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Hit high in south Kentucky (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sky

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'hit high' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'south kentucky' is the wordplay.
'south' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'kentucky' becomes 'ky' (abbreviation).
's'+'ky'='SKY'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sky that I've seen before include "Upper air" , "-- Blue" , "Orbiting space-station" , "Outer space viewed from earth" , "Hit (a ball) very high" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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