Bluebirds Move to 4-0 on Season
 |
| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior point guard Sam Vinson (3) signals a play in the 85-72 win over Scott on Friday. Vinson scored 34 points as the Bluebirds moved to 4-0 on the season. |
The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team again used its athleticism to best the visiting Scott Eagles in an 85-72 non-region win Thursday. The Bluebirds stayed undefeated on the season at 4-0 while Scott dropped to 1-3.
Scott drove all the way to the state semifinals in 2017 and had beaten Highlands 70-56 in Taylor Mill last year on Jan. 4, 2019. This marked just the fourth meeting for Highlands against the Eagles since Kevin Listerman became head coach in 2013. But the Bluebirds last beat the Eagles, 46-38 in Fort Thomas on Feb. 12, 2013.
"Scott shot the ball well. But we responded every time they made a run, especially in the second half," Listerman said. "We made plays to keep it at double figures. We didn't necessarily bury them. But we did a very good job of being solid when we needed to, getting stops when we needed to, then executing on the offensive end."
Junior point guard Sam Vinson put together another monster night with a near triple-double. Vinson scored 34 points to go with 11 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, one blocked shot and just three turnovers. Vinson made 13-of-22 shots including 1-of-3 three-point tries and 7-of-10 free throws.
"As a team, we just try to go fast and get a lot of transition points," Vinson said. "We all trust each other. We're all having a lot of fun. We've had a good start to the year."
Highlands junior forward Luke Muller also had another big game with 23 points to go with two blocked shots, two rebounds and two assists. Muller made 8-of-13 shots including 5-of-9 three-point tries and 2-of-3 free throws.
Highlands made 32-of-59 shots as a team for 54 percent including 9-of-20 three-point tries for 45 percent and 12-of-17 free throws for 71 percent. The Bluebirds outscored the Eagles, 40-22 in the paint and had 27 rebounds, 21 fouls, 17 assists, 12 turnovers, six blocked shots and nine steals.
Senior guards Hunter Ahlfeld and Jacob Brass scored eight points each. A lot of other players made their contributions. Sophomore forward Oliver Harris had two blocked shots.
Scott made 23-of-46 shots for 50 percent including 9-of-17 three-point tries for 53 percent and 17-of-21 free throws for 81 percent. The Eagles also had 29 points, 13 assists, 16 fouls and 14 turnovers.
The Eagles saw three players score in double figures. Sophomore Kyle Huelsman led the way with 33. Junior Grant Profitt followed with 16 and junior Nick Brown scored 14.
"We let (Huelsman) get some good looks early. He's the type of kid as are most good shooters," Listerman said. "They see the ball go in the basket. They feel comfortable. It's hard to make them uncomfortable. We did a very good job I thought on their point guard (Profitt). (Junior guard) Evan Rom's defense was superb again. (With) Jacob Brass, those two guys really give us a defensive presence on the perimeter. They helped generate a lot of the tempo we want to play at."
Highlands plays Bracken County (1-3) in the John Turner Classic at Newport on Saturday. Game time is Noon.
Bowling:
Highlands has mixed results against NewCath:
The Highlands girls swept NewCath, but the boys lost by 30 points.
Highlands plays Newport at Bellewood Super Bowl lanes on Tuesday. Match time is 3:30 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment