Highlands junior guard Craig Forbes has heard the same refrain before: The way to beat the Bluebirds is to make the guards shoot. But not Tuesday, and not by Dixie Heights.

        Forbes' 15 points led his team to a 56-43 victory in the first round of the Ninth Region boys basketball tournament at Holmes.

        Highlands now takes on Simon Kenton in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The Pioneers defeated Holmes 54-43 Tuesday.

        To his critics, Forbes said enough badmouthing the guards.

        “It gets to you after a while and makes you want to bring your game up,” he said.

        Forbes could have used Tuesday's scoring line as evidence: 6-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 on 3-pointers, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

        “After we had trouble shooting in the districts, we wanted the guys to be confident,” Highlands coach John Messmer said.

        The Bluebirds shot 70 percent in the first half and 62.2 percent for the game. Senior guard Mylor Rider hit three 3-pointers; senior forward Gino Guidugli and sophomore center Ross Neltner scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.

        And don't forget the defense. The Bluebirds held Dixie to four points in the third quarter, 15 points in the second half and 3-of-14 from 3-point range.

        “It was a pretty anemic (third) quarter,” Dixie coach Scott Draud said. “They took away passing lanes. This was really the first game in a long time we weren't in a position to make a run and win it.”

        Highlands received some unexpected good fortune. Forbes, who averaged just 9.3 points for the season, scored 10 in the second quarter alone. Dixie (19-9) answered. Russ Bramlage's four points led an 11-7 Dixie spurt for a 21-19 lead with 4:38 left in the half.

        It was the last time the Colonels led.

        Highlands put away the game with a 10-1 run over the final 5:28 of the fourth quarter.

        Draud's explanation: His 15- and 16-year-olds often don't compete against older players.

        “It's tough to win regional titles with three sophomores and two juniors and coming off the bench with a freshman,” he said.

        HIGHLANDS (56) — Rider 3 0 9, Forbes 6 1 15, Moeves 2 3 7, G. Guidugli 7 0 14, Neltner 5 1 11. Totals: 23 5 56.

        DIXIE HEIGHTS (43) — O'Toole 3 1 8, Lonergan 1 0 2, R. Bramlage 6 0-13, Egger 1 0 3, J. Bramlage 3 2 8, D. Jones 4 1 9. Totals: 18 4 43.

        Highlands ....... 12  19  10  15—56

        Dixie Heights ....... 10  18   4  11—43

        Three-point goals: H-Rider 3, Forbes 2; DH-.O'Toole, R. Bramlage, Egger. Records: H 20-8, DH 19-9.

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