Thursday Highlands Results

Boys Soccer, Volleyball Record Victories

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior goalkeeper Connor Mathis gets in position in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (4-1-1 overall) hopes games like this become the norm.

Highlands came out strong in a 9th Region contest against the Conner Cougars (6-1-1) at Tower Park recording a 4-1 victory. The Bluebirds moved to 3-0 in region play.

"We're definitely one of the strong contenders in the area," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "We feel we had something to prove and we asserted ourselves. We're proud of the result. We played a lot better in the second half. We're starting to gel together as a team. We enjoy what we're doing and the results trickle from there."

The Bluebirds recorded 16 shots with 11 on goal. Highlands also had two offsides calls, eight fouls, five corner kicks and a yellow card. Highlands junior goalkeeper Connor Mathis and sophomore goalkeeper Jack Wilson made three saves each.

Senior forward/midfielder Jordan Frisk passed a nice through ball to junior forward Colin Piper for the game's first goal. That marked the third assist of the season for Frisk. 

Senior midfielder Cole Lorenzen scored his second goal of the season later in the half. The Bluebirds led 2-1 at halftime.

"When we get a couple goals early on, it helps build the momentum for the rest of the game and we never really looked back," said Nick Robinson, Highlands senior defender. "We kept everything in front. They tried to play some through balls back. We were just making sure they didn't get behind us. When they did, our keepers were there to scoop them up. We played the easy balls when they came to our feet and we cleared them when nobody was open."

Pieper scored his team-high fifth goal in the second half on a nice cross from junior midfielder Peyton Helminiak. Helminiak and Frisk lead the team with three assists each. Pieper owns team-highs with five goals and 10 points.

Sophomore forward/midfielder Chad Gesenhues scored the game's final goal later in the second half. That marked his third goal of the season.

Highlands travels across the river to face the Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder Panthers (0-1) on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Panther Athletic Complex located at 1915 Quebec Road near Queen City Avenue.

Volleyball:

Highlands 3, Scott 0:

Highlands moved to 4-1 with another sound home victory over the Lady Eagles (1-4) by 25-20, 25-9, 27-25 scores. The Bluebirds own two 3-0 victories this week.

"It's been a good sign," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "I still think we kind of had some drop-offs during the first and third (games). I think we're getting into some rhythms. I think we still have to make sure that we're consistent."

Highlands had 17 aces, 34 assists, 34 kills, two solo blocks and 60 digs in the victory. Senior outside/right side hitter Sophia Sarakatsannis led the Bluebirds with 19 digs to go with six kills and two aces. Senior defensive specialist Madison Clore followed with 15 digs. Senior Honor Valentine followed with eight digs and an ace.

"Other teams are pretty scrappy so we have to be scrappy as well," Clore said of getting into a rhythm. "Pushing through practice and trying to perfect each dig and each serve-receive has really been helping us. When we have tons of energy and we communicate with each other, that helps with the dig, set, kill."

Senior middle blocker/right side hitter CC Shick led Highlands with nine kills to go with three aces. Senior middle blocker/right side hitter Lauren Buemi had six kills, six aces and three digs. Senior right side/outside hitter Lauren Ossege had seven kills and senior middle blocker Avery Cavacini had five kills.

Junior setter Kenzi Vennefron led the Bluebirds with 27 assists. Senior setter/defensive specialist Madison Opitz had four assists and four digs.

Highlands Boys Basketball Loses First of Season

Bowling Teams Win

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior Sam Vinson sets up a play against Newport on Tuesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team ventured to Hebron to face the Conner Cougars and were upset 73-61 Thursday losing for the first time this season.

The Bluebirds (14-1 overall) fell to 4-1 in 9th Region action. The Cougars are 8-5 overall and 5-2 in region play.

Highlands-Conner Football Sidebar

Highlands Faced Conner for First Time Since 2006

PHOTO: Ed Harber. Family members of the late Highlands quarterback Jared Lorenzen stand at midfield before the Highlands-Conner football game. In the middle wearing number 22 jerseys are Lorenzen's son Tayden (white jersey) and his daughter Taylar (blue jersey).

The Highlands Bluebirds and Conner Cougars had not met since 2006.

It ended up being the third Cougar win all-time against the Bluebirds. Conner last defeated Highlands, 29-26 in the second round of the playoffs in 1993.

Highlands Baseball Wins Season-Opener

Highlands Tennis Records Win

PHOTO: Kris Laskey. Highlands senior Jacob Schuh makes a move in the tennis match against Conner on Wednesday. Highlands won 5-0 to move to 2-0.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team held on for an 8-7 win over the Conner Cougars (1-2) in the season-opener Wednesday at Highland Park.

"It's always good to get a win. It's obviously early. We played like it's early," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "We need to clean some things up especially defensively and need to make sure we have each others' back. I thought we had pretty good approaches offensively."

