Playing for a Championship

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands senior forward Leah Schaefer (23) sets up for a free-throw attempt in the third quarter of Sunday's 9th Region semifinal contest against Ryle at Northern Kentucky University. Schaefer scored 10 points in Highlands' first semifinal win since 2002. The Bluebirds beat the Lady Raiders, 60-44 and will battle the Notre Dame Pandas for the crown Monday at 7 p.m.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – It’s been a theme all year for the Blue and White.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team has had to overcome tough stretches to win games and Sunday was no different. The Bluebirds found themselves down just 21-19 at halftime despite a rough half.

But Highlands (26-7) turned things up 10 notches in the second half to beat the Ryle Lady Raiders, 60-44 in the 9th Region semifinals. The Bluebirds outscored Ryle, 19-6 to turn the halftime deficit into a 38-27 lead entering the fourth quarter before pulling away.

The end result for the Bluebirds is their first trip to the 9th Region title game since 2002 when current Dixie Heights head coach Tara Boothe-Smith was a senior. Jaime Walz-Richey became head coach the following year and Highlands had lost in its previous three region semifinal appearances in 2004, 2007 and 2009.

“These six seniors set a goal when they started playing that they wanted to be in the region championship,” Richey said. “They just continued to play hard. They didn’t get down after the first half. We played one of our worst halves in the first half. We told them what they needed to do and they came out and executed. All the credit goes to the girls. They did what we asked them to do in the second half.”

Highlands played in nine straight region championship games from 1994 to 2002. Walz-Richey led the Bluebirds to region crowns from 1994 to 1996 and Boothe-Smith led Highlands to crowns in 2000 and 2001. Highlands finished state runner-up in 1994.

Highlands faces Notre Dame at 7 p.m. for the title Monday. The Pandas won the regular-season meeting, 63-48 on Jan. 8 in Park Hills. But Highlands hopes to play more relaxed.

“We just have to come out and play our game and we’ll be fine,” said Emilie Parton, Highlands senior. “They’re the ones with all the pressure.”

Notre Dame has won 14 in a row and 18 of its last 19 contests and four in a row against Highlands. The Bluebirds last beat the Pandas, 66-43 on Jan. 4, 2010 in Park Hills.

Highlands ended up shooting an amazing 46 percent from the field with three three-pointers making 17-of-37 shots. The Bluebirds made 11-of-18 shots for 61 percent in the first half after hitting 6-of-19 in the first half for 32 percent.

They made 23-of-31 free throws for 74 percent including 10-of-16 in the fourth quarter for 63 percent. Vanessa Fisse made 8-of-10 attempts for Highlands on her way to 12 points and freshman Brianna Adler made all six attempts on her way to nine points. Ava Abner scored all five of her points at the free-throw line making 5-of-6 attempts.

“If you look at teams that have won region championships, they’re not led by freshmen or eighth-graders, they’re led by seniors,” Richey said. “We’ve been telling her. When Vanessa plays well, we win. We have a bunch of seniors with this group. They’re displaying it with what they do.”

Ryle made 16-of-48 shots for 33 percent, including five three-pointers. The Lady Raiders (12-18) also made just 7-of-12 free throws for 58 percent.

Highlands once again saw balanced scoring as eight players scored. The Bluebird bench outscored Ryle, 27-3. After Fisse, Leah Schaefer and Parton tallied 10 points.

“I was really focused,” Fisse said. “I knew if we lost, our senior season would be done. I didn’t want that to happen yet. We did what we needed to do to win.”

McKell Oliverio led Ryle with 12 points and Anna  Monobe added 11. Highlands held guards Dawn Johnson to nine and Katie Connor to no points. Freshman Carly Lange added nine for the Lad Raiders. Johnson did not play in the regular-season contest Highlands won 76-56 on Jan. 11 in Fort Thomas.

“We knew we had to watch (Connor) and not let her get hot on the three-point line,” Richey said. “We did a great job.”

Highlands did a much better job taking care of the basketball. The Bluebirds had 16 assists, eight steals and just seven turnovers to 10 assists, three steals and 12 turnover for the Raiders.

Abner led Highlands with four assists and four steals and Adler made four assists. Monobe led Ryle with six dishes.

The Bluebirds also won the rebounding battle, 31-25. Schaefer led Highlands with eight and Lange grabbed nine for Ryle.

Highlands used a 9-0 run to go up 9-3 with 3:30 left in the first half. The Bluebirds attacked the Ryle 2-3 zone. Haley Coffey made a three-pointer to tie the game at three and Schafer followed with an offensive putback before Fisse made two free throws and Parton hit a jumper on the right side.

But after a timeout, Ryle finished the quarter on an 11-0 run. Monobe hit a jumper in the center with 36 seconds remaining to put the Lady Raiders up 14-9 entering the second quarter.

Ryle led by six twice in the second quarter. But Highlands finished the half with a 6-2 run. Jesse “Dirt” Daley made two free throws and Schaefer scored twice near the rim.

“Leah and Ava dressed for a semifinal game (as eighth-graders in 2009) when we lost,” Richey said. “I think it was just tightness. I told them before the game, ‘You don’t look relaxed.’ Just go out there and play the game of basketball. This is what you like to do. I think they finally did that in the second half.”

The Bluebirds used a 7-0 run to start the second half and go up for good at 26-21 with 5:30 left in the third. Schaefer scored again near the rim and made two free throws before Adler made a three-pointer.

“Jaime said at the beginning it would be a game of runs,” Schaefer said. “We got on a little run and tried to stay up (intensity-wise). It gave us a lot more confidence.”

