The Dixie Heights boys basketball team ventured to Boone County, built a double-digit lead, then held on for a 73-72 victory.
Junior Max Rubemeyer scored all 17 of his points in the second half for the Colonels. He added a crucial three-point play in the fourth quarter.
“I think it all comes from the basics,” Rubemeyer said. “We have a saying where the regular season is to establish good habits in the postseason. So every day in practice, we’re working on the basics whether it’s meeting the ball, pivots or being strong with the ball. I think over the year doing that so many times has built solid habits for us to be able to use every game.”
The Colonels saw four players reach double-digits overall. Hudson Blank scored 24 points with Griffin Derry and Owen Niehues scoring 14 and 10 points, respectively.
“The idea is just to be hard to guard and we feel like when we’re spreading the ball around and searching for a great shot instead of a good individual shot, it just makes us that much harder to guard,” Dixie Heights head coach Chad Fields said. “Give credit to our guys for playing unselfish and sacrificing for each other.”
Boone County also had four players score in double figures. Mason Hall led the way scoring 21 points. Brayden Clos, Thomas Williams and Eli Bodkin followed scoring 18, 16 and 13 points respectively.
Dixie Heights (17-12) takes on St. Henry in the 34th District semifinals on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. at Villa Madonna.
Boone County (18-9) takes on Ryle in the 33rd District semifinals on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. at Conner.
Boys Basketball
Beechwood 73, Highlands 66
Beechwood trailed by as much as 13 before rallying back to finish the regular season over .500.
Beechwood shot 55% from the field. Jack Sullivan led the way scoring 23 points and Carson Blackburn scored 11. Tyler Fryman and Ayden Way followed with 10 points each.
Highlands shot 42% from the field. Nathan Vinson had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds with Hank Shick and Brayden Moeves scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Beechwood (15-14) takes on Holy Cross in the 35th District semifinals on Wednesday at Holmes at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands (16-14) faces Newport Central Catholic on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the 36th District semifinals.
Newport Central Catholic 67, Bishop Brossart 47
The Thoroughbreds handled the Mustangs in a county rivalry battle on the Hill.
NewCath put three players in double figures. Ian Mann scored 20 points with Caleb Eaglin and Louie Collopy scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Parker Mulberry and Dom Hadden led Bishop Brossart with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
NewCath (8-21) takes on Highlands in the 36th District semifinals at Newport on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Brossart (3-25) takes on Scott on Monday in the 37th District semifinals at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell County Middle School.
Other Boys Basketball Scores
Covington Catholic 78, Madison Central 46
Villa Madonna 81, Robertson County 27
Gallatin County 91, Holmes 61
Girls Basketball
Cooper 54, Notre Dame 31
The Jaguars blitzed their way to a perfect 7-0 record in 9th Region action with the road win.
Liz Freihofer, Bella Deere and Haylee Noel led the Jaguars with 10 points each. Logan Palmer added nine points.
Sophia Gibson led Notre Dame with 10 points.
Cooper (24-4) plays Boone County in the 33rd District semifinals at Conner on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Notre Dame (19-8) takes on Beechwood at 7:30 p.m. at Holmes on Tuesday in the 35th District semifinals.
Highlands 54, Beechwood 24
The Bluebirds ran away from the hosts in the first game of the girl-boy doubleheader.
Kaylee Mills led Highlands scoring 12 points. Marissa Green and Saylor Macke followed with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Emme Kelly led Beechwood with eight points.
Top-seeded Highlands (19-8) takes on either Newport or Dayton in the 36th District semifinals on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Newport.
Beechwood (9-21) takes on Notre Dame at Holmes on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the 35th District semifinals.
Other Girls Basketball Scores
Walton-Verona 42, Gallatin County 27
Franklin County 54, Dixie Heights 32
South Oldham 59, Scott 47