G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands guard Bailey Witte (12) sets up for a free throw in Monday's game against Covington Catholic. Witte scored eight points in the loss to the Colonels.
By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
It turned
out to be a bad mix.
The
struggling Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team welcomed the confident
Covington Catholic Colonels to Fort Thomas on Monday for its first home game
since defeating Bellevue on Dec. 8. The Colonels left with a convincing 78-38
victory when the dust settled.
The loss
left Highlands at 6-10 overall. The Bluebirds have lost four straight and eight
of their last 11 contests. They are 3-5 against 9th Region opponents.
The
visitors improved to 15-2. The Colonels have won nine of their last 10 games
with the only loss coming to Covington Holmes, 71-60 on Jan. 8.
“We really struggled passing and catching the ball,” said Mike Flynn, Highlands head coach. “We don’t have a player who really looks
confident getting us a bucket. When you play a team like CovCath that has many players
who can score the ball, you’re in for a long night. That’s what happened.”
Covington
Catholic took 15 more shots than Highlands in the game thanks to solid
man-to-man pressure defense. The Bluebirds turned the ball over 20 times to eight
for the Colonels. CovCath recorded 13 steals to one for Highlands.
The
Colonels then saw 11 different players score. Nick Ruthsatz led the way with 16
points and four steals. Nick Fredrick followed with three three-pointers on the
way to 13 points and Zach Tobler scored 10.
Nine
different Bluebirds scored. But no one hit double-digits. Bailey Witte led the
way with eight points.
CovCath
made 27-of-54 shots for 50 percent, including six three-pointers. The Colonels
also made 14-of-20 free throws for 70 percent.
Highlands
made 13-of-39 shots for 33percent, including just one three-pointer by Luke
Turner. The Bluebirds also made just 7-of-16 free throws for 44 percent.
The
Colonels scored a jackpot of 20 points in each of the first three quarter to
build a 60-26 advantage. Many of the faithful on the home side of the court
departed at that point.
Drew
Houliston hit a jumper for the game’s first two points for Highlands. But the
Colonels used an 8-0 run and never looked back. They extended the margin to
18-5 after a 10-0 run highlighted by the first of two Bo Schuh dunks.
Highlands
will look to get back in the win column on Thursday against Campbell County
(7-10) in Fort Thomas. Game time is 8 p.m.
All “A” 9th Region First Round at Dayton
NCC boys 79, Villa Madonna 39
The
Thoroughbreds (14-2) easily advanced past the Blue Lightning (8-9) on Monday to
open the All “A” 9th Region Tournament at Dayton.
Michael
Bueter led Newport Central Catholic with 27 points. NewCath has won two in a
row since the two-game losing streak.
The
Thoroughbreds face host Bellevue to continue the tournament at 6 p.m.
Wednesday.
.JPG)
