For nine straight seasons between 2013-21, the Highlands girls basketball team (20-8) earned 20 or more victories.
That streak ended last year in a down 12-17 season largely in part to youth and injuries. The Bluebirds are still young this season with just one senior in point guard Alyssa Harris and two juniors in forwards Kasey Gross and Amaya Barton. But the lessons learned from last year have paid dividends this year.
Highlands has the ship going back in the right direction earning that 20th win with a 43-29 victory over the Simon Kenton Pioneers (15-12) at Russell Bridges Gym on Monday. The Bluebirds have recorded 12 seasons with 20 or more victories since Jaime Walz-Richey took over the program in 2002.
Simon Kenton is also young for the most part this year. The Pioneers started one senior, three freshmen and an eighth grader in this game. The Pioneers have quality wins over Ryle, Notre Dame, Montgomery County and Spencer County this year, but have had their ups and downs.
“This is why we play out of region opponents at the end of the year,” Richey said. “This is why we played Bishop Brossart last week because I feel these out of region opponents get us ready for the district and region tournaments. To come in, play the defense that we did and execute offensively and finally make some free throws when we needed to is very satisfying as a head coach because the amount of work these girls have put in to get better as individuals and as a team is finally showing.”
A big difference in this game on both ends came in the form of Highlands 6-foot-2-inch sophomore center Marissa Green. Green recorded a near triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, nine blocked shots and three steals taking advantage of opportunities near the basket.
On the other side, Highlands employed a mixture of an extended 2-3 matchup zone and man defenses making it difficult for Simon Kenton to penetrate and make things happen. The Bluebirds held the Pioneers to 10 points in the second half matching their physicality.
“We just want to have them learning, growing and developing as players and see where we can end up as a team from there,” said Brenden Stowers, Simon Kenton head coach. “A lot of these girls have dreams of playing at the next level and they’re going to see size like that at the next level, athleticism and length so it’s an awesome test for them going forward. That’s live experience right there. She’s good and only going to get better. The more we get to play against her, the better we can prepare against her. There’s not a lot you can do with (Green).”
Highlands grabbed 33 rebounds, had 15 turnovers, five steals and seven assists. Harris had four assists. Sophomore sister Adrienne Harris and freshman guard Kaylee Mills scored seven points each. Adrienne Harris added six rebounds.
Alyssa Harris and Mills took on a lot of responsibility handling the ball. The Pioneers trapped harder as the game moved along.
“I feel like Alyssa’s helping us and coaching us through telling us what to do when the traps are coming,” Mills said. “We’ve just been working good as a team and coping with pressure. You always have to have your head up, know what to do and when to do it. You also have to know all the plays.”
Simon Kenton had plenty of opportunities off the Highlands turnovers, hit just 19% from the field and 16% from 3-point land. Senior forward Emilee Eggleston led Simon Kenton with eight points and six rebounds with freshman forward Haylie Webb recording 10 rebounds.
Eighth grade guard Brynli Pernell came into the game averaging 11 points for Simon Kenton. Highlands held her to four.
“Anytime you can keep Marissa (Green) in the middle to alter shots, it’s huge,” Richey said. “Our girls did a good job of matching up and making sure Marissa was always in the paint.”
The game stayed tight until the fourth quarter. Simon Kenton led 12-8 with two minutes left in the first after freshman guard Megan Gadzala hit a 3-pointer. But Green hit a jumper from the right block to make it 12-10 Pioneers at the end of the frame.
Highlands went up 16-14 with 3:07 left in the first half after a Mills lay-up. But sophomore guard Rylie Flynn scored on an offensive rebound then found Eggleston for a three with 55 seconds left to put Simon Kenton up 19-17. Green made a free throw with 33.2 seconds left to make it 19-18 Pioneers at halftime.
Highlands took the lead for good with 4:30 left in the third when freshman forward Avery Barber made a three from the right wing. Green then hit two free throws to give the Bluebirds its first of two four-point leads in the frame. Flynn made two free throws with 9.1 seconds left to make it 27-25 Highlands entering the fourth quarter.
“I always get down on myself sometimes, but (Highlands assistant) Coach Bert (Richey) has always said good shooters shot so I just have to be confident in myself and when I get the opportunity, shoot it,” Barber said. “If we keep putting the work in, I think we have a bright future.”
The Bluebirds blew the game open scoring the first nine points of the fourth quarter. Adrienne Harris hit a three with 3:43 left in the game to put Highlands up 36-25.
Pernell hit a jumper at the top of the key to make it 36-27 Highlands with three minutes left. But Highlands made 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Highlands concludes the regular season against Beechwood (14-11) on Friday at home at 6 p.m. Simon Kenton concludes the regular season Wednesday at home against Holy Cross (23-6) at 7:30 p.m.
Campbell County 64, Pendleton County 46
The Camels (10-18) earned a 10th Region win on the road against the Wildcats (19-7).
Campbell County had eight different players score. Freshman forward/guard Isabella Jayasuriya led the way scoring 19 points and junior guard Allison Collins scored 14.
Senior guard Kennedy Johnson led the Camels with 11 rebounds with Collins and Jayasuriya grabbing nine and eight respectively.
“In the second half, we kind of picked up the pace, started to press a little bit more and created some turnovers, which led to some baskets,” said Davey Johnson, Campbell County head coach. “We also made a lot of free throws. We were actually down five going into the fourth quarter.”
Campbell County plays host to St. Henry (15-11) on Thursday to conclude the regular season at 7:30 p.m.
Louisville Mercy 60, Holy Cross 50
In a top 10 in the state matchup, the Indians (23-6) and state-ranked Jaguars (19-9) entered the fourth quarter tied at 36. But the Jaguars made enough free throws to pull away for the win.
Junior center/forward Julia Hunt put together a monster game scoring 23 for Holy Cross. Junior forward Miyah Wimzie added nine for the All “A” State champions.
Holy Cross plays at Simon Kenton (15-12) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Conner 58, Scott 35
The Cougars (17-7) took down the Eagles (13-13) in non-region play in Hebron.
Junior guard Anna Hamilton led the Cougars with 23 points and senior guard Kelsee Simpson scored 12. Conner made six three-pointers and 12-of-18 free throws.
Scott made just one triple, but hit 11-of-13 free throws. Sophomore guard Kaia Peterson led the Eagles with eight points.
Both teams play again Wednesday. Conner plays host to Bishop Brossart (19-10) at 7:30 p.m. and Scott plays host to Holmes (4-19) at 7 p.m.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Augusta 53, Ludlow 50
Walton-Verona 62, Carroll County 50
Robertson County 68, Dayton 52
Dixie Heights 75, Holmes 28
Cincinnati (Ohio) Trailblazers HomeSchool 61, Lloyd Memorial 47
Boys Basketball Scores
Augusta 84, Ludlow 69
Walton-Verona 106, Carroll County 36
Newport 76, Dayton 36
Conner 58, Newport Central Catholic 46
Eminence 72, Villa Madonna 42