Maybe it’s their backgrounds from their playing days; maybe it’s the evolution of the game.
But what the Highlands’ basketball programs are doing is showing that it can be done relying on the three-pointer.
Through seven games in the early 2022-23 season, the two teams have combined to shoot 192 three-point attempts, 101 for the girls in four games, 91 for the boys in three games.
Kevin Listerman is no stranger to three-point success, whether from his playing days at NKU or Covington Catholic, or Jaime Walz-Richey from the high-octane offense the Bluebirds used to play with when she amassed 4,948 points in her high school playing career.
The two coaches have similar philosophies.
“We’re big believers on three’s and layups. If we can shoot a three, we shoot a three, we get a layup, we get a layup, we don’t really want any mid-range jumpers,” Walz-Richey said.
The three-pointer did help the Bluebirds boys’ to a state title after all in 2020-21, knocking down 38 of them at Rupp Arena in four games on their way to cutting the nets down.
Things haven’t changed much since the Bluebirds were able to make their magical run through Rupp, other than personnel. One player still there however, has a chance to make his mark on history.
Senior Will Herald is off to a hot start from deep with 11 three-pointers made and a 45 percent clip from deep. He’s made 237 now for his career and is 100 makes away from the top 10 in KHSAA history. His continued development over the years has made him a better player, despite more attention coming his way.
“As a sophomore, he was the beneficiary of guys that could set him up. Will got the fourth defender then and was the beneficiary of that,” Listerman said. “Now he’s No. 1 on the scouting report. Ultimately the work that he puts in is a testament to him on how high is percentage is. He now faces tougher defenders, but credit to his shot selection, work ethic and conditioning. His numbers in the fourth quarter don’t drop much at all and as the game goes on he gets into that rhythm and puts them up in bunches.”
Both coaches point to the individuals on the team’s work ethic. Developing that three-point shot isn’t something that happens overnight and comes in over time after hours…and thousands of shots. Compare it to a golfers swing, sometimes the shooter can lack confidence to consistently be a solid threat from deep, but over time with enough repetition, all that stuff works itself out.
Despite the similarities in philosophies between the two programs, there’s quite a bit of difference in makeup, the boys’ team consisting of 12 of their 15 as upperclassmen, the girls’ team with just three of their 15 as upperclassmen.
Walz-Richey feels the youth plays to their advantage at times.
“It’s a good group of young shooters and they don’t think about the last shot and just shoot the ball,” Walz-Richey said.
After challenging her team from an opening season loss to Dixie Heights, Highlands girls are off to a 3-1 start, winning the Donna Murphy Classic over the weekend at Newport including an impressive 67-55 victory over Walton-Verona, doing it without sophomore Marissa Green, out with an illness over the weekend action. Saylor Macke was named MVP, scoring 53 points in three games and hitting nearly 60 percent of shots from the field, including 10-of-18 from the three-point line.
“Definitely a huge weekend for us. The kids accepted my challenge to play with a lot more effort, everyone was playing with a lot more effort and that can make up for a lot of mistakes. We were pressing, moving well and finding open teammates, which led to so many open 3’s. The huge key for us is unselfishness of players where they may have a good shot but can make that extra pass to have a great shot,” Walz-Richey said.
Walz-Richey also points to the health of senior Alyssa Harris, the without a doubt floor leader on the team. Harris only played in 13 games last season due to injuries.
The boys’ team is off to a 3-0 start and averaging 89.6 points per game in doing so with wins over Scott, Boone County and Tates Creek. Five players are averaging in double figures for scoring, led by Herald’s 22.7 points per game. Nathan Vinson is at 17.0, Brody Benke 11.7, Brayden Moeves 11.3 and Seth Ryan 11.0.
“I’m pleased with a lot of things. We’re averaging 90 points and doing some really good things. Percentage-wise we haven’t shot it all that well and I think our percentages will go up. After the game the other night we laughed and when that happens to get all our guys to hit, it will be scary,” Listerman said. “We’re trusting each other and moving the ball and playing at a pace that allows it. One of the big keys has been with offensive rebounding and spreading the floor and getting more opportunities we hadn’t got in the last year or so.”
The best weapon in basketball is the three-point shot, the Bluebirds sure aren’t shying away from it. While still definitely early and a small sample size just a couple games in, the two are on pace to attempt some of the most three-point shots in a season in team history. For the girls record, 892 attempts are the most in KHSAA history set by Clinton County in 2005. The Highlands girls are on pace for 750 in the regular season, plus however deep they go in the postseason. They’re back in action on Thursday when they host Holy Cross.
For the boys, Southwestern’s 1,085 attempts in 2005 are the most by a wide margin, but if the Bluebirds keep up their 30-plus a game pace, they’ll get close to that mark, as long as the scheduling and weather gods play nice, fitting their allotment of 30 regular season games and postseason in addition.
“It is an evolution. For us, two years ago when we won state, that was our advantage. We spread people out and knock down three’s. A lot of teams have shifted to position-less basketball, kids are little more skilled, more freedom. Coaches have changed their philosophies, if you shoot them at a high enough clip, it really flips the game. Time that kids spend shooting, specifically the three-point shot has changed things,” Listerman said.
They’ll be back in action Friday when they host St. Henry.