After senior guard Stephanie Ripberger was injured midway through the season, Highlands coach Luci Cecil knew her team's style of play would need to change.That change was a big reason Highlands beat Dixie Heights 35-22 Wednesday night in the Ninth Region tournament at Conner.

        The Bluebirds next play Holy Cross in the Ninth Region semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday.

        “When Ripberger went out, I knew we would have to be a defensive ballclub in order to win,” Cecil said. “When we last played Dixie (Jan.9), we won by 12, but Ripberger scored 21 of our points.”

        In Ripberger's absence, junior forward Tara Boothe has stepped up. Boothe scored 14 of Highlands' 35 points while grabbing eight rebounds, blocking three shots and recording three steals.

        Boothe scored eight first-half points en route to a 22-11 lead for Highlands at halftime.

        With Boothe patrolling the middle, Dixie Heights was hesitant to push the ball inside.

        “I knew I had to step it up on offense and defense,” Boothe said. “We made the shots when we had to and our defense contained them well.”

        Highlands forced 18 turnovers while committing only eight.

        Dixie Heights rallied to within six points at the start of the second half thanks to baskets by Cassie Shondel (a 3-pointer), Sarah Wright and Aubrey Luessen.

        But Highlands immediately responded with Abbi Gibson and Boothe both connecting on baskets to push the lead back over 10 points. Highlands then went into a stall offense in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

        “We knew we weren't going to blow anyone out offensively,” Cecil said. “That's why I switched to a stall in the fourth quarter.”

        Neither team shot well from the field. Dixie Heights was 27.8 percent and Highlands 33.3 percent.

        DIXIE HEIGHTS (22) — Shondel 2 0 6, Wright 3 0 6, Luessen 2 2 6, Durrett 2 0 4. Totals: 9 2 22.

        HIGHLANDS (35) — Boothe 4 5 14, Winkler 1 2 5, Grause 1 0 2, Gibson 3 1 8, Konen 2 0 5, Owsley 0 1 1. Totals: 11 9 35.

        Dixie Heights ....... 5   6   9   2—22

        Highlands ....... 13   9   8   5—35

        3-pointers: D—Shondel 2. H—Boothe, Winkler, Gibson, Konen. Records: 21-9, D 18-11.

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