Highlands Pulls Away in Middle Two Quarters |
| PHOTO: Bob Jackson. Highlands freshman Anna Greenwell (left) drives to the bucket in a recent game. Greenwell scored nine points in the 79-47 win over Cooper on Thursday. |
But the Bluebirds turned the intensity up in the next two quarters and pulled away for a 79-47 9th Region victory. Highlands moved to 5-2 against region opponents. The Bluebirds led 48-27 at halftime and 68-36 entering the fourth quarter.
"After the first quarter, we had a conversation on the bench that we had to play our defense," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "We were letting them have open shots with our hands down and allowing them to get second and third-chance points. We really buckled down in the middle of the second quarter all the way to the third quarter just playing our defense."
Highlands senior Zoie Barth again led the way making 8-of-13 shots including five three-point tries and all three free throws on her way to 24 points. She also had five steals and an assist. Barth now ranks third in school history with 2,120 points surpassing Heather Kruger-Parsons' career total of 2,111 points. Barth also has 424 career steals and 432 assists.
The Bluebirds saw 10 players score total. Junior Piper Macke made five three-pointers on her way to 17 points to go with five assists and two steals with sophomore Rory O'Hara scoring eight to go with four rebounds and three assists.
"How we practice is how we play," O'Hara said. "We try to keep good habits so we don't get in bad habits in games like that where we do have the lead. Our seniors help us. They're really great leaders when they're out there. We encourage each other and play together."
"How we practice is how we play," O'Hara said. "We try to keep good habits so we don't get in bad habits in games like that where we do have the lead. Our seniors help us. They're really great leaders when they're out there. We encourage each other and play together."
Highlands played a number of reserves starting in the middle of the third quarter. Freshman Anna Greenwell scored nine points off the bench.
"Whenever we have a chance to get the underclassmen out to play with Piper and Rory, we throw three other girls out there just to get that experience for next year so they're used to playing with one another," Richey said. "The more we can get them used to playing with each other now, it's just going to help us next year."
Highlands made 29-of-52 shots for 56 percent including 14-of-24 three-point shots for 58 percent and 7-of-9 free throws for 77 percent. The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 22-19 and had 23 assists, 12 steals, no blocked shots, 12 fouls and 10 turnovers. Senior Chloe Jansen added four assists for the Bluebirds.
Cooper saw sophomore guard Mackenzie Tackett come off the bench to score 15 to lead the Lady Jaguars. Eighth grade guard Whitney Lind averaged a team-high 14.2 points per game entering Thursday. But Highlands held her to seven points.
The Lady Jaguars made 18-of-36 shots for 50 percent including 5-of-9 triples for 56 percent and 6-of-11 free throws for 55 percent. Cooper had five assists, five steals, no blocked shots, 24 turnovers and seven fouls.
"Whenever we have a chance to get the underclassmen out to play with Piper and Rory, we throw three other girls out there just to get that experience for next year so they're used to playing with one another," Richey said. "The more we can get them used to playing with each other now, it's just going to help us next year."
Highlands made 29-of-52 shots for 56 percent including 14-of-24 three-point shots for 58 percent and 7-of-9 free throws for 77 percent. The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 22-19 and had 23 assists, 12 steals, no blocked shots, 12 fouls and 10 turnovers. Senior Chloe Jansen added four assists for the Bluebirds.
Cooper saw sophomore guard Mackenzie Tackett come off the bench to score 15 to lead the Lady Jaguars. Eighth grade guard Whitney Lind averaged a team-high 14.2 points per game entering Thursday. But Highlands held her to seven points.
The Lady Jaguars made 18-of-36 shots for 50 percent including 5-of-9 triples for 56 percent and 6-of-11 free throws for 55 percent. Cooper had five assists, five steals, no blocked shots, 24 turnovers and seven fouls.
Highlands plays at Campbell County (10-7) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment