Monday, March 12, 2001
N.Ky. girls region preview
Girls semis split parents
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
The toughest decision in Northern Kentucky tonight might belong to Bob and Jeanne Kues.
Should the Southgate couple head west on Interstate 275 to Hebron, where younger son Rob coaches Holy Cross (13-10) against defending girls Ninth Region champion Highlands (21-9) in a 6 p.m. semifinal at Conner? Or do they take U.S. 27 south to Campbell County Middle School in Alexandria to watch Ray and the Bishop Brossart Lady 'Stangs (26-6) battle Harrison County (19-11) in one 10th Region semifinal at 6:30 p.m.?
Either game is interesting. Holy Cross has turned a three-game losing streak into a three-game winning string in post season, while Brossart has won 12 in a row since a loss to Jackson County in the state All “A” tournament in January.
The second Ninth Region semifinal at 8 p.m. features state No.6 Boone County (26-4) against Holmes (17-12). Estill County (23-7) and Fleming County (15-14) play in the second 10th Region semifinal at 8 p.m.
Holy Cross ended the regular season with losses to Boone County and Ninth Region All “A” runner-up Newport Central Catholic. They've turned that around with 35th District wins over Ludlow and Holmes and Wednesday's 55-43 victory over Conner.
“We've had a pretty good run,” Rob Kues said. “It did take us a little while to get untracked. I think I attribute (the wins) to a tough schedule. (We played) all the teams in the Ninth and Brossart.
Rob Kues also said defense has been the answer - the Indians have allowed just 42.3 points a game in the postseason.
Brossart, meanwhile, has averaged 66.5 points a game through its last 12 games.
As usual, senior guard Katie Schwegmann's 18.9 points a game over the past four leads the team, but senior forward Carrie Clift and sophomore forward Stephanie Clark have chipped in with 10.5 and nine a game, respectively.
“I just know we have to be ready to perform against Holmes' pressure,” Boone County coach Nell Fookes said.
Boone County defeated Holmes, 67-50, on Jan.8 thanks to a 25-8 Lady Rebel run to open the game, but Holmes coach Alison McCarthy said it was an even game after that.
Holmes junior Erica Hallman and Boone County senior Ciara Henderson scored 26 apiece then, but Fookes isn't looking for a repeat.
The Kueses sometimes split up to catch Rob and Ray, but they've been staying together lately. - Bob Kues had hip replacement surgery six weeks ago. Tonight, they're headed to Conner, but Jeanne Kues is looking forward to the trip and thinks she'll be in Alexandria on Tuesday.
“We've not missed any games,” Jeanne Kues said. “Both Rob and Ray have saved a place on the bench for him.”
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N.Ky. girls region preview
