Another Close Loss in Lexington for Birds

Kittens Escape with Three-Point Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Rory O'Hara (35) puts up a shot in a recent game. O'Hara scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss to Ashland on Friday.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (6-4 overall) faced another squad from the 64th District on Friday and the result mirrored the one Thursday.

Highlands could not do enough to pull out the victory losing again by three points, 54-51 to the Ashland Blazer Kittens (8-2). It marked the third day of the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic.

"We've definitely improved our 2-3," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "Our match-up zone has seen a good test these past two games. We're talking a lot more on defense, which is great to see. We've developed an inside presence with different people so it's nice to be able to get the ball inside to the girls that are open."

Highlands junior Zoie Barth had another big game scoring 28 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. She also made one three-pointer and recorded two steals.

Freshman Rory O'Hara also reached double digits with 10 points and six rebounds. Barth and junior Hanna Buecker also had six rebounds.

Highlands won the rebounding battle, 25-22 and shot better percentage-wise. The Bluebirds made 13-of-34 shots for 38 percent including 2-of-6 three-pointers for 33 percent. The Kittens made 15-of-42 shots for 36 percent including 7-of-22 from three-point range for 32 percent.

Both teams also shot free throws well. Ashland made 17-of-19 for 90 percent and Highlands hit 23-of-29 for 79 percent. For Highlands, that marked an improvement from the 13-of-20 for 65 percent performance in the 57-54 loss to Boyd County on Thursday.

"We just have to do our routine and we have to go up there with confidence and knock down free throws," Richey said. "We did that in (Friday's) game."

Turnovers hurt Highlands in this loss. The Bluebirds had 14 turnovers on nine Ashland steals and recorded six steals off eight Kitten turnovers. Junior Chloe Jansen led Highlands with three steals.

Ashland also had two player score in double figures. Senior guard Mykassa Robinson led the way with 18 points and sophomore guard Julia Parker had 17.

Highlands takes on Hazard (7-2) to finish the classic on Saturday back at LexCath. Game time is 1:15 p.m.