Highlands One Win from 20th of Season

Bluebirds Hit Record 20 Three-Pointers in District Victory

PHOTO: Bob Jackson. Highlands junior Rylee Thomas (22) goes up for a shot in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (19-4 overall) once again overwhelmed a 36th District opponent extending the winning streak against district opponents to 27 straight.

Highlands led the Bellevue Tigers (11-9), 29-11 after one quarter and 56-22 at halftime on its way to a 94-41 victory. That is the season-high in points and the most lopsided win of the season. Bellevue's head coach is Tommy Sorrell.

"Tommy has a very nice team," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "Unfortunately for him and his team, they played us where we made 20-of-41 threes so nothing can stop a team when they shoot like that."

The 20 made three-pointers is tied for second in Kentucky High School Athletic Association girls basketball history. The record is 21 made by Louisville Moore against Louisville Seneca on Feb. 16, 2007. Owensboro Catholic hit 20 against Whitesville Trinity on Jan. 14, 2013 and Paris also did it on Feb. 10, 2003 against rival Bourbon County.

Highlands made 36-of-62 shots total for 58 percent and 2-of-3 free throws for 67 percent. The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 28-22 and had 26 assists, 16 steals, one blocked shot, 12 fouls and just three turnovers.

"We took advantage of the open shots," said Rylee Thomas, Highlands junior. "Once we hit a couple, we were on fire and shot pretty well the rest of the night."

Highlands saw senior Zoie Barth lead the way with 31 points making 12-of-16 shots including 7-of-10 from three-point range. Barth also made four assists, four steals and one blocked shot.

Senior Chloe Jansen also scored 19 points making 7-of-10 shots including 4-of-7 three-point tries. She also had five assists and three steals. Junior Maggie Hinegardner made four three-pointers on her way to 12 points and junior Meghan Walz made three on her way to nine points. Junior Piper Macke had seven assists, four steals and five rebounds. Thomas also tied Macke for a team-high five rebounds and sophomore Rory O'Hara added three steals.

Bellevue saw junior guard Kierstyn Ratterman score 15 and sophomore forward Morgan Mardis 10. The Tigers made 15-of-38 shots for 40 percent including 6-of-16 from three-point range for 38 percent and 5-of-11 free throws for 46 percent. Bellevue also had four assists, no blocked shots, two steals, two fouls and 19 turnovers.

Highlands plays host to Newport (0-18). Game time is 7:30 p.m.