The Highlands Bluebirds triumphed over the Dixie Heights Colonels with a score of 63-53 in a closely contested opening match of the KHSAA basketball season on December 4, 2023, in Edgewood. Both teams faced significant challenges, with key players sidelined due to injuries before the season began.
Highlands played without sophomore Maren Orme, a standout ranked No. 5 in the Northern Kentucky Girls Basketball Coaches Association preseason poll. She sustained an injury during a preseason scrimmage and is expected to miss the entire season following an impressive freshman year where she averaged 10.8 points. Head coach Jaime Richey expressed the team’s disappointment, highlighting Orme’s substantial impact on their performance: “We were sad for her, disappointed, because we know what kind of impact she makes on this team and all of the great things she does for us.”
Dixie Heights, too, suffered a major setback with senior Coralee Pelfrey out for the season due to an injury sustained last June. Pelfrey averaged 11.5 points per game and was the leading rebounder with 7.2 per game last season. Joel Steczynski, head coach of Dixie Heights, noted the challenges they faced during the preseason, stating, “This may have been the first time, except for one day last week, that we had our 11 varsity players because of illness and injury.”
Despite these obstacles, the game proved to be an engaging battle. Highlands utilized a deep roster, going 10 players deep, which included a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen. Leading the scoring for Highlands was senior Kaylee Mills, who contributed 17 points, with 13 of those in the first quarter. Eighth-grader Zolu Nzekwu also made a significant impact, scoring 14 points.
Dixie Heights, putting up a valiant effort, saw junior Asia Carner leading the team with 17 points, while Peyton Gibson and Aubrey Elkins added 10 and 11 points, respectively. Steczynski emphasized the need for players to step up in light of their injuries and praised their effort, saying, “I am proud of our effort out of the gate.”
The game featured a strong start from Highlands, who finished the first quarter ahead 21-17. Dixie Heights briefly took the lead at 24-23, but Highlands responded with an 8-0 run to end the half, creating a crucial momentum shift.
Highlands extended its lead to as much as 18 points during the third quarter. Although Dixie fought back to reduce the deficit to single digits, Highlands secured the victory through effective free-throw shooting in the final minutes. The Bluebirds ended the match with a total of 13 points in the fourth quarter, primarily from the free-throw line.
Looking ahead, Dixie Heights (0-1) will play its first road game against Grant County on December 6, 2023, while Highlands (1-0) prepares to face Walton-Verona on December 8, 2023.
As the season progresses, both teams will aim to adapt to their roster changes and find success on the court despite earlier setbacks. The resilience demonstrated by each squad in their opening match suggests a competitive season ahead for both Highlands and Dixie Heights.