Highlands senior Nolan Turner pitched the final three innings to pick up the win. The Bluebirds ended the game with a double play.

Bluebirds Snap Four-Game Losing Streak

Highlands Holds on for Region Win

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands junior Jacob Brass (5) and Jack Hegge (3) get in defensive position after a Ben Sisson score against Conner on Tuesday.

The contested shot hit the rim and bounced off.

That turned into a sigh of relief for the Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (9-7 overall) as the four-game losing streak came to an end in a 51-50 9th Region victory over the Conner Cougars (6-8). Highlands is 6-1 in region play with the win.

"We talked to our guys at halftime about making really good choices," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "We did a much better job of taking care of the basketball. That kept us relaxed. I thought our defense, especially on the last possession, was unbelievable. They had to take a difficult shot. We guarded two different actions in their sets. Fortunately, the ball bounced our way. We talked to our guys about finishing games and it's good to finish one and put one in the win column."

Clutch Win for Bluebirds

Highlands Snaps Two-Game Losing Streak with Road Region Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Nate Roberts goes in for a lay-up in a recent game. Roberts hit the game-winning shot against Conner with two seconds left Tuesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team (7-8 overall) came up with a clutch play at the end when needed to pull off the road win Tuesday.

Handling Challenges from the 9th

Highlands hoops squads win 9th Region battles

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Braden Posey makes a move in a recent game. Highlands downed Conner, 69-58 for its fourth win in five games Tuesday.

The undersized visitors tried to spread the hosts out, create mismatches then capitalize on them.

It may have worked some, but the Highlands Bluebirds (7-9 overall) countered it better with its consistent inside attack with 6-foot-5-inch senior Kyle Finfrock and created outside shots on the way to a 69-58 victory over the Conner Cougars (7-7) on Tuesday in 9th Region action. Highlands moved above .500 in region play at 4-3 overall with its second straight win and fourth in the last five games.

NC Hoops Roundup: Thoroughbred winning streak hits 15

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Grant Moeves shoots against three Holmes players in a recent game. The Thoroughbreds won their 15th straight over Conner on Thursday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds concluded the impressive regular season with a convincing 75-50 win at Conner on Thursday.

Highlands comes up short in title game

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands Designated Hitter Kenny Ball (left) reaches third ahead of the tag of Conner third baseman Jacob Owens (50). Highlands lost in the 9th Region championship, 3-0 Wednesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FLORENCE – They made their second appearance in the 9th Region title game in two years Wednesday.

But unfortunately for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team, two words have kept the Bluebirds (22-18) from bringing the elusive gold trophy back to Fort Thomas. That’s clutch hitting.

Thoroughbreds thrash Cougars to conclude regular season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds basketball team has a ton of momentum entering the postseason.

The Thoroughbreds (26-3) concluded the regular season with a bang taking out the Conner Cougars, 73-54. NewCath has won 19 in a row.

Highlands basketball teams down Conner

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highland Bluebirds boys basketball team has its first two-game winning streak of the season.

NewCath drills Conner to finish impressive regular season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team wanted to finish the regular season strong and avoid a repeat of last year.

The Thoroughbreds accomplished both feats with a convincing 79-49 win over the Conner Cougars in Hebron on Thursday. Conner (12-14) came to the Hill last year and upset NewCath, 49-47 in the season finale.

The Thoroughbreds finished the season with a 16-game winning streak to record the best regular season in school history at 28-2. NewCath also leads Kentucky with the most wins and finished 11-0 on the road, 9-0 on neutral-site games, and 8-2 at home. The Thoroughbreds also won the All “A” State Tournament in Frankfort in January.

NewCath saw four players reach double-digits in the win. Jake Schulte and Michael Bueter led the way with 18 points each with Colin Dupont adding 13.

Montgomery County snaps Highlands girls winning streak; boys fall to Conner

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team saw its five-game winning streak snapped by the Montgomery County Lady Indians, 63-52 Saturday in Fort Thomas.

Highlands had fallen behind and rallied in its two recent wins over Conner and Covington Holy Cross. But that did not happen in this game. The Bluebirds trailed 19-11 after the first quarter and 34-25 at halftime.

Montgomery County (19-5) also came into the game on a five-game winning streak. The Lady Indians have won the 10th Region seven of the previous eight seasons.

Highlands (16-7) did cut the margin to 47-40 entering the fourth quarter, but could pull off the win. Montgomery County’s biggest lead was 14 at 41-27 to start the third quarter.

Both teams saw three players score in double-figures. Jesse “Dirt” Daley led Highlands with 19 points making 7-of-11 shots and 5-of-6 free-throw attempts. Fellow Twin Tower Leah Schaefer scored 11 points making 5-of-6 free throws and Haley Coffey made 2-of-4 three-point shots for 10 points. Daley added nine rebounds.

