU81R2oRm8k9xwq04W5U4slH5=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr-OGaZx4vVT7mdLIsYmGDHDLlXAfXh0iAAfu6yd8PLR4U2pLM9SPHW0LhoCWO5F8bH9VwEpD0TDGGApC6-pbF9ivhocN7XroRh6YqtKgsK5Ht2114-Go5O7HiJ-kUh8RhjWMJoYq9Rxy4T6Djt6dzCjkNJTztnMdLU81R2oRm8k9xwq04W5U4slH5=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands sophomore center Kasey Gross listens in a huddle during a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (5-12 overall) had the opportunity to record a win in its first game in two weeks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With more than two seconds left, Highlands received a good look near the basket. But it did not go down resulting in a 56-55 loss to the North Oldham Lady Mustangs (8-12).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> led the Bluebirds with a double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds. Sophomore center <b>Kasey Gross </b>followed with nine points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 23-of-46 shots for 50 percent, but just 1-of-6 three-point tries for 17 percent and just 8-of-19 free throws for 42 percent. The Bluebirds also grabbed 33 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Senior power forward <b>Riley Neal</b> led North Oldham with 18 points and sophomore shooting guard <b>Gracie Sipes</b> made four triples on her way to 17 points. The Lady Mustangs made 11-of-17 free throws for 65 percent.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays at Lloyd Memorial on Saturday. Game time is 4:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-23507588635395488062022-01-21T06:16:00.003-08:002022-01-21T06:16:13.861-08:00Highlands Bowling Teams Conclude Regular Season with Victories<p>The Highlands bowling teams downed Dayton on Thursday at Bellewood Lanes to conclude the regular season.</p><p>The Highlands girls finished 7-1 beating Pendleton County on Tuesday. The boys are 4-4 losing to Pendleton County at La Ru Lanes.</p><p>The 5th Region Tournament takes place at Bellewood Lanes. The dates are January 31 through Feb. 2.</p>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-34915230602859681422022-01-13T09:45:00.005-08:002022-01-13T21:50:43.644-08:00Thursday Highlands Notes: Girls Basketball Game at NewCath Postponed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipV9SFw3hBGwMm-J4J7rbd1NcUbrED0fPiKK_vvsSrU6u82KGFWqb54bgCvoiaVesoTPzwX11yYT0smHzXrXzYcG0wpWpXrLTip4Kv7o_xqmHwm5hLzhErAIBFzhz-wgSZR9hai7zz04rdRh33RVIZcbf2YHDlwCkov3DFX0nVwk0lrBnJv3-GNUf-=s640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipV9SFw3hBGwMm-J4J7rbd1NcUbrED0fPiKK_vvsSrU6u82KGFWqb54bgCvoiaVesoTPzwX11yYT0smHzXrXzYcG0wpWpXrLTip4Kv7o_xqmHwm5hLzhErAIBFzhz-wgSZR9hai7zz04rdRh33RVIZcbf2YHDlwCkov3DFX0nVwk0lrBnJv3-GNUf-=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands eighth grade point guard Kaylee Mills gets in position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball game at Newport Central Catholic scheduled for Friday will not be played.</p><p>If games can not be made up because of Coronavirus 2019 concerns, they go down as forfeits. Highlands is 5-9 for now and NewCath is 13-5. Highlands Head Coach <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b> has not been able to be at the last four games.</p><p><b>"The Highlands girls basketball team is pausing activity because of positive cases on the team,"</b> said <b>Wes Caldwell</b>, Highlands Director of Athletics. <b>"The health and safety of the players and their families are our top concern. We will reevaluate on Tuesday. We hope to reschedule our game with NCC."</b></p><p>The Highlands girls also had a home game scheduled against Cincinnati (Ohio) Ursuline Academy on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bowling:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Highlands Teams Defeat NewCath:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands boys are 3-3 with the 5-2 win at Bellewood Lanes. Junior <b>Jake Veneman</b> bowled a 213 with juniors <b>Dana Brown</b> and <b>Kurrin Frank</b> bowling 180 and 178 respectively.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands girls moved to 5-1 with a 6-1 win. Senior <b>Jade Rehberger</b> led the way bowling 185 with senior <b>Macy Hedenberg</b> bowling 170 and 166. Seniors <b>Chloe Bramble</b> and <b>Madison Clore</b> both bowled 164.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands takes on Pendleton County at La Ru Lanes on Tuesday. Match time is 4:15 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-34435657982652922712022-01-11T21:26:00.004-08:002022-01-11T21:26:26.322-08:00Highlands Tuesday Round-Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Still Winless in Region Action</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTpX4R-VjctDfRvCkt8eXhMH3e4t-u2ivbUOybhVF2kd_PpxXqDJkkcKZGrJYwjiqZhKJb7CdjlLrdNalKqnoXjqD_LViwH4TFvGGdRLttLDkuwxFYPzo-nX_mb1ctDQXHdDakCRED-8XQVmQtY4ANdtmlJIsCtV0HCz1IaSo2SmNP9EVIl_p810AH=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTpX4R-VjctDfRvCkt8eXhMH3e4t-u2ivbUOybhVF2kd_PpxXqDJkkcKZGrJYwjiqZhKJb7CdjlLrdNalKqnoXjqD_LViwH4TFvGGdRLttLDkuwxFYPzo-nX_mb1ctDQXHdDakCRED-8XQVmQtY4ANdtmlJIsCtV0HCz1IaSo2SmNP9EVIl_p810AH=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands sophomore center Kasey Gross posts up in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (5-8 overall) saw the lone returning starter from last year return in junior point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b>.</p><div style="text-align: left;">But Highlands could not produce consecutive victories falling 55-28 at St. Henry. The Bluebirds are 0-5 against 9th Region competition this year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Senior center <b>CC Shick</b> led Highlands with 11 points. Shick made 5-of-7 shots and grabbed five rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds made 12-of-40 shots for 30 percent including 1-of-13 from three-point range for eight percent and 3-of-12 free throws for 25 percent. Highlands also had seven assists, eight steals, 30 turnovers and 24 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Newport Central Catholic (11-5) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bowling:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Highlands Loses Both Matches against Campbell County:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands girls fell to 4-1 and the boys are 2-3 following the losses to the Camels at Bellewood Lanes.