Adler scores 1000th career point as Highlands tops St. Henry

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Brianna Adler (10) puts up the shot that put her in the 1,000-point club while St. Henry's Connor McGinnis (10) and Taylor Potts (20) get in position. Adler scored 15 points as the Ladybirds downed the Lady Crusaders, 61-42.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team quickly put to rest the bad taste from Saturday.

Highlands pulls away from Scott

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands sophomore Brianna Adler makes a move in Monday's game at Scott. The Bluebirds downed the Lady Eagles, 56-47 to move to 16-5 on the season with the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

TAYLOR MILL – They struggled to make plays down the stretch going 2-2 last week.

But that was not the case Monday. The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team outscored the Scott Lady Eagles, 21-13 in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 56-47 victory.

HHS Girls Hoops Preview: Bluebirds working for success similar to last year

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It had been a while since they made it to the successful postseason level of last year’s team.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team finished 26-8 last year. That included its first 36th District championship since 2008 and a spot in the 9th Region title game at the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University. Highlands beat opponents by an average of about 56-46.

36th Girls Championship: Highlands runs away from Newport, 66-27

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

When teams come in heavily favored, they tend to look at opponents and think, “Oh. They’re no good. We can take the night off.”

The Highlands Bluebirds girls coaching staff made sure the hosts (24-7) washed away any traces of that mentality quickly in the 36th District Championship game here Friday. Head Coach Jaime Walz-Richey and staff benched the starters with 5:20 left in the first quarter and just a 2-0 lead on two Jesse “Dirt” Daley free throws.

The Bluebirds responded well. The reserved used a 7-0 run to put Highlands up 15-7 after the first quarter and cruised to a 66-27 win over the Newport Lady Wildcats (18-12) for its first district championship since consecutive titles in 2007 and 2008. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds won the previous four titles.

“We told them we have to be prepared from here on out,” Richey said. “We can’t have mental lapses like we did. We didn’t have energy to begin the game. That’s why I benched them and brought my subs in.”

Vanessa Fisse scored seven of her 12 points in the first quarter for Highlands. The Bluebirds led just 8-7. But Fisse started the 7-0 run with a three-pointer and jumper on the left side. McKenzie Leigh finished it with a lay-up.

“We just had to show (Newport) respect and play against them the way we did against NewCath,” said Emilie Parton, Highlands senior. “That’s how we knew we were going to win. We had to step it up and play good defense or we were going to see the bench like (the starters) were.”

The Bluebirds had too much depth for the Lady Wildcats. They saw 10 different players score to just four for the visitors. Tournament Most Valuable Player Brianna Adler led Highlands making five three-pointers on her way to 15 points and Leah Schaefer followed with 10. Schaefer and Fisse also made the All-Tournament team with NewCath forward Stephanie Lewis.

Schaefer let out a scream after the game. In addition to winning their first district title while in high school, the Bluebirds also ended an eight-game losing streak to the rival Thoroughbreds in the semifinals Tuesday as a result of the blind draw.

“I’m so excited,” Schaefer said. “I’m not sure why we started off slow. The subs picked it up and did really well for us. We have a really deep bench and everyone on this team can play so if someone is having a bad game, someone else can go in and pick up where we left off.”

Highlands made 24-of-49 shots for 49 percent, including eight three-pointers. The Bluebirds also did well from the free-throw line again making 10-of-12 attempts for 83 percent.

Newport made just 10-of-43 shots for 23 percent including three triples and 4-of-6 free throws for 67 percent. Kylie Orr led the Lady Wildcats with 11 points.

The Bluebirds pressured the Lady Wildcats all over the court forcing 23 turnovers on 20 steals while committing 11 on nine Newport steals. Fisse led Highlands with four thefts with Schaefer and Lydia Graves recording three each.

“We knew we could go deep in our bench this game,” Richey said. “We wanted to use that to our advantage to get all the girls experience in the district tournament. At one time, I had all my freshmen along with Alex (Combs) and Lydia (Graves) out there. Usually when they’re in, Haley (Coffey) and Brianna are out.”

The Bluebirds did a great job balancing between going for steals and committing fouls. They committed just eight to nine for Newport. Only one Highlands player finished with more than one foul.

“You have to pretty much be in help side or denying the ball,” Adler said. “When you’re in help defense, you have to run and get it and try not to slap (opponents). We got in foul trouble once before and it wasn’t very pretty. So we tried to get in help side and get the pass.”

The Bluebirds also did a better job distributing the ball then the Lady Wildcats and controlling the paint. Highlands had 15 assists to seven for Newport. Adler led Highlands with four assists.

The Bluebirds also turned away six Newport shots to three blocks for the Lady Wildcats. Leigh led Highlands with three blocks.

Highlands put the game away with a 12-0 run to start the second quarter. Adler made two three-pointers and Schaefer scored three buckets during that run that gave the Bluebirds a 27-7 advantage with 4:35 left in the half.

Highlands led 35-14 before another 7-0 run expanded the lead to 42-14 at halftime. Adler made another three-pointer with Graves recording a steal and coast-to coast score and Coffey making two free throws.

The Bluebirds used another 9-0 run to go up 51-16 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter and enforce the running clock. Schafer scored two buckets to lead the run.

Highlands finished that quarter with another 7-0 run to go up 63-20 entering the fourth quarter. Combs scored her four points during that Bluebird run.

The biggest lead of the game for Highlands came at 43 points with 7:36 left in the game. Graves gave the Bluebirds that lead with a free throw.

Highlands will be going for its first regional title since 2001 starting early next week at the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University. The Bluebirds won three consecutive regional titles when Richey played in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Highlands finished state runner-up during Richey’s sophomore season in 1994.

Highlands comes up with huge win over defending 8th Region champs

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands senior Vanessa Fisse (15) makes a move on Walton-Verona's Shelby Mullikan (15) in Saturday's game in Fort Thomas while teammate Ava Abner (22) gets in position. Highlands won 44-40 for its 21st win of the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team knew it would be tested Saturday as both teams geared up for the postseason.

Like many teams, Highlands has had its struggles in big games this season. But the Bluebirds (21-7) came through for a 44-40 home victory over the Walton-Verona Bearcats for their 15th win in 18 games. The Bearcats (16-8) won the 8th Region crown last year and had won four in a row coming into the game.

“Just being able to come through in a close game is great, especially a week before Districts start,” said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands head coach. “It’s about a year of maturity and doing the little things. We executed on offense and made some stops defensively.”

Every small thing made a huge difference in this one. Highlands needed to hit some outside shots because Walton-Verona packed the lane against the Bluebirds Twin Towers of Jesse “Dirt” Daley and Leah Schaefer.

The Bluebirds came through making 12-of-36 shots for 33 percent, including five three-pointers. On the other side, the Wildcats made 13-of-37 shots for 35 percent.

Schaefer still led Highlands with 10 points and Daley managed seven. But five of Daley’s points came from the free-throw line as Walton-Verona constantly challenged her when she attacked the basket.

“As you get older, you realize it’s not about how many you score,” Daley said. “It’s about whether the team wins. The amount of points and assists I had helped my team win. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s what we did.”

Those seven points put Daley into elite company as she joined the Highlands 1,000-point club for her career. The 1,000th point came at a crucial time with 36.9 seconds remaining. It gave Highlands a 42-38 lead.

Daley became the 16th girl in Highlands history to make the club. Schaefer also hit a free throw at home to reach quadruple-digits in the Bluebirds’ 64-30 season-opening win over Dixie Heights on Nov. 27. Daley has played basketball with many of her teammates for years.

“It means a ton,” Daley said of doing it the same season with Schaefer. “We’re really close. It’s cool to be able to walk back here in 20 years and see my name on the wall.”

Highlands made its free throws down the stretch to seal the win. The Bluebirds hit 15-of-21 for 71 percent overall, including 8-of-11 in the fourth quarter for 73 percent. Walton-Verona made 13-of-15 free throws for 87 percent.

Brianna Adler made all six attempts on her way to nine points for Highlands. Adler made two with 49.2 seconds to put the Bluebirds up 41-36 and two more with 6.5 seconds remaining to make the final score.

“In a close game like this, you have to make your free throws,” Adler said. “If you don’t, opponents have a good chance of catching up with you. We all have our own (free throw) routine. We shoot free throws every day in practice for at least 20 minutes.”

Hailey Ison scored with 38.6 seconds following Adler’s first pair of free throws to trim the Highlands advantage to 41-38. Ison then made two free throws with 29.7 seconds left to make the score 42-40.

Following a Highlands miss, the Bearcats had a chance to win the game. But Courtney Sandlin missed a three-pointer and Adler grabbed the rebound.

The Bluebirds led 33-32 entering the fourth quarter. After a Coffey free throw, Sandlin tied the game with two free throws. But Daley found Schaefer cutting to the rim and Schaefer made two free throws to put Highlands up for good at 36-34 with 5:48 left.

That’s when Ava Abner came up huge for the Bluebirds. Walton-Verona backed off her on the perimeter because Abner does not score much. But she let a three loose and made it to give Highlands a 39-34 advantage.

“It was about time,” Abner said. “I usually rely on my teammates to hit the big threes. They were relying on me for that one. I just did what my team needed.”

At the other end, Michele Judy scored with 2:50 left to make the score 39-36 Highlands. Walton-Verona took two timeouts with less than two minutes left before Judy Missed a shot near the basket and Coffey grabbed the rebound setting up the dramatics in the final minute.

Defensively, the Bluebirds contained the Bearcat inside-outside duo of Sandlin and Judy. Judy finished with 12 and Sandlin 11 after they scored 28 and 21 points respectively in a 64-54 win over Newport Central Catholic on Wednesday. Sandlin recently returned from a wrist injury.

“We told them before the game we had to know where those two are,” Richey said. “We can’t let those two beat us. We were going to let some of the other players shoot. But we really had to double down on Judy some.”

The game stayed close in the first quarter before Highlands finished it with a 7-0 run to go up 13-6. Emilie Parton made a three-pointer from the left corner with 45 seconds left to finish the run.

Highlands struggled in the second quarter losing it 16-5. Judy tied the game with 3:13 left in the half and Sandlin made a free throw and shot to put Walton-Verona up 20-16. Following two Daley free throws, Judy scored again to give the Bearcats a 22-18 halftime advantage.

But that lead did not last long. Highlands started the half with a 9-0 run. Adler made a three-pointer before Daley scored a bucket and hit two free throws and Coffey recorded a steal and fast-break score.

Walton-Verona did come back to tie the game at 28. But Vanessa Fisse untied it with a three-pointer to give Highlands a 31-28 advantage. Following an Ison score, Schaefer hit a lay-in in the center before Judy made two more free throws for the Bearcats.

Highlands closes out the regular season against Simon Kenton (23-4) on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Ladybirds drub Lady Dragons, 65-29

Photo by G. MICHAEL GRAHAM. Highlands guard Brianna Adler takes a shot during warmups Saturday. Adler scored eight points and added four rebounds and two assists in Highlands' 65-29 win over South Oldham.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team moved back above .500 Saturday and hopes to keep elevating from there.

They again had contributions from every player that saw action in a 65-29 drubbing of the South Oldham Lady Dragons. Highlands (3-2) scored the game’s first six points and never looked back.

The Ladybirds won without one of the Twin Towers in Leah Schaefer. The Xavier commit stretched out her right leg behind the bench and walked on crutches after the game. Schaefer hurt her right ankle in Thursday’s 55-51 win over Bishop Brossart. Schaefer said she could be out a few weeks but will know more Monday when she goes to the doctor for evaluation.

