Covington Catholic Makes a Statement, Blows Past Highlands in Top-25 Clash
Highlands came into Friday night hoping to solidify its spot in the statewide top 25. But Covington Catholic had other plans-and they didn’t just win, they dominated.
In a matchup between No. 5 Covington Catholic (16-1) and No.
24 Highlands (12-2), the Colonels put on an offensive clinic, racing out to a 52-point first half behind blistering 63% shooting. By the final buzzer, Cov Cath had rolled to an 88-66 victory that was as emphatic as it was efficient.
From the opening tip, Cov Cath made it clear they weren’t here to ease into things. The Colonels dropped 29 points in the first quarter alone, with junior sharpshooter Braeden Myrick lighting it up from deep-four triples in the opening frame set the tone. Highlands, despite putting up a solid 40 points in the first half, simply couldn’t keep pace with the firepower coming at them.
“Big thing for us is running in transition, which we did a really nice job of,” said head coach Jake Thelen. And he wasn’t exaggerating. Cov Cath’s transition game was relentless-turning rebounds, steals, and even made baskets into fast-break opportunities.
The Colonels didn’t just win with pace-they won with depth and balance. Myrick led the scoring charge with 28 points, including five made threes, but he was far from alone.
Athens McGillis turned in a commanding double-double with 28 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. Cash Harney nearly joined him in double-double territory, tallying 11 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a do-it-all performance.
Then there was Donovan Bradshaw, who delivered his most complete game of the season-20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, showing off his versatility on both ends.
Coach Thelen didn’t hold back in his praise. “Athens McGillis is the best player in the region.
I don’t even really think it’s close,” he said. “Cash Harney gets downhill, gets to the rim, unbelievable player.
You got Braden Myrick, king of threes. Donovan Bradshaw played the best game of this season.”
That chemistry isn’t just built in the gym-it’s carried over from off the court, too. “We hang out off the court, we eat together, we always together,” said Myrick. “And yeah, carries on to the game.”
Defensively, Cov Cath brought the same energy. The Colonels racked up eight blocks and nine steals, disrupting Highlands’ rhythm at every level.
Even as the game slowed in the second half, Cov Cath kept their foot on the gas. A late 6-0 run-fueled by hustle plays, forced turnovers, and quick-strike offense-was the final exclamation point before the starters exited to a well-earned rest.
Highlands had moments, and some bright spots emerged despite the loss. Finn Bouldin led the Bluebirds with 16 points, while Vincent Listerman and Owen Ebert chipped in 11 each. Tayden Lorenzen, son of Kentucky football legend Jared Lorenzen, added seven points, showing flashes of promise with a strong fourth quarter that included a pair of crafty post finishes.
But this night belonged to Covington Catholic. With their blend of speed, skill, and cohesion, the Colonels didn’t just beat a ranked opponent-they sent a clear message: they’re not just one of the top teams in the region. They’re a team built for a deep postseason run.