NewCath edges Highlands, 56-54

Photos by G. Michael Graham. Top: Newport Central Catholic head coach George Stoll (center) discusses strategy in Friday's game at Highlands. Bottom: Highlands center Jesse Daley prepares to shoot a free throw in the game. NewCath won 56-54 to extend its winning streak to eight in a row over the rivals.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This game showed once again that anything can happen in rivalry basketball contests.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team came into Friday’s 36th District showdown with the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds as slight favorites with more experience. But the Thoroughbreds made more plays down the stretch to pull off a 56-54 victory and extend their winning streak to eight in a row dating back to a 54-48 Highlands win on Jan. 9, 2009 in Fort Thomas.

“They grew up a little bit,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “It’s tough playing a good team that is supposed to win on its home floor and us being so young. You have to learn from it. I’m proud of them.”

Both teams received huge games from their main scorers. Junior post Nikki Kiernan led everyone with 22 points for the victors and made another double-double with 12 rebounds to go with three blocked shots.

Teammate Loren Zimmerman came up huge in the fourth quarter. She scored six of her eight points in that stanza as the Thoroughbreds (10-3) held off the Bluebirds (10-5).

On the other side, Highlands senior Twin Towers Jesse “Dirt” Daley and Leah Schaefer scored 15 points each. Daley grabbed 14 rebounds for a double-double and Schaefer had nine. Schafer also had two assists and two steals.

“We both have good centers or power forwards,” Stoll said. “We had a hard time guarding Leah and Jesse had a good game as well. But I can’t get too upset because we came out with the W.”

The shooting stats were almost even. The Thoroughbreds made 20-of-53 shots for 45 percent and the Bluebirds made 23-of-55 for 42 percent.

But NewCath made four three-pointers to two for Highlands. Kiernan hit two triples with Michaela Ware and MiKayla Seibert making one each for NewCath. Brianna Adler and Lydia Graves made one each for the Highlands.

“We know we made some mistakes in the first half against a good team like NC that we can’t do,” said Jaime Richey, Highlands head coach. “It’s a typical NC team that likes to put a lot of ball pressure on. They did a great job guarding our perimeter players. But we had some great spots.”

The Bluebirds shot better at the free-throw line making 6-of-9. NewCath continued to struggle there making just 4-of-14 for 29 percent.

“We were making a run at the beginning,” said Stephanie Lewis, NewCath junior. “Now, we’re just cold. I feel like if we just keep practicing (free throws and shooting), we’re going to get hot in the tournament.”

Highlands won the rebounding battle 35-32. But NewCath won the steals and turnover battle. The Thoroughbreds had 14 turnovers and eight steals to 16 turnovers and six steals for the hosts. Lewis added 11 rebounds for NewCath to go with nine points and Ware had four assists and three steals.

The game stayed close in the first half. Kiernan scored with two seconds left to give NewCath a 26-24 halftime advantage.

But the Thoroughbreds looked like they’d run away in the third quarter. Kiernan sparked a 16-6 NewCath run to give the Thoroughbreds a 42-31 lead entering the fourth quarter.

But Schaefer caught fire in the fourth quarter scoring 10 to lead the Highlands rally. She scored six when the Bluebirds came back to tie the game at 53 with a 13-2 run including a jumper in the center with 49.3 seconds left. NewCath led 51-40 with 4:06 remaining.

“If we’d have played like we did in the fourth quarter, we would’ve won the game,” Daley said. “We got tired, lost our focus and had too many brain lapses. You just can’t let that happen. We have to stay mentally in the game. You have to make yourself stay focused.”

Highlands got back into the game by speeding up the tempo with full-court pressure in the fourth quarter. NewCath had problems with it after building its lead by slowing down the tempo and working the ball around for good shots.

“It’s very difficult when teams speed up,” Zimmerman said. “It’s about making great passes and finding the open player. You have to make sure you look up the floor.”

NewCath called a timeout before Ware hit a lay-up on the left side with 25 seconds left to give the Thoroughbreds a 55-53 advantage. Highlands then called a timeout with 16.1 seconds left.

After the timeout, Alex Combs drove to the bucket for the Bluebirds and drew a foul. She made 1-of-2 free throws forcing Highlands to foul Kiernan. Kiernan made 1-of-2 free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining before the Bluebirds missed the game-winning attempt.

“I told the girls it wasn’t our last three possessions that lost us the game,” Richey said. “It was the first half when we weren’t getting offensive rebounds and giving up offensive rebounds. Every possession counts.”

Highands did receive a scare with 6:07 left in the game when Abner went down clutching her left knee. After the game, Abner said she’ll be fine. Abner missed a good portion of last basketball season with a torn right Anterior Cruciated Ligament, Medial Collateral Ligament and Meniscus when Boone County standout Sydney Moss undercut her going for a loose ball. Abner also missed most of soccer season in the fall after injuring her right Meniscus.

Both teams return to action today. NewCath faces Louisville Sacred Heart (12-1) at 5:30 p.m. and Highlands travels to Erlanger to face St. Henry (6-7) at 7:30 p.m.