The Cooper boys basketball team didn’t waste much time in putting the loss at Ryle on Friday behind them.
The Jaguars used balanced scoring to knock off Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (Ohio), 79-63 in the Holiday Hardwood Classic at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. Head coach Tim Sullivan credited the ball movement for the win, giving the Jaguars opportunities to finish at the rim.
“Obviously you want to score off two feet, but what we talk about is looking for contact. If the contact doesn’t happen, finish,” Sullivan said. “If the contact happens, try to finish and get an and-one or get to the foul line. It’s about being physical. (Sunday) we did a much better job of that and not worrying about whether we’re getting hit or worried about getting their shot blocked. When you’re getting paint touches and getting to the rim, good things happen because (opponents) are having to help and guys are flying in there and getting offensive rebounds.”
Seven different Jaguars scored in the win. Shaun Pouncy led the way, scoring 16 points and Yamil Rondon scored 15 with Isaiah Johnson chipping in 12 and Evan Blackburn 11. Jaidan Combs and Isaac Brown added nine and eight, respectively.
“It does feel better when we’re moving the ball and I get a way better look inside,” Pouncy said. “You see a bunch of guys crashing (the boards) and we’re able to get back out for a nice three.”
Cooper (10-7) hosts Lloyd Memorial on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Newport 55, Middletown (Ohio) 43
The Wildcats played their third game in about 36 hours, venturing north for the Beacon Orthopaedics Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational at Fairmont High School.
Newport’s leading scorer Taylen Kinney did not play due to an injury suffered in Saturday night’s 9th Region All “A” championship, but a number of Wildcats picked up the slack. The Wildcats shot 48% from the field and hit 18-of-20 free throws. Jabari Covington, DeShaun Jackson and James Turner scored 12 points each with Amontae Lowe coming off the bench to score 10.
Newport (16-3) has won eight in a row. The Wildcats travel to St. Henry on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Covington Catholic 60, Lakota East (Ohio) 59
The Colonels won their sixth in a row in the Beacon Orthpaedics/TriHealth Holiday Hardwood Classic at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. They survived a late rally as they entered the fourth quarter with a 47-37 lead.
Brady Hussey hit two free throws with 20 seconds left while Caden Miller blocked the game-winning shot attempt in the closing seconds. It was one of nine Miller blocks on the night, setting a program record for blocks in a game.
Athens McGillis led CovCath with 19 points and Hussey scored 14 points to go with eight rebounds. Cash Harney also scored 14 points to go with eight assists and Miller scored six points with six rebounds.
CovCath (13-4) travels to Walton-Verona on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Oldham County 78, Walton-Verona 67
Moeller (Ohio) 55, Highlands 27
Dayton 61, Burgin 54
Girls Basketball
Conner 53, Newport Central Catholic 42
The Cougars won the battle that featured two of the 9th Region’s premier guards.
Conner senior Anna Hamilton and NewCath junior Caroline Eaglin both scored 22 points. Only one other player on either side hit double-digits and that came from Conner sophomore Izelee Kerns with 14.
Conner (8-10) has won six of its last seven games and travels to Grant County on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Despite the loss, NewCath (11-5) has still won eight of its last 10 games. The Thoroughbreds host Frankfort on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands 62, Ursuline Academy (Ohio) 40
The Bluebirds collected 20 steals and dished off 15 assists on their way to winning their first home game this season.
Maren Orme and Katie Bucher led Highlands scoring 12 points each and Marissa Green scored 11. Bucher, Green and Avery Barber recorded four steals each for the Bluebirds. Kaylee Mills added four assists and four steals.
The Bluebirds made nine 3-pointers in the win. Saylor Macke made three on her way to 10 points to go with four assists.
Highlands (10-5) has won six in a row and nine of its last 10. The Bluebirds host Dayton on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton 65, Assumption 61
The Pioneers won their second straight, taking down the visiting Rockets.
Simon Kenton shot 46% from the field and grabbed 32 rebounds. Haylie Webb had a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Brynli Pernell scored 22 points and Anna Kelch scored 11 with Bella Ober scoring eight.
The Pioneers (12-5) travel to St. Henry on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Bellevue 73, Carroll County 65
The Tigers hit the road and won with 10 different players scoring.
Jayda Dowell led the way scoring 21. Sydni Massey and Jaylah Dowell followed with 14 and 12, respectively and Paulina Long scored eight.
Bellevue (11-4) travels to Villa Madonna on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game.
George Rogers Clark 59, Holy Cross 57
The host Cardinals edged the Indians in the MLK Junior Classic. Holy Cross led 51-41 going into the fourth, but couldn’t finish the deal against the No. 2 team in the state in the latest media poll.
Julia Hunt led Holy Cross with 19 points. Aniyah Carter and Aaliyah Hayes followed with 14 and 11, respectively.
Holy Cross (12-5) travels to Notre Dame on Wednesday for a big 35th District seed game at 7:30 p.m.
Frederick Douglass 67, Notre Dame 56
The Pandas could not overcome the Frederick Douglass duo of Ayanna-Sarai Darrington and Niah Rhodes, who scored 23 and 21 points, respectively in the Martin Luther King, Junior game at George Rogers Clark.
Emma Holtzapfel led Notre Dame with 16 points, making five 3-pointers with Kendra Collins scoring 12 points to go with eight rebounds. Maya Lawrie and Sophia Gibson added 10 each.
Notre Dame (14-3) hosts Holy Cross on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Robertson County 54, Dayton 45
Pendleton County 64, Newport 38
Trimble County 51, Beechwood 33