BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Highlands (23-9) meets Perry County Central (28-3) at 8:30 p.m. today in a first-round game in the Kentucky girls Sweet Sixteen. Here's a socuting report:

        • Probable starting lineups: Highlands: Tara Boothe, 6-1 junior center (20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds); Katie Winkler, 5-8 senior forward (4.4 points, 3 rebounds); Emily Hamel, 5-10 junior forward (3.0 points, 3 rebounds); Katie Konen, 5-10 freshman forward (3.3 points, 3 rebounds); Abbi Gibson, 5-6 freshman guard (4.3 points). Perry County Central: Polly Sebastian, 5-6 freshman guard (11.6 points, 5.4 assists, 3.4 steals); Bertha Sebastian, 5-8 junior guard (9.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals); Kristie Miller, 5-8 senior guard (21.1 points, 5.4 rebounds); Emily Brashear, 5-8 sophomore forward (4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds); Ashley Shouse, 5-11 junior center (4.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks).

        • Notable: Highlands lives by its defense. The Bluebirds have given up just 39.4 points a game this season, their second straight of allowing fewer than 40.

        That's important for two reasons: The Commodores average 70.1 points a game and have beaten opponents by 19.1 a contest; and Boothe (24 points and 17 rebounds against Boone County in last week's Ninth Region final) is the only Highlands player averaging more than 4.4 points a game.

        Perry Central is in the tournament for the second straight year and third in the last four. There's also some history: Perry Central coach Randy Napier is 1-0 vs. Highlands, having led M.C. Napier — which merged with Dilce Combs to form Perry Central in 1996 — to the 1994 title over the Bluebirds when current Highlands coach Luci Cecil was an assistant.

        Look for contrasting styles today. Highlands' half-court attack vs. Perry Central's running game. The Commodores often go 11 players deep.

        • Quotable: “We have to control the ball. A half-court game would be nice.” — Highlands coach Luci Cecil.

        “We've got to control Boothe. I think they play outstanding defense.” — Perry County Central coach Randy Napier.

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