Real nice game tonight for a fan. The Birds jumped out to a 11-3 lead and Beechwood slowly chopped at it in the first half. The second half was back and forth with the momentum actually switching to Beechwood. They went up as many as 6 in the second half, but the lead went back and forth most of the second half. Highlands got the ball with about 28 seconds left tied at 40. They held the ball for the last shot. With about 6 seconds left, the ball swung to Haley Coffey, who found herself wide open for a 3. She missed the shot but hustled for the rebound and stick back and got fouled. She went to the line with 4 seconds left. She hit the first one and missed the second. Beechwood got off a half court heave that missed. Entertaining game.

 

When Beechwood hits shots, they are very good. AJ Johnson was on fire from outside in the first half and the HHS girls finally realized you better guard her. MACY STEUMPEL GETS 1000 TONIGHT!!! It was a runner bank shot that went in, but you could see the relief in her face of finally getting that out of the way. CONGRATS TO MACY! And just a sophomore!!! Besides the big two, I was also impressed with the blonde guard. And I am so sorry, but I can't remember her name!!! I told myself I was going to remember it and here I am again stumbling on the name. Someone help! Shilling maybe? Anyway, impressed with her quickness and shooting tonight. Although she's a lefty and nothing lefties do look right to me! But she gets the job done...nice player.

 

As for HHS, they looked lost at times tonight...passing the ball around the perimeter of Beechwood's zone. Noone penetrating and a lot of butter fingers. Just didn't seem to all be there mentally. Maybe it was the "fancy" zone Beechwood threw at them, but something was up!

 

Beechwood is well coached and moves the ball well. And when they hit shots, they are hard to defend.

 

I did miss not getting to see my girl Jenna McGuire play tonight. Out with a concussion. Get well Jenna! One of my favoite kids I ever coached!

 

Don't have the stats and I'm not sure who finished with what.

Real nice game tonight for a fan. The Birds jumped out to a 11-3 lead and Beechwood slowly chopped at it in the first half. The second half was back and forth with the momentum actually switching to Beechwood. They went up as many as 6 in the second half, but the lead went back and forth most of the second half. Highlands got the ball with about 28 seconds left tied at 40. They held the ball for the last shot. With about 6 seconds left, the ball swung to Haley Coffey, who found herself wide open for a 3. She missed the shot but hustled for the rebound and stick back and got fouled. She went to the line with 4 seconds left. She hit the first one and missed the second. Beechwood got off a half court heave that missed. Entertaining game.

 

When Beechwood hits shots, they are very good. AJ Johnson was on fire from outside in the first half and the HHS girls finally realized you better guard her. MACY STEUMPEL GETS 1000 TONIGHT!!! It was a runner bank shot that went in, but you could see the relief in her face of finally getting that out of the way. CONGRATS TO MACY! And just a sophomore!!! Besides the big two, I was also impressed with the blonde guard. And I am so sorry, but I can't remember her name!!! I told myself I was going to remember it and here I am again stumbling on the name. Someone help! Shilling maybe? Anyway, impressed with her quickness and shooting tonight. Although she's a lefty and nothing lefties do look right to me! But she gets the job done...nice player.

 

As for HHS, they looked lost at times tonight...passing the ball around the perimeter of Beechwood's zone. Noone penetrating and a lot of butter fingers. Just didn't seem to all be there mentally. Maybe it was the "fancy" zone Beechwood threw at them, but something was up!

 

Beechwood is well coached and moves the ball well. And when they hit shots, they are hard to defend.

 

I did miss not getting to see my girl Jenna McGuire play tonight. Out with a concussion. Get well Jenna! One of my favoite kids I ever coached!

 

Don't have the stats and I'm not sure who finished with what.

Well Put RCC9.

Sure enough...as soon as I say I don't have the stat...my stat man comes to the rescure. That's scary!

 

Beechwood

Schilling (yea, the blonde guard) - 13

Stumpel - 8

Johnson - 9

Geisle - 6

Schwartz - 4

 

HHS

Leigh - 12

Coffey - 9

Graves - 8

Adler - 5

Clukey - 4

Barth - 3

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team may have to win games like this to advance in the postseason.

Highlands moved to 17-5 overall and 3-2 in games decided by five points or less with a 41-40 win over the host Beechwood Lady Tigers (10-10) on Friday. Highlands moved to 11-2 against 9th Region competition with the win.

Haley Coffey hit a free throw with five seconds remaining to lift the Bluebirds to victory. She finished with nine.

Highlands had balanced scoring. McKenzie Leigh led the Bluebirds with 12 points, seven rebounds and a blocked shot.

The Bluebirds won the rebounding battle, 35-20 but turned the ball over 15 times to six for the Lady Tigers. Lydia Graves added eight points and five rebounds for Highlands.

Jessica Schilling led Beechwood with 13 points. Teammates Ally Johnson and Macy Stumpel followed with nine and eight respectively. Stumpel scored her 1,000th career point in the win.

The Bluebirds take on St. Henry at 3 p.m. today in Fort Thomas.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands girls, NC boys win; Holmes downs Highlands boys