Bluebirds Fall to 10-9 with Region Road Loss |
| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands senior Nate Roberts receives some last instructions before taking the in-bound play at Cooper on Monday. Roberts scored 10 points in the Highland loss. |
It did not happen. The Cooper Jaguars (15-3) penetrated better against the Highlands defense and came away with a 52-41 win. Cooper is 7-1 against region opponents while the Bluebirds dropped to 7-2.
After breaking a 17-game losing streak at Covington Holmes on Monday, Highlands dropped its eighth straight against Cooper. The only win in school history for the Bluebirds against the Jaguars came on Dec. 11, 2008 in an 85-49 win in Union during the first year Cooper opened up.
Cooper ended up taking six more shots making 16 for 44 percent including 5-of-15 three-point shots for 33 percent and 15-of-20 free throws for 75 percent.
"They were a little bit more patient against our zone and they hit some 15 to 17-foot jump shots against it late in the third, early in the fourth," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "That let them kind of pull away. We had to come out of the zone and chase them. That's why the margin ended up that way. (Cooper Head) Coach (Tim) Sullivan does a great job. They're a very, very good ballclub. We challenged our guys to compete for 32 minutes, communicate and stay together. Really, I feel like we did that for the most part."
Highlands shot the ball better percentage-wise making 15-of-30 shots for 50 percent, but did not make enough three-point tries to stretch the field connecting on just 2-of-8 for 25 percent with none in the second half. The Bluebirds made 9-of-15 free throws for 60 percent.
The Jaguars won the rebounding battle, 22-19. They also had seven assists, one steal, no blocked shots, six turnovers and 13 fouls. Highlands had seven assists, two steals, no blocked shots, 10 turnovers and 18 fouls.
"We didn't clean up the defensive glass as much as I'd have liked, especially in the third quarter," Listerman said. "That was a little bit of their aggressiveness. The extra possessions and th extra shots were the difference."
Both teams saw three players score in double figures. Highlands saw seniors Alex Starkey, Ben Sisson and Nate Roberts score 10 each.
Senior guard TJ Deere led Cooper with 15 points. Senior guards Blaine Walters scored 13 and Ty Houston added 10. The Jaguars had seven assists, one steal, no blocked shots, 11 fouls and six turnovers.
The teams were tied at 22 at halftime. The Jaguars led just 32-30 entering the fourth quarter.
Highlands plays host to Dixie Heights (6-12) on Friday in Fort Thomas. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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