Highlands Girls Hold off Dixie Heights

Highlands Boys Lose on Road

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands senior Chloe Jansen (34) sets up to shoot a free throw in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team has had its way with the Dixie Heights Lady Colonels over the years.

But the last two have been very close. Highlands (21-4 overall) once again escaped 14-8 Dixie Heights, 52-51 with exactly one second left. The Bluebirds moved to 9-2 in 9th Region action with the win.

Highlands senior Zoie Barth made a free throw with one second left to lift the Bluebirds to the victory. The Bluebirds trailed 51-45 with 2:30 left in the game. But Barth had a three-point play and junior Piper Macke made a triple to tie the game at 51 with 1:14 left in the game.

"We wanted to take the last shot. We ran a play where I posted up and we put a shooter in the corner," Barth said. "We told (sophomore teammate) Rory (O'Hara), who was passing the ball, to read the defense. Whoever was open to give (the ball) to them. I was open on the post so she got the ball to me. I knew I had to attack the rim. I drew the foul so it worked out pretty nice."

Barth again led the Bluebirds with 25 points making four three-pointers and 7-of-9 free throws. Barth also had three steals and an assist.

"It was a great win," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "We found a way to win. We had girls step up and make shots. That's what we talked about after the game. You have to be confident to do that."

Junior Maggie Hinegardner came off the bench to score 12 for Highlands. Macke finished with seven and O'Hara scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Highlands made 17-of-47 shots for 36 percent including 8-of-26 three-point shots for 31 percent and 10-of-13 free throws for 77 percent. Highlands lost the rebounding battle, 27-21 and had 10 assists, 11 steals, no blocked shots, eight fouls and 11 turnovers. O'Hara and senior Chloe Jansen had three assists each.

Junior guard Celia Pelfrey and freshman forward Madelyn Lawson led Dixie Heights with 14 points each. The Lady Colonels made 23-of-41 shots for 56 percent including 5-of-9 from three-point range for 56 percent and none of their three free throws. Dixie Heights also had six assists, 10 steals, no blocked shots, 19 turnovers and 11 fouls.

"It was a great region game. The atmosphere was great. The crowd was great," Richey said. "I want to thank everyone for coming on a Friday night. They were into it."

Highlands plays host to Boone County (8-12) on Saturday. Game time is 4 p.m.

Basketball, Boys:
Frankfort 65, Highlands 55:

The Bluebirds (14-10) saw their four game losing streak on the road against the Panthers (18-5).

Highlands plays host to Oldham County on Saturday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.