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays Newport Central Catholic back at Bellewood Lanes on Thursday.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-78299730046075369132022-01-09T19:15:00.003-08:002022-01-09T19:15:35.370-08:00Saturday Round-up: Highlands Girls Hoops Bounces Back to Down County Rival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Highlands Archery Places Third in Tournament</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_K0INJ8rQraudx4ygqBt0AHtskO8NcNGgiKFWO6YnW-asfiBvk9utuNpdhoyVGaGrmC5aZftF36aeximflop0iy4nwXsFSUdHzx-LskHwilvwZ0J0lTxTgAAhQ_Z03A-E1lOhFYn9vwbynQKvF4kIJ36Tu1LcAiFVYa_aSBwS_umES3BYWYtwnLY_=s640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_K0INJ8rQraudx4ygqBt0AHtskO8NcNGgiKFWO6YnW-asfiBvk9utuNpdhoyVGaGrmC5aZftF36aeximflop0iy4nwXsFSUdHzx-LskHwilvwZ0J0lTxTgAAhQ_Z03A-E1lOhFYn9vwbynQKvF4kIJ36Tu1LcAiFVYa_aSBwS_umES3BYWYtwnLY_=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman forward Adrienne Harris runs up-court in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (5-7 overall) faced another 37th District team Saturday at Russell Bridges Gym and put out a much better result.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Acting Head Coach <b>Kayla Umberg</b> challenged the Bluebirds in the fourth quarter of the loss at Scott on Friday to hustle better among other things. They put together a better fourth quarter in that game and it carried over to the next day resulting in a 57-50 win over the Campbell County Camels (6-7).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"It was like a whole other team out there,"</b> Umberg said. <b>"We had a really good film session before the game. (6-foot-1-inch center) CC Shick, our only senior, really challenged the girls. (She) kind of told them what Highlands basketball is from the last girl on the bench to the girls on the floor and I think that really motivated the girls. It was really exciting to see all the girls involved, how excited the bench was and celebrating the win with the girls on the court."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Umber has served as acting head coach the past three games. Head Coach <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b> has not able to be there during that time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shick led the way with a double-double of 23 points making both three-point shots, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Freshman <b>Marissa Green</b> at 6-2 followed with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Eighth grade guard <b>Saylor Macke</b> followed with eight including a crucial bucket down the stretch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"(On Friday) our effort was really not there. It was good coming out (Saturday),"</b> Macke said. <b>"It always helps when our bench energy is up."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 22-of-51 shots for 43 percent including 3-of-17 from three-point range for 18 percent and 10-of-14 free throws for 71 percent. The Bluebirds also had 38 rebounds, 17 assists, 11 steals and just 14 turnovers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Junior forward <b>Keauna Cullum</b> led Campbell County with 12 and sophomore <b>Alli Collins</b> scored 11. The Camels made 7-of-14 free throws for 50 percent, 17 two-point shots and three three-pointers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to St. Henry on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Archery:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands placed third out of eight teams in the Camp Ernst Middle School Shoot-Out in Burlington over the weekend with 3,154 points. Cooper won it with 3,244 points.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Senior <b>Madison Opitz </b>led Highlands shooting 285. That was the highest girls score in the tournament and second overall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-13429787806350482432022-01-08T09:21:00.002-08:002022-01-08T09:30:46.452-08:00Highlands Girls Fall at Scott<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Half-Court Pressure Hurts Bluebirds</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8q4Fpa0BqRJE2Zp8KZ163CeByf5dh9K4C_gA9wZRwLSkPufIXHnmq8OvHz9ODpZS2enFICDMaVwzeMvwnmdU3vFBbx_yc9UnyXKqaeWtdAnzUTrM6DNYYC2diW5Pbi0YNj2Jgs5VzVfuaY_OBdvrLSTYGK2n8f1L_4_3UjhG6WawGmItBE0VyLOJZ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8q4Fpa0BqRJE2Zp8KZ163CeByf5dh9K4C_gA9wZRwLSkPufIXHnmq8OvHz9ODpZS2enFICDMaVwzeMvwnmdU3vFBbx_yc9UnyXKqaeWtdAnzUTrM6DNYYC2diW5Pbi0YNj2Jgs5VzVfuaY_OBdvrLSTYGK2n8f1L_4_3UjhG6WawGmItBE0VyLOJZ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands sophomore guard Ava Lawhorn (13) gets in defensive position in the game at Scott on Friday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (4-7 overall) ventured to Taylor Mill facing more than the usual challenges associated with the young team.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Head Coach <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b> was not able to be there so <b>Kayla Umberg</b> served as acting head coach for the second game in a row. Juniors <b>Ellie Walz </b>and <b>Alyssa Harris</b> were still not able to play and experienced guards <b>Meg Gessner</b> and <b>Laney Smith</b> were not available. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands held tough with Scott (8-7) in the first quarter. But the Lady Eagles pulled away for a 52-34 victory. That win ended a 15-game winning streak for the Bluebirds in the series. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The teams have not played on an annual basis throughout the last 16 seasons. But the last time Scott beat Highlands came by a 55-48 score on Feb. 19, 2005.