Highlands Routs Bishop Brossart

Bluebirds Have Won Six Straight Against County Rivals

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands junior Piper Macke (1) makes a pass in a recent game. Macke scored 14 points in the 62-26 win over Bishop Brossart on Wednesday.

This series has been lopsided lately in favor of the Blue and White.

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (13-3 overall) won its sixth straight over the county rival Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs (12-5), 62-26 in Fort Thomas on Wednesday. Highlands has won the last five meetings by an average of 35.6 points.

Highlands used its defense to record 14 steals off 18 Bishop Brossart turnovers. On the other hand, the Bluebirds allowed eight steals off 12 turnovers. The Bluebirds also won the rebounding battle, 39-30 and had 11 assists, no blocked shots and 13 fouls. The Lady Mustangs had two assists, two blocked shots and 13 fouls.

The Bluebirds saw all 15 players receive at least one minute, 15 seconds of action and 10 scored. Senior Zoie Barth again led the way with 17 points and junior Piper Macke scored 14. Barth also had six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

"We were able to spread it out and get to the rim then once they stopped that, we were able to make some outside shots that for the rest of the year, we'll need to make those shots," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "I could see (opponents) just clogging (the lane) up. We have to be able to adapt to whatever defense (opponents) are playing. We did a great job of that (Wednesday)."

Highlands made 19-of-50 shots for 38 percent including 7-of-22 from three-point range for 32 percent and 17-of-20 free throws for 85 percent. Bishop Brossart hit 8-of-44 shots for 18 percent including 2-of-18 three-point shots for 11 percent and 8-of-15 free throws for 53 percent.

Sophomore guard Jordyn Rowe and sophomore forward Madison Crowe scored five points each to lead Bishop Brossart. Highlands limited 6-foot-2-inch forward Marie Kiefer to three points. Kiefer came in averaging 13.7 points per game.

"We really focused on our defense," said Meghan Walz, Highlands junior forward. "It was about paying attention when a certain person had the ball and making sure you doubled down or trapping when you're supposed to trap. It does a lot when you don't give them open shots. They tend to not gain confidence as fast. It helps get our offense moving as well."

The Bluebirds travel to Louisville Assumption (8-7) on Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.