Ladybirds cruise to another victory

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Kristyn Lukjan (40) applies pressure while Haley Coffey (15) and Alex Combs (42) along with Newport's Kelis McGuire (22) watch. Highlands moved to 13-1 and clinched another outright 36th District top seed with the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds will enter the 36th District Tournament as the undisputed top seed for the second straight year.

Highlands (13-1 overall) earned that honor running away from the visiting Newport Ladycats (9-5), 77-40 Tuesday in Fort Thomas. The Ladybirds finished 4-0 in district play beating the four opponents by an average of 41 points.

Highlands junior Brianna Adler had a monster night nailing 7-of-12 three-point shots and both two-point attempts on her way to a career-high 26 points. Teammates Haley Coffey and Alex Combs followed with 14 points each. Combs made all six free-throw tries.

Combs added a double-double with 10 rebounds. Highlands won the rebounding battle, 36-33.

The Highlands defense forced 20 turnovers and 13 steals while yielding 12 turnovers on eight steals. Zoie Barth led Highlands with four thefts.

Highlands managed 1.16 points per possession to .62 for Newport. The Ladybirds made 27-of-53 shots for 51 percent including 9-of-23 from three-point range for 39 percent and 14-of-18 free throws for 78 percent.

Newport made 14-of-52 shots for 27 percent including 3-of-11 from downtown for 27 percent. The Ladycats also hit 9-of-13 free-throw tries for 69 percent. Kylie Orr led Newport with 12 points and Star Yeager had 10.

Highlands improved to 6-0 in 9th Region action. The Ladybirds travel to Covington Holy Cross (11-3) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

Newport Central Catholic 54, Boone County 50:

The Thoroughbreds (8-4) bounced back from the loss at Highlands on Friday. They had not won at Boone County since 2003.

Senior Michaela Ware put up another big game with 15 points. Fellow senior Loren Zimmerman followed with 14.

NewCath hits the road again Thursday. The Thoroughbreds travel to Campbell County. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:

Newport Central Catholic 78, Newport 49:

The Thoroughbreds (9-2) moved to 2-0 in 36th District action and 6-0 in 9th Region play with another convincing win.

Newport had no answer for junior post Ben Weyer. He had a double-double of 33 points and 10 rebounds to go with six blocked shots.

The Thoroughbreds have eight days off before playing again. They take on Lloyd Memorial on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.