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands continued to try to work the ball inside to senior 6-foot-1-inch center <b>CC Shick</b> and 6-2 freshman center <b>Marissa Green</b>. Shick scored eight of her team-high 11 points in the first quarter when Highlands built a 10-7 lead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the Scott Lady Eagles pulled away in the second quarter when the likes of players such as senior guard <b>Macy Campbell</b> and junior forward <b>Kayla Peterson</b> penetrated the lane and made things happen. The duo scored 12 points each to lead Scott. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands hit 15-of-53 shots for 28 percent including 2-of-16 from three-point range for 13 percent. The Bluebirds also had six assists, 13 steals and 33 rebounds. Sophomore center <b>Kasey Gross</b> had seven rebounds to lead Highlands with eighth grade forward <b>Katie Bucher</b> recording four steals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Scott used some half-court traps to pull away from Highlands forcing 23 turnovers. The Lady Eagles also made 14-of-18 free throws for 78 percent compared to 2-for-6 for 33 percent for Highlands.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays host to Campbell County (6-6) on Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-3484856529359980642022-01-07T09:47:00.005-08:002022-01-07T09:47:56.767-08:00Highlands Girls Bowling Team Bests Beechwood<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Girls Basketball Falls to 0-4 in Region Play</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5RQgAfwyHo7luZvOIVgat6a5sqVb9AZGx3VHMN7MD7rB9pyMfrvJzX9f_UP8Mjzis3ZbC1GmcenoIanHASIlC3SK2GxkfNAJdfpiFvZ7bV18R4ajb_UdkBuytK09fRLtgkPLBXYae8zatW6eQrcBz7Pwfm-zRVTPuQTiwO2utowRJv5TDeDeQr2e6=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5RQgAfwyHo7luZvOIVgat6a5sqVb9AZGx3VHMN7MD7rB9pyMfrvJzX9f_UP8Mjzis3ZbC1GmcenoIanHASIlC3SK2GxkfNAJdfpiFvZ7bV18R4ajb_UdkBuytK09fRLtgkPLBXYae8zatW6eQrcBz7Pwfm-zRVTPuQTiwO2utowRJv5TDeDeQr2e6=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands eighth grader Saylor Macke (31) gets in position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls bowling team moved to 4-0 on the season with a win over Beechwood at Bellewood Lanes on Thursday. </p><p>Senior <b>Macy Hedenberg</b> led Highlands bowling a 197. The Highlands boys dropped to 2-2 losing to Beechwood.</p><p>Highlands defeated Scott in a Co-Ed Match on Tuesday to move to 4-0. Senior <b>Chloe Bramble </b>led Highlands bowling a 170 and senior <b>Jade Rehberger</b> bowled a 165. Junior <b>Kurrin Frank</b> bowled 161 and 159.</p><p>Highlands bowls against Campbell County on Jan. 11 at Southern Lanes.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Basketball, Girls:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Ryle 76, Highlands 29:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds (4-6 overall) continued to struggle against top teams in the 9th Region on the road Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made just 9-of-29 shots for 31 percent including 3-of-13 from three-point range for 23 percent and made 6-of-10 free throws for 60 percent. The Bluebirds also grabbed just 15 rebounds. Senior <b>Meg Gessner</b> scored eight points to lead the Bluebirds and freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> scored seven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ryle (11-4) hit 32-of-54 shots for 59 percent including 5-of-11 from three-point range for 46 percent and 7-of-8 free throws for 88 percent. The Lady Raiders also grabbed 25 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ryle put four players in double figures. Junior guard <b>Abby Holtman</b> led the way scoring 20. Sophomore center <b>Sarah Baker</b>, sophomore forward <b>Quinn Eubank</b> and junior guard <b>Austin Johnson</b> scored 15, 14 and 14 points respectively.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Scott (6-7) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-17041879344844529092021-12-31T09:50:00.003-08:002021-12-31T09:50:12.818-08:00Highlands Tries New Combinations in Convincing Win over Robertson County<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Record Largest Margin of Victory This Season</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9Xswtz6ZS0XHAe8LL_ScdmI6hj3g_zcuGetaY30EWVqISwjbb_paZW-ISeBWNvFr4F_a6Gj3UHDGqX6sVE9F4fHyQXV2L2yNOBP7-HpNAEwoCjhbkda99z2MjXCMycMS52eEJKNYn-_hZkx2a1FCarb2fbEamA7EMviVGH9ZIKXOgFmcp6fT4fEM6=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9Xswtz6ZS0XHAe8LL_ScdmI6hj3g_zcuGetaY30EWVqISwjbb_paZW-ISeBWNvFr4F_a6Gj3UHDGqX6sVE9F4fHyQXV2L2yNOBP7-HpNAEwoCjhbkda99z2MjXCMycMS52eEJKNYn-_hZkx2a1FCarb2fbEamA7EMviVGH9ZIKXOgFmcp6fT4fEM6=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior forward Megan Calme looks to make a pass in the game against Robertson County on Thursday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team knew this could be a game where many players could come in and develop as long the players did not fall into a huge temptation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's looking at the opponent and thinking, "Oh, they're no good. We can take the day off." That did not happen as the Bluebirds (4-5 overall) took care of the struggling Robertson County Lady Devils (0-11), 76-39 Thursday afternoon at Russell Bridges Gymnasium. It is the largest margin of victory for Highlands this season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"That was my challenge before the game. We had to give effort every single time we stepped out onto the court,"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"We have to go, go, go. We can't jog. We can't be loafing it. We have to play hard every single second we're out there and I thought the girls did an outstanding job of doing that."