Chris Kier scored 11 points and the Knoch defense was stifling again as the Knights cruised to a 49-35 home win over Highlands in high school boys basketball action Wednesday night.

Knoch (14-2, 8-2) held Highlands to just 13 points in the first half and 19 after three quarters in the victory.

Matt Zanella and Austin Miller each added eight points for Knoch.

HIGHLANDS 35

Tyler Allsworth 2 1-2 6, Lavonte Martin 1 2-6 4, Jordan Lineburg 1 1-1 3, Braden Thimmons 2 2-2 6, Kaison Branch 2 2-4 6, Julian Flenory 3 3-6 10. Totals: 11 11-21 35.

KNOCH 49

Austin Miller 3 1-3 8, David Gallagher 1 1-2 3, Stephen Oblich 1 0-0 2, Troy Hixson 0 2-2 2, Matt Zanella 4 0-0 8, Aidan Albert 2 0-0 5, Jim Larrimer 3 0-0 6, Chris Kier 5 0-0 11, Austin Hannes 0 2-2 2, Connor Shinsky 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 6-9 49.

Highlands 7 6 6 16 — 35

Knoch14 10 10 15 — 49

3-point goals: Highlands 2 (Allsworth, Slenotty); Knoch 3 (Miller, Albert, Kier)

JV: None

Friday: Knoch at Chartiers Valley

Girls BasketballKnoch couldn’t overcome a slow start and a late surge by Highlands in a 36-26 section loss.The defeat dropped the Knights to 2-14 overall and 2-8 in the league.HIGHLANDS 36Bernardi 0 0-2 0, Deal 1 1-2 3, Boda 6 7-9 22, Jonczak 1 3-7 5, Thomas 1 2-2 4, Graff 1 0-0 2. Totals: 10 13-22 36.KNOCH 26Maddy Bricker 1 0-0 3, Savanna Steffen 1 2-4 4, Erica Hunter 2 0-1 4, MacKenzie Rodgers 1 0-2 2, Abbie Thrower 1 2-2 4, Allie Megahan 0 2-2 2, Ally Riley 2 0-0 5, Madison Swihart 1 0-0 2. Totals: 9 6-9 26.Highlands 11 5 9 11 — 36Knoch6 6 10 4 — 263-point goals: Highlands 3 (Boda 3); Knoch 2 (Bricker, Riley)JV: NoneFriday: Burrell at Knoch

BowlingJacob Cookson rolled a 744 series to help Butler to a 7-0 sweep in a key section match-up against Armstrong.Cookson scores were 235, 268 and 241.Garrett Sexton added a 677 series with a game-high 236, Cody Rosenbauer a 626 series (234 high) and Matt Wetzel a 609 series.The Butler girls also emerged with a 5-2 victory. Megan Paul paced Butler with a 581 series (226 high).Both the Butler boys and girls team are 7-0 on the season. Both Armstrong teams fell to 5-2.

HockeyKyle Thomas had a hat trick as Mars opened up the game with a six-goal first period on the way to a 9-2 win over Bishop McCort.Craig Mazzotta and Pwen Vasbinder each added two goals for the Planets, who out-shot Bishop McCort 43-15.