Well this is a game where I would use the description "The refs let them play!" Very physical game with a lot of fouls and a lot of fouls not called. Both teams went at it pretty hard!

 

Very impressed with the Cooper team. A TON of young talent. Mitchell and Held do a very good job running the team. They play hard and work hard on defense. I also like number 24. Seems to be in a lot of the right places at the right time. She's more a a blue collar worker for this team, but those kind of kids seem to catch my eye. Not sure how many points she had, but it doesn't matter. Nice player.

 

Birds come out of the gate in this one very nonchalant. Lazy passes, lazy defense, not moving feet, not much help defense, not locking down on traps...just not a good energy. They also have another uncharacteristic night at the free throw line, going 16-28 (57%). That's horrible for a team that shoots 70% (as a team and starters are usually higher than that!) from the line. They just seemed to lack energy at all.

 

In the first half, Cooper made the Birds pay for their mistakes. Cooper played aggressive, made some nice offensive plays, shot well and jumped out to an early lead. Think Cooper might have pushed up to 12-4 at one point in the 1st qtr. Cooper played strong and gained confidence with every bucket. Birds play just good enough to take the lead by the end of the 1st at around 21-20. (I think, I didn't write it down). Birds play with the same energy in the second, but somehow push the lead up to around 10 or so. If I wouldn't have looked at the score and just watched the effort of the two teams, I would have thought Cooper was winning. I just felt like Cooper outplayed the Birds in the first half in many areas other than the scoreboard. Cooper had a mini run right before half and the Birds led 41-34 at half.

 

The Birds come out in the 2nd half with a little more energy and I think Cooper started getting a little tired. You could see the tide starting to change and the Birds were getting easier shots and more open looks. The score at the end of the 3rd was 57-43. Early in the 4th saw the Birds continue to pull away and run the lead up to around 25...then HHS pulled the starters with about 3 minutes left.

 

Cooper should have a fun season the rest of the year, but they are going to be a real challenge over the next couple years.

 

Good luck to Cooper! Way to go Birds!

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team has just one blemish halfway through the season.

The Ladybirds (14-1) moved to 7-0 in 9th Region play with a sound 75-54 win over the Cooper Lady Jaguars (4-9) on Tuesday. They have won five in a row.

Senior Lydia Graves continued her hot streak with 20 points. Graves made 4-of-6 three-point shots.

Highlands had three more players score double digits. Senior Alex Combs made 11-of-14 free-throw tries on her way to 16 points. Teammates Brianna Adler and McKenzie Leigh scored 11 each.

Defense played a huge role in the Highlands win. The Ladybirds had 19 steals off 26 Cooper steals while allowing 18 turnovers and four Lady Jaguar steals. Combs led Highlands with four steals.

Highlands also won the rebounding battle 40-32. Graves paced Highlands with seven.

The Ladybirds hit 25-of-59 shots for 42 percent, including 9-of-20 from three-point range for 45 percent. They also made 16-of-28 free-throw tries for 57 percent.

Cooper made 19-of-47 shots for 40 percent, including just 3-of-11 from downtown for 27 percent. The Lady Jaguars made 13-of-18 free-throw tries for 72 percent.

The Lady Jaguars saw two players score in double digits. Lexi Held had 16 points and Asyah Mitchell had 14.

Highlands plays host to another 33rd District opponent on Friday in the Ryle Lady Raiders (9-5). Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: Ladybirds move to 7-0 in 9th Region play

The Jags looked good early. Hailey Anderson scored 6 quick points and I believe Cooper led 16 to 7 at one point. Good to see Lexi Held back at 100% and Aisyah Mitchell plays her heart out. Cooper is taking baby steps to be able to compete with teams like the Birds. First half they looked good, but there lack of depth showed in the second half. Hopefully with 5 freshmen and 2 sophmores seeing alot of playing time it will pay off in the future. Good luck to the Birds the rest of the season.

