Why might Highlands, Ashland not face each other for a while?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior defensive back Cody Stamper (23) and linebacker Conner Welsch (5) tackle Ashland's Jalon Taylor (24) in Friday's second-round playoff game. The Bluebirds won 30-15

Allen Ramsey Photo. The Highlands offensive line including Carson Haas (61) sets up in Friday's game against Ashland.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Like many teams they are facing this year, the Highlands Bluebirds and Ashland Blazer Tomcats may not play again for a while.

The Bluebirds move to Class 5A next year and the Tomcats stay in 4A. The Bluebirds beat the Tomcats, 30-15 in the closest second-round playoff match-up in Fort Thomas in the past three seasons. The Bluebirds dominated the Tomcats last year (56-6) and in 2012 (52-13).

How did NC respond to the huge Lloyd swings?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The visitors came out with some things unseen on tape.

But once the hosts figured them out, they rolled to another second-round Class 2A victory on Friday. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team (6-5 overall) managed the challenge of beating the Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts, 39-17 a second time this season.

How will the NC girls hoops team be different this year?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic senior Michaela Ware (11) scores the game-winning lay-up against Notre Dame in the 9th Region title game last year. Ware is one of two returning starters for the Thoroughbreds.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – There is no doubt about the void left in the paint for the defending 9th Region champions.

Which Ashland standout do the Bluebirds need to contain in the second round of the playoffs?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands running back Ben Brach (23) takes the ball right in Friday's game against Boyd County. The Bluebirds battle the Ashland Tomcats in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds football team welcomes challenges to Cecil Memorial Stadium anytime, especially during the playoffs.

Who does NC face in a playoff rematch?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is not necessarily a preferred path.

But the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (5-5) face the task of beating a District 6-2A for the second time this season to move on in the second round of the playoffs. They take on the Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (8-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Newport Stadium.

What will it take for the Highlands basketball team to succeed this year?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior McKenzie Leight (31) sets up for a free-throw attempt in the 9th Region semifinals against Notre Dame last year. Leigh averaged 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds for Highlands last year. Leigh is one of all five starters and 12-of-13 players returning from last year's 23-8 team.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The prospects for a big season exist.

Like veteran Head Coach Jaime Walz-Richey would say, it’s a matter of daily improvement and understanding certain qualities that make teams successful.

Richey became the Head Coach in 2002. The Ladybirds have gone 225-133 since then including three district championships and a 9th Region runner-up finish two years ago.

How did the Highlands Cross Country teams make history in the state meet?

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Ladybirds cross country team three-peated for the third time in school history winning the Class AA state championship on Saturday at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

LEXINGTON – They hoped to bring home both crowns this year.

The Highlands Ladybirds cross country team three-peated as Class AA state champions. But the Bluebirds finished third for the second straight year at the Kentucky Horse Park.