Highlands girls, NC boys win; Holmes downs Highlands boys

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team may have to win games like this to advance in the postseason.

Highlands moved to 17-5 overall and 3-2 in games decided by five points or less with a 41-40 win over the host Beechwood Lady Tigers (10-10) on Friday. Highlands moved to 11-2 against 9th Region competition with the win.

Haley Coffey hit a free throw with five seconds remaining to lift the Bluebirds to victory. She finished with nine.

Highlands had balanced scoring. McKenzie Leigh led the Bluebirds with 12 points, seven rebounds and a blocked shot.

The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 35-20 but turned the ball over 15 times to six for the Lady Tigers. Lydia Graves added eight points and five rebounds for Highlands.

Jessica Schilling led Beechwood with 13 points. Teammates Ally Johnson and Macy Stumpel followed with nine and eight respectively. Stumpel scored her 1,000th career point in the win.

The Bluebirds take on St. Henry at 3 p.m. today in Fort Thomas.

Basketball, Boys:

Newport Central Catholic 64, Bishop Brossart 44:

The Thoroughbreds (22-3) earned another big win following four days of rest after winning the All “A” State championship on Sunday.

NewCath has won 15 in a row. The Thoroughbreds have tough regular season games left against Covington Holmes and Louisville Trinity.

The visiting Mustangs (19-3) came into the game having only lost to Paducah St. Mary in the first round of the All “A” state tournament and Holmes, 74-51 on Dec. 10. They are 5-2 against 9th Region teams.

Zack Pangallo continued his scoring tear with 20 points to lead NewCath. Post Drew McDonald added 19.

The Thoroughbreds do not play again until Wednesday. They play host to Bellevue (10-9) at 7:30 p.m. to wrap up 36th District action.

Covington Holmes 63, Highlands 52:

The Bluebirds (5-11) hung tough with the Bulldogs (19-3). They had the Holmes lead below 10 in the third quarter before Holmes pulled away.

Brendan Buten scored 13 to lead Highlands. NCAA Division I recruit James “Beetle” Bolden scored 19 to lead the Bulldogs.

Highlands plays host to Ryle (7-10) today at 7:30 p.m. in a make-up game.