Highlands hoops teams fall

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Unlike the 9th Region quarterfinals last year when the teams combined for just 21 points, they combined to score 80 more in this one.

But the 9th Region favorite Notre Dame Pandas used a 16-3 run in the middle two quarters to pull away from the visiting Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (11-6), 63-48 Tuesday. Notre Dame (8-4) led 56-37 at one point in the fourth quarter.

Highlands could not stop Olivia Voskuhl. The Cleveland State signee scored a game-high 18 points making 2-of-4 three-point attempts.

She had plenty of help. Teammate Elly Ogle, verbally committed to play volleyball at Louisiana State University, added 15 points and Carlee Clemons had 11. Haylee Smith, a Ryle transfer, followed with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Turnovers turned out to be a big difference in this game. Highlands made 20 and Notre Dame had just 12. The Pandas recorded seven steals to four for the Bluebirds.

Highlands saw two players reach double-figures. Leah Schaefer and Brianna Adler scored 15 each. Schaefer added eight rebounds and Adler made two three-pointers.

No one else scored more than four points for Highlands. Notre Dame held post Jesse “Dirt” Daley to two points and two rebounds.

Notre Dame made 27-of-50 shots for 54 percent, including 3-of-7 from three-point range for 43 percent. Highlands made 20-of-41 shots for 49 percent, including 2-of-13 from three-point range for 15 percent.

Neither team shot free throws well. Highlands hit 6-of-11 for 55 percent and Notre Dame made 6-of-13 for 46 percent.

Highlands plays host to Mason County (11-4) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Newport boys 60, Highlands 42:

The Bluebirds (6-8) had no answers for the Short brothers down the road in a 36th District loss Tuesday.

JaQuan Short scored 25 points to lead Newport (10-4) including 10 in the first quarter and 17 in the first half. He also added seven three-pointers. Brother JeSean added 15 for the Wildcats, including one three-pointer. Newport has won six of its last seven games.

No one placed in double-digits for the Bluebirds. Drew Houliston led the way with eight points.

Highlands travels to Ryle (7-7) on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. contest.