Newport’s athleticism and skillset was on full display Friday night in the 36th District Championship against Highlands in Fort Thomas.
A couple of Marquez Miller dunks, the all-around play of backcourt mates Taylen Kinney and Jabari Covington, some blocked shots by James Turner, then DaSahwn Anderson’s one-handed dunk in the final minute to put the exclamation point on a 72-61 Wildcats victory, their first district title since 2019.
“This means everything to me. Me and my team had a hard fought win. I’m so glad of my team, I’m so happy. This means the world to me,” Miller said. “We want to go out with a bang. I’m so happy.”
Miller, the lone senior on the team has deferred the spotlight at times to the talented four previously mentioned.
But when the Wildcats needed a big play Friday, Miller was usually the one on the receiving end of it, whether it be the two-handed dunks, putbacks on the offensive glass or his patented mid-range jumper.
“We talked about it, some of the kids were talking about it. We wanted to do this for Miller our lone senior. Let’s do this for Marquez, he’s dealt with the COVID year and the year after. These kids play for each other and are a close-knit group,” Wildcats coach Rod Snapp said.
Miller finished with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, hitting 12-of-16 shots and was named MVP of the tournament. The Wildcats backcourt of Kinney and Covington had near triple-doubles, Kinney with 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while Covington had 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Anderson added 17 points as the team filled in while Turner was saddled with foul trouble.
Newport had a distinct size edge and took full advantage of it, outrebounding Highlands 34-19 in the contest and 20-5 in the first half as they shot out to leads of 19-15 after one and a 10-4 run at the end of the half giving them a 36-28 lead.
“It’s one of our keys to success is to not allow second chance opportunities. Especially with them, you allow second and third chances and they’re already a dangerous team. One of the best shooting teams in the state,” Snapp said.
The Bluebirds dealing with the loss of Brayden Moeves didn’t help, missing the third straight game with an injury. Moeves was tied as the third leading scorer on the team and pulled down 4.4 rebounds a game and provided the Bluebirds some length.
“We’re trying to adjust. We’ve actually only played I think three games this year with our full roster. But that’s just part of the game, it hurts not having that extra shooter and that experience, but nobody’s going to feel sorry for you,” Bluebirds coach Kevin Listerman said.
Newport built the lead to as much as 16 in the third before taking a 53-39 lead into the fourth. But Highlands kept within striking distance, getting the deficit down to six with less than 90 seconds remaining. The Bluebirds couldn’t inch any closer from there.
“That’s what I love about this group. When we walk on the floor, we’re not physically impressive. If we’re playing at the YMCA, I’m not sure that you’re picking any of my guys, but at the same time, they’ve got resiliency, they’ve got toughness and they’re gonna fight to the end,” Listerman said.
Nathan Vinson led Highlands with 30 points, hitting 12-of-16 from the field. The rest of the team shot 10-of-31 however, Will Herald adding 11 points, Seth Ryan with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Highlands will know their opponent for the Ninth Region tournament come Saturday morning at the draw at Holmes. They’ll enter as one of four two-seeds facing either Cooper, Lloyd Memorial or Covington Catholic on Monday or Wednesday. The Bluebirds won the 2021 region title on their way to a state championship.
Newport enters as one of the four No. 1’s, looking at a matchup with either Conner, St. Henry or Beechwood. The Wildcats last won a region title in 2010.
HIGHLANDS — 15-13-14-19 — 61
NEWPORT — 19-17-17-19 — 72
Highlands (61) — Vinson 30, Herald 11, Ryan 10, Benke 4, Listerman 3, Hicks 3
Newport (72) — Miller 24, Anderson 17, Kinney 15, Covington 14, Turner 2