Macie Spence, a 6-foot-3-inch center, led the Lady Indians with 18 points making 9-of-12 shots and eight rebounds. Teammates Erica Rogers and Olivia Colliver followed with 14 and 13 respectively. Colliver made all four three-point attempts and Rogers finished 2-of-7 on three-point attempts.

Montgomery County turned the ball over 12 times to eight for Highlands. The Bluebirds recorded 11 steals to five for the Lady Indians. Schaefer and Brianna Adler led Highlands with three thefts each.

But the Lady Indians shot better despite taking 15 fewer shots. They hit 24-of-45 shots for 53 percent, including 6-of-11 from long-distance for 55 percent and 9-of-11 free throws for 82 percent.

On the other side, Highlands made 18-of-60 shots for 30 percent including 5-of-25 from downtown for 20 percent. The Bluebirds also hit 11-of-14 free throws for 79 percent.

The Bluebirds play host to Beechwood (7-12) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Fort Thomas.

Conner boys 54, Highlands 40:

The Bluebirds hoped for consecutive wins for consecutive wins for the first time since beating Middlesboro to finish off the Pikeville Invitational Tournament and Villa Madonna.

That did not happen as the Cougars (9-10) built an 11-point 25-14 advantage and held on for the win in Fort Thomas on Saturday. Conner also led 36-25 entering the fourth quarter.

Samuel Hemmerich kept hitting big shots to keep Highlands in catch-up mode. He finished with 18 points on four three-pointers and Brady Padgett followed with 11 for the Cougars. Teammate Andrew Way added nine points on three three-pointers.

Junior Nick True led the Bluebirds finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Luke Turner followed with 10 points for the hosts.

Highlands (8-13) hits the road for four straight road games Tuesday. The Bluebirds travel to Cincinnati Schroder for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

 

Conner downs NCC in crucial 9th Region contest

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HEBRON – Both teams played tough defense in the key early-season 9th Region girls basketball contest.

But the Conner Cougars (11-1) made more shots to hold off the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (7-2) by a 49-38 count Thursday. The game opened the State Farm Holiday Classic at Conner.

Conner hit 17-of-65 shots for 26 percent including six three-pointers, and all nine free throws. NewCath made just two three-pointers going 12-of-61 percent for just under 20 percent. The Thoroughbreds also made just 12-of-18 free throws for 67 percent.

“It was the same old story,” said George Stoll, NewCath head coach. “We couldn’t make a shot to save our lives. It’s been like that for a few games now. We’re just in a shooting slump. We’ll get out of it. The shots are right there. They’re not missing by much.”

The first and fourth quarters really hurt NewCath. The Thoroughbreds made just 1-of-15 shots for about seven percent and just three points in the first quarter. Then they made just 1-of-13 shots and just four points for eight percent in the fourth quarter.

NewCath junior standout Nikki Kiernan turned in another monster game almost making a triple-double. She scored 10 points, nabbed 21 rebounds and rejected nine Cougar shots.

But Conner sagged its defense in the paint to double and triple-team her because NewCath could not hit outside shots. Alexus Mayes followed Kiernan with nine points, including one three-pointer. Michaela Ware had the other three-pointer for the Throughbreds.

Defensively, NewCath knew it had to contain Conner seniors Jordan Scott and Emily Pluto. Scott finished with 16 and Pluto had 10. Scott scored nine in the first half and added 21 rebounds for a double-double.

Scott had a key offensive putback and ensuing free throw down the stretch. But Hunter Hendricks made two crucial three-pointers from the left corner in the fourth quarter on her way to nine points for Conner.

“We missed our responsibilities there,” Stoll said. “We had two different girls on two set plays not switch out. That was our fault. That’s six points that shouldn’t have happened if we’re doing our job.”

Turnovers also did not help the Thoroughbred cause. NewCath made 20 to 11 for Conner. The Cougars recorded 11 steals led by Brooke Maines with four to five for NewCath. Ware led the Thoroughbreds with three.

NewCath won the rebounding battle, 53-47. After Kiernan, Stephanie Lewis grabbed 10 for the Thoroughbreds with Pluto, Hendricks and Maines nabbing six each for the Cougars.

Despite the score, NewCath found itself down just 40-38 with 1:43 left when Lewis made two free throws. But Scott put in an offensive rebound and ensuing free throw 10 seconds later and Conner made all six free throws after that to pull away.

NewCath trailed 14-3 after the first quarter as Conner used a 12-0 run to go up 14-1 at one point. But the Thoroughbreds rallied with a 9-0 run in the second to trail just 24-20 at halftime.

NewCath took its first lead with 1:55 left in the third when Mayes hit two free throws. The Thoroughbreds led 34-32 entering the fourth quarter.

NewCath faces Lewis County (5-4) at Noon and Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park (10-2) at 7 p.m. tonight to finish pool play in the classic.