| Bluebirds Move to 2-0 in District Action
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| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior guard Seth Ryan (5) and senior forward Cole Kocher (2) get in position in a recent game. |
The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team (12-6 overall) again did not start off the greatest.
But the Bluebirds ultimately pulled away for a convincing 90-60 win over the Dayton Greendevils (9-7) on Tuesday. Highlands led 20-16 after the first quarter before using a 31-10 second quarter to go up 51-26 at halftime. The Bluebirds moved to 2-0 in 36th District play with the win.
“We did a good job in the press. I think the pace of the game wore them down,” said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. “We were able to push and get some pretty good looks in transition. In the second quarter, we slowly stretched (the lead) out and finished the half on a 12-0 run. We got it to 30 in the third quarter.”
Thirteen different Bluebirds saw action in the game and all but one scored. Junior guard Will Herald made five three-pointers on his way to 22 points and senior guard Zach Barth scored 19 points. Sophomore center Brody Benke scored 12.
Highlands made 30-of-65 shots for 46 percent including 10-of-28 from three-point range for 36 percent and 20-of-30 free throws for 67 percent. The Bluebirds also had 37 rebounds, 20 fouls, 18 assists, eight steals and six turnovers.
Dayton saw seven different players score. Senior Preston Baggett led the way scoring 18 points with sophomore guard Mason Johnson and senior forward Lorenzo Price scoring 13 points each.
“They’re physical. The Baggett kids gives them a ball-handler with size,” Listerman said. “They play hard. They can do some things, especially inside the paint, and finish. They did a decent job at times handling the ball. We were able to get them to turn it over some other times and really push the lead.”
The Greendevils made 22-of-52 shots for 43 percent including just 2-of-9 from three-point range for 22 percent and 14-of-24 free throws for 58 percent. Dayton also had 44 rebounds, three assists, three steals, 23 fouls and 14 turnovers. Baggett had 13 rebounds and Price 11 for double-doubles.
Highlands senior Austin Duncan credited working out with strength and conditioning coach Jordan Nevels for helping the Bluebirds get in shape. The Bluebirds have been working out with him for years and the Highlands football team just started working out with him. Jordan’s brother Kris is an assistant on the football team.
“Jordan is really good at making sure that you hit the things that are really dynamic to your sport,” Duncan said. “You could be going up and doing band work or you’re just getting in the gym and lifting once or twice a week. Over time, it works if you just take care of your body. Jordan is really adamant that you have to work your mind and body at the same time and eat right. It’s also great mentally. If you don’t like how things are going, you just have to keep working.”
Highlands takes on Breathitt County (14-2) on Saturday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
