Dixie Heights' Doug Jones and Boyd Countyıs Brandon Lange reach for the loose ball. (Jeff Swinger photos) | ZOOM |

        EDGEWOOD — Dixie Heights center Doug Jones says he has just one move. But the 6-foot-4 sophomore needed only one Friday. His 11 points led the Colonels to a 54-33 win over Boyd County.

        Though Jones was playing just his second varsity game after breaking his right foot during an October football game, he played like a four-year starter Friday. He was 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line in 19 minutes.

        He scored on the same move every time.

        “It's just a spin move, shot fade, put it in the hole,” Jones said.

        Dixie coach Scott Draud said Jones has been to only four or five practices this season.

        “He's probably around 260 (pounds), but he runs the floor well for a guy his size,” Draud said. “He's only going to get better.”

Kory Lonergan drives. | ZOOM |

        But as well as Jones played, Draud is concerned about the offense. Dixie Heights shot 18-of-41 from the field (43.9 percent) for the night, and leading scorer Joe Bramlage, who was averaging 16.5 points a game going into this week, had nine points — his second straight game not in double figures.

        “We played very well defensively,” Draud said. “We're still not manufacturing points offensively.”

        Dixie's defense indeed was stingy. It held Boyd County to 14-of-36 shooting (38.9 percent) and forced the Lions into 28 turnovers.

        Boyd County is the three-time defending 16th Region champion, but seven seniors are gone from last season's team. Friday's loss was the second straight game the Lions managed just 33 points, and the 21-point losing margin was their worst this season.

        “(Dixie) came out and outworked us,” Boyd County coach Roger Zornes said. “We were trying to get into our patterns ... (Dixie) did a good job of distributing the ball.”

        The Colonels (7-2) put the game away in the first quarter. Senior guard Josh Jones' two 3-pointers and five points from Bramlage led an 18-2 run.

        And when Boyd County tried to get the ball to leading scorers Todd Chaney (12 ppg going into Friday) and Brandon Lange (10 points), the Lions mostly missed. They didn't score for the game's first 2:45, then didn't score again until Zach Fugeman's basket with 34 seconds left in the first quarter.

        Boyd County (3-4) scored just seven more points the rest of the half — including none the final 4:52 before halftime. Dixie's 9-0 run over the final 4:32 gave it a 32-11 halftime lead.

        Bramlage's brother, Russ, scored 10 points for Dixie, and junior Kory Lonergan had six assists and five re bounds.

        Chaney led Boyd County with seven points.

        BOYD COUNTY (33): Howard 2 0 5, Fugeman 2 0 5, Fraley 0 1 1, Cline 3 0 6, Lange 2 0 4, Williams 1 0 2, Meade 1 1 3, Chaney 3 1 7. Totals: 14 3 33.

        DIXIE HEIGHTS (54): Matt O'Toole 1 1 3, Lonergan 3 2 8, J. Jones 3 0 9, R. Bramlage 3 3 10, J Bramlage 3 2 9, Mayes 1 0 2, D. Jones 4 3 11, Eastham 0 2 2. Totals: 18 13 54.

        Boyd County ....... 4  7 11 11-33

        Dixie Heights ....... 18 14 10 12-54

        Three-point goals: BC-Howard, Fugeman.; DH-J. Jones 3, R. Bramlage, J. Bramlage. Records: BC 3-4, DH 7-2.

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