Ladybirds move to 7-0 in 9th Region play

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Kierstyn Clukey (middle) makes a move to the basket in a recent game at Notre Dame. Highlands moved to 14-1 with a 75-54 win over Cooper on Tuesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team has just one blemish halfway through the season.

The Ladybirds (14-1) moved to 7-0 in 9th Region play with a sound 75-54 win over the Cooper Lady Jaguars (4-9) on Tuesday. They have won five in a row.

Senior Lydia Graves continued her hot streak with 20 points. Graves made 4-of-6 three-point shots.

Highlands had three more players score double digits. Senior Alex Combs made 11-of-14 free-throw tries on her way to 16 points. Teammates Brianna Adler and McKenzie Leigh scored 11 each.

Defense played a huge role in the Highlands win. The Ladybirds had 19 steals off 26 Cooper steals while allowing 18 turnovers and four Lady Jaguar steals. Combs led Highlands with four steals.

Highlands also won the rebounding battle 40-32. Graves paced Highlands with seven.

The Ladybirds hit 25-of-59 shots for 42 percent, including 9-of-20 from three-point range for 45 percent. They also made 16-of-28 free-throw tries for 57 percent.

Cooper made 19-of-47 shots for 40 percent, including just 3-of-11 from downtown for 27 percent. The Lady Jaguars made 13-of-18 free-throw tries for 72 percent.

The Lady Jaguars saw two players score in double digits. Lexi Held had 16 points and Asyah Mitchell had 14.

Highlands plays host to another 33rd District opponent on Friday in the Ryle Lady Raiders (9-5). Game time is 7:30 p.m.