Ladybirds reach 15th win in convincing fashion

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Lydia Graves sets up for a shot in a recent game. Highlands handled Ryle, 65-40 on Friday to improve to 15-1 on the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Opponents from the 33rd District have been lucky to come within 21 points of the Highlands Ladybirds basketball team this season.

Highlands again dominated another opponent from that district with a 65-40 win over the Ryle Lady Raiders on Friday in Fort Thomas. The Ladybirds (15-1 overall) have outscored their three 33rd opponents, 215-134 for an average margin of victory of 27 points.

Highlands once again created things driving to the basket drawing 20 Ryle fouls and hitting 25-of-29 free throws for 86 percent. The Lady Raiders (9-6) drew 14 fouls and made just 9-of-15 free-throw tries for 60 percent.

Highlands outscored Ryle, 1.01-.61 in points per possession. The Ladybirds made 18-of-51 shots for 35 percent, including 4-of-16 from three-point range for 25 percent. The Lady Raiders hit 15-of-50 for 30 percent, including 1-of-9 for 11 percent.

The Ladybirds again made things happen with their defense. Highlands made 11 steals off 20 Ryle turnovers while the Lady Raiders had five steals off 12 Ladybird turnovers.

Highlands again saw three players reach double figures. Alex Combs made all seven free-throw attempts on her way to 19 points and two three-pointers. McKenzie Leigh followed with 13 points and Lydia Graves had 11.

Ryle’s leading scorer had just 10 points. That came from Juliet McGregor.

Highlands ventures out of the region Tuesday. The Ladybirds play host to Mason County of the 10th Region. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

All “A” 9th Region Semifinals:

Covington Holy Cross 45, Newport Central Catholic 22:

The Thoroughbreds (10-7) will not be going to the All “A” State Tournament for the first time since 2006 with the loss. That ends a run of eight straight state tournament appearances.

Holy Cross won the region tournament three straight years between 2004 and 2006. The last time neither won the tournament was 2000 when Newport captured the title.

NewCath plays host to Newport on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:
Covington Catholic 58, Newport Central Catholic 48:
The Thoroughbreds (11-3) hoped to exact some revenge on the defending state champion Colonels (13-4). But turnovers did them in.

NewCath turned the ball over 15 times to seven for disciplined CovCath. The Colonels outscored the Throughbreds, 17-4 off those turnovers. Cole VonHandorf and Bo Schuh had three steals each to lead CovCath.

CovCath saw three players reach double figures. VonHandorf led the way with 17 points with Cooper Theobald and Andy Flood scoring 16 and 15 respectively.

Drew McDonald and Ben Weyer again reached double digits for NewCath. McDonald scored 18 points and Weyer had 10. Erik Anderson came off the bench and scored nine.

NewCath begins the All "A" 9th Region Tournament on Monday at Covington Holy Cross. The Throughbreds face Villa Madonna at 7:30 p.m.