“It was not going to be one person who filled Leah’s spot,” said Jaime Richey, Highlands head coach. “It was going to be everybody. I thought we stepped up and did that. Everyone did a little extra and that helped us win.”

South Oldham finished 27-5 last year including a 57-53 win over visiting Highlands on Dec. 10. The Lady Dragons won the 29th District, and finished 8th Region runner-up, 52-47 to Walton-Verona. But South Oldham (0-4) has a new head coach in Christy Higdon and only dressed nine players.

The Highlands domination started with the other Twin Tower. Senior post Jesse “Dirt” Daley tallied another double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The nickname fits Daley because she does a lot of the dirty work in the paint.

Daley received the nickname “Dirt” in the eighth grade. Highlands 2010 graduate Hope Cutter gave her the nickname when they joked about the movie Joe Dirt because the name of Daley’s older brother is Joel.

The Ladybirds made 21-of-51 shots overall for 41 percent, including 12-of-25 from beyond the arc for 48 percent compared to 8-of-37 for 22 percent for the Lady Dragons and no three-pointers.

Brianna Adler, Emilie Parton, Vanessa Fisse and Lydia Graves made two three-pointers each. Adler, Parton and Graves followed Daley with eight points a piece and Fisse scored six. Haley Coffey, Ava Abner, Tomi Blanton and Alex Combs also hit one triple each for Highlands.

“Their defense packed it in the paint really well,” Adler said. “So we just had to keep kicking it out and finding the open person. You pretty much have to read what the help side defense is doing. If they’re in the paint, kick it out. If they’re not, get the ball in to the posts.”

Highlands took South Oldham out of its offensive rhythm with its pressure defense. The Lady Dragons turned the ball over 27 times to 24 for the Ladybirds. Highlands recorded 14 steals to seven for South Oldham. Fisse led Highlands with four thefts with Coffey, Abner, Parton and Graves recording two takeaways each.

“We made some really good traps, which made them turn the ball over a lot,” Graves said. “We wanted to keep them away from the middle.”

Highlands also won the rebounding battle, 45-21 and recorded 18 assists to eight for South Oldham. Parton followed Daley with six rebounds with Fisse, Abner and Graves adding three assists a piece.

The Lady Dragons did do a little better at the free-throw line making 11-of-14 for 79 percent. The Ladybirds made 11-of-18 for 61 percent.

Rachel Platt was the lone player to reach double-figures for South Oldham. She scored 10.

“I felt like we had a deeper bench and that showed (Saturday),” Richey said. “We made that extra pass, which as a coach, you’re always happy to see. We have to bring that same intensity we have at home to away games.”

South Oldham did not score its first points until less than four minutes remained on the clock in the first quarter. Highlands led 16-6 after the first quarter after Parton hit a three from the right corner and Adler made two free throws in the final minute of the stanza.

Daley picked up her second foul in the second quarter and had to sit the rest of the half. But McKenzie Leigh, Alex Combs and others held their ground in the paint in her absence. Highlands switched from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 trapping zone to protect the posts in the second quarter.

The Ladybirds still used a 13-0 run to go up 29-6 at one point with 4:19 left in the half. Abner, Fisse and Adler made three-pointers during that run. Highlands led 40-12 at halftime.

Highlands did struggle offensively to start the second quarter. South Oldham used a 6-0 run to cut the margin to 40-20 before Richey called a timeout. Highlands responded with an 8-0 run to go up 48-20 with 1:37 left in the quarter. The Ladybirds led 51-23 after the third.

Highlands won the final stanza 14-6. Adler, Blanton, Graves and Parton hit one three-pointer each in that quarter.

The Ladybirds take on 36th District rival Newport (3-4) at 7:30 p.m. Monday back in Fort Thomas.