Highlands Takes Fifth at Gateway Holiday Classic |
| PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Jacob Noe (23) puts up a shot in a recent game. |
The Bluebirds built another nice lead in the third quarter and had to hold on at the end to beat the Anderson County Bearcats (4-8), 62-59 to finish fifth in the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County on Saturday. Highlands is 6-6 on the year.
Highlands led 26-21 at halftime. But the Bluebirds used a 29-21 third quarter to go up 55-42 entering the fourth quarter. The Bearcats outscored Highlands, 17-7 in the fourth quarter.
"We did a good job of attacking their zone press and found the right guys and finished shots," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "We actually did a very good job of getting them to miss shots, too. We owned the boards particularly early in the second half."
Highlands won the rebounding battle, 36-19. Senior Tyler Gulley led the way with 10 rebounds and Nate Roberts had seven. Robers also had six assists and six points.
The Bluebirds saw seven different players score. Junior Alex Starkey came in to score 14 points and senior point guard Robby Gabbard had 12. Senior Jacob Noe hit three three-pointers for nine points.
"That's the way our team is," said Ryan Leigh, Highlands junior. "We don't really have one guy who is like the best player and takes all the shots. We share the ball and try to play as a team. There is not one guy (opponents) can shut down. Everyone contributes."
Highlands did have some foul trouble against Powell County on Friday. The Bluebirds finished with 13 and the Bearcats had 19. The Bluebirds made 10-of-17 free throws for 59 percent and the Bearcats hit 11-of-19 for 58 percent.
"We did a very good job of avoiding foul trouble," Listerman said. "Robby Gabbard picked up two fouls and had to sit the second quarter, which was good for us to have to play without him because he's done such a great job of running our team. We had guys step up, handle the ball well and build the lead a bit there late in the first half."
Highlands had to contain Anderson County senior Cobe Penny. Penny, a Player of the Year candidate in the 8th Region, came into the game averaging 23.5 points per game including a 34-point effort against Louisville Trinity in the King of the Bluegrass Tournament at Louisville Fairdale on Dec 19. He finished with 23. Zarian McKee and Dylan Pittman followed with 17 and 14 respectively.
Highlands made 23-of-46 shots for 50 percent including 6-of-9 from three-point range for 67 percent. Anderson County hit 20-of-49 shots for 41 percent including 8-of-23 from three-point land for 35 percent.
Highlands takes on the defending 9th Region champion and state runner-up Cooper Jaguars (12-2) in Fort Thomas on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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