Bluebirds Face Park Hills Rivals

Highlands Girls Extend Win Streak to Six

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Rory O'Hara goes up for the score against Notre Dame on Monday. O'Hara scored nine points in the 

The last thing the Blue and White knew it could not do was take the struggling arch-rivals lightly.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (17-6 overall) came into the game against the Notre Dame Pandas (7-14) on a five-game winning streak. On the other hand, the visitors owned just 15 win in the last two years and snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 48-21 win over Beechwood on Wednesday.

Highlands led just 33-23 at halftime. But the Bluebirds pulled away for a 60-39 9th Region win Monday.

Highlands junior guard Zoie Barth again led the way with 16 points. She added four rebounds, five assists and five steals. Junior teammates Chloe Jansen and Ashley Hayes added 11 and 10 respectively and freshman Rory O'Hara scored nine points.

Highlands hit 22-of-51 shots for 43 percent including 9-of-25 three-point tries for 36 percent and 7-of-10 free throws for 70 percent. The Bluebirds had 28 rebounds, 15 fouls, 12 turnovers, 12 assists and 12 steals.

"We always say give all the effort you can no matter what," said Kenzie Nehus, Highlands freshman guard. "We just support each other and make sure we don't get too emotional. We're always there for each other. We play with more fire against our rivals."

Notre Dame made 11-of-35 shots for 31 percent including 3-of-14 three-point tries for 21 percent and 14-of-22 free throws for 64 percent. The Pandas had 28 rebounds, 10 fouls, 18 turnovers, six assists and 11 steals. Senior forward Kelsey Johnson and junior guard Danielle Rennekamp had 10 each to lead the Pandas. Johnson added five steals.

Highlands travels to Dixie Heights (16-6) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:
Covington Catholic 71, Highlands 25:

The Colonels (19-4) dominated this one from start to finish.

CovCath saw senior guard CJ Fredrick lead the way with 28 points. The Colonels made 25-of-53 shots for 47 percent including 8-of-15 from three-point range for 53 percent and 13-of-16 free throws for 81 percent and won the rebounding battle, 35-21. The Bluebirds made just 8-of-32 shots from the field for 25 percent including 3-of-12 from three-point range for the same percentage and 6-of-11 free throws for 55 percent.

The Bluebirds play host to Cincinnati Anderson on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.