All area hoops teams win Friday

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team knocked off the Frankfort Panthers, 59-52 in the Woodford County Invitational in Versailles on Friday.

The Bluebirds moved back above .500 at 4-3 and the Panthers fell to 4-7. Bailey Witte and Nick True led Highlands with 14 points each. The duo also hit big free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the win.

The Bluebirds battle Lexington Paul Dunbar (6-4) at 4 p.m. today to conclude the tournament.

Highlands girls 56, University Heights 38:

The Ladybirds (6-3) bounced back from Thursday’s loss to defending state champion Louisville DuPont Manual with a win over the Lady Blazers (5-3).

Posts McKenzie Leigh and Jesse “Dirt” Daley dominated the paint for Highlands. Leigh recorded 15 points making one three-pointer and recorded three steals. Daley had 10 points and senior teammate Vanessa Fisse had nine points.

The Ladybirds recorded 15 steals to two for the Lady Blazers. Ava Abner spearheaded that attack with five thefts. University Heights had 20 turnovers to 10 for Highlands.

Highlands put up 57 shots making 24 for 42 percent including 5-of-17 from three-point land for 29 percent and made 3-of-6 free throws for 50 percent. University Heights hit 15-of-34 shots for 44 percent including 4-of-9 for 44 percent from beyond the arc. The Lady Blazers also made 4-of-6 free throws for 67 percent.

Highlands concluded the Sam Swope Auto Group Queen of the Bluegrass Tournament at Manual at 10:30 a.m. today against Lexington Paul Dunbar (5-3).

NCC boys 54, Covington Holy Cross 34:

The Thoroughbreds pulled away from the Indians in the second half to stay unbeaten at 8-0 and drop the Indians to 3-4. NewCath also improved to 6-0 in 9th Region action.

Jake Schulte led the Thoroughbreds with 14 points. Defensively, NewCath held Indian standout center Antonio Campbell to just seven.

NewCath next faces Boyd County (6-4) on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Ashland Invitational Tournament at Ashland High.

NCC girls 65, Lloyd Memorial 40:

The Thoroughbreds moved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in 9th Region action with a convincing road win over the Lady Juggernauts (1-9).

Junior standout Nikki Kiernan led the way with 20 points for NewCath. She saw limited action in the second half as the Thoroughbreds led 55-31 entering the fourth quarter. Teammate Alexus Mayes followed with 14.

NewCath next plays host 9-1 Conner in the Cougar Classic at 8:15 p.m. Thursday.