The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team entered Friday with five games left in the regular season.

 

The Bluebirds (11-13 overall) would not mind putting together some wins during that span and head into the postseason with momentum. Highlands started the stretch run strong with a convincing 75-45 victory over the host Villa Madonna Blue Lightning (10-12) in 9th Region action, Highlands improved to 8-6 in region play with the win.

 

"It was very pleasing with the way we focused particularly in the second half," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "We're very simple with what we did and we followed our assignments both offensively and defensively and just took care of business. We took (the lead) from 13 points to 22 points in the second half and really set the tone for the rest of the game."

 

Villa Madonna had no one to match up with Highland 6-foot-5-inch senior center Kyle Finfrock and the Bluebirds took advantage. The consistent Finfrock recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Highland won the rebounding battle, 37-21.

 

Highlands saw four players reach double figures. Senior Bryce Traylor and junior Jacob Noe followed with 12 each and junior Braden Posey scored 10 points to go with five rebounds, six assists and four steals.

 

"The most encouraging thing was our guards went back and rebounded," Listerman said. "We got contributions up and down the line. It's important that we stay balanced."

 

Highlands made 30-of-55 shots for 55 percent including 8-of-21 from three-point range for 38 percent and 7-of-13 free throws for 54 percent. Villa Madonna made 17-of-43 shots for 40 percent including 1-of-9 three-point tries for 11 percent and 8-of-16 free throws for 50 percent.

 

The Bluebirds face Ludlow (9-13) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Coaching vs. Cancer game. Highlands Hall of Fame basketball inductees Jaime Walz-Richey, Scott Draud and former Highlands and Northern Kentucky University Head Coach Ken Shields will be honored before the game.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: Home Stretch for Highlands Hoops

My schedule says the game on Monday is at 6:00 followed by girls game against Holmes at 7:45.