Taking Down a County Rival

Bluebirds dominate Mustangs for first win in Alexandria since 2003

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Griffin Huber puts up a shot against Bishop Brossart on Saturday. Highlands beat the Mustangs, 61-29 snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series dating back to 2007.

The Blue and White has shown it is on the verge of some great things this basketball season.

The Highlands Bluebirds (2-5 overall) had just been short in key areas of the game and it cost them the tight ones. But they put together a complete game Saturday and dominated the county rival Bishop Brossart Mustangs (1-7), 61-29 in Alexandria. Highlands snapped a two-game losing streak overall and eight-game losing streak against Bishop Brossart dating back to a 64-40 win over the Mustangs in Fort Thomas on Dec. 23, 2007.

Highlands also snapped a six-game losing streak in Alexandria. The Bluebirds had not beaten the Mustangs on their home floor since a 59-43 victory on Jan. 3, 2003.

The Bluebirds saw a number of players contribute. They made 22-of-41 shots overall for 54 percent including 12-of-23 from three-point range for 52 percent. Highlands also made 3-of-6 free throws for 50 percent. Bishop Brossart made 10 two-point shots, a three-pointer and hit 6-of-11 free throws for 55 percent.

Highlands held Bishop Brossart to just 11 points in the second half. The Bluebirds led 45-23 entering the fourth quarter.

"It's so rewarding for the kids," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "They've played very, very hard and to put things together and see the ball go through the basket for those guys was great. We had some guys struggling from outside. More importantly was our focus defensively. Our guys that came off the bench were just locked in."

The Bluebirds saw junior Jacob Noe led the way with 14 points on four three-pointers. Junior Robby Gabbard followed with 11 points.

Senior post Kyle Finfrock did have another nice game with eight points and six rebounds. The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 27-15.

"If we just spread the ball out and feed it inside from time to time, we can basically compete with any team we play," Noe said. "We need to work it inside and out and it works out fine. We'll pass to (Finfrock) in the post. When they collapse, that's when the kick-out is open."

Listerman wanted the players to be more unselfish. He said the Bluebirds did a better job making that extra pass against Bishop Brossart. Junior Carl Schoellman served as a great example there with four rebounds, four assists and two three-pointers on his way to six points.

"It's not so much on the floor. With the number of guys we have that can contribute at the varsity level, it's hard to accept a little less time in sharing that time as a group based on what's going on," Listerman said. "That's a really hard thing for 16 and 17-year-olds to understand and I think we started to turn a corner for that."

Highlands travels to Simon Kenton (5-1) on Wednesday. Game time is 7:15 p.m.