Highlands beats four-time state champion to open season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey DWCPhoto.com. Highlands guard Zoie Barth makes a move in last year's 9th Region semifinal contest against Notre Dame. Barth scored 10 points in the Ladybirds' season-opening win at Sacred Heart on Tuesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds started the basketball season off on a great note Tuesday in Louisville.

Highlands downed the host Sacred Heart Valkyries, 59-45 in the season opener for both teams. The Ladybirds had not beaten Sacred Heart since the 2011-12 season. Sacred Heart owns four state championships in school history.

Highlands passed saw the balanced scoring Head Coach Jaime Walz-Richey said in the preseason the team needs to be successful. Starters McKenzie Leigh and Brianna Adler scored 12 each with Zoie Barth and Lydia Graves scoring 10 each.

Highlands drew 24 fouls on Sacred Heart and committed 13. The Ladybirds made 28-of-42 free throws for 67 percent and the Valkyries hit all nine attempts. Barth made 8-of-13 attempts with Adler making 7-of-8 and Leigh hitting 6-of-7.

“We can be as good as we want to be when we’re unselfish with the basketball and play smart,” Richey said. “We rebounded extremely well. Our guards grabbed some key rebounds at crucial parts of the game.”

Highlands won the rebounding battle, 32-25. Graves led the way with seven rebounds and Adler had five.

The Ladybirds also made 14-of-30 shots for 47 percent. That included 3-of-10 from three-point range.

“Going in, we knew it would be a challenge,” Richey said. “We gave them keys to the game and they went through with that. It’s extremely good to come out of Louisville with a win.”

Defensively, Highlands wanted to keep Grace Berger out of the paint. She led Sacred Heart with 11 points.

Sacred Heart made 16-of-49 shots for 33 percent. That includes 4-of-19 from three-point range for 21 percent.

Highlands opens 36th District action at Dayton on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:

Newport Central Catholic 62, Dixie Heights 30:

The Thoroughbreds handled the visiting Colonels in the season-opener for both teams.

The NewCath posts dominated inside. Drew McDonald had 20 points and Ben Weyer scored 18. Zack Pangallo followed with 16.

The Thoroughbreds travel to Cooper on Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.