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands took advantage of its athleticism finding a lot of easy paths to the basket as 10 different Bluebirds scored. Highlands made 32-of-67 shots for 48 percent including 5-of-22 from three-point range for 23 percent and 7-of-12 free throws for 58 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We've had a lot of practice time working on our skills just making sure the girls understand what our strength is,"</b> Richey said. <b>"We have to be able to get the posts touches and let them kick it out before we just start shooting a bunch of threes."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> led the way with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> followed with 14 points and freshman forward <b>Adrienne Harris</b> scored 10. Sophomore center <b>Kasey Gross</b>, freshman guard <b>Ellie Mohr</b> and eighth grade guards <b>Saylor Macke</b> and <b>Kaylee Mills</b> scored seven points each.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Highlands had 31 rebounds, 18 assists, 19 steals and 11 turnovers. Gessner had a team-high four assists. Mills, Macke and sophomore guard <b>Laney Smith</b> had three steals each. Junior forward <b>Megan Calme</b> had six rebounds. The Bluebirds responded well when things did not go their way.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>"Something we tell each other is forget and focus,"</b> Smith said. <b>"Just go on with the play. It's how you respond to the play, not what happens on the play. So if you get blocked like I did a couple times, just get back on defense. That's what (Richey) teaches us and it works out well in games."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Highlands is almost healthy. Richey said the lone returning starter from last year in junior point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b> has been cleared to resume some team activities and hopes to make her season debut soon. She also said junior guard <b>Elie Walz</b> will be returning soon as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>But players such as Mohr have made the most of their opportunities to adjust to the varsity level. Mohr has seven made triples on the season, which is second behind Gessner's eight.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>"It's really about reading the defense and everything being faster and stronger,"</b> Mohr said. <b>"It was a hard adjustment, but we're growing. I'm really excited for Alyssa to be back. (Seeing shots go in) makes your confidence grow a lot. You kind of go on a run and your adrenaline goes. You want to keep going and shooting the ball."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Robertson County did see two players score in double figures making 4-of-7 free throws for 57 percent. Sophomore guards <b>Krysta Hamm</b> and <b>Ruby Gay</b> scored 13 and 11 points respectively. Hamm came in averaging 17.5 points per game and Gay averaged 12.2.</div><div><br /></div><div>Robertson County has just one senior in power forward <b>Abby Earlywine</b>. The closest the Lady Devils have come to a win this year is a 65-57 loss at Augusta on Dec. 6.</div><div><br /></div><div>Highlands led 15-7 after the first quarter and 39-19 at halftime. The Bluebirds enforced the running clock in the second half leading 64-28 entering the fourth quarter.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The Bluebirds take on the Ryle Lady Raiders (10-3) on Jan. 5. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-68331249920730471622021-12-23T20:31:00.002-08:002021-12-23T20:31:29.117-08:00Highlands Girls Hoops Finishes Runner-Up at Assumption Tournament<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Play Again in One Week</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia7fZHeAD59RH-DyOPEMm1iF_o9Q9DfTHA8-T_qlsNqqz9vlJVGNOcDG2XkLScxyRXxad7Ikdsj5Ihr7CzOU8de4scBTLpVTlrc8fKd0NCDM4hIv_6Q4OHts6o2fa1lWRYtW_MaddiYw3hWomSVobxoSdRNumfS8Vel6iRM9d76EVEX8Q9ciwwyTmp=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia7fZHeAD59RH-DyOPEMm1iF_o9Q9DfTHA8-T_qlsNqqz9vlJVGNOcDG2XkLScxyRXxad7Ikdsj5Ihr7CzOU8de4scBTLpVTlrc8fKd0NCDM4hIv_6Q4OHts6o2fa1lWRYtW_MaddiYw3hWomSVobxoSdRNumfS8Vel6iRM9d76EVEX8Q9ciwwyTmp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman Marissa Green (middle) gets in defensive position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (3-5 overall) hoped to earn a holiday tournament championship days before Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But it did not happen. Highlands fell 52-27 against the Pikeville Lady Panthers (8-1). Pikeville has won three straight 15th Region championships.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pikeville saw three players score in double figures making all four free throws. Sophomore <b>Rylee Theiss</b> led the way scoring 16 points with freshman <b>Leighan Jackson</b> and sophomore <b>Kristen Whited</b> scoring 10 each.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands did not place anyone in double digits. Sophomore 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> led the way with eight points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds made 10-of-45 shots for 22 percent including 2-of-17 from three-point range for 12 percent and 5-of-8 free throws for 63 percent. They also had eight steals, eight assists, 21 turnovers and 29 rebounds. Senior 6-1 center <b>CC Shick</b> had seven rebounds and senior guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> had seven rebounds and three steals. Eighth grade forward <b>Katie Bucher</b> had four assists.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands does not play again until Dec. 30 when the Robertson County Lady Devils (0-10) come to town. Game time is 12:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-27096554545053484462021-12-22T08:17:00.004-08:002021-12-22T08:17:19.704-08:00Highlands Girls Earn Second Win<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Roll Past Trimble County</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH7gw07g-CB9MAXyDso7Ng_YuW-uY9Zm6GEpAtRNFoGDxukQ-pLmG-zWzPYedFeslbeTmiyoXUwJBOh1BHTAMFDM-5_2UrRTtJJ3H7Q9rZ2IhEWQpAi66CK-JL8W7qWB2KGsIHeZBjJol1oz9f1e3G_g9JOLw2lFMnQSwhRDjjbdYdsF6Ytga9ziyp=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH7gw07g-CB9MAXyDso7Ng_YuW-uY9Zm6GEpAtRNFoGDxukQ-pLmG-zWzPYedFeslbeTmiyoXUwJBOh1BHTAMFDM-5_2UrRTtJJ3H7Q9rZ2IhEWQpAi66CK-JL8W7qWB2KGsIHeZBjJol1oz9f1e3G_g9JOLw2lFMnQSwhRDjjbdYdsF6Ytga9ziyp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands eighth grade point guard Kaylee Mills (3) dribbles in position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (2-4 overall) earned a win in its first game in 10 days.