Hoops Roundup: Ladybirds move to 16-1 with non-region win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Alex Combs (42) fires up a three-point shot in Tuesday's game against Mason County. Highlands won 54-37 to move to 16-1 on the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team rolled to another sound victory Tuesday to move to 16-1 on the season.

Highlands stepped out of the 9th Region to handle the Mason County Lady Royals from the 10th Region, 54-37 in Fort Thomas. The Ladybirds avenged a 56-51 defeat in Maysville last year.

Highlands outscored Mason County, 1.08-.72 in points per possession. Junior McKenzie Leigh doinated the paint with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds making 9-of-11 shots including both three-point tries.

Highlands also saw point guard Haley Coffey score 10 points. The team had 10 assists led by Brianna Adler with four.

Mason County saw one player score in double figures. That was Whitney O’Mara with 16 points.

Highlands won the rebounding battle, 28-18. Alex Combs grabbed five for the Ladybirds.

Highlands made 19-of-37 shots from the field for 51 percent including 4-of-12 for 33 percent from three-point land. The Ladybirds also made 12-of-18 free-throw tries for 67 percent.

The Lady Royals (9-10) hit just 15-of-41 shots for 37 percent including 4-of-10 from three-point range. They made 3-of-4 free-throw tries for 75 percent.

The Ladybirds travel to Covington Holy Cross on Saturday for a make-up game. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

Newport Central Catholic 63, Newport 49:

The Thoroughbreds (11-7) moved to 2-1 in 36th District action with a win against the in-town rival on The Hill.

Ansley Davenport led the Thoroughbreds with 22 points and Loren Zimmerman followed with 11. Sarah Neace and Olivia Schalk followed with nine each.

NewCath plays host to Bishop Brossart on Saturday. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:

Highlands 55, Pendleton County 52:

The Bluebirds (6-8) won their fourth in a row in Falmouth over the Wildcats (8-11) behind the return of senior Parker Harris.

Harris scored five points in the final 53 seconds to lift Highlands to the win. Harris made a three-pointer with 53 seconds left and made two free throws to finish with 11 points. He’d been out since the first half of the Newport game on Jan. 10 because of a leg injury.

The Bluebirds saw two other players score in double figures. They were Mitch Cain with 18 points and Bo Hebel with 15.

Highlands travels to Campbell County on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

All “A” 9th Region Quarterfinals at Covington Holy Cross:

Newport Central Catholic 82, Heritage Academy 25:

The Thoroughbreds (13-3) coasted through the first two rounds of the All “A” 9th Region Tournament. They’ve won both rounds by an average of 56 points.

Fourteen Thoroughbreds scored in the game. Erik Anderson led the way with 11 points and Drew McDonald scored 10.

NewCath faces Beechwood (8-7) in the semifinals Friday. Game time is 6 p.m.