Highlands squads, NC girls earn 9th Region victories

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The next step toward respectability for them was to beat a team that made the 9th Region Tournament last year.

Highlands earned it step with a 60-56 double overtime win over the Ryle Raiders (7-11) on Saturday in Fort Thomas. Highlands (6-11) entered the game with an 0-6 mark against 9th Region teams that played past districts last year. The Bluebirds will not play the make-up contests against Campbell County, Boone County, Pendleton County or Cincinnati Shroder.

Two seniors led the charge as Highlands won for the third time in four games. Brandon Hergott had 19 points and Drew Houliston pitched in with 15.

The Bluebirds play host to Covington Holy Cross on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

Highlands 59, St. Henry 39:

The Bluebirds moved to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in 9th Region play with a sound win Saturday over the improved Lady Crusaders (15-8) under the guidance of first-year Head Coach Paul Sturgeon. St. Henry finished 14-16 last year.

Highlands won its third straight by scoring 1.03 points per possession to .75 for the visitors. The Bluebirds made 19-of-43 shots for 44 percent, including 7-of-23 from three-point range for 30 percent and 14-of-16 free throws for 88 percent.

St. Henry made just 17-of-38 shots for 44 percent and missed both three-point tries. The Lady Crusaders also made just 5-of-12 free throws for 42 percent.

Turnovers also made a huge difference in the game. Highlands had just 11 turnovers and 15 steals to 20 turnovers and six steals for the visitors. Brianna Adler and Zoie Barth led Highlands with three thefts each. Adler made all six free-throw attempts.

Highlands saw two players reach double-digits in Lydia Graves with 18 and Alex Combs with 10. Graves made 4-of-7 three-point attempts and Combs made 5-of-10 shots.

McKenzie Leigh had another good game rebounding the basketball. She finished with seven to lead Highlands and added seven assists.

St. Henry saw two players reach double-figures. Savannah Neace led the way with 14 points and Trisha Marks followed with 12. The duo also combined for eight rebounds each.

Highlands travels to Alexandria to face Bishop Brossart. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 62, Covington Holy Cross 43:

The Thoroughbreds won their 20th game of the season against just three losses with a home win over the Lady Indians (15-6). NewCath edged Holy Cross, 39-37 on Jan. 17 in the All “A” 9th Region Tournament.

NewCath equaled last year’s win total in the process. The Thoroughbreds won just two games after finishing All “A” State runner-up last year.

Nikki Kiernan led the way with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. She went over 1,000 rebounds for her career and ranks third in school history with 1,684 points behind just Nicole Chiodi and Jayme Thiem.

The Thoroughbreds had balanced scoring in the win. Sarah Neace hit all three three-point attempts on her way to nine points. Teammates Ansley Davenport, Loren Zimmerman and Alexus Mayes scored eight each.

Holy Cross saw two players reach double-digits. Dajah McClendon led the way with 11 points and Cessie Mayhaus followed with 10.

NewCath shot free throws better making 19-of-24 for 79 percent. Holy Cross made just 3-of-10 for 30 percent.

The Thoroughbreds take on Bellevue on Wednesday. Game time is 6 p.m.