</p><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds defeated the Trimble County Lady Raiders (1-7), 56-36 to open the Assumption Rockets Christmas Tournament in Louisville. It also marked the first win of the season for Highlands against a Kentucky opponent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands saw seven different players score. Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> scored a career-high 26 points making 12-of-21 shots and both free throws to go with 13 rebounds for a double-double along with two assists and two steals. Senior center <b>CC Shick</b> and sophomore center <b>Kasey Gross</b> followed with eight points and seven rebounds each.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"That's what we challenge them with every day. If it's a game or a practice, we have to get better every day individually and as a team,"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"One thing we've been stressing is that we have to be able to get the ball to our post players. We did a much better job of that and you can see they scored a lot of points for us."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds received a nice boost from eighth grade guard <b>Natalie Hinegardner</b>. She made two triples for six points and nine rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"I think for the younger players at least for me (seeing the ball go through the hoop) brings more confidence in how I will play most of the game,"</b> Hinegardner said. <b>"If I miss a shot, I'll probably be mad at myself. But if I make it, I will be like, 'Hey. I got this. This is how I've been playing my whole entire life. If I miss it, I usually focus on getting the rebound. If I don't get the rebound then I'll just focus on making a good play on defense to counter the missed shot."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 25-of-73 shots for 34 percent including 3-of-14 from three-point range for 21 percent and 3-of-4 free throws for 75 percent. The Bluebirds also had 53 rebounds, 15 assists, 12 steals and 10 turnovers. Senior guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> had four assists and three steals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trimble County saw six different players score making both free throws. Sophomore <b>Payton Butters</b> led the way with nine.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays the host Rockets (8-1) to continue the tournament Wednesday. Game time is 6:30 p.m. back in Louisville.</div><br />G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-51393594645393166602021-12-13T08:17:00.002-08:002021-12-13T08:19:33.573-08:00Highlands Saturday Results<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Bluebirds Hang Tough for Three Quarters</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis2D31oLi6QsIKGj7UTC1FD7wM0hNc7Po5EvC3_V3DHO-V3_UDJSC698D84rap27l40IXO6Jl7Nev2YTTjy-x87Ta725LZ-wzAgs1zwkSH7jNJKsmE26RM-rlmhtgSZ7iUL22VpyiEXbnoXCHAAnvkm6E3miDQMy9jLQZIRN9Mw7tEHt3U0gaWhka2=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis2D31oLi6QsIKGj7UTC1FD7wM0hNc7Po5EvC3_V3DHO-V3_UDJSC698D84rap27l40IXO6Jl7Nev2YTTjy-x87Ta725LZ-wzAgs1zwkSH7jNJKsmE26RM-rlmhtgSZ7iUL22VpyiEXbnoXCHAAnvkm6E3miDQMy9jLQZIRN9Mw7tEHt3U0gaWhka2=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior center CC Shck gets in defensive position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (1-4 overall) stayed with the host Covington Holy Cross Indians (3-3) through three quarters before the Indians pulled away for a 57-29 victory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands is 0-3 against 9th Region opponents. Holy Cross is 1-2.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Indians put 10 players in double figures. Junior guard <b>Aleah Arlinghaus</b> led the way with 15 and sophomore center/forward <b>Julia Hunt</b> scored 12.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Holy Cross made 25-of-61 shots for 41 percent including 5-of-30 from three-point range for 17 percent and 2-of-5 free throws for 40 percent. The Indians gathered 32 rebounds. Senior forward <b>Hanna Robinson</b> led the way with nine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds saw eight different players score. Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> led the way with seven points and nine rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 9-of-36 shots for 25 percent including 2-of-12 from three-point range for 17 percent and 9-of-13 free throws for 69 percent. The Bluebirds also had 28 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds play in the Assumption Rockets Christmas Tournament in Louisville on Dec. 21 at 4:45 p.m. The opponent is Trimble County (0-4) from the 8th Region.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span><a name='more'></a></span><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Cheer, Competitive:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands placed 29th out of 32 teams at the state finals scoring 80.7 points over the weekend. The Bluebirds had finished second out of seven teams in the Region 9/10 meet scoring 94.4 behind Pendleton County's 98.