The Jags looked good early. Hailey Anderson scored 6 quick points and I believe Cooper led 16 to 7 at one point. Good to see Lexi Held back at 100% and Aisyah Mitchell plays her heart out. Cooper is taking baby steps to be able to compete with teams like the Birds. First half they looked good, but there lack of depth showed in the second half. Hopefully with 5 freshmen and 2 sophmores seeing alot of playing time it will pay off in the future. Good luck to the Birds the rest of the season.

 

I was also impressed with Anderson. I forgot to mention her! I like giving shout outs to the girls that I don't think get a lot of praise for what they do, but in this case, I left out one of the stars!

Is the Mitchell girl related to Mike Mitchell? I saw Mike's dad at a Cooper boys game recently.

I was also impressed with Anderson. I forgot to mention her! I like giving shout outs to the girls that I don't think get a lot of praise for what they do, but in this case, I left out one of the stars!

 

Well she really didnt need a shout out for this one. LOL! Foul trouble and then looked like the foul trouble had her playing scared. Good learning experience against a good team. Cant wait to see Highlands, Holmes, and Holy Cross start playing each other, its gonna be some battles. Looks as though NDA maybe in the mix as well. My sleeper team is Ryle, they are looking better and better and have alot of talent. Good luck Birds and thanks for the complements! Highlands will definitely be in the mix!

Is the Mitchell girl related to Mike Mitchell? I saw Mike's dad at a Cooper boys game recently.

 

yes, his daughter

Well she really didnt need a shout out for this one. LOL! Foul trouble and then looked like the foul trouble had her playing scared. Good learning experience against a good team. Cant wait to see Highlands, Holmes, and Holy Cross start playing each other, its gonna be some battles. Looks as though NDA maybe in the mix as well. My sleeper team is Ryle, they are looking better and better and have alot of talent. Good luck Birds and thanks for the complements! Highlands will definitely be in the mix!

 

I'm with ya! Mine had a similar game. Maybe the worse she's played all year and in foul trouble as well. But she knows it and she moves on pretty easily. She's not a superstar, but she is very consistent and is a great leader for them. Mama said there'd be days like this!

Well she really didnt need a shout out for this one. LOL! Foul trouble and then looked like the foul trouble had her playing scared. Good learning experience against a good team. Cant wait to see Highlands, Holmes, and Holy Cross start playing each other, its gonna be some battles. Looks as though NDA maybe in the mix as well. My sleeper team is Ryle, they are looking better and better and have alot of talent. Good luck Birds and thanks for the complements! Highlands will definitely be in the mix!

 

I can also tell you that the HHS staff has a lot of respect for her coming in and she was a focus of the defense...if that helps at all!

Thanks good luck to you the rest of the season. We play SK tomorrow and Boone Saturday. it doesnt get any easier. Ive seen all the big teams now and I would have to say Highlands, Holmes, and Holy Cross 1A, 1B, and 1C in no particular order.

yes, his daughter

 

Never mind. Different Mike Mitchell. Thanks.

The Jags looked good early. Hailey Anderson scored 6 quick points and I believe Cooper led 16 to 7 at one point. Good to see Lexi Held back at 100% and Aisyah Mitchell plays her heart out. Cooper is taking baby steps to be able to compete with teams like the Birds. First half they looked good, but there lack of depth showed in the second half. Hopefully with 5 freshmen and 2 sophmores seeing alot of playing time it will pay off in the future. Good luck to the Birds the rest of the season.

 

Who are the 5 freshman seeing Varsity time? I know Held, Mitchell and Bleska? Is Madison Smith playing?

Who are the 5 freshman seeing Varsity time? I know Held, Mitchell and Bleska? Is Madison Smith playing?

 

Sorry I got that reversed. 3 Freshmen and 5 Sophmores. Maddie Smith isnt dressing, but I would like to see her get her feet wet. She can shoot it.

Sorry I got that reversed. 3 Freshmen and 5 Sophmores. Maddie Smith isnt dressing, but I would like to see her get her feet wet. She can shoot it.

 

I was surprised she wasn't dressing varsity?

I was at the Highlands game and was impressed with #24. The Cooper roster shows that she is a senior. Not sure why she's not getting any credit and seems to be the only player with some height. Looks as if the interest is in the freshman and sophomore girls.