Saturday Round-up: Highlands Girls Hoops Bounces Back to Down County Rival

Highlands Archery Places Third in Tournament

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman forward Adrienne Harris runs up-court in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (5-7 overall) faced another 37th District team Saturday at Russell Bridges Gym and put out a much better result.

Acting Head Coach Kayla Umberg challenged the Bluebirds in the fourth quarter of the loss at Scott on Friday to hustle better among other things. They put together a better fourth quarter in that game and it carried over to the next day resulting in a 57-50 win over the Campbell County Camels (6-7).

"It was like a whole other team out there," Umberg said. "We had a really good film session before the game. (6-foot-1-inch center) CC Shick, our only senior, really challenged the girls. (She) kind of told them what Highlands basketball is from the last girl on the bench to the girls on the floor and I think that really motivated the girls. It was really exciting to see all the girls involved, how excited the bench was and celebrating the win with the girls on the court."

Umber has served as acting head coach the past three games. Head Coach Jaime Walz-Richey has not able to be there during that time.

Shick led the way with a double-double of 23 points making both three-point shots, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Freshman Marissa Green at 6-2 followed with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Eighth grade guard Saylor Macke followed with eight including a crucial bucket down the stretch.

"(On Friday) our effort was really not there. It was good coming out (Saturday)," Macke said. "It always helps when our bench energy is up."

Highlands made 22-of-51 shots for 43 percent including 3-of-17 from three-point range for 18 percent and 10-of-14 free throws for 71 percent. The Bluebirds also had 38 rebounds, 17 assists, 11 steals and just 14 turnovers.

Junior forward Keauna Cullum led Campbell County with 12 and sophomore Alli Collins scored 11. The Camels made 7-of-14 free throws for 50 percent, 17 two-point shots and three three-pointers.

Highlands travels to St. Henry on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Archery:

Highlands placed third out of eight teams in the Camp Ernst Middle School Shoot-Out in Burlington over the weekend with 3,154 points. Cooper won it with 3,244 points.

Senior Madison Opitz led Highlands shooting 285. That was the highest girls score in the tournament and second overall.