Basketball, Boys:

Covington Holy Cross 60, Highlands 52:

The Bluebirds (6-12) could not put together another home 9th Region win Tuesday falling to the Indians (6-16).

The Bluebirds placed three players in double-digits. Brendan Buten led the way with 13 points with Parker Harris and Justin Weyer scoring 10 each.

Highlands takes on Lloyd Memorial on Friday. Game time is 8 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Ladybirds move to 19-5; Bluebirds fall to Holy Cross

Nice win for the Indians and Coach Schrand. Highlands had been playing some very good ball of late so to get a road win in Ft. Thomas was a nice win for the young Indians. The Sophomore Tyler Bezold with another strong game.

HC must be improving. I think I heard Buten didnt start but played a lot of minutes.

 

Birds were down 5 to start the 4th and Buten scored 8 straight I heard to put them up 3. After that HC must have shot well and taken over.

Holy Cross kids play very loose and free for being so young. They will launch a three from any distance. HHS knew they had to limit the Indians open shots from deep. They did not execute defensively. Congrats to the Indians for a nice road win.

 

HHS had been playing well. They looked to have turned the corner. Not trying to downplay the effort by HC, but a loss at home - after the way the they had played against Conner, Holmes, and Ryle - is definitely not what was expected.

 

Three more games, including senior night this Friday versus Lloyd, until the rematch with Newport for the right to play in the ninth region tourney at BOK.

Congrats to the Tribe. Their loose play is a reflection of Ryan's style and personality.

Good win for the tribe. Pretty even records for the NKAC D2 teams. 2 contrasting styles of games. Highlands does not score a lot and does not give up a lot of points (879-948) , while Holy Cross does a lot of running an gunning while giving up a lot of points (1408-1651).

Happy to see Buten in the books last night.

Very lackluster and disappointing effort last night to say the least. Team needs to learn how to handle success and to put teams away when the opportunity presents itself. Buten did start the game. Holy Cross played a 2-3 zone most of the night. Highlands started the game down 11-0 as Holy Cross launched 3 after 3 and Highlands looked afraid to shoot. Holy Cross ball handling and passing very suspect in late first and entire second quarter allowed Highlands to trail 22-21 at half. At one point in second half Highlands got a 5 point lead only to not play at the other end of the floor and give up an easy basket and then a 3 to tie it up. Game was back and forth the rest of the way until Highlands again did not play defense and gave up several quick 3's to see a 1 to 3 point game turn into a 10 point deficit. Too many bad forced shots last night and other times shots not taken at all when left open.