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-21320533629564416472021-12-10T10:48:00.007-08:002021-12-10T10:55:47.494-08:00Thursday Highlands Round-Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Highlands Girls Hoops Picks Up First Win of Season</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgogS4Waeqq0V97FvEhaVtERdGkfLeWniRbtlVfLfXI9At5401N5C44vyughXmpQWx1TZTRRSZvH9myPWV9BoggVvB0UhYA4QM_TxQEt773L7WQ0sfIDS0_cXkC4yejcmFCyIo3d3BjuhHZj0iuQuOXyhac-rncpsvjSJsOX61QdRsYKKHqD_DwCx1Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgogS4Waeqq0V97FvEhaVtERdGkfLeWniRbtlVfLfXI9At5401N5C44vyughXmpQWx1TZTRRSZvH9myPWV9BoggVvB0UhYA4QM_TxQEt773L7WQ0sfIDS0_cXkC4yejcmFCyIo3d3BjuhHZj0iuQuOXyhac-rncpsvjSJsOX61QdRsYKKHqD_DwCx1Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands eighth grader Katie Bucher (15) gets in defensive position in a recent game.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In a battle of two teams fighting for that first victory of the season, the Highlands Bluebirds (1-3) came away with a 43-36 victory over the visiting Cincinnati (Ohio) Mercy McAuley Wolves (0-5).</p><p><b>"I think it's going to take time. It's a marathon, not a sprint,"</b> said <b>Jaime Walz-Richey</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"I only have two girls playing right now that's played significant varsity minutes. We knew we'd have some lumps in the beginning just because of the injuries we're dealing with and our youth. We just have to keep getting better each day in practice and games."</b></p><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands saw eight different players score including sophomore guard <b>Laney Smith</b>, who made a triple. Smith hit the floor for the first time this year after seeing limited varsity action last year. Senior 6-foot-1-inch center <b>CC Shick</b> led Highlands with 10 points and eight rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds rebounded better this game with 43. Freshman 6-2 center <b>Marissa Green</b> nearly had a triple-double with 12 rebounds, nine blocked shots and nine points. Senior guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> had seven points and nine rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"We just remind (the younger players) before every game that it is a faster play, but don't be scared,"</b> Gessner said. <b>"You can see it in their faces at times. (Some) are eighth graders. They're playing against juniors and seniors. We (upperclassmen) remind them it's okay to mess up. These games are just preparing us for districts and regionals."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made 13-of-38 shots for 34 percent including 3-of-12 three-point tries for 25 percent and 14-of-23 free throws for 61 percent. The Bluebirds also had eight assists, 10 steals and 33 turnovers. Shick had three assists and three steals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Junior forward<b> Izzy Rotert</b> led Mercy McAuley with 13 points. The Wolves made just 6-of-12 free throws for 50 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands takes on Covington Holy Cross (2-2) on Saturday in Covington. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bowling, Co-Ed:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Highlands 4, Bishop Brossart 3:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds are 2-0 in Co-Ed matches this year edging Bishop Brossart at Bellewood Lanes. <b>Kurrin Funk</b> and senior <b>Macy Hedenberg</b> bowled the high games at 195 and 187 to lead the Bluebirds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"For me personally, I think it just takes the first-game jitters out of me because my first game was a 124," </b>Hedenberg said. <b>"That's because I was thinking too much. In bowling, you can't think too much about it or you'll get in your head and start throwing gutter balls."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seniors like Hedenberg, <b>Chloe Bramble</b>, <b>Carissa Armstrong</b> and <b>Jade Rehberger</b> are bowling for the first time this year. The four bowled together Thursday. Hedenberg said she played basketball with Armstrong and Rehberger in middle school and as freshmen. Hedenberg said they cheer each other on during the baker games.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands takes on Simon Kenton on Tuesday back at Bellewood.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-79911480628436886482021-12-07T04:40:00.004-08:002021-12-07T04:47:45.261-08:00Green Scores 20 in Highlands Girls Hoops Loss<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Highlands Again Struggles from Outside</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNMlEHxGjui2EGgwa2H5ZeYwu4AAq1CCokFjfVAO-hHuPe5-Z9PMloLhlENzOQsgjpJ_5doJ9kfOH7PxKsEP2F6kW4SRUWqQ-0pQuponnqoyIJGfiJllOmqiOa38NxSxL5jNqAcX49uk/s640/IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNMlEHxGjui2EGgwa2H5ZeYwu4AAq1CCokFjfVAO-hHuPe5-Z9PMloLhlENzOQsgjpJ_5doJ9kfOH7PxKsEP2F6kW4SRUWqQ-0pQuponnqoyIJGfiJllOmqiOa38NxSxL5jNqAcX49uk/w400-h300/IMG_3234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman Marissa Green (10) and senior CC Shick (25) get into defensive position in the game Monday against Owen County. Green scored 20 points in the Highlands loss.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center <b>Marissa Green</b> dazzled inside the paint on both ends, especially when she took the ball near the top of the paint and drove.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Green finished with 20 points making all four free throws. She also had a number of rebounds and blocks using her size along with senior 6-1 center <b>CC Shick</b> in the middle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The issue for the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (0-3 overall) is finding more help for Green. Shick scored four points as the next of seven scorers for the Bluebirds out of the 12 that played in a 52-37 loss to the Owen County Lady Rebels (2-1) at Russell Bridges Gym in Fort Thomas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands continued to struggle outside with inexperience. The other senior in guard <b>Meg Gessner</b> played for the first time Monday. The lone returning starter for the Bluebirds in junior point guard <b>Alyssa Harris</b> and sophomore guard <b>Laney Smith</b> were not able to play. Smith saw limited varsity action last year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds made just two triples scoring the most points in a game this year. Gessner and freshman guard <b>Ellie Mohr</b> made one each. But they did make 7-of-8 free throws for 88 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Owen County saw two players scoring in double figures. They were junior forward <b>Gracie Ferguson</b> with 20 and senior guard <b>Lexie Moore</b> with 14. The Lady Rebels made 8-of-10 free throws for 80 percent.