Highlands Girls Earn Second Win

Bluebirds Roll Past Trimble County

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands eighth grade point guard Kaylee Mills (3) dribbles in position in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (2-4 overall) earned a win in its first game in 10 days.

The Bluebirds defeated the Trimble County Lady Raiders (1-7), 56-36 to open the Assumption Rockets Christmas Tournament in Louisville. It also marked the first win of the season for Highlands against a Kentucky opponent.

Highlands saw seven different players score. Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center Marissa Green scored a career-high 26 points making 12-of-21 shots and both free throws to go with 13 rebounds for a double-double along with two assists and two steals. Senior center CC Shick and sophomore center Kasey Gross followed with eight points and seven rebounds each.

"That's what we challenge them with every day. If it's a game or a practice, we have to get better every day individually and as a team," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "One thing we've been stressing is that we have to be able to get the ball to our post players. We did a much better job of that and you can see they scored a lot of points for us."

The Bluebirds received a nice boost from eighth grade guard Natalie Hinegardner. She made two triples for six points and nine rebounds.

"I think for the younger players at least for me (seeing the ball go through the hoop) brings more confidence in how I will play most of the game," Hinegardner said. "If I miss a shot, I'll probably be mad at myself. But if I make it, I will be like, 'Hey. I got this. This is how I've been playing my whole entire life. If I miss it, I usually focus on getting the rebound. If I don't get the rebound then I'll just focus on making a good play on defense to counter the missed shot."

Highlands made 25-of-73 shots for 34 percent including 3-of-14 from three-point range for 21 percent and 3-of-4 free throws for 75 percent. The Bluebirds also had 53 rebounds, 15 assists, 12 steals and 10 turnovers. Senior guard Meg Gessner had four assists and three steals.

Trimble County saw six different players score making both free throws. Sophomore Payton Butters led the way with nine.

Highlands plays the host Rockets (8-1) to continue the tournament Wednesday. Game time is 6:30 p.m. back in Louisville.