Highlands keeps postseason alive

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Parker Harris goes in for the score in a recent game. The Bluebirds beat the Dayton Greendevils, 59-30 to open the 36th District Tournament on Monday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds made sure their season did not end Monday.

Highlands (8-16 overall) took out the Dayton Greendevils, 59-30 in the first round of the 36th District Tournament at Newport. The Bluebirds also beat the Greendevils in the regular season meeting, 55-47 on Jan. 17.

The scoring leader came in the form of freshman guard Braden Posey with 18. Parker Harris followed with 11 and Mitch Cain scored 10 for the victors.

“The whole group has been playing much better lately,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “Braden got the minutes and played well.”

The win sets Highlands up for a rematch with district favorite Newport Central Catholic (26-3) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Newport. NewCath beat Highlands, 83-43 on Jan. 27 in Fort Thomas.

“We know the things we have to take away from them and do things to help us rebound better,” Listerman said. “They’ve hurt us rebounding the basketball the last couple times we played them. We also need to control the tempo and get it in our favor.”

Listerman knows anything can happen in the postseason. The Thoroughbreds have won 10 in a row against the Bluebirds.

“We just have to go play,” Listerman said. “You can have a great season and get upset in the tournament, then you feel hollow. We have an opportunity to rewrite our season in the postseason. That’s our focus right now.”

NewCath has beaten Highlands 10 straight times. The Thoroughbreds have won six straight district championships. The Bluebirds won their last district crown in 2008.