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands plays most to Cincinnati (Ohio) Mercy McAuley (0-3) on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-28058036604572370862021-12-04T12:37:00.002-08:002021-12-04T12:37:29.799-08:00Highlands Girls Drop Another 9th Region Road Game<p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (0-2 overall) once again struggled offensively on the 9th Region road Friday.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands made just 8-of-36 shots for 22 percent including just 2-of-12 shots from three-point range for 16.7 percent in a 58-22 loss against the host Cooper Lady Jaguars (2-0). The Bluebirds also made just 4-of-10 free throws for 40 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Senior center <b>CC Shick</b> led Highlands with 11 points making 4-of-5 shots. Freshman center <b>Marissa Green</b> followed with five points. Freshman guard <b>Ellie Mohr</b> and eighth grade forward <b>Katie Bucher</b> made one triple each for the other six Highlands points.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands grabbed 33 rebounds. Green led the way with 10.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds play host to the Owen County Lady Rebels (0-2) on Monday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-57228922310209544192021-12-03T09:46:00.003-08:002021-12-03T09:46:23.081-08:00Thursday Highlands Round-Up<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Highlands Girls Hoops Loses Season Opener</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindC5hzyhhhpbwZbUkqeVs3DCF2S0soXFsuaHVuTTLauhqeRKF51Nxf5qzu2-zQlhrqJKTSm9y76gPldNNloL-tTpcjKvNCQDeYHkxMiTioJDeioLL5QeYwkmid_AMbdBycC9fkHiWxJ8/s640/IMG_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindC5hzyhhhpbwZbUkqeVs3DCF2S0soXFsuaHVuTTLauhqeRKF51Nxf5qzu2-zQlhrqJKTSm9y76gPldNNloL-tTpcjKvNCQDeYHkxMiTioJDeioLL5QeYwkmid_AMbdBycC9fkHiWxJ8/w400-h300/IMG_2210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands girls basketball team lost its season-opening game Thursday.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team opened the season with a rough 62-22 defeat on the 9th Region road against the Dixie Heights Colonels (1-1 overall).</p><div style="text-align: left;">Freshman post <b>Marissa Green</b> led Highlands with eight points. Senior center <b>CC Shick</b> followed with six. They are the only two of 11 Bluebirds who saw action in the game that came into the season with any varsity experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds made just 9-of-31 shots for 29 percent including just 1-of-9 from three-point range for 11 percent. Highlands also made just 3-of-5 free throws for 60 percent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands recorded 22 rebounds. Green and Shick led the way with seven each.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dixie Heights displayed balanced scoring with three in double figures. Senior <b>Madelyn Lawson</b> led the way with 18 points. Juniors <b>Samantha Berman</b> followed with 12 and <b>Reese Smith</b> scored 11.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Colonels made 24-of-44 shots for 55 percent including 9-of-19 three-point tries for 47 percent and 5-of-9 free throws for 56 percent. Dixie Heights also nabbed 21 rebounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands travels to Cooper (1-0) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Bowling:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Highlands Beats St. Henry in Co-Ed Match:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds won their first co-ed match of the season against St. Henry at the Bellewood Lanes. <b>Dana Brown</b> bowled a high game with a 178 and senior <b>Jade Rehberger </b>bowled a 167.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands bowls again Dec. 9 back at Bellewood Lanes against Bishop Brossart.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-28539014329553399212021-11-05T10:20:00.006-07:002021-11-06T04:36:51.602-07:00Highlands Bowlers Earn Win to Open Season<p><b>No one covers Highlands sports like FTM! We're there, in-person, every week! Please consider a small donation to help fund our content. We rely solely on support from our advertising partners, providing our content for free. Any amount helps. Click here to donate!</b></p><p><input alt="Donate with PayPal button" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" title="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" type="image" /></p><p>The Highlands bowling teams opened the season with victories over Lloyd Memorial at the Bellewood Bowling Lanes.</p><p>The Highlands girls won 7-0. Seniors <b>Carissa Armstrong</b> and <b>Jade Rehberger</b> bowled high games for the Bluebirds with scores of 170 and 160 respectively.</p><p><b>"It was really great. I hadn't bowled in a really long time so I wanted to do it to have fun senior year with some of the girls,"</b> Rehberger said. <b>"We had great cheers, great energy."</b></p><p>The Highlands boys won 5-2. Junior <b>Graham Lecky</b> bowled a 199 to lead the Bluebirds and junior <b>Kurrin Frank</b> bowled 174.<span></span></p><p><b>"Everybody did his best. It was a tie 2-2. Then we played two baker games and we came through,"</b> Lecky said. <b>"My personal high is 209. I stay consistent and I don't let it get in my head then I get strike after strike. That's all I do and (Head Coach Andy) Eckerle is a good coach. He teaches us good ways."</b></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Highlands bowls again Thursday, Nov. 11. Highlands takes on Covington Holy Cross at LaRu Lanes at 3:30 p.m.