Hoops Roundup: Bluebirds give valiant effort in road loss

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Bo Hebel (55) puts up a shot in Friday's game at Covington Holmes. The Bluebirds put up a fight in the 68-57 loss.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (6-14) put up a valiant effort on the home court of a 9th Region contender Friday.

But Covington Holmes (20-5) fought off the Bluebirds, 68-57. Highlands has lost six in a row. The game featured a father-son head coaching matchup. Holmes Head Coach Mike Listerman is the father of Highlands Head Coach Kevin Listerman.

The Bluebirds saw three players reach double digits. Parker Harris led the way with 15 points. Nick Kendall and Mitch Cain followed with 14 and 13 respectively.

Highlands takes on Lloyd Memorial on Friday. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Basketball, Girls:

Highlands 63, Beechwood 24:

The Ladybirds (21-3) rolled to their fourth straight victory in Fort Thomas.

Highlands saw 12 different players score in the huge win. Senior Lydia Graves, who just committed to play at Georgetown College, made 4-of-6 three-point tries on her way to 16 points. Graves also had five rebounds and two assists.

The Ladybirds outscored the Lady Tigers, 29-0 in points off turnovers. Highlands had 14 steals off 20 Beechwood turnovers while yielding two steals on three turnovers. Alex Combs and Brianna Adler led the way with three thefts each.

Highlands shot the ball well making 19-of-46 shots for 41 percent including 12-of-23 from three-point range for 52 percent. The Ladybirds also made 13-of-15 free throws for 87 percent.

Beechwood hit just 8-of-32 shots for 25 percent, including 5-of-18 from three-point range for 28 percent. The Lady Tigers also made just 3-of-5 free throws for 60 percent.

Highlands plays host to Dixie Heights on Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 66, Walton-Verona 55:

The Thoroughbreds (14-9) held on for the non-region victory on The Hill.

They saw four players reach double figures in the win. Loren Zimmerman led the way with 17 points with freshman Lexy Breen scoring 14 on four three-pointers and Ansley Davenport with 13.

Walton-Verona (12-11) saw Hailey Ison score 22 points to hit 1,000 points for her career. Allie Mills followed with 15 and Morgan Simpson scored 10 for the Bearcats.

NewCath faces Notre Dame on Sunday at 7 p.m. The game takes place at Thomas More College as part of the Play to Change a Life event.