Highlands led by as much as 12 at one point in the quarter after two Adler free throws. Adler added two more free throws with 14.5 to finish the quarter and give the Bluebirds their 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Bluebirds extended their lead to 15 at 48-33 midway through the fourth quarter before the Lady Raiders made their run. They trimmed the margin to six twice in the final 2:03. But Parton answered with two breakaway lay-ups. The second one put Highlands up 52-44 with about a minute and half left in the game.

“They were coming back so we had to do something,” Parton said. “We finally broke the press. We didn’t freak out when they started pressing us so that really helped.”

The Blubirds finished the game with a 10-0 run. Parton made three lay-ups during that run.

Ryle graduates four seniors. They are Johnson, Connor, Monobe and Oliverio.  

 

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 earns 20th win of season at Lloyd Memorial

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands guard Haley Coffey (center) brings the ball upcourt in Friday's game at Lloyd Memorial while Ava Abner (22) gets in position. Coffey scored six points in the Bluebirds' 73-59 win. That marked Highlands' 20th win of the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

ERLANGER – One magic number for them has been 71.

When the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team has scored that many points or more in a game, the end result is a victory. The Bluebirds did that for the sixth time this season and third time during the current four-game winning streak in a 73-59 victory over the host Lloyd Memorial Lady Juggernauts on Friday.

Highlands moved to 20-7 with the win and Lloyd fell to 7-16. The Bluebirds have averaged 17.5 wins per season since Jaime Walz-Richey took over as head coach in 2002 but have not reached the 20-win plateau since the 2008-09 campaign. Highlands moved to 12-2 in 9th Region play.

Highlands saw 11 different player score during the win. The Bluebirds made 25-of-61 shots for 41 percent and 16-of-23 free-throw attempts for 70 percent in the win. They also made seven three-pointers.

“We’ll continue to shoot in practice a lot,” Richey said. “I think that helps in games. They’re confident in one another that they’ll make that extra pass for their teammates to shoot.”

The senior Twin Towers once again led the way for Highlands. Jesse “Dirt” Daley finished with 14 points. The other Twin Tower in Leah Schaefer and sophomore Alex Combs followed with 11 each. Another senior in Emilie Parton finished just shy of double-digits with nine points as she made two three-pointers. Schaefer also recorded six rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.

Five different Highlands players made three-pointers. Parton and McKenzie Leigh made two each with Schaefer, Combs and Vanessa Fisse making one each.

“When we get (the ball) in to Jesse and Leah, they collapse on them,” Leigh said. “They have to kick it out to the shooters. Then we can drive and shoot. That opens up scoring (opportunities) for everybody.”

Highlands trapped the perimeter a lot and forced 23 Lloyd turnovers while committing just 10. The Bluebirds recorded nine steals to five for the Lady Juggernauts. Haley Coffey, Ava Abner and Schaefer led the way with two thefts each.

“We pressed some and when we did, we got some steals, which was good for the team,” Richey said. “But we also gave up some lay-ups. We can’t do that with the two regular-season games we have left and in the postseason against (Newport Central Catholic).”

In the process, Highlands committed just nine fouls to 15 for Lloyd. Only one player had more than one foul for the Bluebirds.

“It’s very difficult,” Parton said of balancing between being aggressive and not fouling. “You just have to stay on your feet and make sure you’re keeping the ball in front of you and you’ll be fine.”

The Bluebirds also won the rebounding battle, 34-26. They scored a lot of second-chance points outrebounding the hosts, 18-6 on the offensive glass.

Highlands would still like to tighten up its defense heading into the postseason. Lloyd made 22-of-41 shots for 54 percent and 8-of-12 free throws for 67 percent.

The Lady Juggernauts saw nine different players score led by Shelby Rudd’s double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds. Rudd made all seven of Lloyd’s three-pointers.

“You have to give Shelby credit,” Richey said. “She made some three’s with people in her face. All of her shots were not open. We have to make sure we do a better job of not helping off her and making sure she doesn’t get the ball.”

Lloyd led 4-3 early, but Highlands surged ahead for good with a 13-0 run. Dayley scored six points during that run and Parton had five. The Bluebirds led 20-9 at halftime. The Lady Juggernauts came no closer after that point.

Highlands used a 9-0 run to go up 38-15 with 2:05 left in the half following a Tomi Blanton steal and score. The Bluebirds led 41-22 at halftime.

The lead expanded to 20 at 54-34 entering the fourth quarter. Schaefer led Highlands with four points in that stanza.

Highlands plays host to Walton-Verona (16-7) at 2:30 p.m. today. Walton-Verona won the All “A” State Championship and 8th Region crown last year.

Hoops Preview: Ladybirds aim for up-tempo attack

Submitted Photo. The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team has six seniors this year. They are, from left, Kelsey Clark, Emilie Parton, Jesse Daley, Leah Schaefer, Ava Abner and Vanessa Fisse. On Thursday, Schaefer signed to play at Xavier University in Cincinnati and Daley signed with NCAA Division III Thomas More College.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

On paper, this could be a special winter for the Highlands Ladybirds basketball team.

Highlands returns a wealth of talent and experience from last year’s squad, including four starters. That has the Ladybirds listed as a contender in the 9th Region. The Northern Kentucky Girls Basketball Coaches ranked Highlands second in the region behind the Notre Dame Pandas in their annual preseason poll.

While Highlands and Notre Dame did not suffer huge losses to graduation, the Ladybirds know the rest of the region will not bow down. They will have to prove themselves on a daily basis.