Highlands girls win big; HHS, NC boys fall

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team handled the Mason County Lady Royals, 71-45 on Thursday.

Highlands led 15-11 after the first quarter and won the second quarter, 21-9 to go up 36-20 at halftime. The Bluebirds also led 53-38 after the third quarter before putting the game away winning the final stanza, 18-7. Highlands scored 14 in a row at one point in the contest.

Highlands saw 10 different players score. Brianna Adler led the way with 15 points. She made 3-of-4 three-pointers. Senior post Jesse “Dirt” Daley followed with 11 points and five rebounds. Emilie Parton followed with nine points making two three-pointers for Highlands (12-6) and Alex Combs had eight.

The Bluebirds made 27-of-50 shots for 54 percent, including 7-of-12 from three-point range. Combs and Vanessa Fisse also made three-pointers for Highlands.

Highlands also shot better from the free-throw line making 10-of-14 for 71 percent. The Lady Royals hit 15-of-22 free throws for 68 percent.

Mason County (11-5) made 12-of-39 shots for 31 percent, including 6-of-20 from three-point range for 30 percent. Alivia Bierley led the Lady Royals with 16 points.

The Bluebirds play host to Ryle at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Ryle boys 64, Highlands 55:

 

The Bluebirds (6-9) dropped their third in a row in Union on Thursday.

Highlands did put three players in double-figures. Luke Turner led the way with 14. Teammates Jake Gronotte and Drew Houliston followed with 11 each.

The Raiders (8-7) also had three players reach double-digits. Mark Fussenegger led the way with 20 with Tanner White and Will Stuhr following with 14 and 13 respectively.

Highlands returns home for the first time since the second game of the season to face Covington Catholic (14-2) at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Covington Catholic boys 50, Newport Central Catholic 48:

 

The Colonels (14-2) edged the Thoroughbreds (12-2) in a crucial 9th Region matchup in Newport on Thursday.

Bo Schuh led the Colonels with 12 points.

Campbell County (7-9) comes to NewCath on Saturday. Game time is 2:30 p.m.