NCC pounds Highlands; Highlands girls beat HC

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This 36th District rivalry game matched up two boys basketball teams going in different directions.

There are times when a big win or big loss in games like this change the course of a season. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds hoped to keep rolling, while the Highlands Bluebirds sought a big win to turn around their season.

The Thoroughbreds played like a team poised to win an All “A” state championship with a convincing 59-22 win Tuesday. NewCath has won six in a row to move to 18-2 and Highlands has lost 6-of-7 contests to fall to 7-12.

NewCath grabbed an 11-point lead at 16-5 after the first quarter and never let up. The Thoroughbreds led 33-9 at halftime and won the third quarter, 16-0 to increase the margin to 49-9 entering the fourth quarter.

NewCath saw 10 different player score in the win. Zach Pangallo led the way with 12 points and Jake Schulte had 11.

The Thoroughbreds made 22 field goals and nine free-throw attempts. NewCath also hit six three-pointers. Pangallo led the way with two with Mac Franzen, Michael Bueter, Colin Dupont and Jake Haas hitting one each.

The Bluebirds did not see any players reach double-digits. Drew Houliston led the way with seven points on one three-pointer.

Highlands made five three-pointers, one free throw and three two-point shots. Kenny Ball made two three-pointers for the Bluebirds with Justin Weyer and Ryan Greene making one each.

The Thoroughbreds open the All “A” State Tournament on Thursday at the Frankfort Convention Center against 12th Region champion Somerset (14-5). Game time is 6:30 p.m. Highlands faces Seven Hills (Ohio) at 8 p.m. Thursday in Fort Thomas.

Highlands girls 63, Covington Holy Cross 52:

The Bluebirds (16-6) rallied once again on the road in 9th Region play.

Highlands trailed 43-34 entering the fourth quarter and 29-17 at halftime. But the Bluebirds outscored the Lady Indians (14-4), 29-9 in that decisive quarter.

Brianna Adler and Leah Schaefer led the Highlands attack with 26 and 18 points respectively. Adler made three three-pointers and 17 free throws and Schaefer made one three-pointer.

Highlands outscored Holy Cross, 21-0 from beyond the arc. Haley Coffey, McKenzie Leigh and Alex Combs added three-pointers for the Bluebirds.

DeAsia Beal led Holy Cross with 28 points. She made 11 two-point field goals and six free throws.

Highlands faces defending 10^th Region champion Montgomery County (17-5) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fort Thomas.