</p>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535500758315014881.post-62322664446277349382021-10-23T08:09:00.005-07:002021-10-23T08:12:13.044-07:00Highlands Weekend Notes<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i>Playoff Opponent for Highlands Unknown Until Next Week</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI6QArpbIB8dmrvd-n395UxI_5BVfOOLTT57SuBQqfos-wLjpOggox8MMLmDFyz2LOXmDO2Y1HlszizaYTwzdyD9JE0E14d3UoRRrdEzsRggh7p0P3Bfljr6_OElktw3cZjGtygSAIUc/s2048/BrodyBenke3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI6QArpbIB8dmrvd-n395UxI_5BVfOOLTT57SuBQqfos-wLjpOggox8MMLmDFyz2LOXmDO2Y1HlszizaYTwzdyD9JE0E14d3UoRRrdEzsRggh7p0P3Bfljr6_OElktw3cZjGtygSAIUc/w400-h266/BrodyBenke3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: Ed Harber. Highlands sophomore wide receiver Brody Benke (8) hauls in a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Cooper.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></p><p><b>No one covers Highlands sports like FTM! We're there, in-person, every week! Please consider a small donation to help fund our content. We rely solely on support from our advertising partners, providing our content for free. Any amount helps. Click here to donate!</b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><input alt="Donate with PayPal button" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" title="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" type="image" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highlands Bluebirds football team (5-5 overall) does not know who the opponent will be in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds created doubt in that regard after a 35-7 win against the Cooper Jaguars (6-3) on Friday. The only thing decided is Covington Catholic (6-3) will again be the top seed after another 4-0 run through the current District 5 alignment. The Colonels finished off the run with a 27-7 win over Conner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands, Cooper and Conner finished 2-2 in district play going 1-1 against each other. That means the Ratings Percentage Index will decide the seedings for the playoffs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"That math is way over my head. I'm a high school football coach,"</b> said <b>Bob Sphire</b>, Highlands Head Coach. <b>"You have to play the same teams over. Who gives a hoot whether you play them the first week, second week or whether you play them home or away? We've played equally or maybe even better on the road than we have at home. We just have to be ready to come play football like we did (Friday)."</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Kentucky High School Athletic Association said the RPI is way to compare a team's relative strength to others based on their strength of schedule. It is calculated from the team's Winning Percentage (WP), the Opponent's Winning Percentage (OWP) and the winning percentage of opponents of teams they have played (OOWP).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sphire pointed out the win over Cooper brought the Bluebirds a lot of RPI points. The Jaguars have a winning percentage of .667 based on six wins divided by nine games played. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The X-factor is Highlands and Cooper have played one out-of-state opponent each and Conner has played none. Out-of-state opponents have different values than in-state opponents do. That hurt Highlands last year in terms of having to go to Conner for the first round of the playoffs compared to playing at home after a loss to Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller. Highlands lost 27-21 at Cincinnati (Ohio) McNicholas on Sept. 10 and Cooper defeated Madison (Indiana) on the road, 51-19 on Oct. 1.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands finished 1-3 at David Cecil Memorial Stadium and 4-2 in games not played there. That included a 21-18 win over Bowling Green at the neutral Western Kentucky University to open the season Aug. 21.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds have their bye week the last week of the regular season entering the playoffs. But things will be settled after the other four district opponents play non-district games this Friday. Cooper hits the road to play Louisville Butler and Conner plays host to George Rogers Clark. Covington Catholic plays host to Ryle and Boone County travels to Tates Creek.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands is currently slated to travel to Covington Catholic for the first round of the playoffs with a .51791 winning percentage as the fourth seed. But Conner is one spot ahead of Highlands with a .52033 percentage. Cooper is second with a .56239 percentage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>9th Region Volleyball Pairings:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands (28-7 overall) will have to overcome a huge challenge to advance in the 9th Region Tournament on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Conner. The Bluebirds lost twice to the Lady Jaguars (21-11) during the regular season and have lost 15 straight against Cooper. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands has one win in school history against Cooper. It came in a 2-1 (25-17, 17-25, 15-13) win on Sept. 19, 2009. Cooper opened in 2008.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bluebirds won their fifth consecutive 36th District championship on Wednesday. They are 12-7 against region opponents overall including a 4-6 record against teams in the 9th Region Tournament. The winner faces either St. Henry or Covington Holy Cross on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Highlands Head Coach <b>Katelyn Sallee</b> announced she will not be returning next season. Sallee is in her eighth season as head coach. She took over the program in the spring of 2014.</div>G. Michael Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07513520199258268764noreply@blogger.com0