Highlands Moves to 5-0 Heading into Battle with Ryle |
| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior Naya Figg looks to make a move in a recent practice. |
Since a 43-39 Highlands overtime win on Dec. 9, 2013 in Fort Thomas, Holy Cross had won four of the previous five meetings with the lone Bluebird win coming 52-44 in the 9th Region Tournament quarterfinals in 2016. Last year's meeting was cancelled because of weather and not made up.
But Monday's meeting went in favor of the Bluebirds in an 83-62 9th Region win. Highlands stayed undefeated at 5-0 and moved to 3-0 in region play and Holy Cross fell to 4-3 and 1-2.
Highlands made 28-of-54 shots for an amazing 52 percent from the floor including 10-of-25 from three-point range for 40 percent and 17-of-23 free throws for 74 percent. Holy Cross made 18-of-47 shots for 38 percent including 10-of-19 three-point tries for 53 percent and 16-of-18 free throws for 89 percent.
The Bluebirds saw four players reach double digits. Senior Zoie Barth again led the way with 16 making 5-of-10 shots including two three-pointers and all four free throws to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sophomore Rory O'Hara added 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go with three steals with sophomore Piper Macke scoring 14 on two three-pointers and senior Chloe Jansen scoring 10.
Senior guard Olivia Crigler kept Holy Cross in the game with 28 points. She made 8-of-10 three-pointers. Senior guard Trinity McClendon added 13.
"Offensively, it was a step in the right direction getting other people to score," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "It was a step back defensively. Before the game, we knew we needed to know where Crigler was and we gave her too many threes. She shot 10 threes and that was one of the things we didn't want her to do."
"Offensively, it was a step in the right direction getting other people to score," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "It was a step back defensively. Before the game, we knew we needed to know where Crigler was and we gave her too many threes. She shot 10 threes and that was one of the things we didn't want her to do."
Highlands won the rebounding battle, 30-25. Macke led Highlands with six rebounds.
The Bluebirds also had 15 steals on 26 turnovers while allowing eight steals on 18 turnovers. Senior Ashley Hayes led the way with four steals with O'Hara and senior Hanna Buecker recording three each. Buecker also had nine points.
Eleven different Bluebirds saw action as a result of the big win. Highlands led 64-44 entering the fourth quarter. That included senior forward Naya Figg, who is in her first season with the program.
"(My teammates) have been very helpful," Figg said. "If I ask a question, they're very patient and they don't get annoyed easily. That's a big thing for me because I didn't know many of the plays. They've been very uplifting and they don't make you feel bad about not knowing the plays."
Eleven different Bluebirds saw action as a result of the big win. Highlands led 64-44 entering the fourth quarter. That included senior forward Naya Figg, who is in her first season with the program.
"(My teammates) have been very helpful," Figg said. "If I ask a question, they're very patient and they don't get annoyed easily. That's a big thing for me because I didn't know many of the plays. They've been very uplifting and they don't make you feel bad about not knowing the plays."
Highlands plays host to undefeated Ryle (5-0) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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