For four seasons, Newport had been a hurdle Highlands just couldn’t clear.
Finally, the Bluebirds soared over it with ease.
For the first time since Feb. 25, 2022 — when the two met in the 36th District Championship for what would be Highlands’ last win over the Wildcats — the Bluebirds broke a six-game drought in the series at Newport, winning 80-57 in the LINK NKY Game of the Week presented by Mr. Kentucky and Skyline Chili. The victory also gave Highlands a 4-0 record in district play and the top seed in the district tournament.
Newport had dominated the series in recent years, winning six straight games by nearly 18 points per contest, including a 20-point victory the last time they beat Highlands. That streak had been a major topic all week.
“I told them that if they think they’re not going to come here, work hard and beat you to death, they are,” Newport head coach Rod Snapp said. “We’ve won six games in a row, and they’re trying to turn that around. We told them all of this to try and get them ready.”
The Wildcats experimented with lineups at the start of the game and in the second half. Keegan Farrell started the third quarter and scored six straight points for Newport, part of his 13-point effort, cutting the score to 42-37. Highlands responded with poise, outscoring Newport 19-8 the rest of the quarter to take a 61-45 lead into the fourth and eventually building a 29-point margin.
A big reason for the separation came from the bench. Tayden Lorenzen scored 23 points, including 13 in the first half, and pulled down eight rebounds while shooting 73% from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
“He’s one of the hardest kids to guard inside in the region,” Snapp said. “He’s so strong, he gets low, and he’s a very good athlete. I mean, he’s a Division I football player.”
For Lorenzen, the physicality of a district game isn’t a problem and coming off the bench only sharpens his approach.
“I feel like coming off the bench humbles me a little bit,” Lorenzen said. “Last year I started a lot and got too much into myself and not much into the team. This year, not starting, I feel like it makes me play a lot better.”
Highlands also got strong contributions from its guards. Charlie Messmer added 15 points, going 3-for-4 from three, while Owen Ebert scored 13, making 3-of-5 from long range. Their shooting helped the Bluebirds never trail, opening with a 22-12 lead after one quarter. Newport responded with an 11-0 run in the second to cut the deficit to 30-28, but the Highlands offense always answered.
Defensively, the Bluebirds succeeded where they had struggled before: limiting the opponent’s top scorer. Newport’s Amontae Lowe, who had been averaging 21 points per game, led the Wildcats with 15.
“We haven’t been very good at taking away other teams’ best players,” Highlands head coach Kevin Listerman said. “Part of that is the way we guard and switch. We rely on our guys being able to make recognitions in the moment, and I thought we did a fantastic job tonight.”
Four Wildcats reached double figures, including Lowe, Farrell, Damarco Jackson (13 points), and Logen Petty (11). But the Wildcats could not sustain their offense, and Highlands controlled the game from start to finish.
Newport falls to 14-7 overall and 2-2 in district play, with losses to Highlands and Newport Central Catholic. They take on Ludlow next.
Highlands improves to 21-2 and continues its march through the 9th Region, with another big game Monday against Lloyd Memorial in Fort Thomas.
MORE PHOTOS: Provided by Charles Bolton
BLUEBIRDS 80, WILDCATS 57
HIGHLANDS — 22-18-21-19 — 80
NEWPORT — 12-19-14-12 — 57
Scoring
Highlands (80) — Lorenzen 23, Messmer 15, Ebert 13, Listerman 6, Rickard 6, Wells 6, Wimzie 6, Harris 5
Newport (57) — Lowe 15, Farrell 13, Jackson 13, L. Petty 11, Andrews-Glover 3, Nichols 2
Game Stats
Field Goals: Highlands 30/54, Newport 23/51
3-Pointers: Highlands 10/18, Newport 2/8
Free Throws: Highlands 10/11, Newport 9/18
Rebounds: Highlands 28, Newport 30
Assists: Highlands 23, Newport 12
Turnovers: Highlands 7, Newport 12
Steals: Highlands 7, Newport 3
Blocks: Highlands 2, Newport 4
Fouls: Highlands 17, Newport 15
Records: Highlands 21-2, Newport 14-7