Monday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Kendall Turner takes a swing in Friday's game against Campbell County. The Ladybirds are 6-4 after going 3-2 in the Uncle Pete Noll Tournament.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The annual trip south started off well for the Blue and White.

The Highlands Bluebirds edged Painesville (Ohio) Riverside located east of Cleveland, 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Mitch Gesenhues hit a fly ball to left. It was misplayed allowing Jake Whitford to score the game-winning run from second.

Highlands baseball, softball teams post wins

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team moved to 4-2 with an 11-1 six-inning domination of the Campbell County Lady Camels on Friday.

Thursday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands pitcher Miranda Mason struck out 10 in a four-inning no-hit 15-0 win over Bellevue on Thursday. The Ladybirds improved to 3-2 with the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team got back in the win column with a 15-0, four-inning run-ruling of the Bellevue Lady Tigers on Thursday at Tower Park.

Bluebirds, Colonels apply for 5A for 2015

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds experienced a ton of success playing in Class 5A between the 2007 and 2010 seasons.

Wednesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The third time was not a charm for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team.

Highlands (2-1) ventured to Conner on Wednesday and lost 6-0. They were trying to win their first three games of the season – all against Boone County squads.

Highlands adds scrimmage to upcoming season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Not only will they have a tough schedule, they will have a rugged preseason to prepare for it.

Highlands rallies past Cooper, 4-3

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team rallied past the Cooper Jaguars, 4-3 for its second straight 9th Region win in as many games to start the year.

Highlands opened the season Friday with a 3-1 win at Boone County. Both opponents came from the 33rd District.

Highlands baseball, NC softball record wins; Ryle beats Highlands softball

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior Whitney Quillen (24) records an out in Friday's game against Ryle at Tower Park. Highlands lost to the Lady Raiders, 5-1 to fall to 2-1 on the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team opened the season on a high note Friday.

Highlands, NC softball hope to catch 9th elite teams

Allen Ramsey Photos. Top: Highlands junior Whitney Quillen makes a diving stop in the Ladybird 6-0 victory over Newport Central Catholic. Bottom: NewCath pitcher Haley Meyers delivers.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This softball game was originally supposed to open up the new diamond at Winkler Field.

But the Highlands Ladybirds will not be able to play on their new field for a few weeks so the game took place at Tower Park. Highlands (2-0) shut out the rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 6-0 Thursday in a non-seeding game.

Past basketball season provided great memories

G. Michael Graham

Each year has many great memories.

NC softball opens with victory

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team opened the year with a win Tuesday.

Highlands softball opens year with bang

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands sophomore Shelby Graybill smacks an inside-the-park home run in the Ladybirds' 17-3 win over St. Henry on Monday. Graybill went 3-for-3 with a home run, double, four runs batted in and two runs scored.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team opened the season with an impressive 17-3 five-inning win Monday over the host St. Henry Lady Crusaders.

Butler edges NewCath, 54-52

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They came so close to that elusive state tournament win.

NewCath ready for challenge with Butler

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic senior post Nikki Kiernan smiles after cutting off a piece of the net following Sunday's 9th Region championship win over Notre Dame. The Ms. Basketball candidate averages 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Thoroughbreds. They take on Louisville Butler in the state tournament at Western Kentucky University at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They came into the season as a 9th Region contender and succeeded at that goal for the fourth time since 2003.

Ware's lay-up lifts NC to 9th Region crown

Allen Ramsey Photos. Top: NewCath's Michaela Ware (11) scores the game-winning lay-up in overtime. Center: The Thoroughbreds celebrate their fourth 9th Region title since 2003. Bottom: The team poses with the trophy.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – If the script sounds familiar, it’s because it has happened before.

CovCath ends magnificent NewCath season

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic guard Tanner Moeves (23) goes up against Covington Catholic's Grant Romes (23) in Sunday's 9th Region Semifinal contest. Moeves scored 15 points in the loss.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – Only a few teams in the 9th Region had the depth and tenacity to match them.

Thoroughbreds edge Lady Indians, 54-52

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Nikki Kiernan (24) puts up a shot in Saturday's 9th Region Semifinal contest against Covington Holy Cross. Kiernan had a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds in the 54-52 Thoroughbred win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The third meeting would either be another charm or go the other way depending on the side.

Notre Dame extends winning streak to seven against Highlands

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands post McKenzie Leigh (31) makes a move in Saturday's 9th Region semifianls.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – It was a matter of breaking what some may perceive as a hex to advance to the title game for the second straight year.

But it didn’t happen.

Highlands gives valiant effort in loss to Holmes

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Brandon Hergott (32) battles Holmes post Marcus Hill (23) in Friday's 9th Region Quaterfinal game at the Bank of Kentucky Center. Hergott scored nine points in the 60-41 Holmes win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – They may have hit their main goal playing on this floor.

But the Highlands Bluebirds basketball team hoped to take another step and upset a 9th Region contender in the quarterfinals at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the Northern Kentucky University campus. It was not meant to happen as the Holmes Bulldogs pulled away for a 60-41 victory Friday.

Region Tournament continues Friday

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic center Drew McDonald goes up for a shot in Wednesday's 9th Region quarterfinal game against St. Henry. The Thoroughbreds battle Covington Catholic in the semifinals at Noon on Sunday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Entering the weekend, all four Highlands and Newport Central Catholic basketball teams remain alive in the 9th Region Tournament.

Thoroughbreds pummel Crusaders, 71-45

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic guard Zack Pangallo (12) makes a move in Wednesday's 9th Region quarterfinal contest against St. Henry. Pangallo scored 22 points in the 71-45 Thoroughbred win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – They have accomplished many goals this year.

But the state-ranked Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team (29-3) has made it clear it is hungrier for more. They took another step toward one of those goals with a 71-45 win over the 34th District runner-up St. Henry Crusaders (14-11) on Wednesday at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the Northern Kentucky University campus. The Thoroughbreds own 22 consecutive wins.

Simple adjustment helps NC rally past Conner

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic junior Loren Zimmerman (15) directs traffic in Tuesday's 9th Region quarterfinal contest. The Thoroughbreds downed Conner, 65-55 for their first region win since 2011.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The vaunted on-ball pressure defense of the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team is no secret in the 9th Region.

Highlands rolls past St. Henry

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands point guard Haley Coffey dribbles against St. Henry's Karly Lehmkuhl (32) in Monday's 9th Region quarterfinal contest. The Ladybirds won 67-52 to advance to the region semifinals for the second straight year.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – It was simply a matter of time.

The Highlands Ladybirds (23-7) trapped the St. Henry Lady Crusaders (18-12) all over the court in Monday’s 9th Region Quarterfinal game. That pressure ultimately hurt the Lady Crusaders in a 67-52 victory at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the Northern Kentucky University campus.

Field set for 9th Region Tournament

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

A coach once said blind draws involve a lot of luck.

Based on that, the Highlands Ladybirds and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred girls basketball teams received good draws for the 9th Region Tournaments to be held at Northern Kentucky University’s Bank of Kentucky Center. But that was not so much the case for their male counterparts.